Orion Spring Autism: How to raise a happy autistic child

What a brilliant book full of not just guidance and tips to help you understand your child, but also explanations as to how the system should work (with the emphasis on "should") and what your legal position is, the detail of which has never been fully explained to us in our quest for help for our ASD child. I feel not only better placed to fight our child's corner with the LA and the school system, but also now have an insight into our child's world and what we can do to help him be himself as he grows in to adulthood.

Having read "after diagnosis" literature given to us by the paediatrician I was thoroughly depressed about my son's future. This book, however, was positive but realistic. It was also full of useful tips on fighting for an EHCP. I am so grateful and lucky that I didn't have to do this. The best take away for me is that autism is not negative, it's just different. Fingers crossed it will become normalised in the near future as well learn and understand it better.

This book has literally held me together over the last 18 months. My son was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 2 and is now 4. He is still largely non verbal. I bought this book at the beginning of our journey and it’s just been the most incredible resource. From initial worries to the diagnosis process to securing an EHCP this book is the most down to earth practical guide (especially for UK parents) I have come across. There aren’t enough words for me to thank this author for what she has given me through this book. I would highly recommend this book.

This book made me cry with empathy and relief - relief that it is possible to write about autism with positivity, but without condescension, and that there is a book that includes logic, intellect and warmth. Other books that have been recommended to me (with the exception of the beautiful and extremely insightful The Reason I Jump) have been clinical or negative, written from the perspective that autism is a disorder. I have always believed that this labelling is unhelpful and potentially damaging to autistic children and their families. This book is different. It is instructive and supportive, written with the benefit of personal experience and input from autistic contributors, and I am so thankful for it. Please, if you have an autistic child and you are looking for information and advice, buy this.

I love this book! After pushing against brick walls for years to get a diagnosis for our son, we finally got one last year. But then didn’t know what to do next. This guide has really helped me with ideas and practical support - but also to feel that what I’m experiencing is ‘normal’.I can relate to a lot of the challenges that the author has experienced, so the book is reassuring as well as helpful. I’ve recommended it to a number of friends in a similar position already.My number one hope for my son is that he is happy - so with the help of this book, hopefully we can achieve this!