6 minute read
The Book Corner
PAEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST HANNAH WARD DEBUTS WITH TWO CHARMING PICTURE BOOKS THAT GIVE KIDS WITH DISABILITIES THE MESSAGE THAT IT’S OKAY TO BE DIFFERENT - IN FACT, IT’S GREAT!
“O ften disability/ impairment or disorders are not regularly discussed within all family units,” says Hannah Ward, “and I think sometimes this is just simply because it is not directly present or affecting that family. Families may not know how to discuss topics around disability/impairment or disorder. But this is where I want to start encouraging and opening up regular and informative conversations within families and I believe my books can help make the unknown, known.”
In Clicket Cricket Joins a Band, there isn’t anything Clicket Cricket
wants more than to share his love of music. But he is too shy to do anything about it because he has a stammer that makes him very nervous to speak in front of people - let alone sing! But with his friends’ help, his dream could finally be in reach - if only he has the courage to get up on stage!
In Perm Worm and A Different Day, we meet Perm Worm who struggles with everyday life. You see, Perm Worm has autism which is something that just makes it a little harder for him to cope when anything changes in his day to day life. One day, Perm Worm has a very hard day and he struggles to find a way to show it. Luckily, with the support of his family, there may be a way forward. It just takes a big amount of courage from a small worm. “My inspiration behind writing these books are both the children I have worked and working with as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist but also my own wonderful children,” Hannah explains. “I absolutely love working with the amazing, inspirational children and families in my care and I am in constant awe of them.”
The books are available from good book stores and from www.troubador.co.uk/bookshop
They are also available as ebooks
5 free copies of Clicket Cricket & Perm Worm To celebrate the launch of the books, Hannah has given us 5 free copies. Please email your request to marketing@ troubador.co.uk and 5 lucky people will be chosen at random
THE SPECTRUM GIRL’S SURVIVAL GUIDE
Siena shares with us her inspiration for her first book.
When I was diagnosed as being autistic, I struggled to find an informative and practical book about autism written for autistic girls. Most of the books were written for autistic boys and were written by adults. Since there were no books specifically written for autistic teen girls I decided to write one. My book – The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide: How to Grow Up Awesome and Autistic – addresses many of the issues that are unique to autistic girls and contains the type of information and advice I wish I could have benefitted from when I was growing up. Just as importantly, I also wanted to write an uplifting and empowering book that encouraged autistic girls to embrace who they are.
I hope that my book challenges the
about Recognising and Understanding Difference.
This original and imaginative
book has been created by five-yearold 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 stereotypes and misconceptions that still exist about autism. Unfortunately, there is still a huge gender imbalance in the way that autism is diagnosed, understood and supported. Since many autistic girls and women behave very differently than the way autistic boys and men behave, we are much less likely to be diagnosed and as a consequence, miss out on
much needed support during our critical formative years. I am lucky in that I was diagnosed when I was 12. However, I frequently have people question whether I am autistic, because I can make eye contact and act differently to how they believe autistic people act. I also often have well-intended people attempt to compliment me by telling me that I look “normal.” These comments and assumptions are based on societal misperceptions of what autism is and what it looks like. I hope that my book helps to broaden people’s definition of autism and to change people’s perceptions so that autistic girls get the support and understanding that they need in order to reach their potential and live happy and fulfilled lives.
The book can be purchased from: https://www.amazon. co.uk/Spectrum-Girls-Survival
MY MUMMY IS AUTISTIC
APicture Book and Guide
Guide-Autistic/dp/178775183X
exploring Joanna’s own experience of autism and language.
Key features include: • 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.
Available from www.routledge.com
With over 250,000 items in stock at competitive prices, we are offering you choice from a wide range of manufacturers including mobility aids, daily living products, and continence suppliers together with telecare and telehealth equipment. Shop online with Disabled Living for equipment and products to make life easier ...in partnership with What’s the advantage? The main advantage of purchasing via the Disabled Living website, is the opportunity for you or your clients to speak to Occupational Therapists or Continence Specialists for free impartial help and advice, ensuring unnecessary purchases are not made. With over 250,000 items in stock at competitive prices, we are offering you choice from a wide range of manufacturers including mobility aids, daily living products, and What’s the advantage? The main advantage of purchasing via the Disabled Living website, is the opportunity for you or your clients to speak to Occupational Therapists or Continence Specialists for free impartial help and advice, ensuring The best of both worlds... shop online and get free professional advice unnecessary purchases are continence suppliers together with not made. telecare and telehealth equipment.
Charity number: 224742
Over 250,000 items in stock at competitive prices
When you shop online with Disabled Living for equipment and products to make life easier you or your clients can speak to Occupational Therapists www.disabledliving.co.uk/online-shop or Continence Specialists for free impartial help and advice, ensuring Telephone: 0161 607 8200 unnecessary purchases are not made. Large choice from a wide range of manufacturers Charity number: 224742 Mobility aids, daily living products, and continence supplies Telecare and telehealth equipment
