Happy New Year Everyone!
After a 3 week break, it has been difficult to get back to a normal routine, but I have slowly started to explore my collection of books (which I meant to read over the holidays) and came across one which I would like to share with you.
This book is a fabulous insight into the world of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Although ASD is not a speciality of mine it does connect with my passion for working with students who exhibit challenging behaviour and in my opinion this book should be a “must read” for anyone working with children. The volume of information that the author has packed into her book is invaluable and positively geared at changing our perception of children who exhibit challenging behaviour.
The motivation of the author was to raise awareness of ASD as she herself is a mother of two diagnosed children. The personal experiences she has had in her own family situation spurred her to become an active campaigner championing ASD needs, which has resulted in her being recognised with an MBE in 2018 for her work in the area.
Why am I recommending this book?
I believe that anyone who is working with children exhibiting challenging behaviour would benefit from the insight that this book brings. These students are crying out for our help and with better understanding we are better placed to help.
Often as educators we are met with the difficult situation of time restrictions and volume of work which can lead to limited reflection time with respect to student behaviour. In my opinion, taking the time to read this book and share with others can be of huge benefit to both educators and students. There are many reminders of how behaviour is not the result of defiance or stubbornness, but more the reaction to a lack of control. Understanding this can make us as educators more in-tune with the needs of our students and help us to reflect on a positive approach to supporting them.
As this book is written in a simple style it can be read by both adults and children alike. The messages are strong; Understanding, empathy, acceptance, inclusion highlight a few of them. If we understand that our students are exhibiting challenging behaviour as a “cry for help” then our approach to them will reflect that understanding. We will be empathetic to their struggle and support their need for guidance and the development of the relevant skills to move forward. We will accept that they are responding in the only way that they know how and that we need to find an approach which will ensure that they can find success in our classrooms.
I believe that this book is special because of the strong links between the narrative and the illustrations which the author uses to explain why children with ASD behave the way that they do. Even the illustrator has an ASD diagnosis which ensures his illustrations really reflect the true feelings in a given situation.
Please read this book and make your own opinion.
You will not be wasting your time.
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