DOCSLIB.ORG

The Asperkid's (Secret) Book of Social Rules

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Asperkid's (Secret) Book of Social Rules Asper The kid’s - Secret - Book of Social Rules The Handbook of Not-So-Obvious Social Guidelines for Tweens and Teens with Asperger Syndrome Illustrated by Jennifer Cook O’Toole Brian Bojanowski “The Asperkid’s (Secret) Book of Social Rules is a must-have resource for tweens and teens with Asperger syndrome. By exposing the ‘secret’ thinking of NTs and opening each chapter with a list of ‘need-to-knows,’ O’Toole sensitively and candidly explains the social rules that often confuse teens with Asperger syndrome. The graphics, humor and short chapters make the book lively and accessible, while O’Toole’s own experiences as an individual with Asperger syndrome help teens connect personally with her insightful, practical advice.” —Diane M. Kennedy and Rebecca S. Banks, authors of Bright Not Broken: Gifted Kids, ADHD, and Autism “The joy of knowing that the mistakes of the past have a good chance of melting away is the real, not-so-secret ingredient that makes this book shine.” —Michael John Carley, Executive Director, GRASP, ASTEP, and author of Asperger’s From the Inside Out “Asperteens rejoice! Finally someone has produced a guide to the mysteries of teenage social etiquette. Jennifer’s brilliant writing style serves up huge, life-changing advice in small, bite-sized chunks, making this an invaluable reference point for navigating the difficult path between childhood and adult life. If you’re a teenager, buy a copy. If you’re older, buy one too—it’s never too late to learn those ‘secret rules’ and apply them in your life.” —Helen Wallace-Iles, founder and director, Autism All-Stars UK, and mother of four children on the autism spectrum “Wow! This book is awesome. The Asperkid’s (Secret) Book of Social Rules is a triumph of words, wisdom and wit. It is a fun yet oh-so-important set of keys that will help Asperkids of all ages unlock virtually every mystery the NT world holds. I love it!” —Liane Holliday Willey, author of Pretending to be Normal and Safety Skills for Asperger Women “Jennifer O’Toole has done it again. Reading this book was like dipping into a bag of wonderful treasures. A very comprehensive guide to social rules for Aspies and a brilliant reminder of just how much NTs take for granted and how hard our Asperkids have to work each day. This book serves as a ‘universal translator’ and will strengthen relationships between Aspies and NTs everywhere… Our whole family is adopting the Asperkid positivity vibe. Jennifer is like the favourite aunt and best friend we all wish we had. If I could choose one book to give to my little boy as he grows up, this would be it.” —Rebecca Mitchell, psychotherapist (MBACP), author of the blog lovingmartians.wordpress.com, and very proud mom to one Asperboy superhero and his equally amazing NT supersister “Jennifer is the queen of understanding and helping others to understand the ins and out of Asperger syndrome. In this book Jennifer hits on all of the important issues tweens and teens face and provides ways for your Asperkids to thrive during this challenging time. Learn rules like ‘to be interesting to other people, you first have to be interested in them,’ ‘one mistake does not a friendship break’, ‘being right isn’t always the most important thing, even when it feels that way,’ and so much more. As the mother of an eight-year-old with non-verbal learning disorder, ADD and SPD, this book is the first I grab to help both me and my amazing little gal. An incredible book by an incredible woman.” —Lisa Davis, MPH, creator, host, and producer of It’s Your Health Radio and It’s Your Health TV “Not only is The Asperkid’s (Secret) Book of Social Rules a book for Asperkid teens and tweens, it is also a book for their parents, caregivers and for anyone who grew up Aspie and wants to understand themselves and the world around them better. Being undiagnosed until in my 40s, this is the book I wish I had when I was a teenager. Thank you Jennifer, for not only making these social rules no longer ‘secret’ but for helping create a social survival guide that helps promote acceptance, enrichment, inspiration and empowerment for Asperkids everywhere!” —Karen Krejcha, Executive Director of Autism Empowerment, Aspie, GRASP 2012 DSM Award winner, and loving mom of two sons with autism and Asperger syndrome “There are so many reasons to love this book. It is kid-friendly, fun, packed with practical tips, and full of respect for those needing these tips the most. The thing I love best about it, however, is how appropriate the content is for every student, both those on the spectrum and those who are not. In fact, we can all learn something from Jennifer O’Toole’s wonderful advice on relationships, organization, learning, communication and self-respect.” —Paula Kluth, PhD, author of You’re Going to Love this Kid: Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom sper The A kid’s - Secret - Book of Social Rules by the same author Asperkids An Insider’s Guide to Loving, Understanding and Teaching Children with Asperger Syndrome Jennifer Cook O’Toole Foreword by Liane Holliday Willey ISBN 978 1 84905 902 2 eISBN 978 0 85700 647 9 of related interest Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome