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Mild Autism?

TrevorP

Hi all, my youngest son (of 3) has just been diagnosed at the age of 5, with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. I'm probably in denial, but everything I read doesn't seem to quite fit with him. He is fairly repetitive, likes to watch the same DVDs over and over again, sticks with the same friends and isn't at the same speech levels as friends - but he is doing ok at school, is very sociable, perfectly happy at playing imaginary games, has no behavioural issues to speak of, is no less empathetic to peers or parents when they are upset. All of the literature that I read seems to be geared towards more severe cases, and I'm struggling to put my finger exactly on what it is he can't do that other children can do, and so what support I can give him. Are there any good books or resources out there for children with more mild autism?

Parents

  • The market is flooded with texts but it is hard to find something informative that gets to grips with such important issues as whether it is mild or more marked (and "mild" can mean good in some areas marked in others).  It is sad that there are so many texts around which are of a clinical nature, often using rather extreme examples as illustration, and presenting a very negative picture (as if to strengthen austere clinical recommendations). Those about education are often quite severe. And there is a lot of biographical stuff which can be useful but generally represents those with more marked difficulties.  Thirdly there are books by therapists making the case for various therapies, which can be negative in outlook.

    I find Tony Attwood's "The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome" a helpful reference on symptoms, and a more positive image, but it still has clinical elements.

    Although written early, based on anectdotal evidence from a smaller circle of respondents at that time, Clare Sainsbury's "Martian in the Playground" is much more human and empathic than most texts, and a good one for understanding life at school.

Reply

  • The market is flooded with texts but it is hard to find something informative that gets to grips with such important issues as whether it is mild or more marked (and "mild" can mean good in some areas marked in others).  It is sad that there are so many texts around which are of a clinical nature, often using rather extreme examples as illustration, and presenting a very negative picture (as if to strengthen austere clinical recommendations). Those about education are often quite severe. And there is a lot of biographical stuff which can be useful but generally represents those with more marked difficulties.  Thirdly there are books by therapists making the case for various therapies, which can be negative in outlook.

    I find Tony Attwood's "The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome" a helpful reference on symptoms, and a more positive image, but it still has clinical elements.

    Although written early, based on anectdotal evidence from a smaller circle of respondents at that time, Clare Sainsbury's "Martian in the Playground" is much more human and empathic than most texts, and a good one for understanding life at school.

Children
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