The Autistic Spectrum Parents' Daily Helper: A Workbook for You and Your Child
The authors have taken on board three important facts about children with any type of autistic spectrum disorder. First, such children have a desperate need for life to follow a predictable, set routine. Second, they are distressed by anything new and unexpected. New experiences must be introduced gradually through links with familiar things. Third, they have severe problems in understanding concepts that are at all complicated, especially if presented in spoken words. They find it much easier to cope with concrete pictures or, if they can read, written words.The workbook is designed to take these basic issues into account, with simple pictures and texts that illustrate each daily task or experience in small concrete steps. One of the book’s strengths is that the authors are not wedded to any single educational method—they go for what works in practice. They recognize that each child with autism is a unique person with her own special needs, as well as special skills and interests.One particularly useful feature are the sample pictures and labels, which the authors suggest replacing with specific images and content familiar to the child. This is especially appropriate for the second part of the book, which gives suggestions for helping each child build up a workbook of his own, providing a visual record of everyday experiences. I was very happy to see that the authors include fun and games for the children as well as the serious tasks of everyday life. So much of life is distressing for children with autistic spectrum disorders; it is wonderful to be able to make them laugh and enjoy some activities.The workbook is aimed at more able children. Because the autistic spectrum includes children with such a wide range of abilities and needs, it is appropriate for a practical book of this kind to be aimed at a specific subgroup. It would be most welcome if the publication of this book were to lead to workbooks as good as this one becoming available for other subgroups.--From the Foreword by Lorna Wing