talking about a parents death/dying to kids with autism.

[onlyjoking9329]

i need ideas for books that cover this sort of thing for my three kids. are there any books that anyone has found useful for kids with autism. my twin girls can't read but like pictures.
does anyone know any specialist organizations that cover this area?
i really don't know how to prepare the kids but i know what i will need too.

Oh lord, OJ, I don't know of anything myself, but wanted to bump this for you and send you my love.
What stage are your girls at developmentally? Alot of books I've come across use metaphors, which probably aren't appropriate for a child with ASD.
Hope someone comes along with ideas for you xx

I've seen a book about dying that has no words, just pictures. The idea is that a parent or carer or supporter goes through it with someone. It's aimed at adults (or children, I guess) with learning disabilities. If you want more details, feel free to CAT me and I'll see what I can get for you.

metaphors are not good for my three.
so far we haven't had many questions thou elliot has said when steve was in hospital in august is dad going to die? of course at that time we didn't know it was terminal.
consultant is saying he has 3-6 months
i don't want to say anything until i have to.
we have decided that if any of the kids say is dad going to get better then we will say that he might not.
we don't want to lie and say that he will but don't want (at this stage) to say that he won't get better.
as you say Christe the kids are used to kids dying from school as a boy died last year
i really don't know how they will cope with knowing that their Dad is going to die.

oj, I was looking for a website that I once came across for work but saw this book. Will keep looking for the website and link if I find it.

thanks for that link will have a look

oj I know the children's hospices have developed various methods & literature to help deal with this subject.
They may be able to loan you something?

See Saw a bereavement charity in Oxfordshire do a bereavement pack for parents of children with a learning difficulty. It costs £12 i think, it includes explaining in symbols to children about someone dieing and also other reading material, hope this is helpful.

Big up to Winstons Wish Christie well done!!

They are a fantastic charity who have helped me with my son when his dad, grandad and male carer died within the last six years! WW were the ones who put me on to SeeSaw too!

thanks for all suggestions, will have a good look see what i can find.

Michael Rosen's Sad book is very image driven

and it pictorially (cartoon) demonstrates emotions in a rather unique way I felt .. but it might be a bit metaphorical

to give you an idea, so you can judge for yourself:
the first page is a cartoon pic of MR grinning and the copy is "This is me being sad. Maybe you think I'm being happy in this picture. Really I'm being sad but pretending I'm being happy. I'm doing that because I think people won't like me if I look sad"

second page figure walking through fog "Sometimes sad is very big. It's everywhere. All over me."

third page close up of sad face "then I look like this. And there's nothing I can do about it. What makes me most sad is when I think about my son Eddie. He died. I loved him very, very much but he died anyway"

also talks about his mother dying too

that sounds good twig, i know there are books out there but a lot won't be suitable IYKWIM, that one sounds good for DS but probably too hard for the girls

have you asked the macmillan nurse if she can put you in contact with the childhood grief and loss people, they have been fab with my two kids. I'm sure that they would have been equally good with children with asd, as they take everything at the child's own pace.

have spoken to the Mac nurse about the kids.
her advice is to be honest with them, trouble is the girls aren't able to talk about things or ask questions beyond whats for tea.
mac nurse is coming on thursday to do the DLA forms will ask if she has any ideas. could do with a video as our three are visual learners.
how is Mr MB?

feeling a bit rough and tired, although he did go into work this morning, and went to see ds's SENCO after lunch, so he has had a busy day.

He is uncomfortable at night, so neither of us are sleeping that well.

How is the treatment going?

he has had a busy day.
whats keeping him awake?
steve is on his thirs lot of anti sickness tablets and not been sick for two days so that is good.
the consultant has been honest with him but only cos steve asked how long do i have?
the answer floored him 3-6 months thou treatment may extend that.
on a bad day he says he is not going to continue treatment on a good day he seems resigned to it all. it is a rollercoaster as you well know.

bumping for jenjin