Books for children with autism - whether autism books or not - are very important. Reading is a skill that will take a child with autism very far. Literacy skills are important for all people, of course, but for people with autism, the skill of reading can help them to communicate and explore in a world that may otherwise be closed off to them.
1. Communication Improves with Reading Skills
Many autism books will tell you that if an autistic child is nonverbal, you will need to find an alternate communication system for them. Many children do this by typing on a small computer device that reads what they wrote, or by typing on some other device. Of course, you have to know how to read in order to be able to write, so reading is an important skill to have. Being able to read also serves other important safety skills, like reading signs when you are walking on the street, being able to read letters that come to you in the mail, and just generally being able to interact with the world.
2. Books Allow an Autistic Child to Experience New Worlds
Autism and books are a good combination, because a child with autism is often a lot more isolated than their peers. They often won't experience many of the typical experiences their peers have. Most have few friends and don't date. Sensory issues limit the activities they can participate in.
But through books, they can discover a world they didn't even know existed. Through books, they can learn what it's like to travel to South America or just read about people their age and what their lives are like.
Books can be very inspiring to people with autism. There are so many memoirs that are written by other people with autism who have overcome many obstacles, from disability to many different kinds of traumatic experiences. When you learn about the world outside you, it frees you. It gives you something to aspire to. It gives you the strength to think you may be able to do what the people in these books are doing.
3. Increase Vocabulary and Language Skills
Reading is also an excellent way for children with autism to learn vocabulary and increase their language skills. Especially if an autistic child reads from an early age, it will help show them how to format sentences, how to use syntax, and give examples of how other people communicate in the world.
The more you read, the more you become comfortable with language. It is best of course for the person with autism to read something that is of interest to them, whether autism books (books about autism in some way), memoirs, history books, novels or what have you.
One woman with autism was quoted, when anonymously interviewed, as saying that she credits most of her writing and language skills to all the reading she has done over her life, starting as a small child with autism and continuing into the present. Reading is a big stress relief, she says, taking her into other worlds where she can escape for a little while from her problems.
She feels that a lot of her syntax and vocabulary comes from the hundreds of books she's read over her life. She particularly likes autism books about other people with autism, she says, because reading them makes her feel not so alone and like she can relate to someone else's life.
Because of all these reasons, books for people with autism, including autism books, are an important tool in communication skills and having a well-rounded life.
For those looking for a great series of books on the topic of autism, check out the books by Craig Kendall. For information on Craig's books as well as to get additional tips and suggestions that can help your loved one live a fulfilling and happy life visit the AmericanAutismSociety.org. There you can sign up for their FREE newsletter with tips and info on autism.
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