Explaining Autism to a Child, their Family, Teachers and Peers

An autistic child may become increasingly aware that in some ways they are different to their peers but do not know why. When autism has been confirmed, their parents may be unsure when and how to explain the diagnosis to their child. They may seek guidance from professionals as to who should explain the diagnosis and how to disclose this information to extended family members, their child’s teacher, and peers at school. This presentation describes different approaches to explaining autism to a primary school-age child, key information the child needs to know, and resources and activities designed to provide a positive introduction to autism. It also guides explaining a child’s autism profile to siblings, extended family members, and a class teacher, and how peers can adjust their interactions with the child.