Reading Literature to Better Understand Kids with ASD
Happy National Autism Awareness Month!
As a babysitter, reading books is definitely a great way to learn more about the world, other people, and specifically about kids with ASD (or kids who are on the autism spectrum). Understanding more about how kids with ASD function will help your Babysitting Business by showing parents that you have knowledge and empathy for their kids. Below, I have a listed five books that I have read that highlight kids with autism from various backgrounds and cultures, along with different perspectives from kids with autism and from their families.
Maybe you already know or have experience with kids on the spectrum, but as you'll find when reading these books, each kid is different, and these stories are examples of how their autism presents and how it either helps or hinders them from experiencing the world. Reading these books will help you be a better babysitter because you can understand more about what kinds of behaviors to look for in kids with ASD, what types of sensory struggles they might have, better understand how they might have issues with communication, and what types of daily life activities they might need more help with. This will help you to be a more empathetic and caring babysitter! Of course, parents of kids with ASD will give you as much information as they can about caring for their child, but if the parents also know you have a better understanding about Autism Spectrum Disorder, they will be more trusting of you and your experience.
Below I have spotlighted an author of one of the five books, as well as an illustrator, both whom have been diagnosed with ASD. Their experience with having ASD is invaluable to anyone wanting to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorder.
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Naoki Higashida
ILLUSTRATOR SPOTLIGHT - Nicole Panteleakos
LIST OF VARIOUS BOOKS ABOUT KIDS WITH ASD -
"Planet Earth is Blue" by Nicole Panteleakos
"Can You See Me" by Libby Scott & Rebecca Westcott
"The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism” by Naoki Higashida
“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time” by Mark Haddon