A User Guide to Adolescence Luke Jackson Foreword by Tony Attwood ISBN 978 1 84310 098 0 eISBN 978 1 84642 356 7 The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome Tony Attwood ISBN 978 1 84310 495 7 (hardback) ISBN 978 1 84310 669 2 (paperback) eISBN 978 1 84642 559 2 Aspergirls Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome Rudy Simone Foreword by Liane Holliday Willey ISBN 978 1 84905 826 1 eISBN 978 0 85700 289 1 Pretending to be Normal Living with Asperger’s Syndrome Liane Holliday Willey Foreword by Tony Attwood ISBN 978 1 85302 749 9 eISBN 978 1 84642 210 2 Asper The kid’s - Secret - Book of Social Rules The Handbook of Not-So-Obvious Social Guidelines for Tweens and Teens with Asperger Syndrome Jennifer Cook O’Toole Illustrated by Brian Bojanowski Jessica Kingsley Publishers London and Philadelphia First published in 2013 by Jessica Kingsley Publishers 116 Pentonville Road London N1 9JB, UK and 400 Market Street, Suite 400 Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA www.jkp.com Copyright © Jennifer Cook O’Toole 2013 Illustrations copyright © Brian Bojanowski 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form (including photocopying or storing it in any medium by electronic means and whether or not transiently or incidentally to some other use of this publication) without the written permission of the copyright owner except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 or under the terms of a licence issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd, Saffron House, 6–10 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS. Applications for the copyright owner’s written permission to reproduce any part of this publication should be addressed to the publisher. Warning: The doing of an unauthorised act in relation to a copyright work may result in both a civil claim for damages and criminal prosecution. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data O’Toole, Jennifer Cook. The Asperkid’s (secret) book of social rules : the handbook of not-so-obvious social guidelines for tweens and teens with Asperger syndrome / Jennifer Cook O’Toole. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-1-84905-915-2 (pbk. format : alk. paper) 1. Asperger’s syndrome in adolescence. 2. Asperger’s syndrome--Social aspects. 3. Asperger’s syndrome--Patients--Life skills guides. I. Title. RJ506.A9O86 2012 618.92’858832--dc23 2012015213 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 978 1 84905 915 2 eISBN 978 0 85700 685 1 For Aspies of All Ages… (and especially the ones in my house) If you’re not sure whether you believe in miracles, perhaps you’ve forgotten that you are one. You shall no longer take things at second or third hand, nor look through the eyes of the dead, nor feed on the spectres in books, You shall not look through my eyes either, nor take things from me, You shall listen to all sides and filter them from your self. Walt Whitman, “Song of Myself ” Contents Acknowledgments ...........................................11 “Where was this Book When I, Like, Needed It?” ................13 Introduction: Rules, Posers and Speaking a Foreign Language ......15 Need-to-Knows: The Unspoken Rules—In Bullet Points ..........27 What You Need to Know about the Need‑to‑Knows: Making Sense of the Rules 1. How Not to Make a Light Bulb: Why Everything is Hard Before It is Easy ................................................39 2. The Potty-Training Rule: Knowing When a Thank-You is Expected. .46 3. So You Noticed a Kindness: The Technicalities of Thank You .......52 Quotealicious . 59 4. I’m Sorry: The Hardest Words to Say ..........................60 5. The “Perseverance” of “Perserverance”: Being Right vs. Being Included ...........................................66 6. Perfectly Imperfect: Congratulations, You’re Human ..............73 7. But I Wasn’t Laughing: Laughing with You vs. Laughing at You .....78 Quotealicious . 83 8. Poof ! You’re Interesting! Being Interesting by Being Interested .....84 9. Mirror! Mirror! Reflect, Reflect, Reflect ........................89 10. You’re Welcome: The Power of Compliments ...................97 Quotealicious . 102 11. Broken Spaghetti: The Benefits of Thinking Like a Wet Noodle ....103 12. Boiling the Pasta: How to Make that Flexible Thinking Thing Happen ................................................107 13.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Becoming Autistic: How Do Late Diagnosed Autistic People
    Becoming Autistic: How do Late Diagnosed Autistic People Assigned Female at Birth Understand, Discuss and Create their Gender Identity through the Discourses of Autism? Emily Violet Maddox Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy The University of Leeds School of Sociology and Social Policy September 2019 1 Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................... 5 ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................................................... 6 ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................................................................. 7 CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................................................. 8 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................. 8 1.1 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................................................................ 8 1.2 TERMINOLOGY ................................................................................................................................................ 14 1.3 OUTLINE OF CHAPTERS ....................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Girls on the Autism Spectrum
