Ready Set Connect: A Sensory Based Approach To Accelerate Communication in Autistic Children

by Jessie Ginsburg

Ready Set Connect offers you a comprehensive guide to transforming communication development in Autistic children. The author is a sensory trained speech-language pathologist who has trained tens of thousands of professionals and families around the globe in how to build communication through a sensory-based approach. She shares her methodology for parents and practitioners. In her book you will

How to bring children into their optimal learning zone for effective and meaningful interactions.How to take a proactive approach to regulation to help children remain in a more balanced state throughout the day.How to build intrinsic motivation through a connection-centered approach.How to utilize sensory strategies, modify the environment, and adjust a child’s routines to best support them in their learning environment.How to implement a sensory-based approach, no matter what setting you’re in through real-life stories and examples. Say goodbye to overwhelm and hello to progress.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Parenting

170 pages, Paperback

Published April 11, 2024

Reviews

[Ann]

Some useful, basic information on how the sensory system impacts communication and regulation. The downloadable parent handouts are useful. But disappointingly, the book is too short to offer any in-depth strategies or outlines for identifying needs and mostly serves as an ad for her certification course (essentially “thanks for buying this book, if you want to learn more pay $1000 for my class)

[Megan Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was helpful in a lot of ways as a new speechie who is still navigating through the foreboding waters of finding “my” therapy approach and providing parent coaching.

The book is broken up into very short chapters and logically builds from describing the why and the science behind a sensory-based approach to ways to better understand and implement it. One takeaway for me is that the purpose of using a sensory based approach is not only to keep kiddos in an optimal state for learning but also to teach them how to advocate for their own sensory needs. I do wish there was a little more practical information such as more specific strategies or therapy activities that support sensory regulation. I loved that this book was written in layman’s terms. I would feel comfortable recommending parts of it to parents of kiddos I see.

Worth the whole book were the diagrams for explaining sensory approaches that I could easily recreate on a piece of scratch paper to educate parents. And relatable as all get out, Jessie provides a sufficient amount of support for the approach for those parents who just will never understand why play is working on language ;)

[Ada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some basic info, but would be helpful if you're at the beginning of our child's diagnosis.

[Kristen Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was an interesting read with helpful information about how sensory regulation and language work together. This is something I already believed in, and the book further cemented that thought for me. I was looking for more on what strategies and how to use them which was not something this book provided a bunch of detail on. If you are looking for the push of why regulation is importantly here is a starting point but if you are look for everyday strategies to use with your kids then this may not be the book.

[Nicole Richmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Echos everything I want all professionals, parents, teachers, etc to know about sensory support and regulation as a foundation to language learning. Gives tangible tools on how to open these conversations, identify sensory needs of patients, and implement and advocate for a supportive environment for all neurotypes. Can’t recommend enough for anyone new to sensory-based approaches.

[Jenn Uribe-Lohia · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.9 - as an SLP, this book quite literally TRANSFORMED my clinical practice and thinking. HIGHLY recommend for any clinicians (SLP, OTs, BCBAs, special ed teachers, paraprofessionals) to read this book - and take Jessie’s ‘Sensory Certification’ Course!!! It will transform the way you connect with the Autistic community and converse with parents / other colleagues. Be the change you want to see the world - and never stop learning 🌈✨🧠♾️

Thank you, Jessie, for braving the storm of the unknown and always advocating for the little guys. You are inspiring the world, one book/video/reel/blog post at a time. Thank you for using your voice as a ladder to uplift other Autistic voices. You are a change maker - thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

[Emalie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful, informative book. I am not an SLP, but I am a mom, and I think this book has helped me to learn a lot. But it also helped me to understand the SLP side and how we all work together for our kiddos! I highly recommend the book!

[Kaitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish there were more specific strategies and more information on how to figure out the sensory input that the child needs. It did have good graphics and info to use with parents on explaining sensory and regulation.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

a good intro into sensory regulation being a crucial step for making progress with kids. the information has been useful to me in my current role as a 1:1 aide and i know it will continue to be useful in my future role as an SLP.

[Lennox Bradshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I was able to implement specific strategies mentioned in the book to connect with one of my kiddos in my clinical rotation 🩷 I truly believe all PEDS SLPs should read this book!

[Alison]

Probably my last read for 2024~

This book provides an easy-to-digest introduction to the importance of sensory regulation in autistic children. I thought the diagrams in this book were fantastic, and I plan to share them with my kids' families

That said, I felt let down by this book! It markets itself as a comprehensive guide, but it does not go deeply into strategies. While it offers some helpful tips and tricks for supporting regulation, it's not the resource to turn to if you're already familiar with the basics of sensory regulation and are looking for more guidance/case studies to apply to your kids.

I would still recommend this book to those at the start of their professional journey servicing kids with sensory needs or families seeking an accessible starting point. However, they should be wary of the heaaaaaaaavy advertisements for the author's online certification course. Overall, this book felt more like a giant ad for the certification course. Though I'm sure the course has valuable information, it's not what I am looking for at this time.

