Preface: How Asperger's Saved My Life. 1. The Theory of My Mind: How Asperkids Think. 2. Special Interests: The Way In. 3. All Aspies Are from Missouri: Concrete Minds. 4. Detour – This Way: Getting around Learning Challenges. 5. Living the Practical Life. 6. Dear Santa, I'd Like a Friend for Christmas. 7. It Depends on Where You're Standing: Perspectives on Comfort Zones. 8. Conclusion: My Father's Legacy.
Jennifer Cook O'Toole shows how to help children on the spectrum by understanding how they think and by exploiting their special interests to promote learning
Jennifer O'Toole was identified as being on the spectrum in 2011, just after her three children. She is now the author of seven bestselling books --the Asperkids collection, Sisterhood of the Spectrum, and Autism in Heels -- which include a Wall Street Journal Bestseller, a Publishers Weekly "Best Book" title winner, and three of BookAuthority's "Best-Selling" and "Top Autism Books of All Time." Jennifer is the bestselling female author of any single book in the genre, a multi-award-winning international speaker, and the founder of a brand-new venture called Belong, a virtual wonderland of enrichment and community, empowering neurodiverse individuals, couples and families worldwide.
Jennfier is in a unique position to write this book. Not only are
her kids on the spectrum, so are she and hubby. In addition, she is
a school teacher. That makes for a pretty encompassiong view on
what it means to be on the spectrum, raise a child on the spectrum
and teach a child on spectrum... This book is full of insight and
simple useful tips... If you are the parent or teacher of a child
on the spectrum, I highly recomment it.
*Aunt Aspie's Book of the Month!*
(... )her first book, was so innovative and refreshing... Jen
cleverly uses the quick Aspie mind to its own advantage by
encouraging analysis and insight... If you have a child with
Asperger's or high-functioning autism, it'll have much the same
effect as an invigorating run along the beach.
*Aukids*
The book contains many practical suggestions for educating children
with Asperger syndrome at home. O'Toole analyses the difficulties
and challenges with perception and insight, showing how to help
children for whom everyday activities may be upsetting and
incomprehensible.
*HEAS*
Asperkids has LOTS of practical ideas that will really help kids on
the spectrum. I completely agree that using a child's passion is
the best way to motivate learning.
*Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures*
A mother with Asperger syndrome (AS) and three Aspie children,
O'Toole is uniquely situated to understand the best ways to
approach parenting and teaching youths with AS.... O'Toole
approaches the Aspie lifestyle with a great deal of humor and
insight. She's particularly good at explaining the hurdles Aspie
children face daily as they navigate school and social settings,
and she helps readers see the world the way anyone with AS does.
The result is an easy-to-read guide to interacting with Aspie
children, replete with additional resources and references.
*Library Journal Reviews*
Full of effective and enjoyable ways to engage (such) children, and
offers guidance and insight to other parents, as well as teachers
and other practitioners.
*Young Minds Magazine*
Her book presents an insider's perspective into the world of
Asperger syndrome which would be very helpful to anyone who seeks
to understand the condition. Many effective and original ways of
engaging with Asperger children are presented.
*HEAS (Homes Education Advisory Service)*
Within seconds of opening the book I had shed a few tears, and
later, as I continued reading in the bath (...) I had several more
unexpected cries. These were all moments of pure recognition, and
with each one came a mixture of joy, release and relief. Not only
does O'Toole describe so many ways of being that sound just like my
little L, but I could also connect with much of what she said about
being a Mum. Not only does this woman understand what it is to be
an Aspie (she is one), she also understands what it is to be the
parent of one (she has there) and the wife of one. What could top
that in terms of a well-rounded viewpoint?... O'Toole accurately
grasps my hopes for L and his future, that he can move forward with
an understanding and pride in himself, and that he will see the
positive aspects to having those Spectrum qualities as well as some
of the challenges he will inevitably face... I now feel that I've
got a way in to L's mind which is so much more meaningful that the
off-piste advice I am given by well-meaning but autism-ignorant
professionals. One of my friends, who also has a son on the
Spectrum, once commented that she wished she could see inside her
son's head for a while. "Asperkids" and all it offers, may just be
one way to do it.
*Loving Martians - Wordpress blog by Rebecca Mitchell*
I read this book in just two consecutive sittings - loved it!... As
Aspie herself, Jenny is quite brilliant and as a teacher and parent
she is doubly insightful into her own children's needs and how to
help them.
