Free Book Alert

Sensory Play: Over 65 Sensory Bin Topics with Additional Picture Books, Supplementary Activities, and Snacks for a Complete Toddler Program by Gayle Jervis

Sensory Play is the essential Sensory Bin Program for Toddlers. This book contains over 65 sensory bin topics with picture books, supplementary activities and snacks to stimulate your child.

Sensory Play activities provide opportunities to -Encourage exploration -Learn new concepts -Increase creativity -Develop small motor skills -Expand vocabulary

The foundation for Sensory Play is on creating sensory bins for your toddler’s self discoveries. Each bin focuses on a specific theme: Colors, Seasons, Celebrations, Alphabetical/Topical.

Who will enjoy these activities?

This book was written as part of our Busy Toddler, Happy Mom Series and therefore is suitable for your child who is over eighteen months old. However, if you also have a preschooler, this book is also really appropriate for your older child since he or she will enjoy all the sensory bins and activities but with even greater understanding of the topics. As in our first book, this book was designed to increase your fun and interaction with your little people.

This may not be labeled as a book about special needs/parenting, but as an Autism parent, I can attest that sensory issues commonly accompany Autism and ADHD/ADD.

Click the book cover to get this book for free today.

Another Free Autism Book

Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers, Infants and Babies: Diagnosis and Treatment Options by Leslie Burby

Both a practical guide and a real world story, Early Signs of Autism tells the story how Leslie Burby discovered two of her children were autistic. In the book, Leslie shares how her life as special educator helped her to discover the symptoms in two of her children leading them to be diagnosed early. The book covers DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual ) versions IV and V.

Along with practical guidelines how parents can identify early signs in babies, toddlers and infants, the book also includes important developmental milestones in motor skills, speech and language. It discusses sensory issues and co-morbid conditions that also accompany autism.

The book concludes with practical steps on how to get a formal diagnosis, the steps to take for early intervention and a range of treatments available for your child.

As the number of children diagnosed with Autism rises to 1 in 50, parents need to be aware of the early signs in order to act early and get their children the help they need. Acting early with Autism is essential because the the wiring of the brain is developing at a rapid rate when children are young. The faster you act the faster you can help make those connections that can occur before the plasticity of the brain starts to slow down making it harder to adjust behaviors.

In writing this book, Leslie brings with her extensive knowledge in the field of Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. She is currently enjoying her role as Editor of Autism Parenting Magazine as well as performing speaking engagements on Autism.

Click on the book cover to go get the book.

Today's Free Autism eBooks from Amazon.com

Just click the book cover of the book you'd like.

Autism: The Facts, The Signs, The Care by Alec Sheppard (reg $2.99)

Autism is touching families in significant numbers. The diagnosis of autism has increased dramatically in recent years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that approximately 1 in 88 American-born children fall within the autism spectrum. More specifically, 1 in 54 boys, and 1 in 252 girls are diagnosed with autism. Autism refers to a number of complex disorders associated with brain development.

This book captures factual information that educates those who know little about autism. It disseminates ways that one might recognize the signs of autism in children and toddlers. It also offers basic steps one can take in caring for a child with autism.

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How To Make Friends - The Ultimate Guide For Teens by Jennifer Love (reg $4.99)

You're About To Discover:
- How To Easily Begin Awesome Conversations
- How To Develop The Most Rewarding & Lasting Friendships That Will Last A Lifetime
- The Mindset You Need To Have When Meeting New People
- A Simple Way To Find & Meet People With Similar Interests
- And much more!

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4 Free eBooks on Autism from Amazon.com

Secondhand Autism by Paul Brodie, (reg $2.99)

Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children are happening at an increasing rate. The autism spectrum is very wide and includes many different expressions of symptoms. Regardless of the severity of autism in a child, autism isn't an individual disorder. Autism affects everyone in the family. Secondhand Autism presents an autobiographical sketch of the author’s experience with autism. His youngest brother is diagnosed with autistic disorder, on the lower functioning end of the autism spectrum. Combining personal experience with education from Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in psychology, the author presents an easy to read description of what family members might expect when a child or sibling is diagnosed as autistic.

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Autism - A Practical Guide For Parents by Alan Yau, (reg $3.99)

Here's an overview of what you will learn in this book:

• How children with autism are wired differently, and how that affects the way they learn. 
• Why Intensive Play is so important to everything else.
• Why it's so hard to get your child's attention, and what you can do about it.
• How visual tools can help your child, and how you can use them easily.
• Why focusing on well-being is so important, and some simple steps you can take to ensure you do.
• What general strategies will help you teach your child.
• Why behavior difficulties happen, and some ways you can help.
• Why today's technology is making it easier for children with autism to communicate, learn and much more besides.

