What do you think?
Rate this book
Autism in Childhood: For parents and carers of the newly diagnosed
"If every parent receiving a diagnosis of autism for their child could read this book, it would avoid so much misunderstanding and unhappiness." - Dr Clare Lawrence
A diagnosis - or a suspected diagnosis - of autism in a child can be overwhelming for a parent, especially if you know nothing, or very little, about either of them.
Dr Luke Beardon is a well-known expert in the field, and this book is an accessible, easy-to-read introduction for those encountering autism for the first time. Gently and honestly, it guides you through the issues you might encounter, busting the myths around autism, and explaining what the diagnosis means for your child, for you, and for your wider family. It looks at sensory profiles, helps you handle your child's anxiety, tackles education, and answers a variety of frequently asked questions.
Other topics covered by this sensitive and empowering book include how to have conversations with your child (the 'autistic voice'), how to manage your child's education and - importantly - the undeniable strengths of autism.
As an introduction to - and a celebration of - the intriguing, beguiling, frustrating and remarkable world of autism, this book will help you understand your child's unique value and importance in the world.
A diagnosis - or a suspected diagnosis - of autism in a child can be overwhelming for a parent, especially if you know nothing, or very little, about either of them.
Dr Luke Beardon is a well-known expert in the field, and this book is an accessible, easy-to-read introduction for those encountering autism for the first time. Gently and honestly, it guides you through the issues you might encounter, busting the myths around autism, and explaining what the diagnosis means for your child, for you, and for your wider family. It looks at sensory profiles, helps you handle your child's anxiety, tackles education, and answers a variety of frequently asked questions.
Other topics covered by this sensitive and empowering book include how to have conversations with your child (the 'autistic voice'), how to manage your child's education and - importantly - the undeniable strengths of autism.
As an introduction to - and a celebration of - the intriguing, beguiling, frustrating and remarkable world of autism, this book will help you understand your child's unique value and importance in the world.
192 pages, Paperback
Published May 2, 2023
18 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 27, 2023
This book has some great chapters that help people understand what it’s like to be Autistic and help develop awareness of the multitude of things that an autistic child might view differently from non- autistic people. However, reading this book as a preschool teacher and trying to look at it from the point view of a parent of a newly-diagnosed child for whom this was written, I found the author’s beliefs way too Pollyanna-ish. The author takes the standpoint that all would be wonderful for autistic children and adults if the world just made allowances and accommodations for all the things that they see and respond to differently. There was little focus or assistance for the parents of young children. While the conversations and scenarios described helped shed light on what many autistic children might be feeling or experiencing, if I was a parent of a young non verbal autistic child I would be incredibly frustrated to be told to have a conversation with my child and ask them a multitude of questions to see why they have a meltdown at school. Not helpful!
January 2, 2024
Such a refreshing read. It is so amazing to see a professional write so positively and passionately about autism.
November 14, 2023
Books are my love language, and my go-to whenever there is a new development in my life - currently, we are awaiting a diagnosis to see if my twins are on the autism spectrum, so naturally I'm reading up on autism. This is one of the books I checked out and I found it a very good read. It's fairly short and simple, speaking easily to the lay person, which I appreciated. There is a lot of information in this book but it is broken down into easily digestible chunks.
It was a little frustrating reading this because ultimately, the message is that every autistic child is different, so there is no handbook (not even this book) on how to handle the needs of your child, you have to figure that out! But I appreciated that the book was very upfront about that exact fact, that as they say, "If you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person." What works for one child with autism might not work for another child with autism. It especially stresses the need to not hold autistic children to the standards that we expect from those who do not have autism, but to let those with autism develop within their own comfort at their own pace, finding alternatives rather than just assuming they can't do something just because they don't do it the same way a PNT child might.
Most of all, I appreciate how wonderfully positive this book is about autism, pointing out the gift that it can be in so many ways. It's definitely given me a lot to think about!
It was a little frustrating reading this because ultimately, the message is that every autistic child is different, so there is no handbook (not even this book) on how to handle the needs of your child, you have to figure that out! But I appreciated that the book was very upfront about that exact fact, that as they say, "If you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person." What works for one child with autism might not work for another child with autism. It especially stresses the need to not hold autistic children to the standards that we expect from those who do not have autism, but to let those with autism develop within their own comfort at their own pace, finding alternatives rather than just assuming they can't do something just because they don't do it the same way a PNT child might.
Most of all, I appreciate how wonderfully positive this book is about autism, pointing out the gift that it can be in so many ways. It's definitely given me a lot to think about!
