Understanding Your High Functioning Autistic Child: A Parent’s Guide to Navigating the New Diagnosis, with Strategies to Help You and Your Child Thrive
What’s inside...
Parenting a child with high-functioning autism (HFA) can be extremely challenging. This book offers guidance for parents navigating the complexities of raising an HFA child, including handling tantrums, meltdowns, and social/emotional barriers. With stress levels high among parents of autistic children, this book provides practical advice, tips, and strategies to help improve the quality of life for both the child and the family. The goal is to help the HFA child develop their social and emotional skills within 6 months.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-12
Length
208 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What are some feelings you experience when things change around you?
Can you tell me about a time when you felt proud of doing something challenging?
How do you like to be supported when you're trying something new or difficult?
What are some ways we can make our home more comfortable and understanding for everyone?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start conversations in a calm and quiet environment to make your child feel safe expressing their thoughts. Show empathy and patience, letting your child explain their feelings and experiences in their own time and words. Reinforce that challenges are okay and normal, and praise their efforts to manage them. Use examples from the book to relate to real-life situations, making the discussion relevant and practical.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding and Acceptance
Explanation: The book educates on the unique challenges and strengths of high-functioning autistic children, aiming to foster understanding and acceptance among parents and peers.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children learn the importance of accepting and respecting individual differences in their everyday interactions with classmates and friends.
Example Lesson: Empathy Development
Explanation: Through real-life examples and strategies, the book demonstrates how to empathize with the emotional and social needs of autistic children.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being more considerate and supportive when interacting with peers who may have different needs or behaviors.
Example Lesson: Communication Skills
Explanation: The book offers techniques for effective communication tailored to autistic children's unique ways of processing information.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied daily as children learn to adjust their communication styles to better collaborate and connect with others who communicate differently.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: It provides parents and children with problem-solving tools to handle various situations that may arise due to the condition.
Real-World Application: Children can use these problem-solving skills to navigate challenges in schoolwork and social scenarios, promoting resilience and adaptability.
Example Lesson: Inclusion
Explanation: The book advocates for inclusive practices in schools and communities, encouraging environments where all children are given opportunities to thrive.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be proactive in including others, regardless of their abilities, in group activities and play, fostering a more inclusive community.