Eating an Artichoke: A Mother’s Perspective on Asperger Syndrome: Written By Echo R. Fling Excerpt taken from Amazon.com During a routine parent-teacher conference in November 1991, Echo Fling was told by her son’s teacher that his behavior in class was ‘not normal’. After two years at the pre-school, five-year-old Jimmy had failed to make any friends, had recently started to act aggressively towards his classmates, and was beginning to react violently to any changes in his routine. Echo was not taken completely by surprise: she had suspected for some time that her son was different from other children. Over the next five years, she and her husband accompanied Jimmy to doctors, medical specialists, learning consultants and psychologists. Finally, at the age of ten, Jimmy was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. This is the book that Echo Fling needed when she first set out to have Jimmy diagnosed, and it will enable parents and teachers to understand and help other children with Asperger Syndrome. Eating an Artichoke is a wonderful book for parents to read. This book will give insight and allow you to relate to the troubles, joys, and expectations Fling experienced as a mother raising a child with Asperger Syndrome.…

How Do I Teach This Kid? Written by Kimberly A. Henry Excerpt taken from Amazon First Runner-Up in the 2006 Writer’s Notes Book Awards, this book utilizes the strengths of children with ASD to help them develop new skills. Tasks are visually oriented, consistent; expectations are clear. Children learn motor, matching, sorting, reading, writing, and math skills using easy-to-make “task boxes.” Tasks include pushing items through a small openings (children love the “resistance” it takes to push them through); matching simple, identical pictures or words; sorting objects by color, size, or shape. Ideas are plentiful, materials colorful, and children love the repetitive nature of the tasks, which help them learn to work independently! Sample data sheets are included. This is a great book for parents of all children, however it additionally a good read to families affected by autism. It teaches them a variety of ways to learn educational skills maximizing on sensory stimulation through activities that target different learning styles such visual, auditory and tactile input. These activities are intended to both promote working together and completing tasks independently, without the help of a parent.

Don’t Call Me Special: A First Look at Disability, written by Pat Thomas This delightful picture book explores questions and concerns about physical disabilities in a simple and reassuring way. Younger children can find out about individual disabilities, special equipment that is available to help the disabled, and how people of all ages can deal with disabilities and live happy and full lives. Titles in this series for younger children explore emotional issues that boys and girls encounter as part of the growing-up process. Books are focused to appeal to kids of preschool through early school age. Written by psychotherapist and counselor Pat Thomas, A First Look At books promote positive interaction among children, parents, and teachers, and encourage kids to ask questions and confront social and emotional questions that sometimes present problems. Books feature appealing full-color illustrations on every page plus a page of advice to parents and teachers. This is another great book to add to your libraries! Especially for teachers; it teaches children how to be respectful and loving with those who are physically impaired and/or have other difficulties. http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Call-Me-Special-Disability/dp/0764121189/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home, written by Christopher Gavigan. Taken from Amazon Nothing makes one more keenly aware of health risks lurking in the everyday world than becoming a parent. Most know the importance of using cabinet locks and child gates, but research is showing many more ways we need to be childproofing our homes. Tens of millions of American children now face chronic diseases and illnesses including cancer, autism, asthma, birth defects, ADD/ADHD, allergies, learning and developmental disabilities, as well as a host of lesser but disruptive ailments. And the growing research points to much of the increases on unseen threats wrought by exposure to chemicals in everyday products like cleaning supplies, beauty care and cosmetics, home furnishings, plastics, some foods and toys as contributing to these ailments. With that in mind, the non-profit organization Healthy Child Healthy World offers parents a definitive guide to creating a healthy, nontoxic, and environmentally sound home. Filled with easy steps and simple solutions to improve family living without wreaking havoc on schedules or budgets, this book includes inspiring ideas for safe, eco-friendly cleaning methods, choosing healthier food, pet and garden care, nursery and home building materials, plus…