The friendship formula game / by Schroeder, Alison

Publication: . 1 gameboard, 6 playing pieces, 24 coloured rings, 2 dice, teachers notes booklet, 100 questions cards (25 All About Me, 25 Emotions, 25 Play a game, 25 Solve a Problem) box 31 cm x 22 cm

Awesome game - really enjoyed it.

Supporting positive behavior in children and teens with down syndrome : the respond but don't react method / by Stein, David S.

Publication: . xii, 138 pages : 23 cm

This is an awesome book!

PDA in the therapy room : a clinicians guide to working with children with pathological demand avoidance / by Dundon, Raelene

Publication: . 168 pages : 23 cm

Excellent book - easy to read and understand. Helps provide an understanding of PDA. A great guide to therapists and professionals. Some good tips too when working with individuals and families.

The better brain : how nutrition will help you overcome anxiety, depression, ADHD and stress / by Rucklidge, Julia

Publication: . xiii, 354 pages : 23 cm ;

This is a very easy to read book, that demonstrates the benefits of multinutrients formulations (not your over-the-counter multivitaminics), for some people with mental health conditions.

My son has ADHD, the paediatrician prescribed methylphenidate (Rubifen or Ritalin) as the ‘regular’ treatment. When I asked about treating my son’s disorder using multinutrients (thanks to another parent made me aware of Dr Ruckligde’s work), the paediatrician told me that these treatments are still in trials. This book shows there are promising results coming out of the trials conducted by the authors. Results indicate that treating children with multinutrients is a more benign approach than psychiatric medicines.

The book starts by explaining how nutrition is not taught in medical school. There is plenty of interesting stories throughout. The authors even included a chapter with recipes to improve your diet. So far, we have made the stuffed kumara and the leek and peas soup recipes, and both were a hit in the house.

Highly recommend this book.

How do I...date? Dating skills discussion cards / by Roberts, Alison

Publication: . 75 cards : 12.5 cm x 8 cm 29

My 18 year old boy has really benefited from this, Thank you.

See and learn first vocabulary 1 / by Buckley, Sue

Publication: . Book - First Vocabulary 1, 32 pages, 30 cm : | Book - Records, 16 pages, 30 cm : | 1 Set (48) picture/word cards, 15 x 11 cm : | Container 32 x 23 x 2 cm 29

It is a truly fantastic resource! I will be borrowing it again!

Let's talk social skills : a game to promote social communication / by Mayne, Leslie

Publication: . Box of 80 cards (includes 10 cards of instructions and contents) : 13 x 9 x 3 cm.

Lots of different ways these cards can be used- as prompts. opportunities to role play and practice, and activities for groups. Can be used one on one or in small groups. Great way to talk about a large range of social situations.

Supporting positive behavior in children and teens with down syndrome : the respond but don't react method / by Stein, David S.

Publication: . xii, 138 pages : 23 cm

Great resource

Talking with your child about their autism diagnosis : a guide for parents / by Dundon, Raelene

Publication: . 158 pages : 22 cm

I read this book and found it really helpful. I liked how the examples were Australian and Aussie context, which links well to us in NZ (rather than American).

Where is autism? by Monds, Rowena Fay,

Publication: Whitianga, NZ : Aries Publishing Ltd, 2014 . 32 p. 26 cm. Date: 2014

Used this book to open conversation about autism with a newly diagnosed boy of 9 years old, who had not yet been told of his diagnosis. Worked well for us.

It's a Panda thing : a visit to my world of pathological demand avoidance / by Jackson, Rachel

Publication: . 1 volume (unpaged) : 23 cm

Well written and easy to read. Great book for children and parents.

Zones of regulation : a curriculum designed to foster self-regulation and emotional control by Kuypers, Leah

Publication: . xi, 188 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm. + 1 CD-ROM 29

A fantastic resource that I was able to try before I Buy. Thanks

Talking with your child about their autism diagnosis : a guide for parents / by Dundon, Raelene

Publication: . 158 pages : 22 cm

Some of the recommended videos are quite negative - make sure you watch them first before sharing with your child.

How to be 'normal' : notes on the eccentricities of modern life / by Tammet, Daniel

Publication: . 50 pages ; 19 cm

"Normality is relative" P2. Appreciated reading a different lens on everyday subjects. Found this book thoughtful and thought provoking.

The social survival guide for teens on the autism spectrum : how to make friends and navigate your emotions / by Sterling, Lindsey

Publication: . xiv, 143 pages : 23 cm

Wonderful book. I would buy it for a teenager. It is very readable for teens and adults. Contains check in and refection questions. It is nicely chunked. It is full of practical tips and examples. There is a good use of photographs to show body language and facial expressions.

Music for special kids : musical activities, songs, instruments and resources by Ott, Pamela

Publication: London Jessica Kingsley 2011 . 192 p. : ill. ; 25 cm. 29 Date: 2011

This is very helpful. The suggestions in this book were invaluable in putting together the 'rhythym bag' for the online resources I'm developing. The objectives for each activity were also useful. I would use this book again.

Dannie's dilemma : the shopping trip : the right shoes by Haldane, Carol

Publication: Brentwood Chipmunkpublishing 2008 . 65 p. ; 21 cm. 29 Date: 2008

Useful to give a bit of insight and easy to read but I had hoped for more. The continuous change in perspective (first to third person and back) is somewhat confusing and while Dannie's mum knows about her daughter's ASD she does not seem to have much understanding or appreciation for Dannie's struggles and challenges and tells her off or gets exasperated by standard ASD behaviour. The description of Dannie is also in parts overly stereotypical, probably to drive home a point, at times slipping out of the role (by using metaphors herself). E.g. Dannie misunderstands every idiom she comes across by taking it literal; the way she is described (grasp of language, independence skills, etc.) she would probably have learned at some point that idioms and figures of speech exist and would be aware that she has problems 'getting them'.

Talkabout board game : developing self-esteem, social skills and friendship skills by Kelly, Alex

Publication: . 1 Box, 42 cm x 24 cm containing game elements 29

Great game. Made such a difference for the student. He was very proud of himself when he used some of the skills.

Teaching math to people with Down syndrome, and other hands-on learners : strategies and materials / by Horstmeier, DeAnna

Publication: . 371 pages : 28 cm

Some great strategies and examples.

Inclusion in practice : educating children with Down syndrome at primary school

Publication: Southsea, Hants Down Syndrome Educational Trust 2006 . DVD : 75 mins.|Leaflet : 4 p. ; 18 cm. 29 Date: 2006

Suitable for parents thinking of enrolling their children in a mainstream school.