AUTISM SOLUTIONS
Simple Ways Kids with ASD
Can Gain Life Lessons
By Louise and Noam LEDERMAN
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) take in information and learn differ-
ently. We know through various medical analyses and research that children on the
spectrum can struggle in social situations, particularly when it comes to understand-
ing communication and building relationships.
H
aving worked with many children on
the spectrum and with those who
experience anxiety as a result of le-
arning challenges, we see the pur-
pose of literature is to make reading
not only valuable from a development per-
spective but also interactive and enjoyable
for the children.
In recent years, development tools for
children with autism have progressed gre-
atly; especially, learning styles and adding
sensory needs into the experience has
vastly improved development. Yes, some
children are still being left behind when it
comes to narrative methods that also aid
learning, and more importantly, help to
support life lessons.
Our first children’s book Jungle Jam was
a personal passion. With a lack of quality musical
storybooks for children in the market, we felt that
our own children’s development could be affected
and wanted to help other families, too. It was a labor
of love.
As part of our journey through promoting the book
(and launching a sequel), we found that our books
also tapped into the special education needs (SEN)
communities, and since then we have worked with
numerous schools and programs to ensure we reach
as many children as possible, building possibilities
for tomorrow.
One comment we have heard time and time again
from teachers and parents when trying to build re-
ading strategies with their children is that they can
“read” books, yet are missing the vital ability of com-
prehension, or simply do not know how to express
what they have read into words.
Children always need access to reading materials.
Books shape who we are into adulthood as well as
build critical development skills, from understan-
ding the complexities of relationships and commu-
nication (which could be as simple as the narrative in
the book between two characters) to the fundamen-
tal understanding of language and how to commu-
nicate on a practical level.
There are many strategies that can be used which
have been successful with children with SEN to help
reading engagement and create connections betwe-
en the children and stories. Presenting background
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