    GIRLS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM Girls are typically diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders at a later age than boys and may be less likely to be diagnosed at an early age. They may present as shy or dependent on others rather than disruptive like boys. They are less likely to behave aggressively and tend to be passive or withdrawn. Girls can appear to be socially competent as they copy other girls’ behaviours and are often taken under the wing of other nurturing friends. The need to fit in is more important to girls than boys, so they will find ways to disguise their difficulties. Like boys, girls can have obsessive special interests, but they are more likely to be typical female topics such as horses, pop stars or TV programmes/celebrities, and the depth and intensity of them will be less noticeable as unusual at first. Girls are more likely to respond to non-verbal communication such as gestures, pointing or gaze-following as they tend to be more focused and less prone to distraction than boys. Anxiety and depression are often worse in girls than boys especially as their difference becomes more noticeable as they approach adolescence. This is when they may struggle with social chat and appropriate small-talk, or the complex world of young girls’ friendships and being part of the in-crowd. There are books available that help support the learning of social skills aimed at both girls and boys such as The Asperkid’s Secret Book of Social Rules, by Jennifer Cook O’Toole and Asperger’s Rules: How to make sense of school and friends, by Blythe Grossberg.
    [Show full text]
  • Autism--It's Different in Girls
    M E N T A L H E A L T H Autism—It's Different in Girls New research suggests the disorder often looks different in females, many of whom are being misdiagnosed and missing out on the support they need ﺃﻋﺭﺽ ﻫﺫﺍ ﺑﺎﻟﻠﻐﺔ ﺍﻟﻌﺭﺑﻳﺔ By Maia Szalavitz on March 1, 2016 Credit: PAMELA N. MARTIN Getty Images When Frances was an infant, she was late to babble, walk and talk. She was three before she would respond to her own name. Although there were hints that something was unusual about her development, the last thing her parents suspected was autism. “She was very social and a very happy, easy baby,” says Kevin Pelphrey, Frances's father. Pelphrey is a leading autism researcher at Yale University's world-renowned Child Study Center. But even he did not recognize the condition in his daughter, who was finally diagnosed at about five years of age. Today Frances is a slender, lightly freckled 12-year- old with her dad's warm brown eyes. Like many girls her age, she is shy but also has strong opinions about what she does and does not want. At lunchtime, she and her little brother, Lowell, engage in some classic sibling squabbling—“Mom, he's kicking me!” Lowell, seven, received an autism diagnosis much earlier, at 16 months. Their mom, Page, can recall how different the diagnostic process was for her two children. With Lowell, it was a snap. With Frances, she says, they went from doctor to doctor and were told to simply watch and wait—or that there were various physical reasons for her delays, such as not being able to see well because of an eye condition called strabismus that would require surgical treatment at 20 months.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 CATALOG Dear Friend
    Over 20 Years of Excellence in Autism Publishing 2019 CATALOG Dear Friend, Future Horizons was created to meet the needs of teachers, therapists, and family members who face the challenge of autism. Our books, videos, and conferences bring you the most current information possible to aid in that challenge. It is our strong belief that every child and adult with autism can improve and contribute to the lives of those who love them and, just as importantly, contribute to society. We at Future Horizons pride ourselves in bringing to the mission not only a strong sense of professionalism, but one that is based on personal relationships. All of us have family members or friends who are affected. Future Horizons would not exist today without two very special men. The first is my brother, Alex, whom I had the pleasure of growing up with as I watched him develop into FROM THE PUBLISHER THE FROM a fine young man. Alex was a light that lit up lives wherever he went. Whether working with TEACCH in North Carolina, speaking at conferences, attending Alex Gilpin family gatherings he enjoyed so much, or working in the jobs he held, his delightful sense of humor, courtesy, and caring improved the lives of all who knew him. You could not help but smile back at his infectious grin and I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. Alex is the genesis for this company. My father, R. Wayne Gilpin, was the man who brought the company to life. After writing the book inspired by Alex, Laughing and Loving with Au- tism, he found other materials that needed a good publisher.
