Looking for advice

[AlBundy72]

Hi all. I'm kinda new to this. Interested to hear people's thoughts on this question: When is a good time to tell your child they have an ASD diagnosis? What age? How best to do it?

Any tips? Insights based on experience?

 

[Southern Discomfort]

I'd say in childhood definitely. From what I've read in Tony Attwood's book, The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome, the child will start to notice they're different from their peers in primary school years so while they probably won't completely understand at that age there will be some understanding of why they're different and why they (hopefully) receive help at school.

 

[Elemental]

Tony Attwood's book, The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome,

https://www.aspiescentral.com/resources/the-complete-guide-to-aspergers-syndrome.21/

This book is often cited as one of the best resources available & with good reason; it is clear & easy to understand, it is informative & it is incredibly accurate in describing the autistic experience at all ages in life. It was really useful for me as an adult being late diagnosed & learning about my ASD but for a parent of an autistic child, I would think it would be invaluable to have accessible. If I were in your position I think I might find it easier to explore the diagnosis with my child, with the book to hand so that you could maybe read from it together? If your child is ok reading, they may like to do so for their self. Good Luck; it's great to see parents being supportive & coming onto this site to ask for advice.

 

[AlBundy72]

Thanks both - your replies are much appreciated and have given me pause for thought. We have Tony Attwood's book at home but haven't looked at it for a couple of years since the first flurry of investigation - I actually didn't think to look there, so good tip. It feels like a bit of a dilemma between waiting till our child is old enough to have the life experience to put things in context, and telling them when they are young enough not to feel a lot of teenage angst around it! Anyway, thanks again.