This book will give you ideas and strategies that you can use immediately with your child. Many of the strategies are made clearer by the inclusion of examples from the author's own experience. You will see echoes of your own child in some of the examples, and they are sure to provide lots of light bulb moments for you.

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The Beginner's Ultimate Autism Diet Cookbook: Gluten-Free Casein-Free Recipes for Autistic Children and Their Families by Allison Lovering Iwata, M.S. (reg, $3.99)

The Beginner's Ultimate Autism Diet Cookbook: Gluten-Free Casein-Free Recipes for Autistic Children and Their Families is the ultimate guide to beginning a Gluten-Free, Casein-Free (GFCF) diet, often referred to as the "Autism Diet." The Autism Diet has been proven to increase deficits often seen in children on the spectrum, such as verbal skills, eye-contact, and social abilities. Furthermore, it has demonstrated an ability to decrease many of the negative behaviors associated with spectrum disorders, such as tantrums and self-stimulation.

This cookbook introduces you to the basics of the diet as well as presents the scientific research behind the benefits of adopting this type of diet. An entire chapter is devoted to discussing the link between GFCF eating and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Also included is a "Tip Sheet" aimed at making the switch to GFCF eating as easy, comfortable and enjoyable as possible. In addition, 40 GFCF recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and even Dessert are included, allowing for an easy and delicious transition into the GFCF lifestyle.

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Life on the Spectrum. The Preschool Years. Getting the Help and Support You Need by J.M. Morgan (reg, $2.99)

Help and advice for all parents of young children who are on the autistic spectrum. Morgan is mother to two boys, youngest is four has Autistic Spectrum Disorder and the book tells of her experiences with him. The book deals with topics such as sensory issues, getting the help that you need from professionals,education, finding local support, going out with your child, toilet training and helping siblings.Most importantly you will find out that you are not alone.

Free Book: Autism With Honor

Autism With Honor - Seven Master Steps to Helping Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Be Their Best: An Amazing Guide For Parents Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder by Doris Duan-Young

Get this #1 Best-Seller FREE Today only! (an $18.49 value)

Doris Duan-Young, considered by many to be the world's leading expert on helping families with autism, tells the story of the children and parents she's helped, and the Seven Master Steps to Help Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder be their best.

Free Reading and Autism Education

Life With An Autistic Son
by B's Dad

When my son was around the age of two it became apparent there was something wrong. He did not crave my company, cling to and cuddle me endlessly. He showed no need to bond with me, his father, and we did not. He exhausted me, he frustrated me and he scared me. I came to dread coming home from work sometimes, or those moments when it was my turn to wrestle him into bed and begin the long struggle to settle him. I said things that will forever haunt me, like “What is wrong with that child?” and “Is he always going to be this annoying?”

What I didn’t know then was that he was autistic.

When that realization came, so did the beginning of my mission to understand my son, and to understand autism. This book chronicles that search for understanding and answers. It documents one parent’s attempts to come to terms with, and accept, his child. It is raw and real, sometimes confused and frightened but also, I’d like to think, written with warmth and love and an ability to smile through difficult times.

This book is for anyone starting out on a pathway with their child that they did not expect.

Book Review: Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury

Holden Harris, 18, is locked in a prison of autism where he's been since he was a happy, boisterous three-year-old. At school he is bullied by kids who do not understand that despite his quiet ways and quirky behaviors, Holden is very happy and socially normal on the inside, where he lives in a private world all his own.

Then one day the head cheerleader and star of the high school drama production is rehearsing when Holden stops and listens, clearly drawn to the music. Ella Reynolds notices and takes an interest in him, learning about autism and eventually helping Holden win a spot in the school play.
At the same time Ella makes a dramatic discovery. Long ago, her parents and Holden's parents were good friends, and she and Holden played together until his diagnosis of autism, at which time Ella's mother distanced herself from the friendship.
Now Ella's mom and her MLB baseball player father are trapped in an unhappy marriage and a life that is shallow and meaningless. Not until a tragedy takes place at the high school does Ella take a public stand against the way the more popular privileged kids treat those who are different.

At the same time, Ella continues to be a friend to Holden and in time their mothers realize that something special is happening. Hurts from the past are dealt with and all around Holden miracles begin to happen in various relationships.

The greatest miracle is the change in Holden, himself, and everyone is stunned by the transformation they witness. Ultimately, the community comes to understand that many people walk around in a personal prison and that only by love and faith can the doors become unlocked, the way they dramatically do for Holden Harris.

