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Advice on how to explain low Autism to my 10 year old son who has just been disgnosed

NAS75557
  • Does anyone have any advice on how to explain what high functioning autism is to my keen to know 10 year old boy? 
  • His school has set homework this weekend to describe a syndrome, condition or disease. My son wants to describe what Autism is.
  • I need help myself as his mum to understand. 
  • Are there other ways you know of describing Autism rather than calling it a disability or disorder?

Thank you 

  • The correct "D" word is DIFFERENCE. It is true that having Autism is a "disorder or disabilty" in THIS sort of society.

    I'd tell my child:

    "You/We have a difference in the way that we think that makes us outstanding. We tend to do things a bit differently and sometimes that is wrong, but also quite often we are right, but everyone thinks we are wrong anyway. It's like being the "ugly duckling".The important thing to remember is that we/you are in the minority, which means in order to get along, we have to be nicer than them, and put  up with a lot more than they have to.  Being nice (even when they are not) is parrt of growing up to be a swan..

    -And if that does not work, kill them quickly & mercifully!

    (Perhaps best to omit the last line if your kid is as "literal" in his autism as I am....)   

  • please search Chris Packham on google. He has posted a video of how he dealt with Aspergers and went on to become a successful Nature show host. I found it very helpful to explain my son.  I think kids learn better through videos than books. It's easier and more relatable. Good luck and ensure that you remind him of his special strengths. My son can quickly notice mistakes which i can't. When he gets christmas cards, the first thing he will spot are the spelling mistakes Smiley  

  • I would go by the term "condition" and mention neurodivergence.

    The idea that there's only one right or healthy way for a brain to function is no more valid than the idea there's only one right gender, race or culture and is actually a reflection of cultural prejudice.

    You could share that the vast majority of suffering autistic people experience is because we live in an inherently "ableist" world, a world that was designed without disabled people in mind, "The Social Model of Disability."

    Point out the positive characteristics of autism and remind them disorders and impairments don't give people strengths like, detail orientation, bottom to top thinking, hyper-focus, enhanced working memory, self-teaching, not so vulnerable to peer pressure, are more authentic, very talented and any other good things you can identify about it.

    Inform them Autism is a neurological, not behavioural condition.