Instructions for Taking and Scoring the M-CHAT-R autism test ( Access the M-CHAT-R™ in other languages here) Does your child understand when you tell him or her to do something? ( For Example, if you don't point, can your child understand “put the book on the chair” or “bring me the blanket”?) Answer 18 M is for Autism invites us into the world of a young woman with autism and allows us to view it through her lens. What an intriguing world we enter. This is a book to be read by everyone! -- Professor Barry Carpenter, OBE, PhD, University of Worcester

M is for Autism - The Students of Limpsfield Grange School

Some autistic people have a learning disability. This means they may find it hard to look after themselves and need help with daily life. Autistic people may have other conditions If something new happens, does your child look at your face to see how you feel about it? ( For Example, if he or she hears a strange or funny noise, or sees a new toy, will he or she look at your face?) Answer 19 Being autistic does not mean you have an illness or disease. It means your brain works in a different way from other people. Does your child respond when you call his or her name? ( For Example, does he or she look up, talk or babble, or stop what he or she is doing when you call his or her name?) I am so thrilled to see these amazing girls speaking out and sharing their stories. It's heart-warming, funny, sad at times and educational. It's a short read but carries a powerful message.

Message to Health Care Providers:

If you point at something across the room, does your child look at it? ( For Example, if you point at a toy or an animal, does your child look at the toy or animal?) Answer 1 Please answer questions to reflect your child's usual behaviors. If the behavior is rare (e.g., you've seen it only once or twice), answer as if the child has not acquired the behavior. If you turn your head to look at something, does your child look around to see what you are looking at? Answer 16 Asperger's (or Asperger syndrome) is used by some people to describe autistic people with average or above average intelligence This inspiring and touching novel really gives you a feel of what living with autism and anxiety is like. 13-year-old M lives a tough life as she struggles coping with anxiety in everyday situations, most of all at school. She describes anxiety as being a beast that stops her from living a normal life. All M wants to do is be like all her friends who she classifies as normal. With her later diagnosis of autism we see M start to open up and talk to people about her problems as she copes with her diagnosis. If you have autism, if you are a sufferer of anxiety, or you know someone who is, this is a perfect read for you. This novel helps you to realise that you are not alone and people DO understand exactly what you are going through. As a sufferer of anxiety this book made me feel like there was light and hope at the end of the tunnel, and with a little support and guidance with life's inevitable ups and downs we CAN have a glorious and fulfilled life. -- Jasmine, age 16

Schoolgirls with autism share experiences in young adult novel Schoolgirls with autism share experiences in young adult novel

For Example, if you don't point, can your child understand “put the book on the chair” or “bring me the blanket”?) Does your child respond when you call his or her name? ( For Example, does he or she look up, talk or babble, or stop what he or she is doing when you call his or her name?) Answer 10 Does your child try to copy what you do? ( For Example, wave bye-bye, clap, or make a funny noise when you do) Answer 15 It can affect people in the same family. So it may sometimes be passed on to a child by their parents. Does your child play pretend or make-believe? ( For Example, pretend to drink from an empty cup, pretend to talk on a phone, or pretend to feed a doll or stuffed animal?) Answer 3

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I am utterly in love with this book. Part secret journal, part Perks of Being a Wallflower, part every girl, part just-like-me (yep, I have always seen letters as having personalities!), M is for Autism is a secret gem. We all need to know, after all, that there IS a "Sisterhood of the Spectrum". And I'm proud to say that M fits in perfectly! It's something you're born with. Signs of autism might be noticed when you're very young, or not until you're older. Thank God awareness of Autism and Aspergers Syndrome in girls and women is spreading. For years it was believed that only makes were able to be on the Autism Spectrum, this has led to a tidal wave of diagnosis in females as it's recognised that traits can be very different between the two. We set up the forum because there is so much energy coming forward now from parents, academics, children and young people’s mental health services (Camhs), and teachers, that we’re missing identifying this group of girls,” said Professor Barry Carpenter, chair of the forum.