Nurturing Your Autistic Young Person: A Parent’s Handbook to Supporting Newly Diagnosed Teens and Pre-Teens

by Cathy Wassell, Eliza Fricker (Illustrator), Cathy Wassell

As the parent of a child recognised as autistic as a pre-teen or teen, it can often feel difficult to find the answers you need. Children who make it to late primary/early secondary age before being picked up by the system tend to present with traits that are harder to spot, meaning it can be harder to engage professionals in the diagnostic process and gather the necessary support.

Cathy Wassell, CEO of Autistic Girls Network, has tailored this handbook to support parents with older children or teenagers who are at the identification stage, walking them through the basics in an engaging and accessible manner. She addresses key challenges for this age group, including co-occurring conditions, puberty, and safeguarding, as well as looking to the future, advising on schooling options, and beyond.

Designed to help parents become fully informed and ensure a nurturing and positive environment for our autistic young people, this is a guide with a focus on difference - not deficit.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Parenting, Nonfiction, Mental Health, Health

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2022

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a lovely, lovely book. She’s an expert but also a Mum so she just gets it. It’s all about acceptance and making reasonable adjustments. But she also gives examples of how unhelpful CAHMS/schools/docs can be. I found it comforting and validating. I cannot recommend this book enough. Loved it!

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent - highly recommended. Helpful and kind and a great place to start

[Eilidh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had read this incredible book many years ago. My daughter - aged 13 - had a late diagnosis and this (hand)book is exactly what I need to be able to understand and support her better. I'd gleened bits and pieces of information about autism over the past few years, and especially the last few months - but it's all here (and so much more) in one book, written in a clear and understandable way. So many 'aha' moments. Cathy Wassell's book seems to have everything covered from co-occurring conditions to sensory stuff, with lots of practical advice on how to nurture and advocate for our autistic young people.

Statistics show how far too many autistic people go on in life to have mental health problems and anxiety - because our world is geared up for neurotypical people. As well as being a brilliant guide for parents of autistic children and teens, this book illustrates how we can all help to change this.

I think this should be on the national curriculum - a must-read for anyone who comes into regular contact with autistic people - that would be... everyone.

[AD · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read book about Autism and Co-occurring conditions and how you can support your young person. If your young person wis recognised Autistic or you are considering a diagnosis this book will help you as a parent.

The book is written in a Neurodiversity affirming way packed full of insight, information to help you understand Autism and Co-occurring conditions and how you can help your young person.

Of course you have to remember everyone is different but this covers so much it will be a great resource for any parent pre or post diagnosis.

I have over 50 highlights saved to go back to for quick reference on the kindle. The book is packed full of true insight and explanations on how you can help your young person with so many things.

An insightful and really useful read if you are considering diagnosis or if your young person has been recognised Autistic.

[Paul Ince · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclosure: I have met Cathy Wassell in a previous role of hers. She has helped me personally in having conversations with me about my two autistic children and was fundamental in helping me deal with the lack of support in getting them diagnosed.

This book is very much like the support Cathy gave me, so it’s a bit like having a bit of Cathy with you all the time on your journey to being a great ally. Help is articulated well and the book is structured in a way that allows you to tackle a subject but then also dip back in as a future reference book. It is well written and inclusive, although the illustrations didn’t do anything for me personally (they can, of course, help with an understanding and they were relevant).

There is not enough written to support parents/carers in this field and so this is a very welcome book to add to the library.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, accessible book that I have found helpful and reassuring as a parent of a child with neurodiverse conditions. Lots of good, solid advice and well researched, well written information to support parent supporting their child.

[Nick Salenga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book designed to help parents become fully informed & ensure nurturing & positive environment for autistic young people with focus on difference & not deficit.

[Awehla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that should be given to all parents and carers of children waiting to be referred, assessed or already diagnosed. This book should also be available to school staff, health care staff and social care staff. A really up to date comprehensive guide on the needs of autistic children and how to nurture your child's well being and growth into adulthood.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is primarily written to cover why girls are not as commonly diagnosed in early years as boys are. This question is answered plus why the later diagnosis makes a difference. As the first book I've read about Autism, this covered all the basics that I needed and plenty of advice for what next.

I would recommend that anyone bringing up a girl should read this - it may well save some unnecessary anguish for your child, or will just make you more understanding of neuro-diversity.

[Chris Campbell]

I don’t think I can fairly rate this book: choosing the audiobook was a huge mistake. From the outset, author Cathy Wassell tells us that this is “a book to be dipped in and out of,” which is the opposite of what an audiobook can offer. Likewise, it’s filled with a number of lists, which are hypnotically itemised as my mind drifted away to issues like “did I put the washing in the dryer? I do hope it isn’t getting stinky.” Likewise, there are large chunks of the book that aren’t relevant to me (side note: the vagaries of the US healthcare system when seeking support for your autistic kid sound horrible) – and the audiobook setup means it’s not easily skippable.

There’s good stuff in there, undoubtedly, but I had a fairly miserable listening experience. Hmmmm.

[Tara Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is an excellent book. I’m still struggling though because a big bit of me wants to live in a universe where I don’t need this book and I don’t need to help my child navigate a world that’s not designed for her. Now I’ve read it I’m grieving all over again and fed up. So I can’t really work out if to recommend it to literally everyone or to tell people to hide under a rock and pretend everything will be fine.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really informative book which will help me better support autistic individuals in my job. Book was a bit repetitive at times, but I do agree some points needed to be emphasised.

Also a really accessible book - would be so easy for books like this to be bogged down with incomprehensible jargon, but the author adds a really human layer to her writing (led by their own experiences) and it made the reading experience much more engaging.

[Alysa Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

So helpful!

This has been the single best resource I’ve found so far that speaks to our family’s situation, giving concise information and practical advice. Although it is written from the UK perspective and I’m in the US, the UK specific information was still helpful and the author provided many US details, as well. Highly recommended for anyone parenting a newly recognized autistic young person.

[Lisa Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly acurate and gave me the much needed validation, we're still on a long journey but will definitely be referring back to this book no doubt as ny child grows and our needs change.....highly reccomend reading this even if your diagnosis isnt new

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

very helpful

Lots of information for guardians of recently diagnosed autistic kids.
Extremely thorough, well written, British point of view but does cover some USA resources as well.

[Hannah Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really insightful and helpful throughout a difficult time

[Sarah Poling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of solid info in one place. For a new diagnosis or for a parent wanting to grasp what this diagnosis may mean.

[Allison Sibley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great book for parents and professionals trying to understand the nuances of neurodiversity

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be very helpful and filled with suggestions on how to improve life for tweens and teens. Definitely one I will keep around as a handy reference.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, highly recommend.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels like a miracle to me. Just released, the timing could not be more serendipitous as we navigate the world with a newly recognized autistic teen. Essential reading for anyone wanting to learn and understand more about what it's like to be autistic, what supports may be helpful and which "supports" are harmful. It's an all-inclusive reference tool for "what to do" while also embracing and allowing for the feelings around it all. Outstanding. Thank you, Cathy Wassell.