Am I autistic, or is autism something I suffer from? Should I come out, to my friends, to my family, to the people I work with? Should I drop the mask? How can I explain my experience to a neurotypical world? The Subtle Spectrum offers an exploration into the postdiagnostic landscape of autism and the transformative journey of one woman, from her awareness of difference, through acceptance, to an embracing of autistic identity and beyond as she questions the cultural identity of autism. Joanna's narrative is enriched with insights from a range of diverse contributors, creating a reflective opportunity for people to gain a better understanding of the experience of being autistic. With a focus on relationships built across a neurodiverse divide, the book considers topics as broad as mental health, work opportunities and abuse, weaving theory and research with lived experience to give true insight into the life of an autistic person, both pre- and post- diagnosis. Written with a raw and engaging honesty, this is a crucial read for anybody who identifies as autistic as an adult or teenager, or anyone looking to support somebody exploring diagnosis. It will also provide an invaluable insight for social workers, educators and relationships counsellors working with autistic people.

This original and imaginative book has been created by five-year-old Heath. In it, Heath illustrates his understanding of his autistic mother Joanna, giving insight into the different ways in which autistic and neurotypical people understand language. In his simple and uncomplicated style, accompanied by bright and colourful illustrations, Heath explains why his mother's brain understands words at a different rate than his own, and how they communicate in spite of their differences. Heath's work is accompanied by explanatory notes exploring Joanna's own experience of autism and language. Key features include: A Foreword by broadcaster, environmentalist and author Chris Packham, on acceptance, understanding, and expressing an autistic reality A unique exploration of language processing differences told through the eyes and mind of a child. Bright, colourful pictures and simple language, perfect for inspiring conversations about neurodiversity between people of all ages. Explanatory text that can be read alongside the story. Autism portrayed as a positive and permanent neurological difference, not deficit. The combination of story and commentary makes this book a unique tool for all people seeking to explain and understand difference, regardless of age and experience. Although focusing on autism as an example of neural difference, it can be used to explain and celebrate neurodiversity in all its forms and will help to build relationships across the divide of neurological difference.

Growing Children's Social and Emotional Skills examines how parent-educator partnerships can be achieved to enhance the development of children's social and emotional skills. The book presents the TOGETHER programme, a training programme that emphasises the importance of the relationship between caregivers and teachers with the children in their care, as well as deepening the collaborative partnerships between teachers, educators and caregivers. Using a case study approach, the book explores the application of the TOGETHER programme across various home and early childhood education contexts through the unique voices of those involved. The TOGETHER programme presented in this book is: * Easy to implement and adaptable, requiring minimal training time for parents, teachers and educators * Designed to emphasise the importance of relationships in developing children's social and emotional skills * Supported by photocopiable resources and a downloadable e-manual that can be used to implement the training With the vision to empower caregivers to take an active role in building children's social and emotional competence, this book is written in a way that will appeal to academic researchers and tertiary students, early childhood educators and other caregivers. It will assist in recognising children's strengths and deepening collaborative partnerships between families, educators and other caregivers.

Am I autistic, or is autism something I suffer from? Should I come out, to my friends, to my family, to the people I work with? Should I drop the mask? How can I explain my experience to a neurotypical world? The Subtle Spectrum offers an exploration into the postdiagnostic landscape of autism and the transformative journey of one woman, from her awareness of difference, through acceptance, to an embracing of autistic identity and beyond as she questions the cultural identity of autism. Joanna's narrative is enriched with insights from a range of diverse contributors, creating a reflective opportunity for people to gain a better understanding of the experience of being autistic. With a focus on relationships built across a neurodiverse divide, the book considers topics as broad as mental health, work opportunities and abuse, weaving theory and research with lived experience to give true insight into the life of an autistic person, both pre- and post- diagnosis. Written with a raw and engaging honesty, this is a crucial read for anybody who identifies as autistic as an adult or teenager, or anyone looking to support somebody exploring diagnosis. It will also provide an invaluable insight for social workers, educators and relationships counsellors working with autistic people.