Reading Level: Young Adult
Recommended by: Local Library's new books list
Rating: complicated, read below.

I've said before that I won't read this author because I don't like books that make me cry. Well, I was drawn to this one cuz it was about Autism. I cried through the whole book. It was a good book, decent story. I wouldn't read it again & probably won't read anymore of her books.

Book Review: 1001 Great Ideas for Teaching & Reaching Children with Autism or Asperger's by Ellen Notbohm

Winner of Learning Magazine's Teachers Choice Award, the first edition of 1001 Great Ideas has been a treasured resource in the autism community since 2004. Now, in this expanded edition, Ellen Notbohm (best-selling author of the revolutionary book Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew) and Veronica Zysk (award-winning author and editor of Autism Asperger's Digest magazine) present parents and educators with over 1800 ideas try-it-now tips, eye-opening advice, and grassroots strategies.

More than 600 fresh ideas join tried and true tactics from the original edition, while many ideas pick up where the first edition left off, offering modifications for older kids, honing in on Asperger's challenges, and enhancing already-effective ways to help your child or student achieve success at home, in school, and in the community.

Time is money ... and this book saves you both.

Your one-stop-shop of solutions, explanations, and strategies. Quickly find ideas that speak to the variety of developmental levels, learning styles, and abilities inherent in children with autism and Asperger's.

1001 Great Ideas is the starting line you are looking for, the mother lode of strategies and inspiration you ll return to again and again. Don't let tradition and habit stand in the way of what your child or student can do. Read this book first and you ll be well on your way to a bright future teaching and raising a child with autism or Asperger's.

This book is over 300 pages of wonderful advice & insight on Autism, for parents, relatives, teachers, coworkers, etc. Even the most educated person could learn something from it & I am glad to say it is part of our medical library now.

Rating: 5+

Book Review: The Asperger's Answer Book

It is currently estimated that over 500,000 families struggle with Asperger's Syndrome, a highly prevalent yet difficult to diagnose disorder that affects hundreds of thousands of children and adults. In a time when parents are overwhelmed with confusing--and often conflicting--information, The Asperger's Answer Book provides them with clear and confident counsel. Written by an experienced child psychologist, The Asperger's Answer Book covers such topics as:

* Is it autism or is it Asperger's?

* Getting your child evaluated

* Emotional intelligence

* Routines and rituals

* Motor skills

* Sensory sensitivity

* Growing up with Asperger's Syndrome

Written in an easy-to-read Q&A format, The Asperger's Answer Book helps parents understand and accept their child's illness and develop a plan for success.

Very easy to find all the answers to your questions or how to go about getting the answers you need! Love this as a 1st time read for people new to this disorder.

Rating: 5

Finished~~2011 Non-fiction Reading Challenge

January 17 - December 31, 2011

Chose a level:

1-3 books from different categories: Master of Trivial Pursuit
4-6 books from different categories: Apply For Who Wants to Be A Millionaire
7-9 books from different categories: Future Jeopardy Champion

Categories:

*Culture: Non-fiction books about different cultures, religions and foreign lands; memoirs & biographies count.
*Art: Non-fiction books about anything art related (painters, music, architecture, photography, dance, literature, film, etc.). Memoirs/biographies of any people related to the arts count.
*Food: Food memoirs, anything related to food industry, food lifestyles
*Medical: anything related to the medical field--industry memoirs, memoirs about illnesses (mental included) /diseases, etc.
*Travel: travelogues, industry memoirs, travel guides, etc.
*Memoir/Biography: Self explanatory
*Money: Anything related to finances, economics, history of money, financial improvement etc.
*Science/Nature: Anything related to any scientific field, memoirs count.
*History: Anything history related-- events, biographies of historic figures, etc.

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I'm going to aim for the 2nd level.

1. 1001 Great Ideas for Teaching & Reaching Children w/Autism or Asperger's by Ellen Notbohm--Medical
2. The Asperger's Answer: Top 300 Questions Parents Ask by Susan Ashley--Medical
3. David: Seeking a Heart Like His by Beth Moore --Culture
4. God's Guest List by Debbie Macomber--Memoir (would actually be self-help or motivational but that's not listed.)
5. Parallel Play by Tim Page--Art/bio
6. Speaking Mom-ese by Lisa Whelchel
7. The Student Bible Dictionary--Culture

Reviews in the sidebar --->

Book Review: Al Capone Shines My Shoes

Nothing is the way it’s supposed to be when you live on an island with a billion birds, a ton of bird crap, a few dozen rifles, machine guns and automatics and 278 of America’s worst criminals—“the cream of the criminal crop” as one of our felons likes to say. The convicts on Alcatraz are rotten to the core, crazy in the head, and as slippery as eels in axle grease.

