A Story Explaining Idiom for Children With Asperger Syndrome and Other Communication Difficulties: Written By Aileen Stalker Excerpt taken from Amazon One day it was raining and Sam’s mother said to his father, ‘My goodness, George – it is raining cats and dogs outside’. ‘That’s strange’, thought Sam. When he looked up into the sky, he couldn’t see cats and dogs anywhere, no matter where he looked. All he could see were giant raindrops and big puddles. “The One and Only Sam” is the heart-warming story of a boy who, like many children, often struggles to understand the ‘silly sayings’ used by adults. Throughout the story, Sam encounters a range of common idioms. Each idiom is accompanied by an illustration of its literal interpretation and its real meaning, encouraging children to explore what sayings such as ‘curiosity killed the cat’, ‘hold your horses’, and ‘quiet as a mouse’ sound like and what they might really mean. Special emphasis is placed on the ‘feeling aspect’ of each saying, encouraging children to think about the implied emotions of the words. The book also suggests simple steps that children can take whenever they encounter new and unfamiliar idioms that are not covered in…

Choosing a School for a Child With Special Needs: Written By Ruth Birnbaum. Taken from Amazon.com Ruth Birnbaum is a Chartered Educational Psychologist in independent practice, with 27 years’ experience in the field of education. A trained teacher with a Masters degree in Educational Psychology, she now visits schools across the UK to audit provision and advise parents and legal consultants on which schools are most appropriate for which children. If you are considering placing a child with special needs at a new school, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Should you choose a special school, or a special unit within a mainstream school? What will be the involvement of therapists? Maybe home schooling would be best? Whether the child has autism, dyslexia or any other special educational, emotional or behavioral need, this book will help you find the school that suits the child best. From drawing up a list of possibilities and setting up a school visit, to asking the right questions and recording your opinions in order to make an informed decision, “Choosing a School for a Child with Special Needs” will guide you through this complex and stressful process with confidence and ease. Whether…

Remember picture books are great assets for beginner level readers. Check out Eric Carle and is amazing collection of picture books about animals and nature! Eric Carle is an inspirational writer of children’s books. His books are comprised of simple stories, with beautiful and intricate pictures.  They’re great books to read with your little ones during story time or bedtime. Eric Carle’s collection is not only limited to books, but also other fun educational tools you can use with your children. The website has downloadable games, and coloring sheets that are easy to use and can be utilized as a fun or learning activity. The website also offers a blog site where you can read his biography, as well as find out about upcoming events and products. Be sure to check out his site, I think there is something for everyone! http://www.eric-carle.com/books.html