    [Show full text]
  • People with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Workplace: an Expanding Legal Frontier
    \\jciprod01\productn\H\HLC\52-1\HLC105.txt unknown Seq: 1 23-JAN-17 10:48 People with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Workplace: An Expanding Legal Frontier Wendy F. Hensel1 Over the past two decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recent estimates suggest that ASD may affect as many as one out of every 68 children in the United States, an increase of over 78% since 2007. Although some of this increase can be attributed to the enhanced awareness and focus on early inter- vention resulting from public education campaigns, much of the cause remains unknown. Nearly half of all individuals diagnosed with ASD possess either average or above average intelligence, but only a small percentage are employed, regard- less of their level of educational attainment or individual qualifications. One study of adults with high functioning autism identified employment “as the single biggest issue or barrier facing them.” In the next eight years alone, experts predict a 230% increase in the num- ber of young people with ASD transitioning to adulthood. As these numbers grow, there inevitably will be pressure to change the status quo and expand employment opportunities for them. At the same time, as a result of the amend- ments to the Americans with Disabilities Act, litigants of all disabilities are in- creasingly successful in establishing coverage under the statute and increasing protection against disability discrimination in employment. Taken together, there is little doubt that increasing numbers of individuals with ASD will enter the labor pool over the next decade.
    [Show full text]
  • Building Community Among Autistic Adults DISSERTATION Submitted In
    UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE Voices of Belonging: Building Community Among Autistic Adults DISSERTATION submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Anthropology by Heather Thomas Dissertation Committee: Associate Professor Keith M. Muprhy, Chair Professor Victoria Bernal Professor Tom Boellstorff 2018 © 2018 Heather Thomas DEDICATION To my mentors, loved ones, and colleagues "Everyone has his or her own way of learning things," he said to himself. "His way isn't the same as mine, nor mine as his. But we're both in search of our Personal Legends, and I respect him for that." Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGMENTS v CURRICULUM VITAE vi ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION ix INTRODUCTION 1 Research Problem 3 Background 4 Research Sites 17 Methods 23 CHAPTER 1: Autistic Narrative 28 What Autistic Narratives Do for Autistic Adults 33 Disability Narratives 36 The Spectrum 45 Narrative and Identity Making 50 Group Identification and Disidentification 64 Conclusion 70 CHAPTER 2: Rhetorical Characters of Autisticness 71 Characterizing Autisticness 79 Prospective Members' Goals 81 Diversifying the Autistic Cast 83 Creating an Intersectional Space 105 Conclusion 112 CHAPTER 3: Learning to Be Autistic 109 Autistic Teachers & Autistic Students 121 Lateral Engagements 149 Conclusion: Autistic Proof Spaces 164 CHAPTER 4: Disidentification 158 Labelling & the Reality of a "Disorder" 170 Risky Formerly-Autistic Subjects 179 Countering Certified Autism Experts 183 Anti-Psychiatry in Disidentifiers' Narrative Revisioning 186 Reclassified Neurodivergence 192 Conclusion 199 CONCLUSION 192 iii REFERENCES 199 APPENDIX A: Key Interlocutors & Their Groups 210 APPENDIX B: Glossary 212 iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am deeply grateful for each member of my dissertation committee.
