As you may know, my family is affected by ADHD, autism, and other disabilities in various ways. I also read many blogs written by parents of children with special needs. So I thought I would create a store for this blog, that will link you to great books, toys and resources for families affected by Autism, ADHD and sensory processing needs. This page will start out small, and hopefully will grow! For this page, by the way, I've tried to address books that speak directly to children with autism spectrum disorders, not siblings or friends. I have seen many books for siblings and friends on the market. While this is a good thing, I think it also hints that a child's autism is a problem that others have to deal with, when it is also really very much something that the child with autism has to deal with more than anyone else.
Autism/Asperger Publishing Co. is a company that produces some very cool books geared towards kids on the autism spectrum. Here are a few interesting ones...
More
Than Little Professors-Children with Asperger Syndrome: In Their Own Words
by Lisa Barrett Mann, M.S. Ed.
Many
people have probably heard children with Aspergers being described as
"little professors." This stereotype may be a quick and easy way to
describe Asperger Syndrome to someone who knows nothing about it. But
it really is just that... a stereotype. This book helps the reader to
get beyond the "little professor" stereotype, by presenting essays,
stories, poems, and quotes by children with Aspergers Syndrome,
explaining the syndrome in their own words. This will be a great book
to read, and to let your kids read, whether they have Aspergers, or
have a sibling, cousin, classmate or friend with Aspergers. In fact,
buy two copies, so you can have one on hand to lend out to people who
say things to you like, "Aspergers? Isn't that, like, Rain Man or
something?"
In
His Shoes - A Short Journey Through Autism
by Joanna
Keating-Velasco
The
main character of this book is a boy named Nick, who is thirteen years
old and has autism. It follows him through his adventures as he
transitions to middle school, and goes through all of the typical
adolescent experiences. This book is very interesting because Nick does
not communicate verbally very well, but the book presents his thoughts.
For instance, Nick may say the word, "Shoes," but the book shows that
he's thinking how excited he is to be saving up his money to buy a new
pair of running shoes.
The
Kaleidoscope Kid
by Elaine Marie Larson
This
is an A-B-C book written especially for kids on the autism, pointing
out all of the positive qualities that they have... qualities such as
Dependable, Truthful, etc.
These books, and more, are available at Autism/Asperger Publishing Co. Check it out!
Here are a few more suggestions!
