AW Sunday Review | Body Talk: Teaching Students with Disabilities about Body Language

Disclaimer: Woodbine House provided me with a complimentary copy of  Body Talk: Teaching Students with Disabilities and Body Language  for review purposes.  The opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Ever since The Boy was diagnosed with autism, doctors and therapists have told me that The Boy has no sense of personal space. (Neither do most of the folks on the New York subway, but that’s for a different blog…)

As The Boy gets older, personal space has become more of an issue. People are more likely to laugh off a two or three-year-old touching their face. A big seven-year-old touching an adults face? Probably not. The older The Boy gets, the more worried I become. Living in a city like New York, getting in someone’s personal space is the kind of the thing that could lead to serious trouble.

Working on personal space has become a goal at school and at home.

I was really excited about reviewing Body Talk: Teaching Students with Disabilities about Body Language by Pat Chrissey. It’s the kind of book that I know I will return to again and again.

Children and teens with autism and other developmental disabilities can be taught the language of nonverbal communication with the practical strategies developed by veteran special education teacher Pat Crissey. More than 100 activities break down elements of body language into teachable components.

What I appreciate about Body Talk is that it really goes step by step and breaks down all forms of body language: emotions, facial expressions, posture, body orientation and eye gaze, personal space and touching and gestures.

However Body Talk just doesn’t tell you what to do – it shows you. The activities and games are great ways to make learning fun. It’s simple enough to be done at home one on one or in a group setting at school. What’s especially helpful about this book is that it comes with a CD so you can easily print out all the activities. I printed out the personal space activities for The Boy's teacher. 

The activities vary in age and functioning levels and you can easily modify activities to suit your needs. Body Talk is a must have book if you have a child with autism. And it's a book that will grow with your child from the early childhood years to young adult.

Body Talk: Teaching Students with Disabilities about Body Language is available on Woodbine House for $23.99.

Disclaimer: Woodbine House provided me with a complimentary copy of  Body Talk: Teaching Students with Disabilities and Body Language  for review purposes.  The opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way. 

AW Sunday Review: The Boys' Guide to Growing Up

Disclaimer: Woodbine House provided me with a complimentary copy of  The Boys' Guide to Growing Up  for review purposes only.  The opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way. 

The Boys Guide to Growing Up (available at Woodbine House, $16.95 ) is written in clear and simple language (3rd grade reading level) and paired with age-appropriate facts, realistic illustrations and photos, The Boys' Guide to Growing Up, explains in detail the many changes of a boys body. 

The book is written for boys 9 - 16 with Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, fragile X, or other special needs, this book is the companion to The Girls' Guide to Growing Up (2011), also by Terri Cowenhoven. 

The Boys' Guide to Growing Up also discusses feelings and discretion while emphasizing personal safety and privacy.  

Its reassuring, matter-of-fact tone shows boys what changes--inside and out--to expect during puberty, and how to manage them:

• Growth spurts and bigger muscles
• Voice cracking and deepening
• Blemishes and oily skin
• Body and facial hair
• Moodiness
• Crushes, flirting, and sexual feelings
• Erections, wet dreams, and masturbation

The Boys Guide to Growing Up concludes with a Q&A to prompt conversation.

I've already started to see small changes in The Boy. And I'd like nothing more than to close my eyes, stick my fingers in my ears and shout "Lalalalalalaaaa I can't hear you!" But I can't. The Boy will hit puberty soon and I need to be prepared to handle it and talk to him about it. The Boys Guide to Growing Up is much as a preparation guide for me as it is for The Boy. 

If you have a son with special needs, this is the book that can help answer all those really tough and sometimes uncomfortable questions. Just like with any other kid, we need to be open about sexuality. It will keep them safe.

Terri Couwenhoven, M.S., is certified in Special Education by the AASECT and specializes in working with individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, their families and professional support. Couwenhoven is also a mom who gets it, her eldest daughter has down syndrome.  Terry Couwenhoven, M.S. writes with professional expertise and maternal sensitivity. 

Have your kids hit puberty yet? How have you handled it?

Disclaimer: Woodbine House provided me with a complimentary copy of  The Boys' Guide to Growing Up  for review purposes only.  The opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.  

AW Sunday Review: Pay Attention, Emily Brown

Pay Attention, Emily Brown!

Written by Linda Burton

Illustrated by Carl Burton 

 

ISBN: 978-1606130278

Woodbine House (October 7, 2011)

Hardcover 32 pages

Full-color illustrations
Ages 4-8  

$16.95

Just think, Emmy Brown, for a moment or two…
Suppose that I told you my toes had turned blue?
Suppose that I started to fly overhead?
Or spread candy and presents all over your bed?
If I hung upside down by an arm and a knee
do you think, Emmy Brown, you would listen to me?

If you are the parent of a child with autism or any other attention issues you will relate to little Emily Brown.  Emily Brown is a little girl who has difficulty focusing and her mother is trying desperately to get her attention.

It's beautifully illustrated pictures will be appeal to young children.  The illustrations are also perfect to engage conversation.


Some great questions to ask while reading is: 


What color is Emily's shirt?    
What is Emily doing?  


If your child is non-verbal, ask them to point to colors, shapes or objects.  And if your child is not able to point - use hand over hand to lead to help them.  

With its lighthearted and humorous language, Pay Attention Emily Brown!  will be enjoyed by both parent and child.  And the message of unconditional love and acceptance is reaffirming for special needs children.