    [Show full text]
  • Name of Guide Library List
    NameLibrary of guide List A Guide for ParentsBooks Working wonders for children with brain conditions Families where a child has a brain condition face challenges every day. Just to learn, play, make friends and experience the world can feel difficult, even impossible. But we don’t believe there’s any challenge that can’t be overcome. So we listen to families, we learn from them. We carry out research, we design and innovate, we make and share. From new equipment to new learning resources, to new ways to play and support each other, everything we find out together makes life better,better. It opens doors to discovering the world. It’s an incredibly rewarding journey for everyone involved. Why not be a part of it? You never know what we’ll discover together. www.cerebra.org.uk Our guides for parents help you find the answers you need. You can view and download the full series of our guides and factsheets completely free from our website www.cerebra.org.uk. If you would like to make a donation to help cover the cost of producing our guides give us a call on 01267 244216 or donate at www.cerebra.org.uk/fundraise/donate. Thank you. Contents How the Postal Lending Library Works 4 Acquired Brain Injury, Brain Tumour and Stroke 5 ADHD and ADD 6 Autism including Aspergers Syndrome (explaining autism) 7 Autism including Asperger Syndrome (living with autism) 10 Behaviour 14 Carers and Respite Care 16 Cerebral Palsy 17 Communication, Speech and Language 18 Down Syndrome 20 Education Teaching and Learning (general education) 21 Education Teaching
    [Show full text]
  • Wayland Free Public Library Strategic Plan 2020-2025
    Wayland Free Public Library Strategic Plan 2020-2025 Approved by the Board of Library Trustees on September 18, 2019 Wayland envisions its Library as an essential resource for the Town, making ideas, information, and culture freely and easily available to all. Table of Contents Introduction, Purpose, Vision, and Mission ....................................................................................3 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................................5 The Wayland Community and the Wayland Free Public Library .............................................6 Planning Methodology ....................................................................................................................... 10 User Needs Assessment ...................................................................................................................... 11 Strategic Goals and Theme ............................................................................................................... 12 Strategic Theme: Building Wayland Relationships .......................................................................... 12 Strategic Goals and Objectives (followed by start date for objectives) ........................................ 13 1. The Library Will Be an Essential Resource and Information Center ..................................... 15 2. Identify and Implement Improvements to Library Facilities ................................................... 17 3. The
    [Show full text]
  • By JENNIFER COOK O'toole Didyou
    ink on the sP ectrum By JENNIFER COOK O’TOOLE you know that a rue-anenome is these characteristics will be the diagnostic criteria an imperfect flower? Now, until for whether or not something is a flower. yesterday, I’ll admit I would’ve Did Would that be accurate? They saw, noted, and reported a pattern indigestion, even nonspecific, general As the red dress campaign has gone guessed it was actually some oceanic creature. of characteristics, just as we did with malaise because they didn’t experience international, gaining much more public But it’s not. It’s a pretty little wildflower - albeit, an Well, partly. Some flowers do have all of these parts. our flowers. But instead of recording numbness down their arms or shortness of awareness, popular culture - and medical “imperfect” one. However, if we had picked another bunch of rue- petals and filaments and then creating breath. In other words, they fatally ignored professionals in general - have begun anenomes, we might just have easily seen all of the OK, let’s stop right here. Let me promise you a “diagnostic criteria for flowers,” these normal female histology simply because to integrate the female expression of same characteristics - except the last two. Instead, something. This is not a lesson in botany. So even if scientists (like Dr. Hans Asperger himself) everyone expected female bodies with heart disease into their understanding of in this second bunch of flowers, we would’ve seen plants aren’t your thing, just go along for a moment watched people. Children. And primarily, the same medical condition to present overall symptomology.
