Preface. Part I. Working on Conversation. 1. Increasing Vocabulary is Not Enough! 2. How to Get Your Child Talking. 3. Demanding a Conversation from Your Child. 4. It's Never Too Late to Start Encouraging Conversation. 5. Talking about a Diagnosis. 6. Finding a Reward System that Your Child Can Verbalise. 7. Using a Diary as a Conversation Catalyst. 8. Teaching Your Child to Ask 'Wh' Questions. 9. Teaching Turn-Taking in Conversation. 10. Teaching Your Child to Be an Active Listener. 11. Being an Active Listener for Your Child. 12. Teaching the Importance of Staying on Topic (without Over-Indulging in Special Interests). 13. What is Phatic Communication and Why is it Important? 14. Encouraging the Use of Names. 15. How to Help Family and Friends Have Conversations with Your Child. 16. Talking about Body Language and Emotions with Your Child. 17. Understanding the Importance of Pauses and Silence. 18. Making the Most of Stories and Story-Telling. 19. Using Mind-Maps to Improve Conversation. 20. Coping with Idioms and Incorrect English. 21. Teaching Your Child to Verbalise Distress (and Avoid Meltdown). 22. Conversation Starters in the Supermarket. 23. Conversation Starters on Car Journeys. 24. Conversation Starters and Special Interests. 25. Encouraging Conversation with Games and Puzzles. Part II: Developing Social Skills, Life Skills and Independence. 26. Making Friends. 27. Dealing with Authority Figures. 28. Birthday Parties and Youth Groups. 29. Planning for Practical Life Skills. 30. Using Mind-Maps to Develop Abstract Life Skills. 31. Organising Daily Life and Establishing a Routine. 32. Giving Your Child Responsibility for Daily Tasks. 33. Preparing Your Child to Organise His Life. 34. What Your Child Can Learn from Caring for a Pet. 35. Preparing Your Child for Cooking. 36. Preparing Your Child to Manage Money. 37. Noticing the Absence of Meltdowns and Encouraging Resilience. 38. Preparing Your Child for Job Interviews. 39. Preparing Your Child for Driving. 40. Preparing for the First Day at Work. Afterword. Where Are We Now? Appendix 1. Charting Your Child's Progress.
Award winning book on engaging in more meaning conversations with your child on the Autism spectrum
Heather Jones's son, Jamie, has Asperger Syndrome and severe speech and language impairments. When Jamie was 10, Heather stumbled across a way of getting through to him. Over the years she developed this methodology in more detail, calling it conversational therapy, and has never looked back. Jamie is now 19 and can hold a conversation, which has enabled him to go on to achieve much more, including passing his driving test and getting a job. Heather is the Director of Milkwood Educational, which publishes ESL textbooks in the Far East. She lives in Queensland, Australia.
“This book is a sign of emotional intelligence at its best. It is a
wonderfully inspiring piece of writing and should be at the
fingertips of parents everywhere who want to think clearly and
communicate lovingly with their children. Heather Jones has
displayed all of the insights of on outstanding communicator in
approaching the problem of connecting with, and developing the
communication skills of, her son. She has then managed to translate
these insights into clear and simple steps for all to follow.”
*Patsy McCarthy, Adjunct Professor, Speech Communication,
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane*
With the benefit of hindsight and personal experience, Heather
Jones has provided a powerful insight into the complexities of
raising a child with Asperger Syndrome and significant speech
language impairment. This enlightening account of Jamie's journey
from angry, frustrated child to communicative young adult should
not be missed.
*Sarah Frost (M.Ed; Ba hons) Educational Consultant*
“Heather Jones has given us an easy-to-read book on an important
and complex topic—conversation. She brings a wealth of experience
and understanding of her son who, like many others, lacks the
skills (though not the interest) to talk with us. Lots of tips for
parents here. We need more books from those who live with those
coping with autism.”
*Anne M. Donnellan, PhD, Professor, University of San Diego,
Professor Emerita, University of Wisconsin-Madison*
This should be read by parents of all children, not just those with
autism.
*Lorretta Perry, grandmother of Yvander, a 17-year old with ADHD
and autism*
... those who have Asperger syndrome. They need help to learn the
art of conversation and how this might be done is what the author
of this book demonstrates. Jessica Jones writes from a wealth of
practical experience: she has a son, now a young adult, who has
Asperger syndrome and language impairment... She stresses the
importance of asking open questions to develop meaningful
conversations and reminds readers that the skill of conversational
turn taking has to be taught to aspies, again providing personal
examples... There are useful chapters on making friends, coping
with social situations such as parties and youth groups and how to
cope with authority figures... All in all, a very helpful,
empowering and affirming book for parents and others working with
children who need help in communicating.
*Red Reading Hub blog by Jill Bennett*
Talk to Me provides an array of strategies which aim to provide
confidence in children whose conversational skills are limited. The
chapters are short, easy to read and cover a variety of topics... A
must read for parents.
*Afasic News*
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