*Netbuddy.co.uk*
Amazing. Jennifer's ability to share her Asperger perspective and
explain what our kids need most in the home and in school is
fantastic. She gets right to what matters and makes powerful points
that have to be heard. On both a personal and a professional level,
I say this is a book that needs to be on shelves everywhere.
*Meredith G. Bove, MBA, Educational Strategies Consultant and
mother of a son with Asperger Syndrome, USA*
Jennifer provides a unique perspective into the world of Asperger
syndrome - helping to put all the pieces together, with a little
humor thrown in along the way. I will highly recommend this book to
any Asper-parent to better understand their child's world and help
them grow, learn, and develop based on their unique strengths.
*Courtney Enos, MS-OT, occupational therapist, Touchstone Therapy,
North Carolina, USA*
Asperkids has touched my heart to its deepest core, brought tears
to my eyes, knowledge to my mind and an in-depth understanding of
Asperger Syndrome. It is beautifully written, easy to understand
and incredibly sincere. I will most definitely stock the shelves of
our psychological book store with this wonderful, insightful book.
Kudos to Jennifer Cook O'Toole for her passion, love and knowledge
of Asperger syndrome and her willingness and eagerness to share it
with everyone.
*Diane Chartrand-Balcer, Purchasing Director for Insomnia Bookstore
at Southeast Psychology, North Carolina, USA*
Fresh, honest, organic and raw insights - Jennifer has written a
legacy for all those on the spectrum, inviting everyone into an
intricate and delicious mindset of an Asperfamily's challenges and
successes. This book is a literary feast of new and exciting
creative ideas and strategies which are shared in a very unique
conversational manner. This book may be the key to unlocking a new
and successful way of teaching and communicating with persons on
the spectrum.
*Josie Santomauro, mother of a son with Asperger syndrome, editor
of Autism All-Stars: How We Use Our Autism and Asperger Traits to
Shine in Life and co-author of Set for Success: Activities for
Teaching Emotional, Social and Organisational Skills*
Jennifer Cook O'Toole's personal understanding of the Asperger
'profile' makes Asperkids a fascinating read. In it she gives a
wealth of exciting and innovative 'detours' around the challenges
of AS and has provided a book full of lively and enthusiastic ideas
to get you really enjoying working with your Asperger child. This
is one of the most respectful books about teaching children with
Asperger syndrome I have read and I thoroughly recommend it.
*Clare Lawrence, teacher, autism worker, mother, and author of
Autism and Flexischooling: A Shared Classroom and Homeschooling
Approach and How to Make School Make Sense: A Parents' Guide to
Helping the Child with Asperger Syndrome*
Asperkids is brilliant! Not only is Jennifer an inspiring person,
she's an Aspermom out to make a difference. Her passion to educate
the NT world about Aspies shines through. Many Asperkids, and their
families, will benefit from her personal insight. I am convinced
this book will make a positive impact.
*Julie Clark, author of Asperger's in Pink: Pearls of Wisdom from
Inside the Bubble of Raising a Child with Asperger's*
As a neurotypical mom with two kids with Asperger syndrome,
Asperkids gave me an inside look into the minds of my own children.
Jennifer's unique viewpoint really helped me understand how I can
communicate better with my kids, support their talents, and help
them navigate the world. Asperkids should serve as a touchstone for
parents and teachers alike. I'll definitely be sharing this
book!
*Joslyn Gray, autism advocate and author of the blog stark. raving.
mad. mommy.*
Just a few pages into Asperkids, I knew I was reading something
special... O'Toole is the real deal bundle of experience and
knowledge our Asperger community can turn to for compassionate
understanding and wise advice.
*from the Foreword by Liane Holliday Willey, EdD, author of
Pretending to be Normal and Asperger Safety Skills for Women*
reading [O'Toole's] book is making me understand more how his brain
is wired and I am learning SO much.
*Elizabeth Conner, mother of a child with Asperger syndrome*
Asperkids by Jennifer Cook O'Toole is a no-brainer to include as
required reading in any education, medical, or therapy college or
university program… This book addresses much more than diagnosis
and treatment guidelines. If you changed the title, it could be a
manual on how to respect and understand the teaching-learning
experience and teach in a way that children will not only learn
from, but love. The concepts of learning styles, instructional
styles, engagement, thematic teaching, humor, developmental
approach, differentiated instruction, structuring environments for
learning, the fun factor, empathy, positive energy, balancing the
environment with multisensory opportunities, and much more are
presented in a fun and easy-to-learn style that will stay with
students into their careers. I love Asperkids and cannot wait to
share it with my Occupational Therapy students this semester.
*Toni Schulken, MS, OTR/L, Pathways for Learning*
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