Product Description

For a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), even everyday activities like brushing your teeth, washing your hands or visiting the doctor can cause anxiety and stress because of the sensory, cognitive and communication impairments they experience.
Caring for Myself is an entertaining and educational social skills storybook that will help children with ASDs to understand the importance of taking care of their bodies. Fully illustrated with color photographs, it sets out fun, simple steps that explain what caring for yourself actually involves how you can do it, where it is done, why it is important.
At the end of each story is a handy 'Pause for thought' page for parents which offers tips and strategies to help a child with each activity.
This charming book will be much loved by children with ASD and will enable them and their parents to cope with the daily activities that can be such a challenge.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1599661 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 96 pages

Review
'An amazing book! Christy Gast and Jane Krug have provided a fun and informative text that will assist children on the autism spectrum in learning important life skills. Each step is broken down clearly and concisely with great visual representation. As an individual on the autism spectrum who has trouble with fine motor tasks, tasks which involve multiple directions and the fact that I tend to be a visual learner, I would have greatly benefited from a book like this as a child. Highly recommended!' --Nick Dubin, presenter and author of Asperger Syndrome and Bullying

'As adults, we frequently take for granted the daily routines which have become such an integral part of our lives. For many children, however, the unfamiliarity of these activities can instill fear or uncertainty, or promote the impression that the tasks are overwhelmingly difficult or complicated. With beautiful photos and simple, reassuring text, the authors and illustrator have created a remarkable resource. The step-by-step information will enable children to become familiar with basic routines so that they can approach them with both confidence and competence.' ---Laurel A. Hoekman, Executive Director, The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding

'This is a resource for young children that is certain to stand the practical tests of time and application! Simple and complete, parents and professionals will find themselves reaching for it time and again.' ---Carol Gray, President, The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding and pioneer of Social Stories(TM)

About the Author
Christy Gast is a publications and event coordinator for the Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding with sixteen years' teaching experience. She is co-author of The Social Stories (TM) Quarterly, and has two sons, one of whom has Asperger s Syndrome. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Jane Krug is a speech-language therapist, and has specialized in working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder for nearly ten years. She volunteers her time at The Gray Center, lives in Ada, Michigan, and has a young daughter.

Customer Reviews

Nice.
It's a nice book. I've made similar items for specific children with their own picture, though not bound like this book. I like the pages with just a sentence or two. I've used index cards with even more simple phrasing to cover the ones with paragraphs where there is too much info for particular students.

Good Social Story Book
My only complaint is that it did not include a toileting social story. I really think it should have been included. The others are good and for the ASD child who responds well to photographs-this book is great. My recommendation is that it really is good for preschool age children- 3-5 years. Good Luck!

Great book to help teach children independence
This book is great for children on the autism spectrum and beyond. My daughter has ADHD and has enjoyed this book just as much as my son who has developmental delays. Great to help teach children to be independent and why.