Abstract

This practical resource is brimming with exciting ideas and guidance for motivating children with autism and other communication difficulties. The clear, user-friendly format enables quick access to over 300 practical, fun-filled games and activities for developing your child's communication skills.

The book suggests creative ways to use everyday toys and objects. For example, if your child likes to pop bubbles, perhaps he would also enjoy counting bubbles, catching bubbles on a wand, stomping them with his feet or even playing bubble volleyball! The innovative ideas in this book have been developed over 40 years of clinical and educational experience, and are designed to be fun for both the adult and the child. All resources mentioned in this book are readily available and can be used to advance communication skills at all levels, from reaching out for an item, to extending verbal communication.

Motivate to Communicate! is perfect for supporting parents, care-givers and professionals in motivating and developing the communication skills of children on the autism spectrum.

A marvellous book, full of practical advice that is based on the best available evidence. Written in a clear manner, free of jargon, and refreshing in its approach to engaging children with ASD in therapy. I am sure it will become a standard reference for parents and clinicians alike'.
Peter Szatmari, professor of child psychiatry at McMaster University, Canada
Simone Griffin has put together a broad array of materials and teaching strategies within Motivate to Communicate! Parents and professionals alike will find a delightful range of common objects used in creative ways to promote functional communication by children with autism and related disabilities. The book is well organized and will help readers find numerous suggestions for how to design lessons that promote initiation and expansion of communication skills. A great deal of attention has been built into the activities to promote fun – an important key to fostering communication within ever growing social situations.
Dr Andy Bondy, president and co-founder of Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc.
Simone Griffin and Dianne Sandler's MOTIVATE TO COMMUNICATE! offers a fine resource packed with ideas and guidance for motivating children with autism and other communication issues. From everyday toys used in new ways to extensions of activities, this is packed with creative ideas developed over 40 years of clinical and educational practices.
The Midwest Book Review
This book is like having a behavioural consultant and speech therapist in the home or school preparing activities for engagement with the child. Highly recommended as a useful resource for parents and teachers of children with autism at all levels.
Library Journal
This usable, interesting and imaginative book is for anyone trying to promote meaningful and appropriate communication (that's all of us, isn't it?)...This book persuasively places the onus on the reader to make use of anything in the environment that increases the likelihood of communicative behaviour occurring. I would challenge you to read this and not come away with three ideas that you could try straight away...This book motivates readers to remember that the child must be at the centre of learning, and to retain a touch of the playful spirit when working with children or young people.
Children & Young People Now
This book is very easy to read and is designed in such a way that the reader could pick it up, flick through it and take out a few activity ideas... I think this book would be very useful for example in schools or groups where ideas could be used to engage children with or without special needs. This book may be best suited to teachers, class room assistants and family members with a basic knowledge of autism and development. The book does challenge the reader to use everyday activities as a means to encourage communication skills, and seek to develop communication at all opportunities...It is very easy to read and apply, and would be a useful resource for carers working with young children both informally, and in a structured setting. It provides a wide range of ideas to get the reader thinking about communication. This book provides a wide range of ideas to engage children with autism in communication. It is very easy to read and is a useful resource to dip in and out of for ideas. It may be most useful for teachers/carers working with groups of children, rather than individuals.
COTSS PLD Newsletter
Motivate to Communicate reaches out to parents hungry for guidance and support. It offers hope and new possibilities for new and creative ways to interact with children who have communication difficulties. Children will be drawn to the fun and joy the activities provide...This book should grace the library of anyone - parent, teacher, therapist, caregiver, or loved one - who cares about a child with communication challenges.
ForeWord Reviews
This excellent book has 300 of these games and activities that are also great fun for the child and adult. Parents, educators and therapists will regularly consult this book for sound advice and creative ideas. If you are not sure what games to play with a child who has autism, this book will provide you with lots of practical ideas and sound advice.
Tony Attwood, author of The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome
Play is the most successful tool in teaching children in need to develop effective communication skills. Motivate to Communicate! is packed with easy-to-implement games and activities that remind communication partners to playfully 'squeeze' learning opportunities out of practical, everyday materials and situations. Excellent!.
Linda Hodgdon, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, speech pathologist and autism consultant
Simone Griffin is a speech and language therapist, and has worked with children with autism for the past ten years in Australia, UK and Canada. Dianne Sandler is currently working as a specialist teacher in the UK. She has worked with children of all ages with autism and people with complex needs for the past 30 years. Dianne has also designed a number of toys which are commercially available for children with special needs.