Books

[Mariechell]

Hi all. My son was just diagnosed in the summer. He is 8 and our health professional advised us not to tell him outright about his diagnosis but read books and guide him towards it and and y’all around it. My brother and sister have aspergers as well but they weren’t diagnosed until adulthood. Any good books? For him or me? Thank you

[Hidden]

Hi Mariechell, I have autism too, I found it hard to grow up and now I'm a adult there was so many books I liked like soft and feel books and educational books and doing colouring in always helped, life will get easier trust me, you need to get him outside and do like orienteering or mud slides to make him smile. How old is he now, how is he doing in school,does he go to a special needs school or a mainstream school. I found it difficult in mainstream but I was out ruling everyone in my Sen school..my teachers thought I was only doing it to make the others greet me nicely and make them happy,but no I got bullied by it so kept skipping lessons from science and maths but I conquered my teachers and now I'm doing well.

[emmasue]

My son was diagnosed just before his 11th birthday. We told him and he was glad to know the reason why he felt so different to everyone else. He has friends though who are autistic so it hasn't really been a problem. We are all different and he just deals with it. His sister got her diagnosis 6 months later. He is definitely Aspergers but she is more high functioning autistic. As for books, the best book I have read (for adults) is Neurotribes by Steve Silberman. It was a very positive book and shaped the way I see autism. I'm not sure about books for kids, but there are lots of really good youtube videos done by autistic kids and adults to explain autism. The best one is this one:

youtube.com/watch?v=ejpWWP1...(Not working as expected?)

We were shown that one on an autism training course. Our son watched it later and he likes it. Hope you find a way through this for your family. x

[j-o-h-n]

The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome 1st Edition

by Tony Attwood (Author)

j-o-h-n Thursday 11/09/2017 8:00 PM EST

[Pinkie-pie2 in reply to j-o-h-n]

Good book. This was the first one we read on the journey of our son’s diagnosis.

[j-o-h-n in reply to Pinkie-pie2]

To: Pinkie-pie2

How old is your son?

j-o-h-n Monday 02/12/2018 8:03 PM EST

[Pinkie-pie2 in reply to j-o-h-n]

Hi, he is 11. We started our journey of getting to understand, and accepting the diagnosis etc when he was 3 and it was pointed out to us by the Montessori teacher, we kind of ignored it, and then the mainstream school teacher told us to start an assessment and it went from there. He was told about his ‘label’ at age 10, but he always knew he was different. Son has struggles still, that come along, but we deal with them the best we can. I am hoping I can be of help to people on here, but also am interested to see how older people have and are coping with life too, and might learn some things along the way.

[j-o-h-n in reply to Pinkie-pie2]

HelloBack,

My son is 27 and was diagnosed at around 6ish. My wife and I were and still are being challenged by his ASP. I am quite an older father and do recognize that ASP runs in my family ( I believe my Nephew from my brother and Nephew from my sister) and I think I'm a bit in the spectrum. It is a challenge but my son got his masters in accounting and is presently working in a very small accounting firm. As you know they are really great kids but so innocent. We had him in special education from about the 3rd grade right through 4 years of high school. He immediately entered college and did very well except for his "social skills" (but he is getting better). So far no females in his life and hardly any friends except for those he met at an adult support group (which he no longer attends due to his job). Well all I can say is that it's a struggle but I wouldn't change my son for any other son in the whole world. Keep plugging away and it may help to have some psychiatric assistance, and sometimes meds are needed. Well there is so much to ASP and I feel your pain.

Good Luck and Good Health to you and of course your son (and family).

p.s. Go to michaeljohncarley.com/

He is a good resource for ASP. He was one of the parents in our parents support group way back in the early 90's. He has ASP and so does his son, who must be in his mid 20's now.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 02/13/2018 6:51 PM EST

[Pinkie-pie2 in reply to j-o-h-n]

Hi, Did you follow the recent series on Channel 4 called ‘Hunted’ ? Had a lad in it, and he won , think he was about 25. What a fabulous inspiration he was to a lot of people and also brought some public awareness for ASD. You might be able to see it on a catch up or YouTube. There is a fb group about it too. Channel 4 Hunted. Brilliant edge of seat watching. So good to see positive role models on the tv. I am sure your son will ‘find his tribe’ like I hope that my son will too. Once other people can see what wonderful people our kids are, then things will click into place. Sounds like your son has a great Dad in you anyway, so keep on with the good work!

[j-o-h-n in reply to Pinkie-pie2]

Hello, Sorry but I didn't view the Hunted. I will look for it however, thanks for the tip.

You said "lad" you must be from across the POND (or down under). I will repeat myself. Give your lad plenty of hug and kisses (squeeze him to death). Thank you for the compliment of being a great DAD, but he's my flesh and blood and has my DNA so that makes me a good Dad. Well you sound like a good Mom and hopefully there's a Dad in the picture. So many men bow out of the picture cause they want a perfect child, I say you 'MADE A PERFECT CHILD" period. Take care and keep on loving him.

Good Luck and Good Health.

j-o-h-n Friday 02/16/2018 2:29 PM EST

[Pinkie-pie2 in reply to j-o-h-n]

In Ireland, but I am English.

[j-o-h-n in reply to Pinkie-pie2]

oxymoron LOL

Good Luck and Good Health.

j-o-h-n Friday 02/16/2018 2:34 PM EST

[corriefan]

A book called "All cats have Asperger Syndrome" by Kathy Hoopmann would probably be suitable for your son.

[thyroidma]

hey. My daughter was diagnosed with autism/aspergers last December. She was so incredibly relieved to have a diagnosis and we were glad that she got it younger before other people's prejudices could influence the way she thought about it. As far as she's concerned it's what makes her an amazing artist and be able to understand animals and see tiny, tiny details in the world that other people don't notice, but it's also what makes it difficult to sleep and be in school with all the noise and so many people. She's felt different for years and she wanted to know why. Now she tells people (she likes) 'I have Aspergers', and I think that's great. Its HER Aspergers and she has ownership of it, no one else is going to tell her how it is, or what it means because only SHE experiences it the way she does.

[Pinkie-pie2]

Hi, Telling our son was kind of accidental. We gradually built up to it, having chats with him about how he felt different to other kids, and his gifts that make him special, and we honestly didn’t know how and when to tell him. Had to tell him one day, when a friend of mine announced it to him on Skype, he was very upset and angry with me for not telling him that he had a ‘disease’, but he calmed down when we had a chat and was reassured that is it not a disease! He understands now that he has a different type of brain and way of thinking, but that it can be a good thing. He also understands, but not sure how much, that he also has disadvantages socially. This is where things are hard for him. I think with books, have a read through and see which one would suit your child. With our son, he is not a big reader, but he likes funny and silly things, so a simple book called ‘Dude, I’m an aspie’ Was a lighthearted way for him to have a quick read and understand that there are other people out there who are quirky like him. We have tried to keep it all positive here, mentioning role models that he likes that are likely to be on the spectrum. You have probably found a book by now as you posted 3 months ago! But I am new on here, so a bit behind!