My kid was just diagnosed

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I never know quite what to say...congratulations? welcome to the club?

Regarding to tell or not to tell or when to tell. I told my son when he was 7 and first diagnosed. He was PAINFULLY aware that he was different than his peers and was basically begging for a reason other than that he was a bad kid. My daughter, on the other hand, has been diagnosed since she was 2 and she is now 9. I still haven't told her. It's never seemed to be the right time. She knows her brain works differently and that has always been enough for her. Even when she had a 1:1 at school and even though she has had pull-outs for social skills, she has never really asked. The explanation that "people have different kinds of smarts. You have school smarts, but have a hard time with social smarts. Other kids might be very good at social smarts but have a hard time with school smarts" has always been more than sufficient for her. I guess when she asks, I will tell her. I guess what I am trying to say is that you will probably know when its the right time to tell.

He is already at a serious advantage because he has you. That's the most important part!

I really like "Dude, I'm an Aspie (kids edition)". It's a cartoon that explains many of the symptoms in a positive way.

So, I told him. I got him the books Dude I'm An Aspie and The Survival Guide for Kids With Autism Spectrum Disorder. I have to order the cats one.

I told him that I got him a couple of books that he could read if he wanted. He opened the survival guide one, and we read the introduction. He asked some questions about ASD. We read a couple of pages of the first chapter, and he said: "Ummm, yep. I think I have ASD." Then I said: "Yes." Then he asked about a few more things, and he talked about having trouble making friends. He seemed relieved that he had an explanation for his social difficulties. Then he said: "Hey, I know another kid who probably has it because he just doesn't understand that I don't want to hear about his cars all day." . I said: "Maybe, but maybe not. Don't mention that to him." Then I told him that he could tell people if he wanted to, or keep it to himself. He said: "Maybe when someone is being mean I can say:' Hey! Go easy on me, I have ASD.'" I said it was up to him, but it might be better if he only told kids who act friendly to him, because mean kids are always trying to find something else to be mean about.

All in all, I think it was good. I think it helped him feel better about himself.

InThisTogether, I agree that it depends on the kid. My son is more like your son, and I felt it would be helpful for him to know.

Thanks Zette for the comic recommendation!

Glad to her that worked out well!

You're welcome.
There's a book called "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime." It's too old for your son, but you may find it interesting. The author is not autistic, but the experience he presents is effective.

It's now a play on Broadway, too.

It's somewhat if a sign that ASDs are coming into the mainstream.

Just make sure your son doesn't use his diagnosis as an excuse for bad behavior.

I didn't totally identify with him either, but I found it an interesting read nonetheless.