Right from the Start: A Practical Guide for Helping Young Children with Autism

by Karin Donahue, Kate Crassons

Right from the Start: A Practical Guide for Helping Young Children with Autism asserts that autistic children can be successful when parents and teachers understand key principles of autism and have the tools to help these children expand their social and emotional skills. This book explains the importance of self-regulation, the ability to moderate our feelings and reactions. In prioritizing this essential skill, Right from the Start is an indispensable resource for parents, professionals, and educators. It describes practical strategies to help children manage their emotions and behavior, learn social and play skills, and cope with challenging sensory experiences. With these techniques, we can lay a positive foundation that enables autistic children to be confident and successful in any environment.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Autistic Spectrum Disorder

200 pages, Hardcover

Published November 28, 2019

Reviews

[meghann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a great resource for parents or those who will be working with kids with autism for the first time. I've been feeling kind of stuck with one of the teens I work with and was hoping this could offer some insight or strategies that could help. I was already familiar with the information that was in this, so it was not really helpful for me personally. But I would recommend it for others just starting out.

[HalKid2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book after a friend's grandchild was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. I wanted to understand more about how caring adults can best help this child prosper.

Though I skimmed many parts of the book, I could tell immediately how valuable RIGHT FROM THE START is as a guide for parents, caregivers, and educators. It offers practical advice on how to handle situations common for young children (primarily ages 2-6). Setting limits, learning self-regulation, reading body language in others, initiating play, following rules in a group setting -- all are topics included. Along with explanations of how any child on the spectrum might see a situation differently. So, the book promotes better understanding among adults.

The book is written from first hand experience. Author Karin Donahue is a behavioral specialist who worked with co-author Kate Crayons --the mother of a boy who has been labeled as on the spectrum. Both argue that the earlier adults learn how to care with compassion (rather than annoyance), the better off each child will be.

It's no surprise that assisting a child with different brain wiring requires attention, commitment, and care. Though it may seem intimidating at first to learn all of the practical techniques offered in this book, the payoffs for those willing to invest the time seem substantial.

[Becki · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had some good information and practical tips, especially for caregivers and teachers of younger kids.

[Sophia Scoppettone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and lots of practical strategies to help preschoolers with autism.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very engaging to read, practical guide to working with young children with autism, with specific suggestions and activities geared toward both the classroom setting and anywhere an autistic child may encounter challenging situations. This book provides proactive planning strategies, strategies for incorporating activities for both neurotypical and non-neurotypical children to play and learn together, and strategies for coping when situations become overwhelming. Reading this book gives insights into how we can all learn strategies of self-regulation, and better ways of communicating our feelings.