Abstract

My Autism Book is a beautifully illustrated picture book that helps parents to explain an autism diagnosis to their child in a sensitive, positive and accurate way.

When a child is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), parents often feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to communicate the diagnosis to their child. This book is designed to be read with the child as a simple introduction to their diagnosis. Written by a doctor and a children's author, the book is tailored precisely to the needs and experiences of the child with ASD aged 5 and up. It explains what an autism diagnosis means and encourages an exploration of the child's likely strengths and differences using clear language that speaks directly to the child. The colourful pictures throughout show how the world looks from the child's perspective and the book ends with a summary checklist to encourage the child to record and discuss how autism affects them.

Using vibrant illustrations paired with factual, simple text Glòria Durà-Vilà and Tamar Levi's My Autism Book demystifies autism for young children and their families who experience this puzzling spectrum of traits and characteristics. Children with ASD will find this book filled with straightforward and sensitive information about their own personal strengths and difficulties. It supports the development of effective communication and social awareness of each unique individual with autism. Our goal is to learn how children with ASD learn best and to develop teaching strategies and communication styles that work... which is exactly what Glòria and Tamar have done!
Jacqui Gorlick, Special Education Teacher-Principal (retired), Anchorage School District, Alaska
A delightful book, beautifully presented and engaging. It creates a stimulating and sensitive platform to explore the very personal characteristics of an individual with autism; drawing on strengths that help everyone better understand the unique qualities of how we see the world around us.
Andy Barnett, Principal of Pencalenick School, Specialist Teaching School in Communication and Interaction, Cornwall
Focused and simple, the aim of My Autism Book is to help ASD diagnosed children understand their differences, as well as their remarkable abilities. These two inspiring women offer a valuable guide, long missing in the autism-related bibliography.
Fani Tsepelidou, supervisor of "EEMEISS" specialist school for children on the autistic spectrum, Athens
This valuable picture book gives parents and children a chance to share and discuss the strengths and differences that a child newly-diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder may experience... Advice to parents is given at the beginning and at the end, and the final checklist has tick boxes and also space to add things - such as special interests and strengths and differences that have not been covered in the book. This book will be of real use to families with a newly-diagnosed child, and it can be used for many years as the child develops and changes.
Healthy Books
Dr Glòria Durà-Vilà is a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist working in the Surrey and Borders NHS Trust with a main clinical interest in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She is experienced in assessing, diagnosing and treating children and young people with ASD, and she works closely with parents and educational and social services. She is passionate about the importance of communicating the ASD diagnosis to parents and to the child in the best possible way. She is an Honorary Lecturer at University College London, Department of Mental Health Sciences. Tamar Levi has studied child psychology and worked with students with a range of disabilities including ASD. She has illustrated numerous children's books including The If Machine, The If Odyssey and The Philosophy Shop and she guest lectures on how picture books can be used as tools in schools and at home to effectively share complicated ideas or sensitive information with children.
I have spent my entire career in inclusive learning environments and wish this had been available previously to help ensure that differences are celebrated as strengths. This is a beautifully illustrated and engaging read which I highly recommend to anyone who has the privilege of working with young people who live with autism.
Matthew Burfield, Head of School, Byron College, Athens
Hats off to Durà-Vilà and Levi for this book designed for parents to share with children who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder... Their straightforward, no-nonsense approach strikes the perfect note... The checklist given at the end of the book for children to note their own particular characteristics and to spell out their own strengths and differences... I would urge all Primary and Secondary schools to order a copy of this book and put it immediately to good use.
Angela Redfern
The School Librarian (SL)