A is for Autism

Book excerpt: Does your child have a friend, family member or class mate who has autism? Would you like your child or the children in your classroom to understand more about autism? Are you looking for an engaging way to start a dialogue about autism?This book uses a simple ABC format to teach about autism. With delightful illustrations, this book teaches, from a child's perspective, the typical traits that many people with autism share.I invite you to read this story interactively with your child. You can playfully try flapping and rocking with the child in this story. Ask your child to look deeply into your eyes to see if it is uncomfortable for him, too. Encourage discussions of how you or people you love might be like the child in this book. You might compare and contrast how the child in this book is similar or different from a person you know on the spectrum. This book provides wonderful opportunities to discuss how to be a friend of a child with autism. The simple action plan at the conclusion of the book will help give guidance to a child who wants to be a friend of someone on the autistic spectrum. As a pediatric physical therapist, I work with many children on the spectrum. I often see misinformation about autism and well-meaning, but misguided, attempts to interact with people on the spectrum. I believe knowledge helps break down barriers and encourages kindness and patience. Helping children understand autism at a young age is powerful. Reading this book will change the life of your child and the lives of people on the autistic spectrum that your child meets now and in the future.