Abstract

The transition from primary to secondary school is a time of great anxiety for most children. For children with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) this anxiety can be overwhelming. Fear of the unknown, difficulty coping with monumental changes and the inability to imagine a favourable outcome, can all combine to make this unavoidable step in school life a time of great fear and dread. This book provides guidance for schools and parents on how to make the transfer from primary to secondary as easy as possible for children with ASDs.

The book advocates the need for scrupulous preparation of transfer arrangements because children with ASDs struggle to predict the outcome of any new situation. No matter how much discussion has taken place, it is only when the situation has been experienced first hand that they will have a real understanding of it and be able to build up a 'real life memory bank' (RLMB). The authors' advice aims to ensure that any preparations lead to a favourable outcome, in order to build a positive RLMB. The book outlines term by term preparation in the final years of primary school and includes photocopiable resources and a "Moving to Secondary School" booklet. As most children with ASDs are visual learners and think in pictures, the booklet uses symbols to aid understanding.

Making the Move provides a wealth of effective strategies and resources that will encourage and inspire greater confidence for pupils with ASDs, parents and schools.

The transition from primary to secondary school is a major event for most kids, but MAKING THE MOVE is even more important, offering a guide to transfer for pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Checklists for parents and kids alike make this a recommended pick for parents of such students, as its fill-in workbook format offers many useful resources from blank timetables to homework diaries and more to help parents handle such kids. A specific, top pick for any parent of ASD child moving their child through the education system.
The Midwest Book Review
Deserving of ongoing mention for parents, teachers and educators at all levels... An ongoing, top recommendation.
The Midwest Book Review
This is a great resource for parents, teachers and other professionals supporting the transition of pupils on the autistic spectrum in their move from primary into secondary education... It is a resource that I would definitely recommend and one that can be dipped in and out of as necessary, should a child be having particular difficulty in understanding a specific aspect of this very significant phase in his/ her education.
British Journal School of Nursing
Kay Al-Ghani is a special educational needs teacher who has worked for more than 30 years in the field of education. She is currently a specialist teacher for inclusion support and is involved with training professionals, students and parents in aspects of ASD. As an author and mother of a son with ASD, she has spent the last twenty years researching the enigma that is Autism. Lynda Kenward has over 30 years' experience of working in special education. Now retired, her recent role as specialist teacher for inclusion support has motivated a particular interest in developing visual resources for children with ASD. Haitham Al-Ghani is 23 years of age. He earned a triple distinction in multimedia studies and was the 2007 winner of the Vincent Lines Award for creative excellence at Hastings College of Arts and Technology. He is an author and illustrator and lives in Hastings, England.