Introducing…..Books By Tara!
Since you are reading this, your life has probably been touched (or more likely “profoundly changed”) by a child diagnosed with autism. Mine too! My introduction to autism came first as an Early Childhood/Special Ed. teacher before my youngest son, Jake, was even born. Shortly after Jake’s first birthday, he began showing all the tell-tale signs of autism. Eventually he was diagnosed on the severe end of the spectrum, and my journey which began with my students continued at an even deeper level with my son. Through this journey of connecting, learning, and celebrating; Books By Tara were created. Here’s how it happened in a nutshell.
The deceptively simple skills of being able to attend, learn, communicate, and function even at the most basic level can be very challenging for kids on the spectrum to acquire. Through the Son-Rise® Program I learned to stop fighting for my son’s attention and instead pay attention to it. What does he attend to? He frequently finds everyday details, ones that used to escape my attention, absolutely fascinating! Looking together at photos, illustrations, objects, etc. without pressuring Jake to interact often results in more interaction! Sometimes during these relaxed, connecting moments he breaks through his communication barriers and new words pop out! I feel like I’m winning the lottery!!! One of the first times this happened was looking at a photo of a child with a box on his head in Tana Hoban’s Is it Red? Is it Yellow? Is it Blue? Time after time we had studied this photo together silently, and I really had no idea exactly why Jake found it so interesting. Sometimes I’d comment briefly, “He has a box on his head, that’s so silly!” Jake would occasionally comment back in his usual simplistic, echolalic style “head” or “box”. Excited to have him say anything, I’d celebrate, “Exactly! There’s the box on his head!” and point to it telling him how great he was doing talking to me. Then I’d wait silently for his turn in the interaction. Imagine my surprise when he said super clearly, “Can’t see.” WOAH! He did it! He told me what he’d been thinking about!!! “You’re RIGHT, you brilliant boy! Way to tell me that! He can’t see with a box on his head!” Wow. An interesting photo can be a powerful interactive tool and language promoter if used in a fun, relaxed way. I wanted more.
After years of spending hours and hours scanning old magazines and calendars for just the right photos to make interactive books and games to use with Jake, I received a camera for my birthday. The first book by Tara was born - HOLES. Now I can get pictures to highlight those concepts and activities that most kids find fascinating such as WATER, going through the automatic Car Wash, and making a Jack-O-Lantern. Each book has 19 or more pages of interesting objects and scenes. Big 8X10 photos freeze-frame our fast-paced world to allow as much time and repetition needed to support those non-verbal connections as well as communication breakthroughs. The real life images make these books appropriate for any aged individual to enjoy them, hopefully with an adult who cares deeply and wants to connect at whatever level he/she is able. Interaction is a gift in which we can all learn from each other.
Currently there are 7 titles available, and many more are in the works. Please visit http://www.booksbytara.com/ to find out more. Here you will find testimonials and even more extensive reviews from both parents and professionals. You can also look inside some pages of an actual book. Articles regarding how to invite interaction in positive, effective ways are available to support those who are blessed to interact daily with someone on the autism spectrum. Don’t forget to sign up for the FUN, free eNewsletter for on-going information and updates!
I sincerely appreciate Tammy for this opportunity to introduce the books to you. Our children can be the most amazing teachers and sources of inspiration. Let www.BooksByTara.com bless you on your journey towards connecting, learning, and celebrating life with that special child. By supporting each other, we all learn and grow together. ~ Tara
Language development is more than words;
It starts with connections that can not be heard.
http://www.booksbytara.com/
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