Right from the Start

November 1, 2019

In order to assist the one in 59 children (one in 37 for boys) with autism in this country, teachers and parents must understand the emotional challenges they face on a daily basis. By searching for the roots of problem behavior, teachers can avoid the all too common pitfall of letting these kids fall through the cracks. Here, autism specialists Donahue (psychology, Northampton Community Coll. PA) and Crassons (English, Lehigh Univ. PA) argue that self-regulation is the foundation for a child's development, which allows them to deal with emotional highs and lows, control reactions, and remain calm. Strategies for improving self-regulation consist mostly of adjusting the learning experience and environment, emphasizing structure and consistency, and encouraging collaboration in a safe space. VERDICT Parents and caregivers of autistic children and teens will find this work offers sensible and realistic ideas that apply to all areas of a child's life.

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2019
One in 59 children has autism, and Donahue, a psychology teacher who works with families, and Crassons, whose son, Henry, is on the spectrum, want to help preschoolers and their parents live with this neurological condition. Kids like Henry, diagnosed at five with what was previously called Asperger's syndrome, often struggle to control their emotions. Sadly, they may feel worthless. Henry asked why he kept getting angry and why he couldn't control himself. The authors want to empower parents to help their kids learn self-regulation so they can calm themselves and avoid sensory overload. They cite many examples and provide simple solutions. For example, Henry felt a sensory aversion to wet hands and paper towels, so Crassons asked the school to allow him to use his packaged hand wipes. To help a child relax, give her an imaginary cup of hot cocoa, and instruct her to breathe in the aroma through the nose, then to blow through her mouth to cool it off. Parents with kids are on the spectrum, especially at the higher-functioning end, will find this useful and inspiring.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)