Asperger Child - About Us
 AspergerChild.com and the Ben and His Helmet book series were created by Nelle Frances, a Special Needs Educator with over 14 years experience working with children in Primary and High Schools, and the parent of a child with Asperger's Syndrome.
Nelle grew extremely frustrated by the lack of resources available that “told it like it is” – from an Asperger child's point of view. Relevant and appealing children's books within the fiction genre were almost non-existent.
Nelle believes that all behaviour is a form of communication and once this is recognised parents, carers and teachers are better able to accommodate the Asperger child's needs.
Nelle's passionate in her support of children and adults with Asperger's Syndrome and works to mentor them towards self-advocacy. She regularly speaks at Conferences and Seminars about her books and her personal journey with Asperger's Syndrome.
When Nelle's not racing around after her children or scribbling notes about new stories, she likes to cook exotic meals and read books about anything and everything.
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"I'm a Special Needs Educator with over 14 years experience working with children on the Autistic Spectrum, from Elementary School through to University age. By applying my knowledge and experience I have created the Ben and His Helmet series of books especially for children with Asperger's Syndrome.
I understand how essential it is to have access to sound advice and positive anecdotal evidence, especially in the early days after diagnosis, when you're struggling to make the “clinical” diagnosis fit the actual picture of your child.
I've endeavored to provide you with a comprehensive “description” of Asperger's Syndrome within the pages of this website, to help make the “pieces of the jigsaw” fall into place.
I hope to empower you to take control of your personal journey with Asperger's Syndrome and create a positive path forward, as you support and accommodate your Asperger child."
Nelle Frances |
Nelle uses simple and effective words, complimented with bright, appealing illustrations. The Ben and His Helmet series are a unique resource for children with disabilities for a number of reasons:
- The absence of a ‘label' throughout the series means the books are suitable for a wide audience e.g. children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, who share characteristic traits.
- Children receiving support in early Education often haven't been formally diagnosed, so the Ben and His Helmet series is a useful tool in this group.
- Children with disabilities dislike being constantly reminded of the fact, and are more likely to choose a book that isn't screaming “Special Education”.
- The Ben and His Helmet series helps to increase understanding of Asperger's Syndrome and creates empathy in the non-AS reader. The stories highlight what we parents/teachers have always known – that behaviour choices for children with Asperger's Syndrome are often made by their AS characteristics e.g. sensory sensitivity, and not because they are being “naughty”.
Children with
ASD, ADHD and PDDNOS connect with Ben's character, and by doing so begin to develop the ability to self-assess, self-monitor and self-manage their behaviour.
Check out the range of books now!
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