Abstract

Role play is an ideal tool for helping people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) develop and practice communication and social skills. It is also an effective way of informing others about what it's like to have ASD, and of teaching professionals how individuals with ASD can best be supported.

Foundation Role Plays for Autism contains safe and structured role plays for working with different groups, including individuals with ASD, their teachers, caregivers, parents and peers. It provides materials for custom-making role plays to suit the specific needs of participants and photocopiable forms for tracking individual participants' skills. An accompanying audio CD simulates scenarios such as taking down phone messages and following instructions from a teacher, helping individuals with ASD practice skills for coping with challenging situations before implementing them in real-life scenarios, and helping others to develop new perspectives on the challenges faced by individuals with ASD.

This hands-on, practical book will enable teachers, autism trainers and consultants and other professionals to develop and practice new skills for working with individuals with ASD, and their families and peers.

This text is bound to enrich the repertoire of anyone working with autistic individuals by providing insight, examples, strategies, and supports both for autistic individuals and also for their teachers, families and friends. There are tested and secure role play activities and the additional help of an audio CD that simulates the demands of daily living such as taking phone messages, going to the supermarket, stranger safety, going to the doctor, cafeteria customs and other out in the world dilemmas. An appealing layout, photocopiable resources, and worksheets that accompany every exercise make this a pleasing design to work with.
Book News Inc.
This is a practical resource for anyone working with young people wit autism spectrum disorder. It offers pre-prepared activities to enable participants to make choices and practise skills in a safe imaginary situation. I particularly loved the sections aimed at siblings, parents and peers as there are very few resources available for these groups...This is an excellent resource for therapists working with young people with high functioning autism.
Speech & Language Therapy in Practice

This is a very practical book enabling teachers and other professionals to practice new skills when working with individuals with ASD and their families and peers. An adaptable manual that offers a positive intervention to respond to the different learning needs of pupils with autism.'

'This text is bound to enrich the repertoire of anyone working with autistic individuals by providing insight, examples, strategies, and supports both for autistic individuals and also for their teachers, families and friends. There are tested and secure role play activities and the additional help of an audio CD that simulates the demands of daily living such as taking 'phone messages, going to the supermarket, stranger safety, going to the doctor, cafeteria customs and other out in the world dilemmas. An appealing layout, photocopiable resources, and worksheets that accompany every exercise make this a pleasing design to work with.

Reference & Research Book News
Andrew Nelson, M.Ed. is an Education Specialist with the West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall University where he provides Family Focused Positive Behavior Support and training to parents, teachers, and professionals on a variety of autism-related topics. Andrew has worked with parents, teachers, and individuals on the autism spectrum in India using applied drama and role playing techniques. He is the co-founder of the International Association of Theatre for Autism (www.autismtheatre.org). His work has been noted in the Autism File and Tathaastu: So Be It magazines. Andrew also has a BFA in acting.