October 27, 2024
Luke Beardon hace algo valioso para papás y mamá en este libro: simplifica términos, ejemplifica situaciones y hace ver el autismo como una forma de ver y de experimentar la vida, no como un diagnóstico, no como un trastorno. Es gratificante entender que nuestros hijos no están trastornados y que no debemos enfocar nuestros esfuerzos en lograr que sea comos lo niños neurotípicos. Ellos on únicos, y esa autenticidad que le imprimen a nuestras vidas, y al mundo, es realmente lo que hace significativo compartir con ellos y transitar la vida con ellos. Creo que este es un texto que puede calar muy bien con papás y mamás que han recibido un diagnóstico reciente o que se sienten perdidos. Es un libro que nos quita la presión de encima y nos invita a vivir la vida con los niños y niñas de una forma más natural en la que poco a poco vamos comprendiendo sus necesidades y buscando su felicidad, sin cumplir con requisitos sociales ni estereotipos de comportamiento que no nos aportan nada. Termino el libro feliz y agradecida.
October 24, 2025
First off, I really liked the made up conversations between child and adult, I found it really insightful. I also enjoyed the chapters on anxiety and sensory as those are most prevalent - especially when it comes to school.
Whilst the information was easy to understand I found the two half's of the book uneven in usefulness. The first half focused a lot on word definition and how autism simply means different and shouldn't be compared to PNTs (neurotpyical people) though to me, that's how we learn - medically we still compare animals to humans, men to women - even though we're quite different to one another.
I would have appreciated suggestions for books or resources to follow up on, as I know my child experiences anxiety and sensory overload, however the list of the "why that might be" was overwhelming with no way to discern which was most appropriate. My child, though verbal is unable to tell me exactly what's wrong, so it's a guessing game at this point and further reading is necessary.
Whilst the information was easy to understand I found the two half's of the book uneven in usefulness. The first half focused a lot on word definition and how autism simply means different and shouldn't be compared to PNTs (neurotpyical people) though to me, that's how we learn - medically we still compare animals to humans, men to women - even though we're quite different to one another.
I would have appreciated suggestions for books or resources to follow up on, as I know my child experiences anxiety and sensory overload, however the list of the "why that might be" was overwhelming with no way to discern which was most appropriate. My child, though verbal is unable to tell me exactly what's wrong, so it's a guessing game at this point and further reading is necessary.
May 16, 2024
el libro en sí está bueno, es genial para empezar a entender y conocer el autismo. peeeero, como AT de un niño con autismo no verbal, siento que le faltaron más temas que tocar. como por ejemplo intervención en niños no verbales, en niños que tienen crisis recurrentes, si bien toca el tema, lo hace MUY por arriba (por no decir poco y nada).
abarca más a un autismo más "aceptable en la sociedad", que sí tiene lenguaje o lo tiene más o menos desarrollado, así como también sentí que en algunos ejemplos/conversaciones se trataba de niñes con asperger, por la forma de responder a sus padres.
las reglas de oro son un mil y en eso coincido totalmente, sobre todo en la del entorno.
abarca más a un autismo más "aceptable en la sociedad", que sí tiene lenguaje o lo tiene más o menos desarrollado, así como también sentí que en algunos ejemplos/conversaciones se trataba de niñes con asperger, por la forma de responder a sus padres.
las reglas de oro son un mil y en eso coincido totalmente, sobre todo en la del entorno.
June 9, 2024
3,5/5. Unlike what the autor says, for me this is a guide for neourotypical people about autism. For my likig, the book is too focused on modifiying the surroundings of the autist kid, and have them to be happy over all. For me is a negotiation: yes, society has to learn a lot regarding autistic kids to treat them accordingly and better, but there has to be some adaptation from the kid's part. The author disgress with almost all ways of diagnosing autism, but lack to show methods for characterizing it. All in all a good beginner's guide to understand autistic behavior.
January 10, 2025
A very good educational resource on Autism in Children. It certainly instructed me on the subject and my biggest regret is that I didn't read it sooner in my Son George's life. It's also an effective myth buster and extols the concept of autism + environment = outcome. My only gripe was that it's relatively short and not enough theory/evidence. The take home message is Autism = different not disordered.
January 30, 2024
My 4 year old has recently been diagnosed with Autism. A very helpful book for parents in the same situation.
March 17, 2024
It's spot on.
August 2, 2024
the anxiety chapter was fantastic
September 16, 2024
3,5
cuenta cosas súper interesantes que me han hecho darle una vuelta al coco, pero en muchas otras cosas no comparto la misma opinión así que
cuenta cosas súper interesantes que me han hecho darle una vuelta al coco, pero en muchas otras cosas no comparto la misma opinión así que
August 22, 2025
La escritura sencilla para que cualquier público pueda entenderlo. Personalmente me ha ayudado a comprender cosas que no conocía del los autistas y lo recomiendo para cualquier profesor y padre.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews