Brotherly Feelings: Me, My Emotions, and My Brother with Asperger's Syndrome

It isn't easy being eight years old and having a brother five years older who other children often misunderstand. They don't know that when he makes strange jerky movements it's probably because he is scared. They don't know that when he doesn't speak to them it's because he is nervous of socializing. They don't realize that he behaves that way because he has something called Asperger's Syndrome. Sam knows that his brother Eric is different from him because his brain works differently. So, when the other children bully Eric, it makes Sam feel protective of him. But sometimes, when Eric behaves oddly, Sam feels embarrassed too. Sometimes, when Eric gets lots of attention, it makes Sam feel resentful - then, when he considers that Eric needs a lot of help and attention, it makes Sam feel guilty for feeling resentful. There are so many different feelings Sam experiences! "Brotherly Feelings" explores the emotions that siblings of children with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) commonly experience. With illustrations throughout, this book will help siblings to understand that their emotional responses - whatever they are - are natural and OK. It is the ideal book for parents and professionals to use with siblings to discuss their emotional experiences, and will also help children with AS to form an understanding of the feelings of other family members.