Do You Want to Play?: Making Friends with an Autistic Kid

by Daniel Share-Strom, Naghmeh Afshinjah (Illustrator), Maxine Share (Contributor)

"Do you want to play?" That's what Jamie, with her favourite yellow truck, asks new kid Dylan, who only seems to want to line up his cars. Can Jamie make a friend before Mommy comes to take her home?A heartwarming story of learning about others and finding new ways to have fun.One of the most common issues for Autistic kids is friendship. Many other children's books on this subject often depict the neurotypical child as doing their Autistic pal a favour by befriending them, often forcing them to first change a part of themselves.Do You Want to Play? takes a different approach, showing us that Autistic children are more than capable of making meaningful contributions to relationships, and suggests how typical children can alter their own approach in order to foster a true "Do You Want to Play? is fantastic. The language level, the positivity, the illustrations, the length. The book presents a child focused way of talking to young children about how to approach, appreciate, and connect with autistic peers. It’s a compassionate and playful way of engaging children in conversations about difference, disability, and inclusion.How it wraps up at the end is so full of kindness - I could see my child thinking about different ways of playing."- Dr. Jonathan WeissYork Research Chair in Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disability Mental HealthAssociate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Director, LaMarsh Centre for Child and Youth ResearchAssociate Member, CanChildDaniel Share-Strom - AuthorDaniel Share-Strom is a Registered Social Worker raised in York Region, Ontario. He’s been a motivational speaker and workshop facilitator for 15 years, telling stories of his own experiences growing up Autistic and advising families and professionals how to help their loved ones, clients, and students on the autism spectrum to live their best possible lives. Together with his mother, Maxine Share, he co-founded social initiative Autism Goggles, so named because it helps people to see the world through an autism lens.He has Honours degrees in Social Work and Communication, as well as a post-grad certificate in Children’s Media and a certificate in Positive Psychology. It is Daniel’s belief that we can change the world with the messaging we provide to our children.Do You Want to Play? is his first children’s book, but it won’t be his last!Naghmeh Afshinjah – IllustratorBorn in Tehran, Iran, Naghmeh Afshinjah has been a visual artist her entire life. A self-taught painter in different media with a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, she has worked as a graphic designer, art director, and illustrator for over 25 years.After many years in these roles and several more dedicated to focusing on her loving Autistic son, Naghmeh opened up a home art studio. She currently teaches watercolour classes and workshops to adults and children in Stouffville, Ontario.Maxine Share - Autism ConsultantMaxine Share is an Autistic writer, autism consultant, workshop developer, and facilitator who is a passionate champion of the strengths and potential of Autistic people across the spectrum of abilities. With her son Daniel, she created the popular full-day workshop called ‘What Doctors Don’t Tell You and Teachers Don’t Know’ to provide critical information to parents, educators, and other helping professionals who want to help Autistic students to thrive. She is a member of the Ontario government’s Minister’s Advisory Committee on Special Education.She and Daniel run the Facebook group Autism Goggles, where her articles move readers to an informed understanding of what it can mean to be Autistic. Maxine’s mission in life is to change understanding of autism to change the actions of others. She believes that when society understands that autism is just another way of being human, her work will be done.Maxine consulted on Do You Want to Play?.

Genres: Childrens

36 pages, Paperback

Published September 17, 2020

Reviews

[Prachi · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 FANTASTIC, AMAZING, SPECTACULAR BOOK!!!!!!!!

I work with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and this book is the best book I have found thus far to help younger children better understand and interact with other children with autism. Autism spectrum disorder is a social disorder, meaning that individuals affected with ASD do not have adept social skills aka communication with others. this does not mean that they do not want to interact with others, they just do not know how.

This book follows a little girl who is insistent on playing with the "odd" kid who instead of crashing cars together or making them drive, lines them up neatly. She tries to play with him but he is unreceptive to her attempts. She asks her friend, who tell her that her mom told her, that he has Autism. She does not understand what that is but she does know that he likes cars just like how she likes cars so she doesn't give up and tries to interact with him multiple times. she was perplexed as to why he wouldn't respond or play with her. Defeated she goes back to her friend and her friend tells her that he does not play with anyone. she eventually figures it out and goes back to him, instead of asking she just starts playing with him. Her mom eventually calls her and she has to leave, as she is leaving she realizes her favorite car is gone, she starts crying. As she is leaving the boy comes up to her and gives her, her favorite car. she is surprised and asks him to play, he does not respond so the girl and mom start walking away. Eventually they hear a yes and so she made a new friend and they play together.

This book was a great great book for neurotypical kids to read. Usually there are integrated special education kids in neurotypical classrooms. I have been worked in many classrooms where the other kids want to play with the kid that I am working with( I am a behavioral tech that gives therapy services to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder). They just do not know how. This was a great book that conveys the need to meet other people where they are. for example the little girl had an idea to just start playing with him instead of asking, that is usually how it goes for children with autism. you just have to dig right in and start playing with them to make a bond. They are not so good with the formalities of asking. The little girl understands this and is willing to meet him where he is. this is a level of understanding that I feel all young readers need.