Book for autism understanding

By Dion Teasdale
COLDSTREAM author and teacher Gerda De Clercq is one of the people behind a new book for the brothers and sisters of children living with autism.
The book, titled What About Me? The Autism Survival Guide for Kids, features colourful cartoon illustrations and features quotes from the real life experiences of children growing up with a sibling who has autism.
Ms De Clercq, who has been a teacher for 30 years and has spent the past 12 years working in the field of autism, co-wrote the book with psychologist Athanasia Koutsis.
The hard cover, full colour book, illustrated by Mt Evelyn artist Richard Galbraith, provides practical suggestions for specific issues faced by siblings of children with an autistic disorder.
Ms De Clercq said the team behind the book saw there was a need for an informative and entertaining publication to help educate families living with autism.
“We have worked with children with various disabilities but autism presents a unique set of challenges for both parents and siblings,” she said.
“It is a difficult disorder to explain to adults, let alone to young children.”
Ms De Clercq said autism was a lifelong disorder that affects the way a person interacts with others and that there has previously been few other education resources designed for siblings.
“It is our hope that this book will help siblings better understand the issues facing families living with autism,” she said.
Evelyn MP Heather McTaggart praised Ms De Clercq in State Parliament for her work in the area of autism last month.
“This is an outstanding new book that offers support to siblings who face the challenging behaviour of a brother or sister with autism,” she said.
“It this book recognises and addresses the embarrassment or anger they feel at having a sibling with autism.”
Ms McTaggart urged Parliamentary colleagues to purchase a copy of the book for their electorates.
Copies of the book are available at a range of book shops or by calling 0425 830 183.