Sensory stories are an amazing and inclusive way to share a story through words and through sensory experiences. You have heard the phrase a picture speaks a thousand words: well this book brings you not only pictures, but tastes, sights, sounds, smells and touches as well! By collecting a few simple resources together before you read the book you will be able to share a wonderful multi- sensory adventure together. Sensory stories can be shared with anyone; this story has been created to be particularly pertinent to supporting children in nurture groups.

Sensory stories are an amazing and inclusive way to share a story through words and through sensory experiences. You have heard the phrase a picture speaks a thousand words: well this book brings you not only pictures, but tastes, sights, sounds, smells and touches as well! By collecting a few simple resources together before you read the book you will be able to share a wonderful multi- sensory adventure together. Sensory stories can be shared with anyone; this story has been created to be particularly pertinent to supporting children with their mental wellbeing.

Growing Children's Social and Emotional Skills examines how parent-educator partnerships can be achieved to enhance the development of children's social and emotional skills. The book presents the TOGETHER programme, a training programme that emphasises the importance of the relationship between caregivers and teachers with the children in their care, as well as deepening the collaborative partnerships between teachers, educators and caregivers. Using a case study approach, the book explores the application of the TOGETHER programme across various home and early childhood education contexts through the unique voices of those involved. The TOGETHER programme presented in this book is: * Easy to implement and adaptable, requiring minimal training time for parents, teachers and educators * Designed to emphasise the importance of relationships in developing children's social and emotional skills * Supported by photocopiable resources and a downloadable e-manual that can be used to implement the training With the vision to empower caregivers to take an active role in building children's social and emotional competence, this book is written in a way that will appeal to academic researchers and tertiary students, early childhood educators and other caregivers. It will assist in recognising children's strengths and deepening collaborative partnerships between families, educators and other caregivers.

This original and imaginative book has been created by five-year-old Heath. In it, Heath illustrates his understanding of his autistic mother Joanna, giving insight into the different ways in which autistic and neurotypical people understand language. In his simple and uncomplicated style, accompanied by bright and colourful illustrations, Heath explains why his mother's brain understands words at a different rate than his own, and how they communicate in spite of their differences. Heath's work is accompanied by explanatory notes exploring Joanna's own experience of autism and language. Key features include: A Foreword by broadcaster, environmentalist and author Chris Packham, on acceptance, understanding, and expressing an autistic reality A unique exploration of language processing differences told through the eyes and mind of a child. Bright, colourful pictures and simple language, perfect for inspiring conversations about neurodiversity between people of all ages. Explanatory text that can be read alongside the story. Autism portrayed as a positive and permanent neurological difference, not deficit. The combination of story and commentary makes this book a unique tool for all people seeking to explain and understand difference, regardless of age and experience. Although focusing on autism as an example of neural difference, it can be used to explain and celebrate neurodiversity in all its forms and will help to build relationships across the divide of neurological difference.

Sensory Stories are short stories of a few lines which are brought to life through a selection of meaningful sensory experiences. They are particularly beneficial for students with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other special educational needs (SEN). For children with PMLD, Sensory Stories can open up new avenues for communication and inclusive learning. For students with SPD and ASD, they offer a fun way of encountering sensory experiences and triggers in a safe, repetitive way, which over time can help to reduce associated anxieties. This accessible guide offers teachers, other professionals working with students with SEN and parents with a complete step-by-step guide to creating and using Sensory Stories effectively. Aiming to make Sensory Stories affordable and accessible to schools and parents alike by using everyday items found in the classroom and home, Joanna Grace provides original, ready-to-use Sensory Stories with accompanying lesson plans, games and activities and adaptations for different abilities and diagnoses. Written by an experienced SEN consultant and sensory learning specialist, this is unique and essential reading for teachers, other professionals and parents wishing to introduce the many benefits of multi-sensory storytelling to children in their care.

