DS just had dx of ASD, books to explain it to him???

[nameymacnamechanger]

DS has just had his diagnosis of ASD (we were expecting it and it was a long time coming).

We have recentlyhad some issues with him or other children noticing his diffferences from hs peers so I was thinking a book or two explaining autism that I can read to him may help him understand. Any recommendations?

We have all cats have aspergers but he has been diagnosed with ASD (nothing specific like HFA or AS) so I think he would dismiss the cat one as not being about him IYSWIM.

this?

different like me

and this

Leonie-i told dd1 she has AS last year when she started asking questions about dd2, she took it really well and seemed quite pleased that she wasn't the same as everyone else , she does use it as an exscuse if she is naughty ('its my Aspergers mummy').

Ds is 6yrs and 3 months.

Have you used these with your dds Marne? I don't know if the first two would be a bit old for DS, but then again I never know how much he will take in and how much he won't, sometimes he surprises me.

I've mentioned autism before and told him it means he is special and that he struggles with some things but is very good at other things, even better than mummy!

I don't want it to be something he feels ashamed of or overly negative about, which is the feedback he's getting generally at the moment from some children at school (I only found this out last night). I want him to hold his head up high knowing who he is and that he is wonderful. Aaw!

This is good! My son found it useful!

NAS publications, 'I have autism.. What's that?'is good too..
I also like their poster 'Autism is...' with stick men illustrations.

That looks good lottie,

foundthis too will post for leonie's watchful eyes

I also like the book in Marne's post I am utterly unique. Want to order them all now and I am meant to be on a spending diet!

like the sound of the poster will have to have a look

I havn't used the books with dd1, she has seen A is for Autism (great dvd). I'm tempted to buy the 'I am utterly unique' book. I have seen the others briefly at our SN school (when i went on a course).

I think its hard to explain Autism to anyone as each person on the spectrum is unique (they don't all have the same issues). I tell dd1 that Aspergers makes her very bright but it also causes her to get upset easily, she suffers with anxiety and knows that it is caused by Aspergers but we work together to find solutions to her problems. Dd1 is almost 7 (in 2 weeks), sometimes i forget how old she is because she talks like an adult, she understands that everyone is different and some people have sn's (including her and her sister).

We also make our own picture story's to explain how she's feeling and how AS effects her.

We have got this which is aimed at younger children but its more for anxiety rather than ASD.

I like the idea of the poster with stick figures but when i looked on The NAS site i couldnt bring it up clearly!! Has any one got a clearer link please??

For Lottie, I'm new to this so hope it works!
here

That seemed to work! so here's the book too.

AW,,,, Thanks but that's the one i had looked at already! it's so small that i can't read it!!

Found an old leaflet last night of NAS books, and at the bottom of each page are the stick figures from the poster. They say things like

• variety is not the spice of life (signpost and little stickfigure is dragging other one towards the sign marked familiar route)
• displays indifference (back to the other stck figure)
• joins in only if adult insists and assists
• one sided interaction (adult stick figure encouraging small one towards children playing with a ball)
• talks about one topic (speach bubbles with pics of trains)

etc

They look quite good and would definetely be something ds could relate to.

Also remembered NAS members get a discount off books so will be putting in an order at some point.

Marne I was looking at that DVD but wasn't sure, always good to get feedback from a parent in same situation!

oops I've muddled some of my post up but I'm sure you'll get the gist.

Dd1 explains As as 'having too much info in her head and its all fighting to get out at the same time' . My dd's are the complete oposite to each other even though they are close on the spectrum (dd1 AS and dd2 HFA).

A for Autism is a great DVD, we have shown it to the whole family and they found it very usefull, its great for showing people who don't know about ASD's.

DS has been asking about his maclaren major, and we have had an increase in discussions about his 'stripy pants' (nappies), and him being upset because he can't do certain things.

I'm not sure he is comparing himself to his peers, more puzzled and frustrated I think.

Glad this thread has gone well, thanks everyone for chat and suggestions.