A Friend Like John; Understanding Autism is intended for elementary-aged peers of children with autism, and is based on the life and traits of the author's son, John, age 8. Unlike other children’s books, which do an excellent job of presenting autism, this book illustrates the fact that children with autism have many similarities to typically-developing children. On each page, questions are posed to the reader such as, “have you ever felt like that?” The goal is to foster acceptance of children with autism by their typically-developing friends, family and classmates. Whereas the differences children with autism have are often obvious to others, sometimes we forget that we all do have many things in common.
Suzanne Bartlett is the mother of a 10-year-old son with autism, as well as a practicing physician, specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is currently the President of the Autism Society of Iowa, and served as a member of the Act Early Autism Summit sponsored by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in February 2008. Dr. Bartlett speaks regularly at the University of Northern Iowa and Wartburg College, and has presented at the University of Iowa Department of Pediatrics, the Center for Development and Disabilities, and the University of Iowa College of Medicine. She has assisted the Iowa Governor's Autism Council in the recent passage of health care legislation. She is also actively involved with the organizations Autism Speaks and the International Society for Autism Research.
A.wonderful, heartwarming book that connects the reader to a new friend, John, who happens to have autism. I would highly recommend this book for elementary school teachers as a read-a-loud book to generate discussion about acceptance and friendship.
Mary S.
I just finished reading this new book and loved the beautiful graphics and layout of the
book, complete with the Autism Puzzle theme. Even more than that, however, I loved the
upbeat introduction to John, a second grader with autism. From the photos and
descriptions you see John as a real life boy with lots of interests and abilities. You are
also introduced to his challenges and prompted to consider how sometimes we all might
experience some of these challenges in certain situations. Suzanne Bartlett guides us
through a gentle, accepting introduction to the world of autism that demystifies this
growing disability among our young children. What a wonderful book to introduce any
classroom of young children to an awareness of autism in their school and community.
Rebecca Clausen