Sensory Stories are short stories of a few lines which are brought to life through a selection of meaningful sensory experiences. They are particularly beneficial for people with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) and Autistic children or adults. Sensory stories are perfect for introducing new sensory environments in a safe, interactive way to help reduce associated anxieties and open up new avenues for communication and play. This updated edition is packed with original ready-to-use sensory stories, including 5 additional guest sensory stories by authors from around the world and your very own story template to create a sensory experience personalised for each person. With exclusive 'how to' video content and digital lesson plans, this book is the essential tool for introducing the transformative multi-sensory storytelling method into your home, classroom or group setting. Using everyday items and step-by-step instructions to make incorporating sensory stories accessible and simple, it has never been easier to create inclusive and fun sensory experiences to enhance the lives of those with additional needs.

Multisensory rooms are widely used across the country in schools, care settings, hospitals and homes. Even settings such as football stadiums and airports are installing multisensory environments. Nevertheless, a significant lack of effective research has led to a sense of unease around sensory rooms. This crucial book explores the use of multisensory rooms in order to ease that anxiety; taking the mystery out of multisensory rooms, and supporting the reader to reflect and make the most out of their space. Key features include: Guidance on creating sensory spaces on any budget, to suit any level of need. An overview of the history of multisensory rooms, and a detailed exploration of the actual way in which the rooms are used today. A framework for evaluating existing practices and equipment, in order to maximise the potential of the room. A focus on the practitioner as the most important piece of 'equipment' in any sensory room. Written by a leading sensory specialist in a fully accessible way, this book is an invaluable tool for anybody who uses, or is considering using, a multisensory room.

Sensory-being: the enveloping of natural presentness and awareness in an unfolding sensory moment. Sensory Beings: people whose experience of the world, and meaning within it, is primarily sensory. Often these are people who do not have access to language. If you support someone who understands the world in a primarily sensory way, for example someone with PMLD or later stage dementia, you will recognise that they often face periods of time in which they are left without an activity they can access. This unique, practical guide helps you to plan and deliver sensory activities that lead people into a calm, focused state. You are even invited to let the person you support lead you into a state of sensory focus. Written by a leading sensory specialist this book will help you to: View the world as the person you support may view it, and identify times when a sensory-being activity may be appropriate. Understand how to select and create the most engaging, low cost, sensory foci to suit the specific needs of the individuals in your care. Effectively facilitate sensory-being sessions from start to finish so that the people you care for receive the full and many benefits of calm, focused time. Tried and tested in a diverse range of settings prior to publication, these techniques and practical tools have already helped many people provide an enriched experience of life for those in their care. Throughout the book you will find numerous case studies and insights from parents, carers, special school practitioners, therapists, research institutions and more so that you can benefit from this broad body of experience.

Sensory Stories contain just a few lines of text, and are brought to life through a selection of meaningful sensory experiences. They have been found to be highly effective in helping care for people with dementia, and can enable them to engage with their memories, life history and more, in a way that would otherwise not be possible. Despite these benefits, there is very little guidance on how to incorporate this approach in everyday care. This book looks at how sensory engagement can help someone with dementia feel safe and secure, minimise their anxieties, support their cognitive abilities, as well as other benefits. Full of practical advice, this book provides everything you need to put Sensory Stories into practice. Written at a level suitable for both family members and practitioners, this innovative book will be invaluable for anyone supporting a person with dementia.

This is a true story, written and illustrated by Joanna, about how she discovered a love and talent for running at a young age. In this book, she goes from walking to running up a hill, joining the high school cross country team, and running her first half marathon. Along the way, she learns to believe in herself and reach for her goal no matter how big it may seem! She has written this book to inspire others to run, dream big, and believe in themselves! Each page is colorfully illustrated for all ages to enjoy! Also included: photos and a poem written by her