From Flapping to Function: A Parent's Guide to Autism and Hand Skills

Occupational therapist, Barbara Smith shared her creative fine-motor strategies in her groundbreaking book- "From Rattles to Writing: A Parent’s Guide to Hand Skills". Now her new book- "From Flapping to Function: A Parent’s Guide to Autism and Hand Skills" will help children and adults of all ages and ability levels to reach their potential whether at home, school or in the community. This valuable resource explains how and why many children with autism do not use their hands in a functional manner. Flapping the hands and lining up small items often replace natural fine motor experiences that are important for the development of hand skills. Smith not only offers practical strategies to encourage children with autism to use their hands for functional tasks, she provides information and techniques to promote improved sensory processing, the development of visual skills, and much more. Here is what you will learn from reading this book. • How do I reinforce positive behavior? • What is a strategy that I can use to get my child to make eye contact with others? • How do I get my child to cross midline or use both hands together? • What is a visual schedule? • How do sensory processing challenges impact development? • What are some effective strategies to promote writing skills? • How can computer apps be used as teaching tools? Written in parent friendly language and packed with relatable vignettes, readers will learn how to quickly, easily and inexpensively adapt activities and use effective teaching strategies. Other features in this book include an extensive glossary, resources, and activity photos. "From Flapping to Function" is also an excellent guide for therapists, educators and others who want to understand the impact of autism spectrum disorders on hand function and effectively help children to reach their learning potentials and independence to perform everyday activities .

"Written for parents of children on the spectrum, Barbara explains how sensory challenges, visual issues, postural symptoms, behavioral and/or social skills impact hand skills. From Flapping to Function fills an important niche, with a focus on how to make fine-motor activities successful and fun. I highly recommend that you add it to your toolbox."
                         --Dr Lucy Jane Miller, Ph.D. OTR, Founder, STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder, Associate Professor, Dept. of Pediatrics, UC Denver

"Barbara has once again brought her professional knowledge and experience together to create a one-stop resource for parents.  Just as her landmark book, From Rattlesto Writing, proved to be a valuable guide to the development of hand skills, Barbara has organized From Flapping to Function to serve as an excellent companion tool for understanding sensory processing disorders and their impact on hand skill development. "  

                                 --Katherine J. Collmer, M.Ed., OTR/L, author of Handwriting DevelopmentAssessment and Remediation:  A Practice Model for Occupational Therapists 


Barbara has worked for over 30 years with children and adults with developmental disabilities. She is the author of The Recycling Occupational Therapist; The Almost Complete Plastic Bottle Activity Book, Still Giving Kisses: A Guide to Helping and Enjoying the Alzheimer's Victim You Love, and From Rattles to Writing: A Parent's Guide to Hand Skills. Barbara has also published extensively in trade and parenting magazines and is a nationally recognized speaker and creator of online continuing education courses. Please visit RecyclingOT.com for more information.