Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Autism Awareness Blog Hop



April is Autism Awareness Month.  To help spread the word about Autism we are hosting a giveaway hop.


What is Autism? Here are ten facts about autism.


KidsHealth is a wonderful site that explains Autism to children using simple language and facts. Autism Speaks is another site with great resources for people with autism including apps. Check out Oliver's Guide to Autism, a very cute and informative way to learn about autism from a young boy name Oliver who has autism.


Book Giveaway!


Title: Since We're Friends: An Autism Picture Book 
Author: Celeste Shally 
Illustrator: David Harrington
Publisher: Awaken Specialty Press, September 1, 2007
Topic/Theme: Autism, Friendship, Acceptance, Special Needs
Ages: 3-8
Opening: It's finally summer vacation! It's going to be perfect because I'm going to hang out with my friend Matt who lives across the street.


Summary: Since We're Friends is about two boys. One has autism, the other does not. The story of their relationship provides practical examples of how to make such a friendship work. It will help children see that their peers with autism can make a fun, genuine contribution to friendship. 


Resources
See links above.


Why I like this book:
I love this book! I have a sibling with autism. Naeem, my brother was diagnosed with autism when he was three years of age. I love this book because it helps children and siblings with understanding and learning how to help their friends with autism. It is important however to know that not all children and adults with autism are the same. In the case of my brother Na'eem, he is different from Matt in this story in that he can not and does not like to engage in group activities, he does not engage in conversation with others not even me or my family. He is sometimes able to relay in very simple vocabulary what he needs or wants. This story is very particular to the relationship with Matt and his friend. But the book does give a general idea in how to help and engage a friend with autism.  

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