children with autism spectrum disorders

An author and educator's pioneering approach to helping autistic students find their voices through poetry--a powerful and uplifting story that shows us how to better communicate with people on the spectrum and explores how we use language to express our seemingly limitless interior lives. Adults often find it difficult to communicate with autistic students and try to "fix" them. But what if we found a way to help these kids use their natural gifts to convey their thoughts and feelings? What if the traditional structure of language prevents them from communicating the full depth of their experiences? What if the most effective and most immediate way for people on the spectrum to express themselves is through verse, which mirrors their sensory-rich experiences and patterned thoughts? May Tomorrow Be Awake explores these questions and opens our eyes to a world of possibility. It is the inspiring story of one educator's journey to understand and communicate with his students--and the profound lessons he learned. Chris Martin, an award-winning poet and celebrated educator, works with non-verbal children and adults on the spectrum, teaching them to write poetry. The results have been nothing short of staggering for both these students and their teacher. Through his student's breathtaking poems, Martin discovered what it means to be fully human. Martin introduces the techniques he uses in the classroom and celebrates an inspiring group of young autistic thinkers--Mark, Christophe, Zach, and Wallace--and their electric verse, which is as artistically dazzling as it is stereotype-shattering. In telling each of their stories, Martin illuminates the diverse range of autism and illustrates how each so-called "deficit" can be transformed into an asset when writing poems. Meeting these remarkable students offers new insight into disability advocacy and reaffirms the depth of our shared humanity. Martin is a teacher and a lifelong learner, May Tomorrow Be Awake is written from a desire to teach and to learn--about the mind, about language, about human potential--and the lessons we have to share with one other.

"Daniel has a new friend at school! His name is Max, and he loves buses and bugs. Max is autistic, so sometimes he needs different things than Daniel. Max and Daniel might be different in some ways, but they always have fun playing together!"--Provided by publisher.

"This book is designed to help kids, including children with autism spectrum disorder or other additional needs, to understand what it means when someone in their life has cancer. Using a question-and-answer format, it explores the life changes and feelings of uncertainty a child may experience if a loved one has cancer . . ."--Back cover.

Provides guidance for librarians on building a literacy program geared towards children with autism spectrum disorders.

Iris Grace is a beautiful little girl who, from a very young age, barely communicated, avoided social interaction with other people, and rarely smiled. From both before her diagnosis of autism and after, she seemed trapped in her own world, unable to connect with those around her. One day, her mother brought home a Maine Coon kitten for Iris, even though cats aren?t typically thought of as therapy pets. Thula, named after one of Iris?s favorite African lullabies and meaning ?peace? in Zulu, immediately bonded with Iris. Thula knew right away how to assuage Iris when she became overstimulated; when to intervene when Iris became overwhelmed; and how to provide distraction when Iris started heading toward a meltdown. Whether exploring, playing, sleeping, or taking a bath with Iris or accompanying the family on a bike ride, Thula became so much more than a therapy cat. With Thula?s safe companionship, Iris began to talk and interact with her family.

Rachael Lee Harris spent her early childhood in an autistic fog. Then she began her journey to make sense of her life. She has been a beauty therapist, a Catholic nun, a mother, a wife, a divorcee, and a working mother. Today she is a psychotherapist who helps others on the autism spectrum.

Contains advice for preparing school activities for autistic children and teenagers.

Provides information and advice for kids who have an autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, including what these disorders are, ways to make things better at home, at school, and with friends, taking medicine, eating healthy foods, and more.