FRONT COVER -- Playing, Laughing and Learning with Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Practical Resource of Play Ideas for Parents and Carers (Second Edition) -- Contents -- Introduction -- 1. Why is Playing So Important? -- Why is play so difficult for children with autism? -- So what do we actually mean by play? -- Using this book -- 2. Early Playing Skills: Gaining Attention and Sharing Space -- What does 'sharing space' mean? -- The drive to avoid -- Communication -- Ideas to try -- Moving on -- Individual example: Andrew -- What is Intensive Interaction? -- 3. Structured Play -- Why do children on the autism spectrum need structure? -- What does 'structuring play' actually mean and how does itwork? -- Creating play opportunity - setting the stage -- Breaking play down into tasks -- Applied behavioural analysis (ABA) -- Structuring early learning -- Individual example: Sam -- Structuring the day - creating a visual diary -- Introducing choice and flexibility -- 4. Your Computer as a Valuable Resource -- Free picture communication aids -- Websites to explore emotions -- Website for schedules/calendars/tokens -- Websites for worksheets and craft activities -- Websites for interactive games -- Using interactive computer games with your child -- Adaptive hardware -- Visual prompts for computer use -- Electronic books -- Using digital photography to make activities -- Using digital photography to assist understanding andchoice making -- 5. Toys, Toys, Toys -- Help - my child won't play with his toys! -- Reassessing existing toys: back to basics -- Being organized -- Picture prompts for playing -- Getting started: ideas -- Individual example: Sally -- Sources of toys -- What to look for in appropriate toys -- Separating toys into challengers and reinforcers -- Modifying existing toys to remove stress -- The importance of realism.

Specific useful toys -- Birthdays and Christmas -- 6. Table-Top Games and Puzzles -- What is a puzzle? -- Getting started -- Shapes -- Introducing fun into table-top play -- Colours -- Matching games -- Posting games -- Simple jigsaws -- Bricks -- Threading -- Categories -- Memory Games -- 7. Music -- Saviour and enemy -- Ideas to try at home -- Introducing new sound -- Listening and playing to music together -- Relaxation -- Scripts to rhythm - encouraging speech through song -- How does this work in practice? - ideas -- Singing spontaneous commentaries -- Making your own music -- Using your music box -- Reducing background noise in the home -- Auditory Integration Training -- 8. Turn-Taking in Play -- Theory of mind and social development -- Why is turn-taking difficult for children on the autismspectrum? -- Awareness of others: practical activities to help -- Awareness of others' thoughts: practical activities to help -- Small beginnings: turn-taking with an adult -- Turn-taking with peers and siblings -- Aids to help turn-taking -- Turn-taking in everyday life -- 9. Physical Games and Activities -- Sensory integration problems -- Getting started -- Ball games -- Small ball play -- Large hoop -- Indoor ball pit -- Large boxes -- Making a tactile box -- Imaginative uses for boxes -- Human Jack-in-the-box -- Puppet theatre -- Trampoline -- Indoor slide and balance beam -- Cushions -- Skittles -- Other useful physical play toys -- 10. Outdoor Play -- Problems and solutions -- Safety -- The benefits of outdoor play -- The need for structure -- Getting started: games and activities -- Pavement chalking -- Throwing balls at targets -- Sand play -- Messy art -- Balance and coordination games -- Balance beams -- Outdoor adult role-play -- Picnics -- Big outdoor play equipment -- Tunnels, play tents and cubes -- Outdoor play in winter weather.

11. Water Play -- Autism and water -- Problems and solutions -- Individual example: Katherine -- Enjoying water play indoors -- Bath-time play -- Table-top water play -- Outdoor water play -- Swimming -- 12. Television Potential -- Television - why? -- Common problems and possible solutions -- Many uses for the camcorder -- Video modelling -- 13. Being Creative: Art and Craft -- Why art? -- The obstacles between art and your child -- Gaining attention by being indirect -- Getting started -- Art ideas -- Scissors and glue -- Craft -- 14. Creating Imaginative Play Sequences -- What type of toys? -- Simplicity -- Realism -- Familiarity -- The right environment -- Getting started -- Building scripts -- Individual example: Jonathan -- Moving on -- In summary -- More suggestions for play sequences using 'scripts' -- I can't draw! -- Problems -- This seems like so much effort! -- 15. Introducing Books and Reading -- The problems -- Starting out: looking at books together -- Individual example: Peter -- Individual example: Fay -- Ideas -- Moving on: reading for meaning -- Problems with reading for meaning -- Story sequences and consequences -- Goals -- Observation, timing and preparation -- Specific books to try -- Popular characters -- CD/book packages -- Early literacy -- Word recognition -- Individual example: Lewis -- Activities to develop language understanding -- Books written especially for children with autism -- Finally -- 16. Problems, Frustration and Tantrums: Making Play Enjoyable -- Deal with your own frustration first! -- Reducing stress whilst you play -- Flexible parenting for rigid children -- Reassessing play skills: the need for goals -- Enjoy your child -- BIBLIOGRAPHY -- THERAPEUTIC OPTIONS/ORGANIZATIONS -- RECOMMENDED READING -- WEBSITES FOR ARTICLES WRITTEN BY ADULTS WITH AUTISM -- TOYS AND SUPPLIERS -- PICTURE PROMPTS TO COPY AND USE.

INDEX.

This book is not just a collection of play ideas; it shows how to break down activities into manageable stages, and ways to gain a child's attention and build on small achievements. Each chapter covers a theme, including music, art, physical activities, playing outdoors, puzzles, turn-taking and using existing toys to create play sequences.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, 2018. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries.