Hello Everyone,
This month’s BLOG will begin with a chance to view my slideshow GALLERY of Books and focus on the offered Extended Book Reviews. The slideshow shows the book covers, divided into the following categories ~
AMAZING ADVENTURES
DIAGNOSIS, DOCTORS, DENIAL
SAVVY SOLUTIONS
SCHOOL ON THE SHORT BUS
Hopefully, these stories will help parents, clinicians, academics, and all people #Autism, in connecting with those who have gone before us on their Autism Journey. March's BLOGs give snippets of my Extended Book Reviews; find full reviews on website MENU; along with a LINK to purchase the eBook. You will find each Autism story to be engaging, compelling, and as different as each family's Autism journey.
This month’s BLOG will begin with a chance to view my slideshow GALLERY of Books and focus on the offered Extended Book Reviews. The slideshow shows the book covers, divided into the following categories ~
AMAZING ADVENTURES
DIAGNOSIS, DOCTORS, DENIAL
SAVVY SOLUTIONS
SCHOOL ON THE SHORT BUS
Hopefully, these stories will help parents, clinicians, academics, and all people #Autism, in connecting with those who have gone before us on their Autism Journey. March's BLOGs give snippets of my Extended Book Reviews; find full reviews on website MENU; along with a LINK to purchase the eBook. You will find each Autism story to be engaging, compelling, and as different as each family's Autism journey.
Caveat: This “fictional” story, which is outstanding on its own, has been modified somewhat for teaching/learning purposes. Please find the LINK below to see this book on Amazon – School Daze Series, by Dr. Sharon Mitchell. Thank you, Sara Luker
Excerpts from the book – (8% indicates location in the Kindle version of the book, instead of page numbers).
Autism Goes to School by Dr. Sharon Mitchell (A fictional account…); an Extended Review with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
< My Thoughts > This is a fictional account of how one family finds an equitable solution to marriage, divorce, remarriage and loving a boy with autism. I believe it is a story that rings true and indeed, needs to be told. A story told by Ben, who is meeting his 5-year-old autistic son Kyle for the very first time. A story of discovering what it means to be a single parent, and a parent of a child who sees the world in a different way. Through the eyes of Ben, we get a glimpse of both the challenges and joys of parenting this child.
8% Autism is not a dirty word. It’s a different way of viewing the world. There are challenges involved in autism, for sure. But, there are also strengths.
10% Kyle’s kindergarten teacher was teaching him how to play chess. Is this really what five-year-olds did these days? Shouldn’t the teacher have her students kicking a ball or playing in a sand box rather than teaching them chess?
34% Ben’s mind drifted. He had been reading about autism. Some of the stuff he read on the internet was downright terrifying. How could anyone predict which outcome would be Kyle’s? There was a pat, pat, pat on his knee. Ben looked up. Yep, his king was cornered. Yet again. He could discern no viable move. A look at his son confirmed his fears. The kid had got him yet again.
< My Thoughts > "The kid was no slouch at chess."
Peer reviewed studies about teaching children to play chess, checkers, and other board games are few. How this would help the child with Asperger’s? Hopefully, the child would be absorbed enough in the game to sit quietly and observe, a great skill for school, the workplace… or, anyplace. In addition, they may even try to figure out what the other person is ‘thinking’, a kind of ‘mental aerobics’ for a person with autism to understand and master. Maybe these would be more socially acceptable skills and a welcome addition to playing videos or video games in isolation.
Chandan, S. (2024) For years people on the Autism Spectrum have been missing out on activities the rest of us take for granted. No more. Chess is a great activity for children on the autism spectrum to pick up critical life lessons.
17% Ben was early (to pick up his son at school), as he approached the kindergarten room, he heard screams. Kyle! Those were Kyle’s screams. Rushing in the room Ben spied his son on the floor. Kyle was tossing his head back and forth, kicking his heels and screaming. “What the hell’s going on here?” Ben yelled. “What’s wrong with my son?”
“What you just witnessed was a tantrum. Kyle was mad because he didn’t get his way. Remember how he reacted when he saw the ant farm at the back of the room the first day? That was a ‘meltdown’. He was feeling overwhelmed for whatever reason. We used some sensory techniques to help him calm down. That’s quite different from what just happened here. What you just experienced was a tantrum.”
