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Learning About Friendship: Stories to Support Social Skills Training in Children with Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism ISBN: 9781849051453
Al-Ghani, Haitham and Al-Ghani, K.I.
Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2010
The ten stories in this book are all about the difficulties children with Asperger Syndrome and high functioning autism have with social integration, social communication and social imagination. In other words, the sorts of problems they may have when starting school. In an excellent introduction, the author makes the point that stories help 'to depersonalize the issues and allow the children to see things from the perspective of others' - which is what reading therapy is all about. Each story covers an issue: learning to share; learning not to spit when playing; winning and losing, taking turns and managing anger; tattletales; obsessions; personal hygiene; personal space; tact and diplomacy; being taken advantage of; jealousy and how to make a friend. Many of the stories could be used with whole classes and with individual children without AS or HFA as the issues involved are often faced by others. Besides, the stories will give them insights into why children with AS or HFA act as they do. Each story is prefaced by an overview, setting the story in context, and each is illustrated with black and white drawings. Ms Al-Ghani has a way with words, and I find her introduction and overviews of great interest. Her stories will be of real use in the classroom. Available from Amazon, from bookshops, or from the publisher at www.jkp.com.
Age: 5+