Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew: Updated and Expanded Edition Kindle Edition

A great resource for a parent wading into the ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) world. The books touches on basics that we unwillingly omit, and puts you into the perspective of a child with ASD.It breaks down misconceptions and stereotypes of what it means to live with autism, and everything that entails for the parents and families involved, but even more importantly the child living with it.The book revolves heavily on the authors own experience with her son, and what she and her family have done, who they’ve talked to, and what they’ve learned to convey the main points of the book. Although it does rely on studies when it needs to, the book is more of a showcase of the love and the care that they took to provide their son the best opportunities for him, and the fight that went along those opportunities.The book is broken down into 10 concepts:1. I am a whole child2. My senses are out of sync3. Distinguish between won’t and can’t4. I am a concrete thinker. I interpret language literally5. Listen to all the ways I’m trying to communicate6. Picture this! I am visually oriented7. Focus and build on what I can do rather than what I can’t do8. Help me with social interactions9. Identify what triggers my meltdowns10. Love me unconditionallyIt then goes onto give an update on how her son has normalize most of the aspects on his life, as well as all of their support and love supporting his own path as he figures out life, and the in and outs of adulthood.My greatest takeaway from this book, aside from understanding how I should behave and react to my child based on a new perspective knowing what I know now, is this; Your view and your outlook for your child will determine how your child blossoms. To quote the author: As Marcus Aurelius observed “Your life is what your thoughts make of it”. For the child with autism, we must extend that: “your child’s life is what your thoughts make of it. More than any treatment, diet, or therapy, the perspectives from which we view a child’s autism have the greatest impact on whether he will learn to grow, thrive, and be a happy person.I will definitively be recommending this book to whomever has a child living with autism in their life. The most powerful line from the book: “Autism is a tragedy for families only if they allow it to be. The greatest tragedy that can befall a child with autism is to be surrounded by adults who think it’s a tragedy”

I feel this is an excellent primer for those new to autism, especially those who are still struggling to understand if the behavior they see is identifiable. Our 5-year old son has recently been diagnosed with high-functioning autism, and I bought this book not only for myself, but for his grandparents. His grandmother read the book before coming to stay with my husband for a week while I was out of town, and it helped her immensely. It helps to give you a sense of empathy rather than just frustration when your child acts they way they do; consequently changing how you react to it (I'm much better able to be patient now that I understand that he is struggling to work his way through situations just as hard as I am). While I learned a significant amount of important basics, just as important is that I walked away with a sense of hope, which was incredibly healing for me as I emotionally wrestled with my feelings after the diagnosis. The author shares her experience with her own son, the highs and the lows; and later editions have epilogues in the back with updates on her child who is now a functional, happy, independent adult. While this does not mean that every child will turn out as well-adjusted, at least you feel as though it might actually be possible, instead of being consumed with nightmare scenarios of them as an adult.Another important component in the book is her careful analysis of the language we use to describe people with autism and how much damage it can (and does) do - not only to the psyche of the adult, but also the child, and the world at large (this is such a stigmatized condition, which was part of my struggle when I heard the news - I thought I knew what autism was. I did not). Phrases such as "suffer from autism" for example, are unhelpful and give the wrong impression about a child's daily existence. As another reviewer (who has autism) touches on, even high profile, helpful advocate organizations such as Autism Speaks infer that there is something "lesser-than" about those with autism, by referring to "finding the missing piece of the puzzle" (which is also illustrated in their logo). From this book I realized my son is not missing any pieces, he is just a more complicated puzzle to fit together (and all children are puzzles in their own way, really). While it is true, as several other reviewers have mentioned, there are not many specific strategies other than making you aware of what's going on in an autistic child's brain and how they perceive the world, I don't think this book is meant for that. It is a personalized viewpoint from a mother who has worked her way through this with her own child, and the things she learned that can apply to your child (and you) as well. *Specific* strategies come from therapy, as every child is different, and will need slightly different guidance and help. There's no "one-size-fits-all" remedy (although if you are looking for some basic strategies as well as ideas for how to help your child on an on-going, daily basis, I am finding "1001 Great Ideas for Teaching and Raising Children with Asperger's and Autism" to be helpful).This book literally changed my way of thinking about the future and about my son, and as a mom staring down a new, uncertain, long and winding road, I am very, very grateful.

I am using this book for both personal and professional reasons. If you are a parent of an autistic child many of these things you have discovered already. That being said, if you have just received a diagnosis or are not familiar with autism this is a great book to read. It is written in Plain English . The book is organized so that one gets a brief overview of the ten things and then the chapters that follow are more in depth. I like this because it makes for easy reference. I also like the fact that it points out that no one should stereotype anyone. My sons autism is not who he is just one aspect of him. I introduce him as my son NOT my autistic son. This is a great text for educating your family members as well as those outsiders that are ignorant . I actually had an ignorant man ask me what is he? I replied a human being with special super powers.

Just as good as the revised copy, every Teacher in the U. K., SHOULD READ BOTH COPIES OF THIS BOOK TO UNDERSTAND ALL CHILDREN, as one CHILD IS NOT THE SAME AS THE NEXT! THEN YOU WOULD SEE AN EXPLOSION IN OUR SCHOOLS WITH THE CHILDREN!!!!!!!!!!!

Absolutely wonderful book - with our child being recently diagnosed ASD, this book helped us immensely. It’s not medical, but practical with hope. It does give hope. I’ve underlined and and wrote notes, and on a bad day flip through parts to remind myself of things that matter and it does bring hope and a smile.

As a grandparent of a super 6 year old I can honestly say this is the first book that has really helped me understand how he sees the world. Unlike most information about Autism I have read I found it to be very positive and gave me real hope that with the right assistance and guidance Adam will go on to enjoy his childhood and become a happy and successful adult.

My daughter was diagnosed with autism over a year ago and I'm only sorry I didnt purchase this book then!I am halfway through and finding it excellent and fascinating.The author is great at explaining everything in layman's terms. It has really helped me to understand and see things from my daughters point of view.

Every parent of a child with autism MUST read this book.The author's North Atlantic me, me, me style can be a bit off-putting to begin with, slightly arogant, but once you get used to that, it is a real eye-opener.My daughter decided to say NO to the awful drugs and this book has helped us to understand better and to develop coping and handling strategies."Let's give it a year without the drugs" will become "Let's do another year" I have no doubt.