April is Autism Awareness Month

Since April is Autism Awareness Month, I read books to the children about Autistic Spectrum Disorder. As a mother of an autistic child, this subject is important to me. I wanted to educate the children on some of the difficulties that autistic children and their families deal with on a day to day basis. With education about the disorder, children will be better able to refrain from judging people when they have odd behaviors, and they will be able to be better friends to those who struggle with this disorder.

For K-2, we read "Waiting for Benjamin." Waiting For Benjamin: A Story about Autism by Alexandra Jessup Altman


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book gives children a peek into the life of a young boy with an autistic brother. It shows the many feelings a child has as they try to understand and cope with the demands of an autistic sibling. This book is a great way to help children see that autism is a difficult thing that affects a whole family, and the whole family needs love, support, patience, and understanding. The best way to show this love and support is with kindness.

View all my reviews >>

We read "Rules" to grades 3 and 4.
Rules by Cynthia Lord


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a great book to introduce kids to autism and what it is like to have an autistic sibling. I am often in awe of my own children and how they deal with their autistic sister. They have had their difficulties, much like the girl in this novel, but they have learned to love her and see beauty in her.

View all my reviews >>

For the 5th and 6th graders, I read a portion of my book, "Faraway Child". I originally wrote the chapter I shared with the students as an article based on my daughter's diagnosis with autism. The section lists some of the characteristics of autism, as well as some of the feelings and concerns a parent faces when they hear the diagnosis. I've heard this book was helpful to many parents as they watched their children slip away from them during the early months of their second year. Though the book is fiction, many of the instances in this novel happened to me and my family.

Give an extra hug this month to someone you know who is dealing with autism. For more information about the disorder and its treatments, visit www.autismspeaks.org