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Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew

3rd Edition Revised and Updated

Winner of the Grand Prize for Instruction and Insight and First Place in Psychology, Chanticleer International Book Awards
Winner of the Gold Medal for Nonfiction Series, 2023 Independent Publisher Book Awards

 

Published in English, audio, Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Hebrew, Korean, Albanian, Czech, Azeri, Dutch, Portuguese, Turkish and more

One of the autism community’s most beloved classics, Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew has informed, delighted, and guided millions of families and professionals the world over since its first edition was published in 2005. A child’s voice leads into each chapter, offering a one-of-a-kind exploration into how ten core characteristics of autism affect our children’s perceptions and reactions to the surrounding physical, sensory and social environments. The third edition sharpens the focus on these basic aspects while expanding on how our own perspectives shape the life of our child and ourselves, today, tomorrow, and for years to come. An all-new section illuminates the surprising breadth of our power of choice and outlines potent strategies for strong decision-making in every situation.

Available in Spanish

Buy the Spanish Edition here:
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Accolades for Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew

American Book Fest 2019 Best Book Awards finalist

Grand Prize for Instruction and Insight and First Place in Psychology

Chanticleer International Book Awards

Grand Prize Short List, Montaigne Medal finalist, First Runner-up in Health and Da Vinci Eye Award finalist

2020 Eric Hoffer Book Awards

Gold Medal, Nonfiction Series
2023 Independent Publisher Book Awards
(with Ten Things Your Student With Autism Wishes You Knew)

National Indie Excellence Awards 2020 finalist

Wishing Shelf Book Awards finalist

Bronze Winner in Psychology

2012 Foreword Book of the Year Awards

Gold Award

2012 Mom’s Choice Awards

Praise for Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew

This third edition of Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew is the best yet! As an international consultant on ASD who works with individuals, schools, and parents, I have used this resource as a core teaching tool in most of my trainings. I was really excited to see the new chapter on the Power of Choice. As Ellen writes: “Seldom is the instance in which we truly have no choices” and this is so true. It empowers the individual to have control in a world that in many ways feels out of control. A must have for your autism resource collection.

Jim Ball, Ed.D., B.C.B.A.-D, President/CEO JB Autism Consulting

Great book for the parent of a child who is newly diagnosed. It will help the parent who is frightened by the diagnosis get started on creating a positive outcome for their child.

Temple Grandin, PhD, author of The Way I See It and Thinking in Pictures

Compassionate right from the beginning . . . beautifully and thoughtfully designed to explain the thoughts and actions of a child with autism. This is a must-purchase for libraries.

Independent Book Publisher Awards

This third edition is amazing, and an absolute must-read.  Ellen has absorbed so much more wisdom from both the autism world and the autistic world and poured it into her work, and I’m floored.  Buy this book, read it, loan it, share it, then read it again!

Jennifer McIlwee Myers, Aspie-at-Large, author of How to Teach Life Skills to Kids with Autism or Asperger's

Ellen Notbohm reminds us once again that we should learn more than we teach and listen more than we talk. Ten Things emphasizes these points and offers readers important  insights and invaluable information. If you have a 1st or 2nd edition, you will want to purchase a new copy as this book is not just a compassionate and person-centered look at autism, it is also a reflection on a changing field and on evolving understandings of advocacy, support, and ability.

Paula Kluth, PhD, author of You’re Going to Love This Kid and Pedro’s Whale

I wouldn’t have believed that Ellen Notbohm could improve on her original classic, the excellent Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew, but she has done just that. Speaking as a parent, as one who works with autistic people, and as an avid reader on the subject, I’m telling you: you must have this book on your shelf. Parents who made it through your child’s early years with hope and optimism intact because you had the original Ten Things, you need this update. Notbohm will take you from the preschool years through middle school, high school, and beyond, continuing to inform and inspire parents as they prepare their children for adulthood. The questions for discussion and reflection are perfect for parent support groups, teacher trainings, or book clubs. Optimism abounds.

Wendela Whitcomb Marsh, MA, BCBA, RSD, author of The ABC’s of Autism in the Classroom

“Compassionate right from the beginning . . . beautifully and thoughtfully designed to explain the thoughts and actions of a child with autism. This is a must-purchase for libraries.”

IBPA Ben Franklin Awards

Every child with autism deserves to have the adults in their life read this book. Parents will find a compassionate, astute ally who has lived the journey with her now-adult son. All readers will clarify and refine their understanding of what it really takes to help a child fit into the world, achieve a state of confidence, and fulfill their unique promise. Compact, well organized and accessible, Ten Things contains a remarkable amount of detailed information, helpful suggestions, and concrete strategies.  Realistic, practical, and uplifting, it will help you make the best choices for both your child and yourself.  It is on my short list of highly recommended books on autism and I urge you to soak up its wisdom and share it with others.

Debra Moore, Ph.D., psychologist (retired) and coauthor with Temple Grandin of The Loving Push: How Parents and Professionals Can Help Spectrum Kids Become Successful Adults

An absolutely essential ‘must read’ title for any parent, teacher or caregiver of an autistic child, this new third edition of Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew is unreservedly recommended.

Midwest Book Review

The third edition explains our evolving insights into autism that are so valuable for parents, professionals, and those who have autism. Please grant the wish of the autistic child you know, and absorb the wisdom and clarity of a book that I highly recommend.

Tony Attwood, PhD, author, Ask Dr. Tony: Answers from the World's Leading Authority on Asperger's Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism

“Who speaks for the child?” Notbohm asks and pointedly shows us . . .  This book gives us a fresh look into the minds and behaviors of autism spectrum children that can both break your heart and enlighten you.

Eric Hoffer Book Awards

The new edition of Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew is better than ever. This is essential reading for people who are important in your child’s life, be it teachers, therapists, family members, neighbors and even the bus driver, to help them understand your child’s complex and sometimes baffling social, sensory, behavioral, and emotional challenges . . . gives a powerful voice to kids, teens, and adults who can’t easily advocate for themselves, providing an ‘inside view’ of the different realities of life with autism. The new chapter on ‘Your Power of Choice,’ compassionately helps readers recognize that while they may feel overwhelmed, scared, and sometimes paralyzed, they are never powerless, and provides key empowering steps they can take to help those they love thrive and live meaningful, productive lives.

Lindsey Biel, coauthor of Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Book for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues and author of Sensory Processing Strategies

The book I found most helpful and most hopeful after my son’s diagnosis. I’ve recommended it to many parents and, like me, they’ve fallen completely in love with it.

Maura Campbell, Senior Editor of Spectrum Women magazine

How wonderful that Ellen Notbohm’s classic, Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew, is here for a new generation! If your child has been diagnosed with autism, or if you think that your child may have autism, this is the first book that you should read.

Bobby Sheahan, author of What I Wish I'd Known about Raising a Child with Autism