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Any good books to help me understand my son's autism?

LeedsStar

Hi all, my son was recently diagnosed as autistic. I just wondered what the best books are, to explain autism, or life through the eyes of someone living with autism? I want to understand his condition a bit more, and I wondered if maybe there are any particularly good books any of you found helpful or insightful? 

  • Thank you longman, I'll take a look at those :) 

  • I've mentioned on another thread today Clare Sainsbury's Martian in the Classroom (Lucky Duck Publishers 2000) which is a good read accessible to younger readers. Also a good guide to life in the school jungle for parents to read and should be compulsory reading for SEN teachers.

    Luke Jackson's "Freaks, Geeks & Asperger Syndrome - a user guide to adolesence" Jessica Kingsley Publishers 2002 - also interesting and could be related to by a young person (strains my sense of belief a bit - but maybe he did write it all himself aged 13). Also published a book of poetry. For adults though it is a bit harder to swallow (am I being unfair? - anyone got a view on this one?), but there is useful insight in there.

    Marc Fleisher's "Making Sense of the Unfeasible - My life journey with Asperger Syndrome" Jessica Kingsley Publishers 2003 deals with a lot of growing up issues. I find some of his illustrations a bit scary - no way.....but it provides really good exploration, as does his Survival Strategies for people on the autistic spectrum.  Often quite up-beat, and useful for parents.

    "Look me in the eye" John Elder Robison, Three Rivers Press, childhood through to adulthood, American context. Recommended reading in the states for teenagers. This is one of the most positive up-beat perspectives on aspergers, and would help parents with the longer term perspective.

  • Hope it helps.  If you scroll down/click to older posts you will find subjects such as what a meltdown feels like, anxiety, alexithymia, Aspie burnout etc.

  • Thanks Lou, I heard of that one a while back and just couldn't remember anything at all about it, but I'm sure there was an article in the paper And I remember hearing how good the book is. Im going to buy it, thanks again, I was hoping someone would say that one ;)

    intenseworld, thanks I will definitely take a look at your blog :)

  • Hi - the best book I've read is 'The Reason I Jump' by Naoki Higashida translated by KA Yosida and David Mitchell.  Smile