Suggested reading on ASD. Son has just been diagnosed.

[HowardMoon]

Hi all. Wondered if anyone had any suggested good books on ASD as a first port of call following a diagnosis. My son (3 and a bit) has just been diagnosed and obviously I would like to read up as much as possible on it.

Thanks

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I would second tony Attwoods book and website.

There is a also a good book by Simon Baron Cohen and Patrick Bolton called Autism, the facts - quite a good summary, though some of it a bit out of date. I also liked George and Sam and must look at Tony Atwood

Thanks so much all. Will look at your suggestions. DS is non-verbal - he has very limited speech. Doesn't really have challenging behaviour as such. I think the main problem is communication. He has a fairly good understanding of what we say to him but is poor at responding and communicating in a meaningful way. Still feeling our way with this as although we suspected ASD it''s still a bit of a shock and upsetting to hear it officially.

Does anyone have experience of a non-verbal child developing language skills ? I think I am most upset that he can't really talk at the moment and am horrified that this might be the case permanently...

I'd avoid Tony Attwood if your son is non-verbal. My son is non-verbal and I found Lucy Blackman's book "lucy's story' the best thing I have ever read.It might be a bit early to be relevant to you, I think I read it when ds1 was about 5.

Would recommend Donna Williams' website (and perhaps get on her mailing list).

Perhaps also read around therapies. Olga Bogdashina's books are good for understanding sensory issues, there are quite a few user friendly ABA books out there now. Have a browse on the Jessica Kingsley Publishers website perhaps. I've reviewed a few books here and listed more that I've found useful on the products page

DS1 is 8 and non-verbal, but most of the non-verbal 3 year olds I have met have developed speech. TBH it gets less important either way (whether they do or don't) as they get older.

Thanks yurt1. Will also have a look at what you have suggested. What is ABA ?

Have just had a quick look at your blog yurt1 - will read in depth later as I have to go out now.

Your son is a very handsome chap !

ABA

We've been running a Growing Minds programme for a year or so (did ABA by ourselves before that). I've found GM good. There's a review with links on my website if you click on therapies.

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Hello tobysmumkent - thanks for sharing your experience - it sounds like your DS2 is progressing really well.

My DS is already at special playgroup and mainstream playgroup 4 mornings a week so hopefully they will help with signing/makaton etc. DS can speak but it is mainly repetition, and not very clear most of the time. Not helped by the fact that he has his dummy in almost 24/7 now. We are working on trying to lessen the time he has it, but he gets seriously upset if we take it off him unexpectedly.

My head is spinning a bit, mainly due to a dreadful cold/sinusitis I have had for nearly 2 weeks, and I only wish I could get my head cleared a bit to be able to start thinking about all we have to face in the coming months/years. Mind you I'll have plenty of time to do that I am sure.

Mine started speaking a lot more after he went for cranial osteopathy. Seemed to open up a gate. Then I wondered why he wouldn't shut up

All the best.