Posted March 01, 2019 06:15:52 When a child learns about their disability, it can be incredibly difficult for parents to understand and communicate with them.
A new book on autism provides an opportunity for parents and teachers to help a child navigate this information.
Autism Speaks, a nonprofit organization that publishes books on autism, launched the book, “Understanding Autistic Children: What They Need to Know.”
The book covers a wide range of topics related to autism including social skills, communication, communication skills, self-esteem, and family, including how to support children with autism, and how to prepare for and help a parent and/or caregiver in this time of transition.
The book has been downloaded over 100,000 times since it was published, and has been picked up by more than 100 publications including NPR, ABC News, and CNN.
The organization recently launched a new website called Autism Speak: A Guide to Understanding Autism.
The Autism Speks website is updated weekly with new content.
Here’s a look at what you need to know about the book.
What’s included in the book?
The book features stories from children with disabilities, families, teachers, and experts.
There are also topics such as social skills and communication, including strategies for teaching and working with children with ASD.
Topics include:How do I talk to my child with ASD?
How can I support a parent with autism?
How do my students understand autism?
What do I tell my children with Autism Spectrum Disorder?
How are my students and other family members coping with ASD during transitions?
How does the book help my students with autism cope?
What is the best way to support a family with ASD with Autism SpekSpeaks also has a Facebook page where parents and educators can share tips on how to help and support a child with autism.
What can I expect?
There is no single best book for teaching a child who has autism, but the book focuses on topics that might help teachers with autism navigate the information that parents are sharing.
“The book is designed for parents, but it’s really meant for teachers as well,” said Stephanie McGovern, senior vice president of autism programs for Autism Specs, in a statement.
“We’re excited to work with other organizations to share information on what this book can do for educators and for parents.”
For example, the book includes tips on identifying when a child is at risk for autism, teaching self-care strategies, and helping a parent navigate a time of crisis.
What other books might be helpful for parents?
“The goal is to make the book accessible to parents as well as teachers and other professionals,” said McGovern.
“This is really important for people who have special needs, because we want them to be able to have a sense of belonging in this new world.”
The books also include tips on coping with autism with social skills skills, helping a child learn to identify what triggers anxiety, and preparing a family for a transition with autism as well.
What happens when a book doesn’t work?
The AutismSpeaks website has been updated regularly to include new content from experts on autism.
The team at Autism Speakes also regularly hosts workshops and book discussions to help educators and other stakeholders with autism learn about autism and what can be done to help.
How do I order the book for my child?
You can order the AutismSpeak: Understanding Autistic Adults: What to Expect from a Child with Autism book online through the Autism Speck website.