How To talk to an Autistic Kid is an awesome book. It is written by 14 year old Daniel Stefanski, who is on the spectrum. He has done a remarkable job educating both his peers and adults. It is a short book, some may call it a picture book for the middle school age. I think we can all learn from it. I am raising an autistic child. It is not easy watching him struggle to have conversations with other who do not understand. I would like to ask every teacher out there to get this book and find a way to share it with your classroom.
I love the way Daniel talks about how autistic children "hear" and "see", (or not see), things. He also brought up important things like getting stuck, not remembering to share, some of the different behaviors that some autistic children do and even the sensory issues. I love the section on Be a good friend where Daniel says, Don't feel sorry for me. I have autism, but I'm cool with who I am." This is my wish for Jr. Daniel reminds us to reach out to children with autism. He also asks us to stand up for children with autism from the bullies and then tells us how. And he calls us the hero. To me he is the hero. ( )

A very approachable book to help kids better understand kids who are autistic. With an adult's encouragement, kids can try some of the many suggestions for interacting positively with autistic kids. Practical and reassuring. ( )

How to Talk to an Autistic Kid is a wonderful book written by a fourteen year old boy with autism. The book begins with an “about me” page of the author, Daniel Stefanski. Each page thereafter invites you into the mind of an autistic kid. There are tips on how to speak to an autistic kid, and why they may sometimes act differently than other children. The author’s primary message is that while he and other kids may have autism, they are still just kids. This was a wonderful and informative read. Most autistic children are now part of great inclusion programs, integrating them into mainstream classrooms. This book should be on the shelf of every classroom library to remind children that while they may act differently, autistic kids are just like you. ( )

I work with kids with autism, and one of my kids will say to a new group "I have autism." Then he doesn't explain it. The other kids then ask me. Autism is such a wide range of things that I always stumble around a bit and frequently don't tell the kids anything they can work with. The best thing I've come up with is "He experiences the world a little differently than other people do."

This book doesn't attempt to explain autism, but it explains the basics. It discusses the behaviors that are most likely to occur and gives kids suggestions on how to respond. It even makes suggestions for helping siblings of kids with autism. It's a quick read, written at the third grade level but of course also meant for older kids. I'm half-tempted to leave this book scattered around on desks in all the middle schools in the state. It does an excellent job at opening up a discussion for kids with autism, and also at giving other kids tools for getting along with their autistic peers and classmates. ( )

How To Talk To An Autistic Kid is a very endearing picture book with wonderful suggestions on how to speak and interact with an autistic kid in a more respectful and kind manner. The book highlights the importance of really accepting and treating autistic kids just like any other kid, because even though they are different in some ways, they are very similar in other ways. It also teaches kids to not be afraid of befriending an autistic kid. Written by a 14-year-old autistic kid himself, this book offers a unique point of view that you really won’t get from mainstream books about autism that are more impersonal and make you feel like you are just being given information. What’s great about this book is that you can put a face to this autistic disorder, of someone who is actually experiencing it first-hand. I don’t know if you can get any more sincere than that! How To Talk To An Autistic Kid really personalizes the whole reading experience in an extremely engaging way. Daniel tackles a sensitive subject with grace as well as humor at times. This book offers priceless advice in a fun, very approachable, easy-to-read set-up, with easy-to-follow tips, and includes many colorful illustrations to reiterate each point. And by the end of the book, you really feel like you got to know Daniel, who is more than just an autistic kid.

Daniel does a great job of really pouring his heart out in this book in an effort to help make the lives of autistic kids a little easier and better socially, not only at school, but any place where they are among non-autistic peers. Adults will also find this book helpful and it will heighten their understanding of autistic behavior in kids and learn what to do in certain situations. I am really glad Daniel decided to write this book. By doing this, his contributions to the autistic society will be endless. And even decades from now, autistic kids as well as non-autistic kids will still be benefiting from his words of wisdom, and he will have touched so many lives because of it. Daniel is truly an inspiration.

So whether you are a teacher, classmate, parent, sibling, relative, friend, librarian, or neighbor of an autistic kid or you just want to learn more about autistic behavior and communication, I HIGHLY recommend that you read this book. Because if you don’t, you will really be missing out on something very special and important.

If you are a parent of an autistic kid, let your kid’s school know that this book is a must have. It will really help your child feel comfortable and accepted by their classmates at school. ( )