This book is a great resource for professionals who work with you children identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Sensory Processing Disorder. The author describes her orientation to working with children without focusing on the "disorders". I read the book as a former children's developmental intervention program coordinator and social worker. Ms. Sher's approach shares social work values of a strengths perspective and person-in-environment approach. She looks at the children's strengths and interests and engages children in their peer environment.
I re-read the book from the point of view of a former pre-school teacher, parent and current grandparent. I have highlighted activities for purposeful fun and skill development with my two developmentally normal preschool-aged grandchildren.
The first two chapters should be required reading for any professionals who work young children with an exceptionality diagnosis. Also, parents of a diagnosed child would find comfort and good philosophical modeling by identifying with the author's understanding and insights into the child's perceptual world. Early Intervention Games: Fun, Joyful Ways to Develop Social and Motor Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum or Sensory Processing Disorders
This book covers both ASDs and Sensory Disorders, with a good section explaining how these affect children, which can be very helpful in demystifying the behaviors of children with these issues (especially important for parents like myself, who are new to this subject, with kids who are newly diagnosed or just getting diagnosed!); and this section is followed by a wealth of suggestions for activities to help kids who are affected by these issues reach their potential -- not only in overcoming these specific issues, but also in gaining social skills.
Included with the activities are suggestions for ways to modify them for single children or groups, or for children with specific preferences or quirks; and reading through this book will no doubt serve to inspire ideas for many other activities or modifications as well.
I would also like to note that, in my opinion, the title of this book does not do it justice, because "Early Intervention" implies (to me, at least) that the activities here are only for children under the age of 3-4; which is definitely not the case. Using the ideas presented here in group situations, many of these activities could continue to be enjoyable for several years beyond that age range, as a means of helping kids (particularly those with ASDs) gain or improve turn-taking, sharing and other social skills.
It is my opinion that parents, caregivers, therapists and educators can ALL benefit from this book, whether they are new to this area of study, or have years of experience; and it would be a valuable addition to any of their bookshelves, one that is sure to remain handy for years to come.
The beginning of this book provides a wonderful overview of sensory intergration issues--one of the better ones I have read. However, there's a lot of emphasis on aquatic therapy in this book, which I wasn't expecting,and for me, detracted from the overall usefulness of this text. Note, there are many great and fun activities--the book simply wasn't what I was expecting.
Barbara has yet again come through with the goods. This new book is easy to read and full of fun ideas to help motivate children to want to learn. Already I have read the book cover to cover and am putting these ideas and games into practice. Motivation and maintaining motivation across the day with little ones can be hard, but thanks to this book and all these game ideas included in it - this job is a little easier! A must read for all working in this area! Thanks Barbara ;O)
Simone Griffin
Speech-Language Pathologist
Author of 'Motivate to Communicate: 300 Games and Activities for Your Child with Autism'
Motivate to Communicate!: 300 Games and Activities for Your Child With Autism
Once again, Barbara Sher gifted us with a jam-packed collection of games for hours of purposeful fun, this time for children with social skills challenges. In this collection, each game is thoughtfully and lovingly designed to bring out the beautiful and often hidden side of our children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder).
Whether used at home, in the classroom, in the therapy clinic or at camp, these games offer adults wonderful ways to help these children overcome social obstacles and build confidence from a very early age.
Her book, "Early Intervention Games: Fun, Joyful Ways to Develop Social and Motor Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum or Sensory Processing Disorders" is an important resource for parents, teachers, Early Intervention Specialists and therapists alike.
It's no wonder Barbara Sher is The Games Lady [...]). She makes learning FUN...as it should be.
"Early Intervention Games: Fun, Joyful Ways to Develop Social and Motor Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum or Sensory Processing Disorders" is a WINNER.
Thank you for sharing your creativity and love of FUN with all of us.
Ida Zelaya
President, Sensory Street, Inc.
[...].
We have just received an ASD diagnosis for my 2 year and 8 month old daughter. We dont have a lot of family close by and our neighbours and friends are not too familiar with Autism. This book is good with a lot of activities for children with ASD, SPD and even Neurotypical children. However, it has its limitations in that we dont always have a group of like minded or cooperative friends who would come over for such activities. So, my chicken and egg problem is this- I would like to do a lot of the socializing activities mentioned in the book (which usually has mostly group activities), but dont have access to groups of (of even 1 or 2 )children (or even adults) who would like to participate.
Loved the book- but its mostly geared for group situations- preferably with like aged children. It could work, if you have a neighbourhood weekly games group maybe. - Special Education - Occupational Therapy - Sensory Processing Disorder - Early Intervention'
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