Communicating Partners, the result of over thirty years of clinical practice and research work with pre-verbal and verbal children with language delays, offers an innovative approach to working with late talking children that focuses on developing relationships through mutual understanding. Providing detailed maps of what children and their life partners need to do to ensure effective social relationships, the program focuses on five key stages of communication development - interactive play, nonverbal communication, social language, conversation, and civil behavior - and five life-long responsive strategies to use every day to build relationships within the child's own world. Communicating Partners addresses issues such as: * What does a child need to do before language? * What are effective ways to help a child socialize and communicate from early play through civil conversations? * How have parents successfully helped children learn to communicate at home? * How can a child develop socially effective language and conversation skills? * How can a child with an autistic spectrum disorder, Down Syndrome or other significant delays develop rich social relationships? * What have families done to build warm social relationships with their children? * What is developmentally effective therapy and education when social and communicative delays are of major concern? Illustrated with personal stories and research findings, and containing a wealth of practical suggestions to help parents, teachers, and professionals understand their child's world, Communicating Partners is an invaluable resource for all those interacting and working with late talking children.

Living fulfilled Lives is for anyone who wants to make a positive difference to the lives of those with a learning disability. This includes professionals, teachers, carers, parents, researchers and the general public. It draws together skills and knowledge from different disciplines but without the jargon. Its aim is to make us all aware of the hopes, dreams and aspirations of those with a learning disability and empower them to live the fulfilled lives they deserve.

For parents of children with Asperger Syndrome ordinary parenting just doesn't always do it - AS kids need a different approach. Brenda is mother to thirteen-year-old Kenneth, author of Asperger Syndrome, the Universe and Everything, and since his diagnosis at the age of eight she has gathered together the parenting ideas and tips that have had a positive effect on Kenneth's life. Brenda discusses parents' reaction to their child's AS and gives advice on how better to understand 'Planet Asperger'. This book helps parents to respond positively to the challenge of AS and find the 'treasure' in their child's way of being.