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He’s Not Naughty!: A Children’s Guide to Autism

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If you need a quick, fun and fully illustrated innovative book to help explain what Autism is to friends and family, then look no further! Lovingly written by a mother of two boys with Asperger's Syndrome, based upon her 12 years of living with this condition, this book is ideal for those who have just received an Autistic Spectrum Disorder diagnosis. Each of the 67 pages has been fully illustrated by Ben Mason who also has Asperger's Syndrome, so this book provides an experienced, heartfelt and unique visual representation of what it's truly like to have Autism. It's aim is to be a tool for newly diagnosed families to explain to the confusing, noisy, stressful whirlwind of a world that is Autism to siblings, parents,grandparents, classmates, teachers, friends and family to ultimately make the child's life easier. Printed books available at www.hesnotnaughty.co.uk

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

4 people are currently reading
55 people want to read

About the author

Deborah Brownson

2 books2 followers

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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Maxine (Booklover Catlady).
1,436 reviews1,427 followers
December 18, 2015
As a parent of a child with Asperger's just like Deborah Brownson and as a woman with Aspergers myself I was so eager to read Deborah's book. What an absolutely wonderful book it is. It's a must get for your book shelves, an absolute gem!

There are many books written about Autism and Aspergers, but not many that simplify how it IS for a young person with Autism in a way that the child, teachers, educators, carers, parents and family members can understand.

The book is dedicated to and features Deborah's real son, her superstar Jake in both the illustrations (more about those in a minute) and with wonderful real photos of Jake and his family. Happy photos, photos that made me smile.

The book blurb:

Lovingly written by a mother of two boys with Asperger's Syndrome, this book is ideal for those who have just received a diagnosis. Although created for children of all ages and abilities, this 67 page illustrated book is also a quick and fun way of explaining to family, friends and class mates why children with Autism behave the way they do.

Coupled with the distinctive talents of Illustrator Ben Mason, who also has Asperger's Syndrome, this book provides a unique visual reprepsentation of what it’s truly like to have Autism.

A teddy bear has been hidden on each page of the book, which is a great game for children, how many can they find?


I read the paperback version and it's stunning, with bright pictures that describe different ways a child with Autism/Aspergers might be feeling and then an illustration that REALLY expresses it in pictures, such as:
Lots of children with Autism won't look you in the eye. It's too much to take in and makes them feel strange!
In our society, meeting somebody's eyes from time to time in conversation is considered polite and averting eyes is often seen as someone is lying or is shifty or impolite. I can't count how many times teachers who did not understand my son in meetings who would say "He will not look at me when I speak to him, it's very rude" and I would sigh and yet again, try to educate the teacher that my son is not naughty, he's Autistic. Big difference.

I wish I had this book back in my child's younger years, I would have bought about 50 and handed them to everyone in contact with him that said he was naughty.

That's the point of this book. Jake shares with us how life is for him, it's so non-autistic people can start to see inside the things behind behaviour and responses. It's also a book that would be a must to buy your younger Asperger's/Autistic child to help them see that they are not alone, that they are special, have amazing gifts and are much loved.

It's hard for adults living with Asperger's, it's even harder and more confusing for a young child. This beautiful book should be in libraries, read in school classrooms, given to families upon diagnosis by professionals but most of all - if you have an Asperger's/Autistic child in your life and you care about them (diagnosed or not) - this book will help so much.

The fact the illustrations are drawn by a talented young man (Ben Mason) who also has Asperger's is important, as they do show an insight into what certain situations, feelings and sensory things REALLY feel like to the child with Asperger's/AS.

High praise for this brilliant book, written with heart as well as knowledge from a mother of two boys on the Autism Spectrum. From her heart to your heart the message is clear:
He's Not Naughty!

I heard that a million times when my own son was younger (he's now nearly 16) and it is so hurtful to a parent, especially when it's not true. I just hope books like this can fall into the right hands so that hurtful labels that damage a child's self-esteem and confidence like being "naughty" diminishes.

Five huge paw prints from Booklover Catlady for this wonderful book with glossy pages and everything going for it. The paperback book can be purchased from: www.hesnotnaughty.co.uk

This review and many more plus book chat, giveaways and more can be found on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BookloverCat...



Many thanks to the author, Deborah Brownson for my copy of the book to read and review.
Profile Image for Theo Clarke.
46 reviews4 followers
December 1, 2022
An excellent introduction to the experience of living with autism. It is marred only by an assumption that the child reader will have a mummy or a daddy or, indeed, any parents.
197 reviews2 followers
August 15, 2023
With a number of young people in our family who have been diagnosed with Autism, and one or two older family members who definitely fit the criteria for a diagnosis, I welcome books like this that are fun to read but the message is very clear, so people can get a real understanding of what it is like to be living with the condition.
They are bright intelligent people who are just wired differently…

I am going to give this book to my grandsons to read so they understand that they are bright, clever, funny children and we love them whether they are wired this way or any way. It’s a great book, go get a copy and read it!
Profile Image for American 0808917l.
1 review
January 1, 2018
Well done!

Our grandson is on the autistic spectrum, he's 6 and doesn't talk although he has an extensive vocabulary, can read and count, this book has been very helpful in understanding what he's coping with, thank you and well done!
7 reviews
January 2, 2018
A simple, clear, easy to understand explanation of some of the aspects of autism.

Lovely illustrations really complement the text. A very interesting book. I would recommend it for all people working with children and all parents/carers as well.
1,449 reviews7 followers
October 24, 2021
4.5 stars

An awesome book on autism! I learned more about autism from this book than what else I've read/seen.

My one complaint is the font of the words. I get it was supposed to look like a kid wrote it. But sometimes the letters looked off, like and f looked like a p at one point.

Profile Image for Jaxie.
115 reviews2 followers
December 15, 2024
If you have a child who has a lot of questions about Autism this is the book for you. If your child has an autistic classmate, sibling/cousin, friend or what have you I rly recommend this book for answering all of their questions.
73 reviews3 followers
January 1, 2018
So well written

The author deserves her OBE, such a lovely way to explain such a hard topic. Beautiful illustrations they even come through in the Kindle version.
Profile Image for Nicola.
3,645 reviews
July 27, 2020
Brilliant for primary school aged children. Miss recognised herself in the book and said that she would be happy to share it with others to help them understand better. I've already recommended it to other families.

It is narrated by an NT girl (maybe 8-10 yrs) who wants to try and help others understand her best friend better (who is on spectrum). There are lots of illustrations (and we love that he is on spectrum himself) and it is very relateable. I also liked that the book does emphasise that everyone on spectrum is different and there's no single presentation. Miss really liked the family photos at the end of the book and looking at 'other kids like her' :)

Miss 5 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Profile Image for Emily.
470 reviews11 followers
January 1, 2018
A very good book to introduce anyone to author, even adults, as it is easy to understand and there is no technical language. my daughter was recently diagnosed with autism at the age of 9. She found the book helpful to understand what it means. She was able to relate to parts of the book. It is written with children in mine but as it is so thorough, it is a good introduction to autism for adults as well. An essential book for those affected by autism.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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