Playing, Laughing and Learning with Children on the Autism Spectrum

Praise for the first edition:

'An approachable and practical edition that will be welcomed by parents and carers alike. I know how hard it can be to find "How to" resources for parents. Well here is a gem.'

- Children, Young People and Families

Parents of young children newly diagnosed as on the autism spectrum are often at a loss for ideas about how best to help their child. Playing, Laughing and Learning with Children on the Autism Spectrum is not just a collection of play ideas; it shows how to break down activities into manageable stages, and looks at ways to gain a child's attention and motivation and to build on small achievements.

Each chapter covers a collection of ideas around a theme, including music, art, physical activities, playing outdoors, puzzles, turn-taking and using existing toys to create play sequences. There are also chapters on introducing reading and making the most of television. This updated second edition contains an extensive chapter on how to use the computer, the internet and the digital camera to find and make resources and activities, and suggests many suitable websites to help parents through the internet maze. The ideas are useful both for toddlers and primary age children who are still struggling with play.

Julia Moor has been working as a teacher with adults with learning disabilities for 18 years, delivering creativity, communication, life skills and intensive interaction courses at day services and educational settings. She has also worked as a trainer for autism awareness and has a son on the autism spectrum. Julia is the author of Playing, Laughing and Learning with Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Practical Resource of Play Ideas for Parents and Carers, also published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. She lives in Leeds, West Yorkshire.