Are there any kid's books explaining autism/asperger's?

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I am wondering if there are any kid's books explaining what asperger's and/or autism is. My son is 8yrs old (9 in a few weeks) and although we have always discussed autism, etc. in front of him, I don't think he truly understands. He is speech delayed, so in a way some have told us it is autism, but then again because of his IQ others have told us he's an aspie...Who knows...we don't really care because honestly so many symptoms are the same, that explaining one or the other to him would be enough for now.

I did once try to explain to him about autism and I thought he understood, but sometimes if something is wrong with his eye or something he'll say something about "my autism"...hehe...he seems to like the word or something.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

PS - my need to tell him is because we now live in an apartment community where he socializes ALOT...everyday the kids ride their bikes on the sidewalk, go to the beach and/or pool, play basketball, whatever...and it's obvious to me that he has made "some friends" but after a couple of weeks the kids kind of leave him for other kids...so he ends up attempting to befriend a new kid...he's actually a really nice kid, not mean or violent or anything...some have actually asked "what's wrong with him? why does he say that?" etc...

Sounds like he's confused the word with 'Astygmatism'

Did he accompany someone to the Optometrist's?

A quick Amazon search turns up:

Can I Tell You About Asperger Syndrome?: A Guide for Friends and Family by Jude Welton

Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes by Jennifer Elder

What It Is to Be Me!: An Asperger Kid Book by Angela Wine

I Am Utterly Unique: Celebrating the Strengths of Children with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism by Elaine Marie Larson

This Is Asperger Syndrome by Elisa Ganon

Since We're Friends: An Autism Picture Book by Celeste Shally

The Autism Acceptance Book: Being a Friend to Someone With Autism by Ellen Sabin

among others, but I can't personally vouch for any of them.

I have a couple of books mentioned by the pp. They are good at explaining what Asperger's is about. My son is almost 9 and just read Asperger's Syndrome, the Universe and Everything by Kenneth Hall. It was written by a boy who has Aspergers when he was 10 years old. If your kid can read chapter books, he should understand it. I was wanting someone my kid could identify with as he was feeling like he was "the only one" like this. His review was good. He thought the boy had good jokes. Although, my very literal boy told me it didn't talk about the universe at all.

"I'd definately recommend it - it's brilliant!" This is what my 8 year old Aspie son said to me about "Asperger Syndrome, the Universe and Everything" just now when I asked if he would recommend it to another 8 year old.

It's by Kenneth Hall who was diagnosed with Asperger's when he was 8 and wrote the book when he was 10 years old.

Kenneth Hall says in the book,

"When I was eight I found out about my Asperger Syndrome or AS and since then my life has changed completely. Before that life was very hard for me. I was always depressed. Life was depressing.

I always knew I was different and that I wasn't quite like other children. It's hard to say exactly how I knew. I detected some differences and I felt that things were not the same for me as for other children. Other children seemed to behave differently, play differently and talk differently, but I didn't know why. At that time, although I felt different I felt normal about being different. I thought I was the normal one and that it was the other people who were different, not me. Which is a perfectly feasible way of thinking.

When I heard that I had AS I was very pleased because I had been wondering why everyone else seemed to be acting strangely. So I felt a bit relieved.

My life has completely changed now and I am much happier. Things are much better and I understand myself better than I used to. Children with AS can do very well if they have a positive attitude, but they also need a lot of positive things around them and this is mostly up to the adults."

Willard, you made me laugh with the optometrist comment...hmmm...because just a few weeks ago we went to the optometrist and he called her an "optometrist" although I didn't call her that...hmmm...and I never taught him that either...hmmm...but the "autism" word he keeps using was used BEFORE this...but heck, maybe he did hear about optometrists before and I just didn't realize it...I had not even thought of that...hehe...

Also, thanks for the books...I checked Amazon too, but I would rather see if someone here actually had read any with their kids or something...I don't always believe the reviews I read...haha

Twinplets, thanks also...I'll check into that book...

I got this for my son, but it's really a picture book which would be more suitable for pre-schoolers. He was going to give it to the charity shop, but I've set it aside to give to his Speech and Language Therapist as she may know a younger child who would enjoy it.

All Cats Have Asperger's

I've seen a wonderful children's chapter book series about an elementary-school-aged boy. It starts before his diagnosis, as he runs into trouble with making friends and coping in school, has a simple explanation of his diagnosis (upon which you, of course, can expand to suit your child's needs) and continues with his friendships, school and life after diagnosis as he deals with regular situations and ones designed to appeal to a child's fantasy (things like aliens crash-landing in the backyard). I thought they were fantastic when I looked at them, and I'd highly recommend them.

The series is here:

Blue Bottle Mystery

Of Mice and Aliens

Lisa and the Lacemaker

Thanks so much for all the suggestions...I'll look them up...

Ok,

Here are is one that I can definitely recommend. I am a librarian and definitely, when I learned of my diagnosis, stocked up on a couple of new books for our library.

The survival guide for kids with autism spectrum disorders (and their parents) / Elizabeth Verdick & Elizabeth Reeve ; illustrated by Nick Kobyluch

This book is quite positive, clearly and constructively written. From what I recall, its layout was like a trivia book. I really liked it far better than some of the bland picture books I have seen...