Remarkable Reads: Autism
RSSBy Dodie Ownes
Keep in mind that autism affects boys 3-4 times more often than girls. It does not appear that family income, education, and lifestyle affect the risk of autism. Below are a few titles that focus on the disorder from a kid's point of view. AMENTA, Charles A. Russell's World: a Story for Kids About Autism. illus. by Monika Pollak. Magination Press. 2010. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-4338-0975-0. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-4338-0976-7. SNEDDEN, Robert. Explaining Autism. Smart Apple Media. 2010. Tr $34.25. Remarkable Reads is produced by the editors at NoveList, the leader in readers' advisory electronic resources. For more information, visit NoveList. This article originally appeared in the newsletter Extra Helping. Go here to subscribe. "...a child who is diagnosed with high-functioning autism today may just have been considered an oddball several decades ago."
An "oddball"? Is this the term you would use to describe a child with autism? Should we add it to our lexicon of derogatory terms to describe children with special needs?
Words matter. You should consider your choice of words more carefully next time. Thats exactly the point! I was that oddball, so was my husband.
Fortunately, we now both have been diagnosed (me adhd, he
autism) but it doesn't matter what you call it, it's still the same us.
Personally, i don' t care what it' s called. As long as people aren 't
so freaked out about politically correct terms and can just see us for
who we are and accept our son with autism as a boy with his own
unique quirks, and read these books they can call us anything they
want. And to be honest, oddball isn't even that bad. Parents
forbidding their kids to play with our son, thats the real problem and
the most hurtful. I am delighted to see the attention autism is receiving through your network. Our publishing company is about to release a wonderful book on autism this January/2012. It is an anthology of eight inspiring autobiographical journeys about living on the spectrum of autism. All have achieved remarkable academic success despite their challenges, some already with a bestselling book. This should give a lot of inspiration to any of your readers who may also be on the spectrum. There’s a common myth that living on the spectrum of autism foretells severe disability, failure or worse—institutionalization. This book was published to challenge these notions for families with a son or daughter higher on the autism spectrum. Each contributor’s insights and wisdom are evidence of bright, sensitive and successful individuals who have refused to let a diagnosis identify them. They are examples of strength and triumph any of us would be proud to call our own.
For excerpts, your readers can go to our website: www.BooksForHealingBodyMindAndSpirit.com * = Required information
The exact number of school-aged children with autism is unknown, partly due to the wide range of the disorder. Some studies show that the increasing diagnosis of autism is due to newer definitions of the term, which now includes a wider spectrum of children. For example, a child who is diagnosed with high-functioning autism today may have just been considered an oddball several decades ago.
Gr 1-5—The author writes from experience and research—not only is he a physician, Amenta is also Russell's father. With honesty and love, he describes the many challenges that Russell, who is severely autistic, faced growing up, including the impact on his siblings and others around him. The mixed-media illustrations contain photographs of Russell and his family; they add great appeal to the story, and will help young children understand more about autism.REYNOLDS, Peter H. I'm Here. illus. by the author. Atheneum. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9649-1.
PreS-Gr 2—The spare text, combined with Reynolds' pen, ink and watercolor illustrations, tells the story of a young boy that struggles to be part of the playground posse, intimidated by its size and big sounds. When a piece of paper becomes an airplane in his hands, he envisions flying high above the crowds on his own. On landing, his plane is retrieved and returned to him by a girl with a big smile, giving him a lesson on how friends are made. Reynolds wrote this story in support of the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center.ROBINSON PEETE, Holly and Ryan Elizabeth Peete, with Denene Millner. My Brother Charlie. illus. by Shane Evans. Scholastic. 2010. ISBN 978-0-545-09466-5.
Gr 2-6—The text and illustrations work together perfectly in this story of twins, one autistic and one not, as they interact as babies, toddlers, and tweeners, with the world and each other. Though Callie and Charlie seem worlds apart, they are more connected than anyone can fully appreciate. The positive connection between autistic children and pets and music is gently presented. Evans's multi-media illustrations are calming and searingly blatant—a favorite shows Charlie working on "Itsy Bitsy Spider" on a full-size stand-up piano. ISBN 978-1-59920-307-2.
Gr 6 Up—Part research vehicle, part affirmation for autistic teens, Snedden lays out a step-by-step introduction to autism and Asperger's syndrome. Readers will get the facts as well as be introduced to a few tweens and teens that deal with this condition on a daily basis. Equally good as a research tool—a glossary, resource list, and index are included.STEFANSKI, Daniel. How to Talk to an Autistic Kid. illus.by Hazel Mitchell. Free Spirit. 2011. Tr $12.00. ISBN 978-1-57542-365-4.
Gr 4-9—The fourteen-year-old author wrote this book to help non-autistic people understand some of the hows and whys of being autistic, based on his own experience. The illustrations, done in a multi-tone aqua/black and white combo, make for excellent complements to the text, and help break out straight text from captions. An excellent choice for tweens and teens sharing classroom, social or home space with autistic siblings or peers.
Reader Comments (4)
Posted by Francine on September 12, 2011 01:28:15PM
Posted by Linda on September 18, 2011 04:44:16AM
Posted by Dr. Richard Carmen, Publisher on September 28, 2011 12:26:13PM