    [Show full text]
  • Books and Movies About Asperger Syndrome (AS), Marriage, and AS in Women by Eva Mendes, LMHC, NCC Asperger/Autism Specialist and Couple’S Counselor
    Books and Movies about Asperger Syndrome (AS), Marriage, and AS In Women by Eva Mendes, LMHC, NCC Asperger/Autism Specialist and Couple’s Counselor Dated: June 2nd, 2014 I often recommend that my clients read a book or two to help on their journey of discovery, learning, healing and happiness. The books are listed in random order. If you have a suggestion to add to this list, please do send me an email at [email protected] Thank you! The list is organized under the following topics: 1. Asperger Syndrome (Autism Spectrum) and Marriage 2. General books on Asperger Syndrome/Autism Spectrum 3. Movies and TV shows on Asperger Syndrome/Autism Spectrum 4. Cognitive Behavioral and Dialectic Behavior Therapy 5. Buddhist thought and philosophy 1. Asperger Syndrome/Autism Spectrum and Marriage: ❏ The Other Half of Asperger Syndrome by Maxine Aston This book is focused on various non­spectrum or NT (neurotypical) spouse perspectives and experience in the AS marriage. Validating narratives of what it means to be with an AS partner. ❏ Aspergers in Love by Maxine Aston This book is based on numerous interviews of couples in an AS marriage or relationship. Also includes strategies for dealing with the difficulties of a neurodiverse marriage. ❏ The Asperger Couple’s Workbook by Maxine Aston One of Maxine’s later books, offers activities, illustrations and worksheets for couples to use in their marriage. ❏ Marriage with Asperger Syndrome: 14 Practical Strategies by Eva Mendes A paper I wrote for couples where one or both partners have AS. I have 14 distinct categories of strategies and behaviors couples can use to create ease and harmony in their marriage or long­term relationships.
    [Show full text]
  • 11/14/13 Complete List Family & Community Resource Center
    11/14/13 Complete List Family & Community Resource Center Special School District of St. Louis County 12110 Clayton Road St. Louis, MO 63131 314-989-8438/989-8108/989-8194 A+ Guide to Transitions from High School to College for Special Education. (2001/video/50 minutes) (2000/DVD) A "college prep" video for parents and students. Teachers, parents and school administrators describe the transition process and offer their best advice for having a positive experience. A is for All Aboard! Paula Kluth & Victoria Kluth (2010) Grades K and up. Fun facts, vibrant art, and in-the-know slang about trains. (32 pages) A is for Autism, F is for Friend. Joanna L. Keating-Velasco (2007) Grades 3 and up. A kid's book on making friends with a child who has autism. (54 pages) The ABA Program Companion: Organizing Quality Programs for Children with Autism and PDD. J Tyler Fovel, MA. (2002) Helps the reader integrate important theories and concepts from ABA into powerful, practical and comprehensive educational programming, from assessment through program methodology and evaluation of results. Manual & CD. The ABCs of Autism. M. Davi Kathiresan (2000) Grades K and up. This book was written to educate families, children and professionals and make them aware of the skills, strengths and capacities of persons with autism. ABCs of Emotional Behavioral Disorder. (video) (2004) (35 minutes) Outlines a best practice approach to successfully integrate elementary and middle school students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders into the educational mainstream. ABC’s of Inclusive Child Care. (video) (1993) (14 minutes) Resource to encourage child care providers to accept children with developmental disabilities and to increase public awareness of the capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
    [Show full text]
  • Making It a Success!
    ISSUE 51 l JULY 2019 l FREE Making it a success! www.suelarkey.com.au Puberty: Preparing for Success at Home and School Sensory Processing Disorder Learning Through Play Using Special Interests to Motivate and Engage Students Slow Processing Speed PLUS MORE! NEW Early Childhood Course now avaliable Practical strategies for home and school for Autism Spectrum Disorders LEARNING THROUGH PLAY It is through play that young children learn about and make sense of the world. They experiment with being a Mum or Dad as they act out what they have observed in daily life, e.g. feeding the baby and going to the shops. As children play they develop their cognitive and motor skills, increase their communication and social ability and above all have fun. Play for young children with autism is frequently centered on repetitive actions, e.g. spinning car wheels rather than pushing the car, lining blocks up rather than building towers. They don’t seem to know how to do what comes instinctively to other children. A young child with autism needs to be taught how to play step by step. Be dramatic as you play with your child in order to attract and maintain their attention. Add to the richness of the play by making noises, e.g. ball going down (wheee) doll crying (waa), car horn (beep, beep). Play alongside your child with the same or similar materials. It is important that you are fexible – if your child does not copy you, copy them. Remember that initially you are endeavouring to form a connection with your child the actual substance of the play is not important.
    [Show full text]