Books about Autism

Well I don't know about you but when I had my children I expected them the come with instructions, everything else does and in about 7 different languages. Mine must have got lost in the post, I suppose there's an extra supplement when you have children with additional needs, boy don't we know it. Extra supplement? More like a library. My collection looks like my picture times by ten. 

We all want an answer don't we? Not just SEN but all parents want to know tips to make life just that little bit easier. I remember receiving my sons diagnosis and expecting to leave the hospital with armfuls of leaflets and information but all we really received was a piece of paper with some contact numbers on including support groups but nothing with bullet points on for every scenario from toddler to teen. 

Thank goodness for the internet, well sometimes as it can be a place which if you read too much you can frighten yourself just a little more then needed. The information is out there and I am going to give you a few tips on where to find it. 

• Take advantage of support groups, yes it can be tricky to find one that you can attend or even want to after a busy day but there really is no better way than speaking to other parents and sharing experiences. 
• Go to the National Autistic Society website as they have lots of information regarding support, courses, digital leaflets, books, a search facility to find services locally and a lot more. It is packed with so much information and there is telephone support available through them such as the Parent to Parent service. www.autism.org.uk
• Take a look at the huge selection of books available at Jessica Kingsley Publishers as they have something for everyone there. I'm not kidding, they have 787 books on Autism and related conditions and you can easily order online. www.jkp.com
• Read blogs online, and I'm not saying that to grab more readers for myself but because again there are so many parents who can support each other and people on the spectrum who are blogging about their own experiences too. Its a free resource and you can get an idea of how Autism makes someone feel first hand. I always think of it as a window into life with Autism.
• Contact your local SEND (special education needs and disability) service which can be found through your local council. They really do help by signposting you to the correct service you require and even act as an advocate to make sure you get the help you need.
• Click below on the word Autism to search Amazon for a wide range of books and resources. It is one of the first places I go to buy as I can usually find everything there and it gets delivered quickly to my door. Brilliant!

Autism

​Apart from these tips, if you still struggle you can always ask me here, just leave a comment and I'll do my best to help, I don't aways have the answer but I can certainly point you in the right direction.

I hope this helps a little. I know how it feels to be desperate to know how to deal with a certain situation or who to contact to get the information you require. It can feel like a minefield as there is so much information out there but it's as if you need a filter to scale it all down to your own personal needs. Keep searching though as you will get the answers but I'm afraid sometimes it does take time.

There are some aspects of Autism even the clever boffins at the research centres haven't even found yet so another piece of advice is you get offered to help with a survey, try and take part as this helps other families and people with Autism not just now but in the future. We are all in this together. 

Thanks for reading and I will be back tomorrow for 'Pass the Remote' to talk about the weeks TV. Take care for now.......