April is National Autism Awareness Month. "Experts estimate that every 3 to 6 children out of 1000 will have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)." Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder impacting a child's language and socialization skills.*
My first real introduction into the world of Autism came after working for several years as a teacher for young children with hearing impairments. I had switched teaching positions and had become an inclusion teacher for young children with Special Needs. It was in this position that I received a crash course in Autism and how to work most effectively with children on the Autism Spectrum. Over the years, I have worked with dozens of children with Autism and thanks to the dedicated work of families and professionals I have seen many of them make remarkable educational progress.
Over the years, I have always been amazed at the role siblings who are typically developing play in helping their brothers or sisters with Autism develop language and social skills. However, it isn't an easy job. I have selected three books for my giveaway that in their own way do a remarkable job of reminding us what a complex world it is for every member who loves and cares for a child with Autism.
Thanks to the following bloggers for hosting this Giveaway Hop and helping to increase awareness of Autism:
Lindsay @ Just Another Book Addict:
http://justanotherbookaddict.blogspot.com/
Heather @ Fire and Ice Photo:
http://fireandicephoto.blogspot.com/
Pixie @ Page Turners:
http://www.pageturnersblog.com/
Kathy @ I Am A Reader, Not A Writer:
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/
For additional information on Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders, check out these links:
Autism Speaks
http://www.autismspeaks.org/
Autism Society
http://www.autism-society.org/
National Institute of Health
What is Autism?
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/asd.cfm
*Autism Fact Sheet
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm
For the Giveaway:
Each participating blog is hosting a giveaway. You will find lots of variety among the prizes. Some of the blogs are giving away prizes that relate to autism, other blogs are giving away gift cards or other prizes and posting information about autism to help make others aware. I have chosen to do a 3 pack of books which all feature siblings where one sibling has Autism.
The 3-pack will include:
My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete
Callie is very proud of her brother Charlie. He’s good at so many things -- swimming, playing the piano, running fast. And Charlie has a special way with animals, especially their dog, Harriett.
But sometimes Charlie gets very quiet.
His words get locked inside him, and he seems far away.
Then, when Callie and Charlie start to play, Charlie is back to laughing, holding hands, having fun.
Charlie is like any other boy – and he has autism.
In this story, told from a sister’s point of view, we meet a family whose oldest son teaches them important lessons about togetherness, hope, tolerance, and love.
Holly Robinson Peete, bestselling author, actress, and national autism spokesperson, has paired with her daughter, Ryan, to co-author this uplifting book based on their own personal experiences with Holly’s son and Ryan’s brother, RJ, who has autism. (Description from GoodReads)
Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
A twelve-year-old boy named Moose moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 when guards' families were housed there, and has to contend with his extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister. (Description from GoodReads)
Rules by Cynthia Lord
Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life. Which is near impossible when you have a brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability. She's spent years trying to teach David the rules from "a peach is not a funny-looking apple" to "keep your pants on in public"---in order to head off David's embarrassing behaviors.
But the summer Catherine meets Jason, a surprising, new sort-of friend, and Kristi, the next-door friend she's always wished for, it's her own shocking behavior that turns everything upside down and forces her to ask: What is normal? (Description from GoodReads)
1. Please do not enter any personal information in the comments section, you must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest. Any comments with personal information will be deleted.
2. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. PDT on Monday, April 11, 2011 to 11:59 p.m. PDT on Thursday, April 14th.
3. You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.
4. If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
5. International participants are welcome to enter the contest.