This comprehensive, well thought out and well-designed handbook is a must for practitioners working with children and young people with autism. The book provides a range of materials to enable teachers or other practitioners to run a programme of workshops with children and young people. This might be particularly appropriate in a school or health care setting, where young people with autism are being supported through the minefield of their teenage years. The book is divided into two sections, each with a variety of themes (30 in total). Part 1 is entitled The Challenges of Early Adolescence and Part 2, Puberty and Preparation for Adult Relationships. Both parts provide the materials and guidance necessary to run workshops on each theme – fun activities with accompanying activity cards, photocopiable resources and so on. At the end of each theme there is a task for the group to think about and work on, ready for the next session.
Part one starts by exploring the idea of “self” with the children being asked to explore their likes and dislikes, and physical appearance. From understanding the self the focus moves to others; such as family and the family tree. Friendships are considered with one activity involving the children thinking about what makes a friend a “good friend”, and what qualities they like/do not like in others. The author also includes a useful discussion of social networks, who to trust, looking at your circle of friends and making friends (complete with safety tips). Further workshops examine gender identity, stereotypes, and difference. Lastly, the author explores the process of growing up, how we change, and looking to the future.
Part 2, the larger of the two sections, begins with puberty. Some of the subjects tackled here warrant obvious inclusion such as explanation of body parts, personal hygiene, healthy eating, and safe sex. Some are potentially very sensitive such as skin problems, menstruation, “wet dreams” and masturbation. The latter is presented in a light-hearted manner including a quiz entitled “The Mass debate” and includes time for reflection on the “rules” of what is and is not socially acceptable around this subject. One criticism here is that this section is very male focused. The book is not specifically focused on boys with autism but there is no discussion of female masturbation. Some of the themes considered are not ones that I would have immediately thought of and the author should be praised for her comprehensive approach. For example, subjects such as the law and what is legal when including international differences are discussed. There is a great section on how to make friends – with tips on how to start a conversation, turn taking and listening through the use of games and activities.
As the workshops continue, coinciding with the move from childhood to adolescence, the topics change and develop and expand in an age appropriate way. Given the obsession in our society with celebrity culture, there is an especially useful section which gets people to think about reality and fiction; for example the use of airbrushing – what is real and what isn’t? Where this guide is outstanding is in identifying tips on some of the more tricky practical situations young people might find themselves in; for example what to do if you fancy someone, how to start and maintain a conversation, how to recognise and deal with a “brush off” and so on. The last workshop looks at Safe Sex. As well as the understandable issues of STDs, contraception, choice, and peer pressure it also asks people to think about their own emotional and sensory needs which is particularly relevant and important for this group of young people.
This book provides a structure to discuss some of the most difficult and embarrassing experiences of adolescence so that children and young people may be helped to make sense of this confusing time. It will give practitioners a forum to discuss these issues, in a practical and fun way, with the reassurance of following a structured “programme”. I would recommend this book to anyone whose professional role encompasses supporting children and adolescents, not just those on the autistic spectrum. In fact, the book would be useful to anyone seeking a no nonsense and fun approach to supporting adolescents through this potential minefield of a subject.
