I am Special is a programme for helping children, teens and adults on the autism spectrum to understand themselves and their diagnosis, gain confidence and thrive.
Specially-designed worksheets, included as online material, are completed to build up a unique and personal book about the individual and promote self-understanding.
Discover the unique characteristics and abilities of children with Asperger Syndrome from A to Z.
This book, laid out in an A-to-Z format, celebrates the extraordinary gifts and unique perspectives that ASD children possess. Each page of this playful alphabet book presents one of the children’s many talents and abilities. The kid-friendly illustrations and clever text create a positive portrayal of children with ASD. Designed to help the children with ASD grow in self-awareness of their many capabilities, “I Am Utterly Unique” also encourages dialogue with siblings, friends, parents and teachers.
A note from SWAN: ‘Asperger’s Syndrome’ is no longer used as a diagnosis and the term “high-functioning” is harmful, as it minimises the varied support needs of autistic people. SWAN does not endorse these terms, but recognises that this resource contains other useful information.
Vector: "I think we can all learn to accept ourselves and each other, exactly as we are."
Using anecdotes and case studies from his clinical practice, well known Melbourne psychologist Dr Richard Eisenmajer explains the main features of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
He provides insights into how people with ASD experience the world around them and reasons why they either excel or struggle with everyday activities.
A note from SWAN: ‘Asperger’s Syndrome’ is no longer used as a diagnosis and the term “high-functioning” is harmful, as it minimises the varied support needs of autistic people. SWAN does not endorse these terms, but recognises that this resource contains other useful information.
A story about Autism.
Just Right For You offers a warm, optimistic way of introducing Autism to your child and embracing their differences.
Barron's Parenting Keys.
Here’s help for parents who must cope with the details raising children in the often-demanding contemporary environment. Bringing up children today is different – and in many ways more difficult – than it was in past generations. Barron’s Parenting Keys speak to today’s parents with answers to today’s problems.
How an autism diagnosis changed my life.
Clem Bastow grew up feeling like she’d missed a key memo on human behaviour. She found the unspoken rules of social engagement confusing, arbitrary and often stressful. Friendships were hard, relationships harder, and the office was a fluorescent-lit nightmare of anxiety. It wasn’t until Clem was diagnosed as autistic, at age thirty-six, that things clicked into focus.
Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking is a collection of essays written by and for Autistic people.
Spanning from the dawn of the Neurodiversity movement to the blog posts of today, Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking catalogues the experiences and ethos of the Autistic community and preserves both diverse personal experiences and the community’s foundational documents together side by side.
Receiving a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome can be a frightening, confusing, and overwhelming experience for both parents and children.
In fact, many people still believe it may be better not to name or ‘label’ the syndrome in the hope that their child will settle down and learn to adapt. However, making sense and meaning of our experiences, similarities, and differences is a core and universal human need. When, despite our best efforts, we still can’t understand why parts of our lives are not working, the resulting confusion, frustration, and distress can be traumatic for any person. Making Sense of Asperger’s: A Story for Children grew out of just such an experience for one seven-year-old boy. This extremely bright child was frequently in serious trouble at school but couldn’t understand why. His mother was struggling with her attempts to explain that he had been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, so she asked her son’s psychologist, author Debra Engle, for guidance in explaining this in a positive way. This book is the end result of this mother’s request for help. Elaborating on a previously developed analogy of Asperger’s Syndrome with a computer’s operating system, this workbook, with its simple text and entertaining illustrations, offers an explanation of Asperger’s as one possibility within the range of differences between all people. In a world where most people come equipped with a standard operating system, it explains in a validating and fun way exactly what an Asperger’s syndrome operating system is, how it works, the compatibility issues which can arise, and, most importantly, how to live with one, with system crashes and all.
A note from SWAN: ‘Asperger’s Syndrome’ is no longer used as a diagnosis and the term “high-functioning” is harmful, as it minimises the varied support needs of autistic people. SWAN does not endorse these terms, but recognises that this resource contains other useful information.
An engaging, informative graphic novel that explains Autism to children. Autism is a lifelong disorder that affects at least 1 in 1000 people.
It affects more boys than girls (approximately 4 boys for every 1 girl). Even after diagnosis, siblings of autistic children can often find it confusing and difficult to understand their brothers’ or sisters’ behaviour.
"It's not easy having a brother or sister who has autism or Asperger syndrome.
This cheerful book, full of puzzles, pictures to draw and colour, games and other activities, helps work through some of the issues and celebrates difference. The illustrations are partly coloured to offer colouring-in opportunities and the black and white sections are photocopiable. Carolyn is the mother of three children, including an adult with Asperger syndrome. She is also an SEN teacher and ran autism family support services for many years in Nottingham. For 4-9 year olds.
A workbook for children with a brother or sister who has autism or Asperger syndrome.”
A note from SWAN: ‘Asperger’s Syndrome’ is no longer used as a diagnosis and the term “high-functioning” is harmful, as it minimises the varied support needs of autistic people. SWAN does not endorse these terms, but recognises that this resource contains other useful information.
Overcoming the challenges and celebrating the gifts.
This book is a celebration of all the wonderful and unexpected gifts that having a daughter on the autism spectrum can bring to a family.
