The Growing Up Book for Boys

A warm and insightful account of the emotional and physical changes that take place during adolescence. Full of practical advice on social boundaries given in clear language with visual illustrations. A wonderfully reassuring guide for children and their parents as they approach those formative years. – Lisa O’Sullivan, parent of child with Autism Spectrum DisorderI have been teaching students on the autistic spectrum for over a decade now and I am energised to think that I can use these books in a comprehensive manner in my class, encourage parents to utilise this material in a comfortable and comforting way at home, and I am massively delighted to believe that students themselves will be able to access, follow and actually use these books! A huge step forward! – Nichola O’Grady, Special Needs Teacher, St. Laserian’s Special School, Carlow, IrelandThis well-illustrated book for boys approaching puberty gives lots of information on all the specific things having to do with growing up. Aimed at young people on the autistic spectrum, including those with Asperger’s syndrome, it explains in detail and in simple language all the things one needs to know. It could also be useful to those not on the spectrum, particularly as it answers lots of questions on things that other books often don’t go into…I particularly liked the section on girls and how they go through puberty too. There are several pages of information for parents and carers at the end of the book and a short list for further reading. Altogether, this makes a readable and interesting book for boys, who will find the information invaluable during these turbulent growing up years. – HealthyBooks

Davida (she/her) is an Adjunct Professor in the UCD School of Psychology and Chartered Educational & Child Psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland. She founded and is Clinical Director at The Adult Autism & ADHD Practice, a fully online service that covers the UK and Ireland, with a vision of providing respectful, neurodiversity affirmative, autism and ADHD identification (assessment) work within a team that is shaped by the Autistic and ADHD voice and experience. She is also co-founder, Clinical Director and Principal Psychologist at The Children’s Clinic, based on these same principals. Established in 2016, The Children’s Clinic now has locations now across Ireland supporting Autistic and otherwise neurodivergent children 0-18 with a focus on best practice neurodiversity affirmative child autism identifications. Prior to this, Davida worked for many years within the Irish public health service, in teams supporting Autistic and otherwise neurodivergent children. Davida has also brought to Ireland the not for profit Gig Buddies, where she is a Board Director. Gig Buddies aims to reduce loneliness and increase social participation for adults with a learning disability who may or may not also be Autistic. Davida is late identified ADHD and part of a multiply neurodivergent family. She is a passionate ally of the Autistic community. Davida has written several books (alone and alongside her Autistic colleagues) with Jessica Kingsley Publishers in the area of Autistic experience, including the first ever book on adult autism identification and the first ever book on neurodiversity affirmative child autism identification.