Moor has eight years of experience working with adults with mild to severe learning disabilities, and is herself the mother of a young son diagnosed autistic. Drawing on her own experiences and on information reported to her by some 100 parents of children with autism, she has created a practical guide for parents of young children newly diagnosed as on the autism spectrum who are struggling to engage in play activities. In addition to providing useful ideas for parents, the author hopes the text will help them find a way of playing with their child to build confidence and relationships. Distributed by Taylor & Francis. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Parents of young children newly diagnosed as on the autism spectrum are often at a loss for ideas about how best to help their child. They feel dismayed and 'shut out' by their child and are often also having to grapple with language and behaviour problems. Playing, Laughing and Learning with Children on the Autism Spectrum is not just a collection of play ideas; it shows how to break down activities into manageable stages, and looks at ways to gain a child's attention and motivation and to build on small achievements. The use of case studies illustrates how problems of ritual and obsession can be used and redirected positively and shows how to structure play activities and overcome communication barriers by using picture cards. Each chapter covers a collection of ideas around a theme, including music, art, physical activities, playing outdoors, puzzles, turn-taking and using existing toys to create play sequences. There are also chapters on introducing reading and making the most of television. The ideas are useful both for toddlers and primary age children who are still struggling with play.
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