And then there’s me. Moose Flanagan. I live on Alcatraz along with 24 other kids and one more on the way. My father works as a prison guard and an electrician in the cell house up top. I live where most of us “civilians” do in 64 building which is dockside on the East side of Alcatraz—a base hit from the mobster Al Capone.

Not many 12-year-old boys can say that. Not many kids can say when their toilet is stopped up, they get Seven Fingers, the Ax Murderer, to help them out, either ...

I liked this one as much as the first!

Rating: 5

Book Review: Al Capone Does My Shirts

I found this book when I searched "Autism" in the card catalog. This is the story of a boy who has to move to Alcatraz Island to be close to the special school his parents are trying to get his sister admitted to.

Good book, decent story, heartwrenchingly accurate.

Rating: 4

Book Review: Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

In Caitlin’s world, everything is black or white. Things are good or bad. Anything in between is confusing. That’s the stuff Caitlin’s older brother, Devon, has always explained. But now Devon’s dead, and her father cries a lot. Caitlin wants to get over it, but as an eleven-year-old girl with Asperger’s, she doesn’t know how. When she reads the definition of “closure” in the dictionary, she realizes that is what she and her father need. In her search for Closure, Caitlin discovers that not everything is black and white--the world is full of colors--messy and beautiful, and it is through this discovery that she embarks on a road which leads her to find both healing and Closure.

This was a wonderfully insightful book on how the world looks to someone with Asperger's Syndrome!

Rating: 5

**Recommended by Nise'

Book Review: Rules by Cynthia Lord

Newbery Honor Medal Award
Schneider Family Book Award
Mitten Award (Michigan Library Association)
Great Lakes Great Books Award (Michigan)
Maine Student Book Award
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award (Vermont)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award
Great Stone Face Award (New Hampshire)
Buckeye Children's Book Award (Ohio)

RULES FOR DAVID
If the bathroom door is closed, knock! (especially if Catherine has a friend over).

Say thank you when someone gives you a present (even if you don't like it).

Don't stand in front of the TV when other people are watching it.

A boy takes off his shirt to swim, but not his shorts.

Some people think they know who you are, when really they don't.

No toys in the fishtank.

This is a story about a girl who's little brother has Autism. I loved reading it from her point of view & the things she is doing to try to help him be more "normal."

Rating: 5

Book Review: The Boy Who Ate Stars by Kochka

Matthew wasn't like anyone I'd ever met. He could be his own planet, become his own TV channel. Being with him was like sitting in a shouting whirlwind. He was a real mystery, and one I was determined to solve...

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I'm Lucy, and I live in Paris. When I grow up, I want to teach autistic children. I know one already--he's called Matthew and he's my neighbor. Matthew was four when he came into my life and, to be honest, we got off to a rocky start. Now I see a lot of him, and each time I can't help thinking how special he is because he's like nobody I've ever met.

Very good book that gives another look at how autism could be explained.

Rating: 5

Book Review: Marcelo in the Real World

Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco Stork

Inside cover:

Marcelo Sandoval hears music no one else can hear--part of the autism-like impairment no doctor has been able to identify--and he's always attended a special school where his differences have been protected. But the summer after his junior year, his father demands that Marcelo work in his law firm's mailroom in order to experience "the real world." There Marcelo meets Jasmine, his beautiful and surprising coworker, and Wendell, the son of another partner in the firm. (cont'd)
He learns about competition and jealousy, anger and desire. But it's a picture he finds in a file -- a picture of a girl with half a face -- that truly connects him with the real world: its suffering, its injustice, and what he can do to fight.


Reminiscent of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" in the intensity and purity of its voice, this extraordinary novel is a love story, a legal drama, and a celebration of the music each of us hears inside.

This was a very good book. I tend to forget how little we are literal & how confusing that is to children like Marcelo. What is the point of teaching kids proper english when "the real world" uses it so little?

Rating 4: I liked it & might reread it, but probably won't buy it.

Book Review: Louder than Words, A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism

Louder than Words, A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism by Jenny McCarthy

As the mother of a child w/Autism, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! This is one hard working mama!! She let her faith lead her on this journey & it didn't fail her. She could feel it when her DS needed her, she let her gut tell her what doctors to trust & she just kept digging until she got at the truth & how to deal with the disease. I love the attitude, faith, & vulnerability she shows during this book. She really opened herself up for critics on this, but she showed other moms that she is real.

I'm not sure how this book would be for Moms w/o a special needs child, unless you need to see that celebrities are normal people too!