Book for a child terrified of germs?

[Worriedmotheroftwo]

Seeking advice...
My 6 year old (autistic) son has developed a fear (I won't call it a phobia - yet) of germs. He's already emetophobic.

I've explained that not all germs are bad, and tried to explain about the immune systen. He is keen to learn more about germs as he recognises that his fear is becoming an issue for him.

Does anyone have any recommendations of a book for a 6 year old that explores germs in a scientific but age-appropriate way, which will reassure rather than scare him, and which doesn't focus on sickness and hand washing?

Thank you!!

Thinking 'see inside' usbourne book type thing, although there isn't one on germs.

From copilot -

1. "Do Not Lick This Book" by Idan Ben-Barak: This interactive book follows Min the microbe into the microscopic world found on everyday objects. It's written by a microbiologist and features zoomed-in photos that make learning about germs fun and fascinating
2. "A Germ's Journey" by Thom Rooke, M.D.: This book explains how germs travel from one host to another and introduces the basics of the immune system in a way that's easy for young children to understand
3. "The Bacteria Book: The Big World of Really Tiny Microbes" by Steve Mould: This fact-filled science book is great for slightly older readers but can be enjoyed by younger kids with adult guidance. It includes colorful diagrams and interesting facts about bacteria
4. "I'm Trying to Love Germs" by Bethany Barton: This book uses humor and engaging illustrations to teach kids about the microbes all around us. It reassures children by showing that not all germs are bad

Oh those are good ideas thanks! I actually asked ChatGPT first but it didn't come up with anything helpful! I like the sound of number 4!

Wow not number 2 though, A Germ's Journey! Unless I want to make him even more terrified 🙈 Have ordered number 4 though, thanks - it looks ideal.

I would really advise against doing this. I did do things like this (books, talking, explaining etc) and instead of giving my child reassurance it actually reinforced the fear/phobia. Even well worded advice and messages. And don't avoid the fear.

Avoid reading books about it or talking about germs? Thanks, I appreciate the attempt at advice but actually this is what helped get his emetophobia under control, and was advised and supported by a Clin Psych. All children are different but this is what works for mine (just has to be the right book). I'm sorry it didn't work out for yours but no two children are the same.

You carry on then. A clin psych advised us to get emetophobia under control was not to accommodate the fear. That doesn't mean never talking about germs and vomiting but we do not seek out books about her fears. It has worked brilliantly but as you say all children are different.

I used to struggle with this and then realised that my immune system is knackered. I wear a mask when I go out now and haven't caught anything in ages. It really made my life very very much easier. It turned out that we have a family propensity to pick up gastro-enteritis, and also a tendency to motion sickness, which is called "problems with proprioception" in ASD people and is quite common. Everybody used to think it was a phobia with me, but it turned out it was just a natural reaction to my body being quite different from other peoples' bodies. Figuring out how to cope with it really made things a lot better.

Exactly 👌

Thanks for this. Sorry to hear you've had issues with your immune system. Ironically my son is almost ridiculously healthy - he's almost never unwell. Yes, I have the proprioconception issue as well (in lots of other ways too) but thankfully my son is very different to me! Glad to hear the mask has made a difference.

Here's a cute poem I remember from when I was a kid:

Just a thread update - we got the book 'I'm trying to love germs' and that has made a HUGELY positive difference to him. Thanks for all the help, especially to @alcoholnightmare for the suggestion 😊

Great to hear x