Learn About Autism
Following my diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome in 2011, I started my first series which talks about the different aspects of coping with Aspergers, Autism and additional health issues.
The Rainbow School
The Rainbow School is the first series of books that talks about learning with Autism, although for children aged 7-9 year old, it is ideal for both adults and children. The books follow a group of children coping with Asperger's and autism, as well as other health issues, and covers areas such as anxiety, friendships and hobbies.
Learn about autism, as the characters gain confidence and communication skills by meeting magical elements; whether it will be magical worlds or talking animals.
Disabilities covered in
The Rainbow School Series
By Julie Day Author
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Asperger's Syndrome (All books in the series)
Asperger's Syndrome is part of the Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is a neurological condition which affects the way a person communicates and relates to the world around them. ASD is often referred to as 'the Social Impairment triad' because people with Asperger's have three main challenges: social communication, social interaction and social imagination.
Fainting (Book 2 - Charlie)
This has a name called vaso vagal syncope (vayso vaygal syn co pe). There is a nerve in the back of your neck called the vagus nerve. If a tear happens, then it can cause fainting. Getting excited, too hot, can both cause this to happen.
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Congenital Heart Disease (Book 3 - Susie)
This means that there is something wrong with the heart when you are born. In the case of Susie, she has a hole in the heart. This can cause her to get out of breath quickly, and she can't walk or run as fast as other children. If she does, like me, she can also get a pain in her side called a stitch.
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Sensory Overload (Book 4 - Qessa)
People with Asperger's Syndrome can often be over sensitive to the different senses. A certain smell eg perfume can become too strong, or a certain noise such as an alarm can seem too loud. In the case of Qessa, like me, she is over sensitive to loud noises.
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Anxiety (Book 5 - Alistair)
People and children with Asperger's find it hard to work out how to talk to people so don't know how to make friends. This makes them anxious.
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Kidney Infections (Book 6 - Erin)
Erin has been off school a lot with kidney infections, something I had as a child. It has its own name of Pyelonephritis (pye-lo-ne-phritis). It involves being continuously sick and can lead to kidney damage.
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Inspiration from my own experiences
Reading in Class
I never read out in class because I got too nervous. On one occassion I did ask the teacher to read my story for me. I never acted it out like Billy does, but when I was older I did impersonate the Prime Minister at the time, the late Margaret Thatcher. I can't do that now.
Fainting
The incident at the start of Charlie, where he is sitting on the cupboard and faints on to the floor, did happen to me. I actually fell in between the sink and the oven, I think it was, which was a narrow space. So I fell into an awkward position. Also, when I faint, I went stiff and am hard to move.
Heart and PE
Like Susie I have a hole in the heart and hated PE as I was always one of the last to be picked. I too hated the horse and the climbing frame as I hate heights.
Noise
Noise didn't bother me too much at school, except one thing: the school fire alarm. It made my heart jump when it rang out. The sound of one still makes my heart jump.
Anxiety
Like Alistair I bit my fingernails down, quite badly. I did this up until just before my 21st, when I got v busy at work. I also think that I must have got used to the people and the work so didn't get so anxious.
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My blog talks about what it's like being an Aspie in hospital and their routines. Visit my blog for more on my personal experiences.