Abstract

Replays addresses the challenging behaviors of children with autism spectrum disorders through interactive symbolic play. It shows parents and professionals how to help children access their emotions, whether the child is verbal or not, cognitively able or impaired, even-tempered or volatile. The chapters introduce and show readers how to implement Replays, and describe ways of adapting this intervention to address specific issues in different settings and circumstances.

Levine and Chedd present more than just behavioral management strategies in the context of social, emotional and communication development: they have developed a technique that helps children to re-experience, play through and master the complex emotional response states that often lead to ongoing behavioral challenges.

Replays is an easy and fun tool that provides numerous step-by-step examples and illustrations. It enables parents and professionals to guide children with autism spectrum disorders towards mastering, and changing, their emotional and behavioral responses.

Karen Levine is the Clinical Director for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at the Cambridge Center for Child and Adolescent Development of the Cambridge Health Alliance, and is an Instructor at the Harvard Medical School. Naomi Chedd is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Educational Consultant in private practice. Karen and Naomi have worked collaboratively with children with autism and developmental disabilities for more than ten years. They have written many articles for families, therapists and educators and frequently present at conferences.
Whether you are a parent, carer or professional, at home, in clinic or in mainstream or special school, this book is well worth reading. It is for anyone who is flexible and game enough to engage in role play with the child in their care. I found Replays inspiring: it offers a fresh approach to one of the most challenging aspects of autism. What is more, Levine and Chedd's practical strategies seem so logical and straight forward that I found myself wondering why I had not thought of them.
Good Autism Practice

This is a book that should be read by any professional who is working with children with autistic spectrum disorders, whether they're in a nursery or a mainstream secondary classroom.

This book is easy to read and well organised, with an excellent index that enables the reader to find the bits they want to read again.

NASEN

This would be a useful book for parents of, and professionals working with children with a variety of difficulties, including Asperger's Syndrome, autism, PDD-NOS, and syndromes such as Prader-Willi. It is easy to dip in and out of, and has lots of clear examples of a variety of challenging situations which can be so disturbing for children and ASD such as hair cuts, parties and visits to the doctor.

Although I haven't had a chance to try out a Replay yet, I certainly finished this book feeling inspired to do so!

Naplic