The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders (And Their Parents) by Elizabeth Verdick

The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders (And Their Parents) Reviews

• 
  Aerin

  From the author of "Hands Are Not For Hitting" is a new book that talks to kids about what they experience because they are on the autism spectrum.
  
  Shocking! Revolutionary!
  
  Wait....why aren't we talking to our kids about autism? That's something I've thought during most IEP meetings, at which my son is not present. Granted, he's 7. Then again, he's 7. Not stupid. And this is his life.
  
  Elizabeth Verdick ("Hands Are Not For Hitting") and Elizabeth Reeve, MD are both mothers of sons on the autism spectrum. They've written a guide, meant to be read with a parent, to help children with autism to understand why they experience the world differently than their classmates, and to make choices to guide their future. There's a chapter about learning body language, complete with photos of a boy and girl giving knucks. The book talks about bedwetting, how to start a conversation, and exactly how hard you're supposed to hit someone in the game "tag."
  
  I haven't yet read this book cover to cover, but I have read it sufficiently enough and with enough suspicion that it not be precious or condescending to recommend it to parents and family members of children with autism, but primarily for the children themselves. This is a step to help us all imagine a future as full as the futures of their neurotypical peers. I laud Verdick and Reeve for providing this book so that we can take it.
• 
  Amy

  A colorful book that provides information on Autism Spectrum Disorders, living at home (family), at school, & in your community, body & brain basics, and more! Points are "illustrated" through text, personal essays, colorful tables, comics, "sidebars," etc. I cannot say enough good things about this book!
• 
  Iris

  Great book for kids and parents. It covers a lot of topics and aspects and explains things really well. Wish this was around when my brother was younger.
• 
  Alexis

  A friend with an autistic child recommended this book to me. I am not autistic and do not have an autistic child, but I was interested in the topic, so I read the book. I did learn a lot about autism spectrum disorders and how they can be managed, and what some of the challenges can be. I liked how this book had many examples using children from different ethnic backgrounds. It seemed very empowering and thoughtful as well.
  
  I think this would be a good book for a parent to read with an older child who had just been diagnosed. I liked how the book was centered on the children's experience.
• 
  Rachel Fellows

  Aside from the tips on dealing with bullies, I think this book is excellent for kids on the spectrum.
• 
  Joy

  Simply brilliant. This book is bright, smart, accessible, and thorough. My son, my husband and I have been using this as a guide for about a year now. It covers everything: from explaining ASD in terms a kid can understand, to school issues and concerns, behavior challenges, social skills, stims, sensory issues, toilet problems, and on and on. The chapters are wonderfully organized and include real kid examples to clarify each topic. The illustrations are colorful, clear, and enhance the text.
  
  It's a wonderful resource we will turn to again and again. I would recommend this to parents and caregivers with children on the spectrum, and children with ASD. Probably best for ages 7 and up, but that depends on the child too. We started reading it with our son when he was 8 and he had a lot of questions about things. Some older children could read on their own while others will need help from their parents or other adult caregivers.
• 
  Miranda

  I thrifted this book over the summer for reference usage in my special needs classroom. This book is wonderful and I have used it many times already this year to point my students with ASD in a positive and informative direction with the various issues they face on a daily basis. I have copied pages from the text to send home to parents when they are going through different situations at home as well. Great reference book for kids, parents, and educators.
  
  As for children, this book is engaging and is written speak TO them and not AT them. There are real life stories about other kids that are realistic and relatable. The text is simple and clear. The authors even choose to ask the audience questions, which helps keep kids with ASD focused and engaged when reading and learning. The pages are colorful and have images that are engaging as well.
  
  Lots of topics covered from social skills to body care and friendships!
  
  This book has been added to my recommended reading material list for parents and students that I have created this year! Check this one out for sure!
• 
  Samantha Hawkins

  This book here had absolutely everything I needed in regards to organized information. It is written by two mommas (one of them is a M.D.) who have children on the spectrum. Each chapter is broke down by topic and there are three parts to this book. Food, toileting, medication, body language and social skills, hygiene, and well known people with ASD are just a few of the topics discussed. It's a book for both children and adults and it provides several resources in the form of books and websites for kids and teens as well as adults to continue their education journey about ASD. It even includes real excerpts from kids with ASD who want you to know what its like to live day to day with certain issues they struggle with. I give this a solid 5 🌟 and recommend it to anyone who needs info about ASD.
• 
  Larisa

  I read this with my 12-year-old son who's on the autism spectrum. He seemed to find parts of it helpful. I wish this book had been around 9 years ago when he was first diagnosed (or at least around the time he started school). I appreciate its upbeat tone and the many individual kids' stories that highlighted solutions and workarounds for their struggles.
• 
  Kuldeep Sankhala

