How do you explain autism to a child?

[Moi]

Thanks Novella. I don't want to clasify my friend's son, but he is more on the severe end (or maybe there's a better word for it?) He is 5 years old and going to special school and doesn't have any language. He screams a lot and he can hit as well, and my DD is frightened of him. I would love to help her understand as best as she can at her age & I hope one day she won't be scared of him.

[Santosha]

http://www.autism.org.uk/about-autis...ng-people.aspx

I've used the Tobin books on the above list and found them great. I notice that they're reccomended for older children but I think theY're reasonably accessible for younger children. Plenty of great resource on this list anyway. xo

[Netix]

I have briefly explained it as the brain being wired differently to how it usually is, and these crossed wires affect how people could show their feelings, or how they behave. We might think they are being naughty, but to them, it is normal, and because of this wiring, they don't understand that it could be naughty, or that it could make someone feel sad.

[Sunny Love]

To my students at the time, aged no older than 5 years, I explained it along the lines of
'Everybody is born unique,
and we all look unique & think unique thoughts.
We just need to learn how to understand and help each other better'.

Being a positive role model, that demonstrates compassion & assistance to those with additional needs, is a great gift to your own normal-functioning child.
Good luck xx

[Moi]

Thanks so much for the link Santosha I'll see if I can get a couple of the books and the resources online look good.

And thanks Netix and sunny09. I have tried to explain why he hits and that he's not being naughty (because of course I've taught my DD that hitting people is not OK)

[chody47]

When I've sometimes tried to explain to some mainstream kids about some of the kids' needs in my special class that I teach I'll be fairly upfront and say something along the lines of 'x has autism, this means they have trouble understanding the rules of a game/making friends ect (whatever is appropriate to the current situation), you can help him by......'. Admittedly this is often with older kids, but it seems to work well.

[Moi]

chody47 - What sorts of things do you suggest that they can help a child with autism?