“Tantrums are a good way to control others. Pitch a fit and people will give in. Is that the way you want your son to think?” “It’s just hard to see,” Ben said, “He almost kicked you.” “He’s a little boy and he’s still learning how to navigate his world,” she responded.
< My Thoughts > “Tantrums are a good way to control others.”
Sometimes the child can’t voice his/her fear and frustration; thus, a 'tantrum'. Perhaps they are having difficulty transitioning from one thing or place to another. Children with autism often resists change, due to their ritualistic nature. Possibly something happened earlier, which in the child’s mind hasn’t been resolved to their satisfaction. Maybe earlier, s/he was rushed to finish eating breakfast in order to meet someone else’s schedule. Because of the ritualistic nature of autism, this can bring about the fixated notion that s/he needs to go back and finish eating. They may perseverate on this, before s/he can move on to the next activity.
Morin, A. (2024) advocates that “The causes of tantrums and meltdowns are different. Tantrums usually have a purpose. Kids are looking for a certain response. Meltdowns are a reaction to something sensory that is usually beyond a child’s control. When responding to a tantrum, try acknowledging that you know what your child wants, without giving in. Calmly tell them the reason that their needs (wants) can’t be met. Or, tell them when they will be met. When responding to a meltdown, help your child find a safe, quiet place away from the sensory distress, where they can deescalate."
< My Thoughts > "The causes of tantrums and meltdowns are different."
Simply put, a 'tantrumming' child is demanding a response to some perceived injustice. Tantrumming requires an audience; a person who will meet the child's 'wants'. 'Meltdowns' are out of the child's control. He or she is having a 'sensory' crisis. A Post Traumatic Stress-like episode. Something in the child's environment is causing a 'fight or flight' response.
21% Each week had been better than the last. Yet Ben’s efforts to bond with his son were showing few results. He wanted some small sign. Just then Kyle walked to the door then stood with his hand out, waiting for his dad to take it. Ben took Kyle’s small hand and saw that as a small sign of progress.
Resources:
Chandan, S. (2024). Chess & Life Lessons; Retrieved online from –https://chessklub.com/chess-and-children-with-autism-spectrum-disorders/
Morin, A. (2024). The Difference Between Tantrums & Sensory Meltdowns; Retrieved online from: https://www.understood.org/en
BUY NOW
Paid Link Disclosure Page
Now sold in 'Boxed Set'... which I would also recommend reading. S.
Excerpts from the book – (8% indicates location in the Kindle version of the book, instead of page numbers).
Autism Goes to School by Dr. Sharon Mitchell (A fictional account…); an Extended Review with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
< My Thoughts > This is a fictional account of how one family finds an equitable solution to marriage, divorce, remarriage and loving a boy with autism. I believe it is a story that rings true and indeed, needs to be told. A story told by Ben, who is meeting his 5-year-old autistic son Kyle for the very first time. A story of discovering what it means to be a single parent, and a parent of a child who sees the world in a different way. Through the eyes of Ben, we get a glimpse of both the challenges and joys of parenting this child.
8% Autism is not a dirty word. It’s a different way of viewing the world. There are challenges involved in autism, for sure. But, there are also strengths.
10% Kyle’s kindergarten teacher was teaching him how to play chess. Is this really what five-year-olds did these days? Shouldn’t the teacher have her students kicking a ball or playing in a sand box rather than teaching them chess?
34% Ben’s mind drifted. He had been reading about autism. Some of the stuff he read on the internet was downright terrifying. How could anyone predict which outcome would be Kyle’s? There was a pat, pat, pat on his knee. Ben looked up. Yep, his king was cornered. Yet again. He could discern no viable move. A look at his son confirmed his fears. The kid had got him yet again.
< My Thoughts > "The kid was no slouch at chess."
Peer reviewed studies about teaching children to play chess, checkers, and other board games are few. How this would help the child with Asperger’s? Hopefully, the child would be absorbed enough in the game to sit quietly and observe, a great skill for school, the workplace… or, anyplace. In addition, they may even try to figure out what the other person is ‘thinking’, a kind of ‘mental aerobics’ for a person with autism to understand and master. Maybe these would be more socially acceptable skills and a welcome addition to playing videos or video games in isolation.
Chandan, S. (2024) For years people on the Autism Spectrum have been missing out on activities the rest of us take for granted. No more. Chess is a great activity for children on the autism spectrum to pick up critical life lessons.