  Honestly, I didn't like the book very much. It contains some fairly good information for Kids with Autism but it's reiteration from time to time to claim it as a Disorder put it in somewhat negative reference. I would recommend "Uniquely Human" for the parents and for Kids too and from this book go over the real-life examples and communication strategies.
• 
  Wendelle

  This book is written by a doctor and an autism activist who are both parents to kids with this disorder. This book is a very informative and easy-to-read guide that lets readers inhabit the kids' perspective and extraordinary experiences. It also offers tons of practical advice on coping mechanisms and thriving mechanisms that can help kids.
• 
  Kathy

  Very helpful
  
  My son was recently diagnosed with high functioning autism. I was a bit in denial after seeing changes with ABA therapy. This helped me look at these symptoms and realize the diagnosis really does fit my son and it helped me better understand what things are like for him.
• 
  Monica Nelson

  Written for children and teens with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, this is also a great resource for parents and teachers. It concisely explains common issues associated with living with an ASD, shares first hand examples from children and teens with an ASD, and gives simple but effective suggestions for all areas of daily life.
• 
  Breanna

  This book is amazing!
  
  Absolutely loved how this was geared towards the kids, and they truly covered every single conceivable topic. The advice, the specific examples, the anonymous quotes from other kids with ASD. Brilliant!
  
  I recommend this to my coworkers who are in charge of purchasing for children and adults at our library.
• 
  Luna Lyn

  Great book. Love the differently coloured chapters. Explanations and suggestions tailored to kids reading this book. You can simply leave out any chapters that are not an issue for your child; pick and choose what’s needed.
• 
  Elisa

  It would be a good book to share with autistic children if it did not refer to “disorder” throughout and if it were a bit more positive as to the benefits of autism, as well as the challenges. As it is, I have read it and then hid it on a high shelf.
• 
  Jessica

  My ASD daughter is 5 - I will definitely share this book with her when she’s older. Such a great resource for kids!
• 
  Jessica Nekuda

  Extremely useful! Easy and quick to read but full of information many parents and kids may need.
• 
  Cubby Treks

  I love this book because it helps me dig deeper in to autism spectrum disorder. It helps me know what some of the “disabilities” are.
• 
  Donna

  I work with kids who need help understanding their place and what they can do to work with teachers and fit in. This book has so many practical ideas!
• 
  Mellen Michaud

  I found this book to have a condescending tone and it read like a how to not be autistic or how to mask all yourself while with neurotypical people.
  
• 
  Allison Sibley

  Best book for parents and teens that explains autism well
• 
  Clare

  From the back cover (pretty much sums it up):
  
  "I have to work hard to pay attention to what is happening."
  "I have trouble communicating. Like it's hard for me to say 'what's up?"
  "It's really easy to lose focus when I look people in the eye."
  "Is there something I'd like to tell people? Yes: I don't bite."
  
  These are the words of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Some of these children are gifted; others struggle academically. Some are more introverted, while others try to be social. Some get "stuck" on things, have limited interests, or experience repeated motor movements. All children with ASD grow and change. They need a book that keeps them informed and helps them achieve to the best of their abilities and at their own pace. This book is that guide.
  
  Meant to be read with a parent, it addresses big questions ("What is ASD? Why me?") and provides strategies for communicating, making friends, and succeeding in school. A section on body and brain basics highlights symptom management, exercise, diet, hygiene, relaxation, sleep, toileting, and 'stims.' Special emphasis is placed on helping children handle intense emotions and behaviours and get support from their "team of helpers" when needed. Filled with quotes and stories from real kids, the book also offers helpful facts, check lists, dialogues, and resources.
  
  Think of this Survival Guide as a handbook to turn to whenever help is needed. Use it to introduce a new topic or skill. Come back to it when your child is asking questions, facing challenges, reaching a milestone, or struggling.
• 
  Emmaline MacBeath

  SUMMARY: This is a guide for kids on the Autism Spectrum. It is designed to help them understand their situation better and to provide ways to help them to help themselves through information. Section 1 provides information about Autism, what it is and what it means to have Autism. Section 2 is called Home, School and Community. It talks about family issues, social skills, making friends and how to succeed in school. Section 3 is called Body and Brain Basics. It talks about handling stress, stims, body issues and how to take care of yourself.
  
  REVIEW: I LOVE THIS BOOK! I have a child on the spectrum and wish I had it when he was younger. It would have been a great help. This book has an amazing layout (colorful and fun) that makes it easy for kids to read. This book is written for kids with ASD so they can teach themselves things that will help them navigate the social world. The layout is also helpful for parents looking for information. This book is not a heavy read so you are going to get the basics without more background information or the science behind the story. Extremely user friendly. I recommend this book for any family with a child on the spectrum or educators as a resource.
  
  AGE RECOMMENDATION: Advertised for GRADES 2-8. For the younger ages in this range, parents can read the book with their child. For the older kids--they may be more comfortable reading it completely by themselves, depending on the child.