There are many misconceptions in relation to autism in the general population. Each child diagnosed with autism differs from every other. A general description of autistic behaviors and characteristics cannot apply to every child. The term "autism" refers to a spectrum and as such every child will have his or her unique combination of characteristics within the spectrum. This book is not intended to explain what autism is, as there are many other books on the subject. This book is intended for children, parents and caregivers to read together. The purpose of this book is to highlight how...

All children are unique. Children with developmental challenges are no different. There are many misconceptions about Down syndrome. While it is true that children with this diagnosis share similar characteristics, it does not mean that they are all the same. While people with Down syndrome have many recognizable facial features in common due to their genetic makeup, it is important to note that people with Down syndrome, just like the rest of us, look like their parents and family members. All children with Down syndrome have some degree of learning concern but this too varies from child to...

Families come in all shapes, sizes, and configurations. It is important for us to let children feel great about the uniqueness of their own family and also to teach them to be accepting and respectful of those they may experience as "different." As our world becomes more and more diverse, there has never been a better, or a more important time, for us to learn to live together and to teach children about diversity and acceptance. As children become aware of family structures that may be different than their own, they may ask questions. They might ask, "Why does Jimmy have two mommies?" or...