17% Ben was early (to pick up his son at school), as he approached the kindergarten room, he heard screams. Kyle! Those were Kyle’s screams. Rushing in the room Ben spied his son on the floor. Kyle was tossing his head back and forth, kicking his heels and screaming. “What the hell’s going on here?” Ben yelled. “What’s wrong with my son?”
“What you just witnessed was a tantrum. Kyle was mad because he didn’t get his way. Remember how he reacted when he saw the ant farm at the back of the room the first day? That was a ‘meltdown’. He was feeling overwhelmed for whatever reason. We used some sensory techniques to help him calm down. That’s quite different from what just happened here. What you just experienced was a tantrum.”
“Tantrums are a good way to control others. Pitch a fit and people will give in. Is that the way you want your son to think?” “It’s just hard to see,” Ben said, “He almost kicked you.” “He’s a little boy and he’s still learning how to navigate his world,” she responded.
< My Thoughts > “Tantrums are a good way to control others.”
Sometimes the child can’t voice his/her fear and frustration; thus, a 'tantrum'. Perhaps they are having difficulty transitioning from one thing or place to another. Children with autism often resists change, due to their ritualistic nature. Possibly something happened earlier, which in the child’s mind hasn’t been resolved to their satisfaction. Maybe earlier, s/he was rushed to finish eating breakfast in order to meet someone else’s schedule. Because of the ritualistic nature of autism, this can bring about the fixated notion that s/he needs to go back and finish eating. They may perseverate on this, before s/he can move on to the next activity.
Morin, A. (2024) advocates that “The causes of tantrums and meltdowns are different. Tantrums usually have a purpose. Kids are looking for a certain response. Meltdowns are a reaction to something sensory that is usually beyond a child’s control. When responding to a tantrum, try acknowledging that you know what your child wants, without giving in. Calmly tell them the reason that their needs (wants) can’t be met. Or, tell them when they will be met. When responding to a meltdown, help your child find a safe, quiet place away from the sensory distress, where they can deescalate."
< My Thoughts > "The causes of tantrums and meltdowns are different."
Simply put, a 'tantrumming' child is demanding a response to some perceived injustice. Tantrumming requires an audience; a person who will meet the child's 'wants'. 'Meltdowns' are out of the child's control. He or she is having a 'sensory' crisis. A Post Traumatic Stress-like episode. Something in the child's environment is causing a 'fight or flight' response.
21% Each week had been better than the last. Yet Ben’s efforts to bond with his son were showing few results. He wanted some small sign. Just then Kyle walked to the door then stood with his hand out, waiting for his dad to take it. Ben took Kyle’s small hand and saw that as a small sign of progress.
Resources:
Chandan, S. (2024). Chess & Life Lessons; Retrieved online from –https://chessklub.com/chess-and-children-with-autism-spectrum-disorders/
Morin, A. (2024). The Difference Between Tantrums & Sensory Meltdowns; Retrieved online from: https://www.understood.org/en
BUY NOW
Paid Link Disclosure Page
Now sold in 'Boxed Set'... which I would also recommend reading. S.
Paid Link Disclosure -
These Extended Book Reviews have an Amazon Link for actual book purchases. Please read this Paid Link Disclosure AKA Affiliate Links Disclosure:
Sometimes there are paid links, also known as affiliate links, used on this site. My website, www.sarasautismsite.com, is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
I may earn or receive a small paid commission from referrals for book purchases made through posts, pages, and links on this site. But I try to remain unbiased and I do not accept paid reviews. All opinions expressed here are my own.
There is no extra cost to you when purchases are made using the provided links. By using the links I provide you agree that you’ve read this paid link disclosure statement.
Thank you!
Sara Luker
These Extended Book Reviews have an Amazon Link for actual book purchases. Please read this Paid Link Disclosure AKA Affiliate Links Disclosure:
Sometimes there are paid links, also known as affiliate links, used on this site. My website, www.sarasautismsite.com, is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
I may earn or receive a small paid commission from referrals for book purchases made through posts, pages, and links on this site. But I try to remain unbiased and I do not accept paid reviews. All opinions expressed here are my own.
There is no extra cost to you when purchases are made using the provided links. By using the links I provide you agree that you’ve read this paid link disclosure statement.
Thank you!
Sara Luker
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