Autism & Children's Books- Marvie Ellis' Blog Site

Children’s Autism Book Focuses on African-American Family - Press Release

2007-03-05T16:46:00.000-08:00

Austin, TX- (Feb. 26, 2007)- Keisha’s Doors: An Autism Story Book One, is the only known published children’s illustrated book depicting an African-American family. The story is about an older sibling, Monica, who doesn’t understand why her younger sister, Keisha (2 ½ years old), won’t play with her. The family finds out that Keisha has autism and goes to see a therapist to understand what autism means to them.

Autism is a neurological disorder that affects areas of social, speech-language, sensory, and motor development. Autism affects 1 out of 150 children based on the current research from the Center for Disease Control. However, there is little data on the number of African-American children with this disorder. African-American children are typically diagnosed two years later than Caucasian children.

Keisha’s Doors: An Autism Story Book One was published in 2005 by Speech Kids Texas Press, Inc. It was the recipient of the 2006 Benjamin Franklin Finalist Award for “Best First Book.” The author, Marvie Ellis, also included a multicultural, gender, and bilingual crossover in this book which few children’s special needs books offer. Mrs. Ellis stated, “It is important that African-American children see and read books about other African-American children with special needs. Children need to see books that reflect not only their heritage but their family and social environment.”

Autism Books in Pediatricians' Offices Should Be Mandatory

2007-02-12T08:46:00.000-08:00

Not all children visit libraries, not all parents attend child development classes, but it is a safe assumption to say that majority of parents take their children to see a doctor. The doctor, whether located at a public health facility or a private clinic, is usually the first step in the process of early identification of autism. If doctors usually spend the typical 15 minutes checking for the common cold or infection, they may overlook the parent’s concerns of their child’s late speech-language development. Some physicians disregard parent concerns with the standard “wait and see” response resulting in the elimination of critical time for early intervention. It would be beneficial to both the pediatrician and parent if children’s books about autism were in the waiting room for parents to read. The parent could then decide whether or not the behaviors in the book were relevant to discuss with the doctor, ensuing in a more proactive response from the doctor. Hopefully, the pediatrician would refer the family to a pediatric speech-language pathologist to rule out speech-language delays or autism characteristics. Although a speech-language pathologist cannot diagnose autism, a well trained pediatric speech-language pathologist can determine if autism behaviors are present and refer for further assessment from a specialist. There are standardized tests and checklists available for pediatricians to use to refer for autism assessments and treatments, but many pediatricians say they are not familiar with them or have not the time to administer them. As healthcare services decline due to limited preventative education/ awareness, intervention, and funding, parents must take an aggressive approach with their children’s health and development by requesting mandatory autism children’s books in pediatricians’ offices.

Parents of Children with ASD and School Issues

2007-02-03T15:43:00.000-08:00

As a national educational consultant/ trainer, I provide a course called "Autism & Sensory Issues" that helps educators, therapists, ands parents better understand autism and how sensory issues are related to the behaviors and characteristics often seen. During my seminars I have spoken with parents about issues they have with their child's school district or local early childhood intervention center. I would like to open up a dialogue and invite parents to post their concerns they have or are encountering. Whatever the issue (i.e., referral process, intervention, support, educational resources, etc.), I encourage you to say what is on your mind.

Explaining Autism to Kids Just Got Easier

2007-02-03T09:33:00.000-08:00

Many parents can tell you that it is very difficult to answer the complex and often emotionally filled questions children pose about why their sister or brother – or friend – behaves a certain way. Teachers also find themselves in a problematic situation attempting to explain another child’s behavior in the classroom or on playground.

To help families with this area of connectedness and to help educators with their ability to increase their students’ understanding and compassion, I wrote two children’s illustrated bilingual autism books: Keisha’s Doors: An Autism Story Book One/ Las Puertas de Keisha: Una Historia de Autismo Libro Uno (ISBN: 1-933319-00-3) and Tacos Anyone? An Autism Story Book Two/ ¿Alquien Quiere Tacos? Una Historia de Autismo Libro Dos (1-933319-02-X).

The stories are written in English and Spanish on the same page as the illustrations, depicting multiculturally diverse characters. Appropriate for pre-k thru 5^th grade, these books are highly recommended for elementary schools and public libraries. They help educators, parents and siblings of children with disabilities to understand the dynamics of various communication delays.

Keisha’s Doors & Tacos Anyone? were released in July 2005 by publisher, Speech Kids Texas Press, Inc. Both books received nominations for the 2006 Dolly Gray Children’s Developmental Disabilities Literature Award. Tacos Anyone?/ ¿Alquien Quiere Tacos? received the 2005 Barbara Jordan Media Award (special contribution by an individual). Keisha’s Doors/ Las Puertas de Keisha received the highly prestigious Barbara Jordan Media Award (2005) for an accurate and progressive portrayal of a person with a disability.

It is very important to support books written about children with autism spectrum disorders. Without these types of books, parents and educators are limited to 100+ page manuals and guides that can be overwhelming for anyone learning about ASD for the first time. Encourage your local public libraries and school libraries to have these books as invaluable resources for the community.

Books available on Amazon.com and on the publisher’s website: http://www.speechkidstexaspress.com