Take part: tips for talking to a child about their diagnosis

Hello everyone! 

We would like your help to create a series of practical tips about how to talk to a child about their autism diagnosis. We’re looking for wisdom from parents and carers who have told a child about their diagnosis, and from autistic people who either remember how they were told as a child or can share general tips about how to approach this. 

Could you share your insights based on how you told your child about their diagnosis or talked to them about it after their diagnosis, or how you were told or talked to as a child about your own diagnosis? What worked well and what didn't? What advice would you give to parents and carers now? Are there any principles you think they could follow? Any ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ or things to consider? 

You can send your tips by replying to this post or submit them anonymously by emailing stories@nas.org.uk. We will use short quotes from the tips we receive on our website and social media channels to share your wisdom with others in our community. 

(To see an example of what the series may look like, here are tips about Halloween shared by our community: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cy5TI2sOX49/?igsh=ZnRkeGRpMWx4YXhr ) 

Please remember this Community forum is public, so don’t post personal or identifying details. This includes, but is not limited to, full names, addresses, contact details, social media, or photographs of yourself. 

We look forward to reading your tips! 

  

The Content Team 

Parents
  • Our son got diagnosed when he was 8. He knew something was different as he used to say ‘mummy what’s wrong with me’ ‘mummy I feel different’ before all the appointments, I said we were going to help find out what’s going on. We were open with him and got him an age appropriate book to explain a bit better. He say things like ‘my brain is like a malfunctioning computer and all the wires get crossed over’

    Once he’d had time for it to sink in proper he said ‘it’s just like a super power mummy’ 

Reply
  • Our son got diagnosed when he was 8. He knew something was different as he used to say ‘mummy what’s wrong with me’ ‘mummy I feel different’ before all the appointments, I said we were going to help find out what’s going on. We were open with him and got him an age appropriate book to explain a bit better. He say things like ‘my brain is like a malfunctioning computer and all the wires get crossed over’

    Once he’d had time for it to sink in proper he said ‘it’s just like a super power mummy’ 

Children
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