[Courtney DuMouchelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m really between 3 and 4 stars for this book. I had really high expectations for this book and was hoping for more resources and guidance in supporting sensory needs. While this book did provide a basic level of information about arousal and regulation, I feel like it missed the mark in really providing a lot of useful strategies and focused more on promoting the Inside Out course and certification. If you follow Jessie on her social media platforms a lot of her messages are echoed within this book (with heavy advertising of the sensory course she created).
This book did come with some helpful visuals that I believe will assist in talking to parents about the use of child-led sensory therapy techniques, which I really appreciate. I would recommend this book for anyone beginning to work with Autistic clients especially SLPs pursuing their Master’s degrees. I believe this would give a really great starting point for supporting sensory differences.

[Rachel Zukose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an easy read, engaging, well organized, and very relatable as a pediatric SLP. This book includes tips and tricks that I knew but so many more that I did not know and cannot wait to implement with my students and patients. Jessie did an excellent job explaining each strategy and different ways to implement each strategy. I work at a school for children with special needs and am always looking for new sensory tips and strategies. My students have loved the strategies I have already implemented and I can’t wait to try the other new strategies as well. I couldn’t recommend this book more! Not only is this book great for SLPs, but also parents, teachers, and other professionals in the field!

[Rachel Vella · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you follow Jessie on Instagram, then none of this is really a surprise or new to you. However, for someone with it access to Instagram or wants a quick guide without having to scrolling through months and months of Jessie’s posts, this is a nice way to catch up on her free content.

Rating it 4 stars because, while I appreciated the content, I really wish it wasn’t just a 150 page ad for her online certification class. I would love to gift this book to my daughter’s school team, but don’t like the idea of giving them a commercial for a more expensive course.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jessie Ginsberg has written an introduction to non-compliance-based therapy. She provides an evidence base for why sensory should be implemented as a part of speech-language sessions, but does not provide much in the way of actual, specific strategies tailored to fit children's individual differences. There are some nice graphics that could be helpful for parent education, however I would not recommend this book to parents or colleagues as the advertisements throughout the book for her online course are frequent and heavy-handed.

[Kessa Jacobs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel conflicted. I can definitely see the value in the book. It was a good discussion and motivator to kick up my sensory activities and be more child-led. However, do I feel like I came away with any new information or new practical strategies/activities? No. In the end I also felt a little bit like it was an advertisement for her class. This book does come with a lot of bonuses though on her site and she does put out a lot of free content on her IG. Overall a solid 3⭐️

[Kayla Mathiowetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessie is changing lives, and I mean that with every fiber of my being as a human and SLP. How she is sharing her knowledge, passion, and experience listening to and validating the autistic community is something every SLP needs to learn from. I read this book in 1 sitting and I will likely read again… and again.

[Lo Britt · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this does has some useful visuals and analogies that will help when coaching parents about how levels of arousal impact learning, I was hoping it would provide more information on how to appropriately identify a child’s unique sensory profile and examples of unique ways to provide sensory support. It felt more like a pitch to sign up for her Inside Out Sensory Certificate Course.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book’s simple breakdown of sensory processing and how it relates to my field. However, I feel like there was a bit too much push for her online program coming from a book that was supposed to teach me exactly that. I wish the book touched on active/passive regulation a bit more, because I had never heard of it before!! But overall a good read!!!

[Kari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good basic reminders and an ad

While this book puts down a good basic basis for working with kids with autism, it is just a long ad for the authors sensory certificate course. I can't believe I spent my money on this book. It was recommended in an autism group I am in and I feel like there are more helpful books out there that I could have purchased

[Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would summarise the book like this -
‘I’m an SLP who used to work with autistic kids without sensory regulation strategies. Now I have learnt about them and am really passionate about sharing this knowledge. I have developed a course for SLPs who want support whilst learning how to be more aware of their customers’ sensory profiles - here’s how to buy the course’

[Morgan Toskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessie changing the sensory and SLP game!! Loved this easy-to-read book and Jessie’s stories, analogies, and visuals!! Every professional who works and parents of autistic individuals should read this!

[Brittany Gates · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this more of a 3.5. If you are new to sensory learning as a professional or parent it’s a good book. For those who have a background in sensory it’s not new information. The reflection questions are good and did get me thinking.

[Dawn Wassmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book for an SLP, teacher, parent… anyone! I loved Jessie’s stories, analogies, visuals, and strategies. I had a hard time putting it down!

[Jennifer Torri · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you follow her online, the content is very similar. I very much enjoyed the book and would recommend for all teachers, SLPs, and parents.

[Ashley Sarnacki · Rating 4 out of 5]

As SLP grad student this is a very useful and insightful book! I definitely want to take her sensory course and implement these regulatory techniques in therapy with my clients.

[Hannah Milliken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book! I already try to use a sensory based approach in my sessions, but I cannot wait to use these techniques!!

[Amanda Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read, even for a parent. I garnered lots of techniques I can use at home. Easy to read, many stories.

[Mara deJonghe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great overall message, but could’ve used more specific recommendations. Will definitely be good to share with families.

[Yvonne Quigley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned so much about my grandson and why he does the things we may think are too loud, too much, when he is just trying to regulate himself from all the sensory around him! I learned so so much!!!