#Autism Awareness: Point to Happy Review and #GIVEAWAY

It used to be rare that I'd run across a book or toy designed specifically for my child with Autism, but as time has lapsed, I am finding more and more great products and one of them is the book, Point to Happy, a book for kids on the autism spectrum.  

A heartwarming story, grandmother Miriam Smith and her daughter Afton Fraser wanted to create a book that would aid Afton's son Griffin, who is on the spectrum. It's ingeniously simple, the photographs are clear and compelling, and it comes with a soft pointer, implementing the motor tasks of holding and pointing.

Point to thirsty. Point to hug. Give me a hug.

Most children on the autism spectrum, or those with other special needs, learn best through pictures. A fan of the book (who happens to have a niece with autism) wrote to us: "He was so excited when he got the book. He saw the pointer and he clapped his hands and said 'Open, please, open' over and over until I was able to get the tape off. It's really empowering for him to know the answers to most of the prompts in the book and to be able to use the pointer effectively."

POINT TO HAPPY is the perfect tool for any family, educator, or individual with a child who learns best visually. 

My Review:

Although Liam is getting better about using his finger to point, it's a skill that has been a long time in coming, so having the pointer to help him follow along in the book is great!  I especially like that the pointer is attached to the book so it won't get lost or used in a nefarious way!

The book itself is great!  Real pictures of children and objects make it perfect for reinforcing visual clues to what is going on in the world and identifying everything from foods to feelings.  The book helps children label the world around them

I have to say though, that although this book is for children on the spectrum, I can see it being picked up by parents of neuro-typical toddlers and preschoolers, because even my 5 month old enjoys looking at the pictures and I'm sure will work up to pointing as he grows up!

This book is available through Workman Publishing's website and is also available on Amazon and BN.com 

or you can win your very own copy here at Acting Balanced!

Rules:

Giveaway is open to Residents of CANADA and the US only

Mandatory Entry must be completed before other entries count.

Each entry must be made as a SEPARATE COMMENT

Giveaway will end on April 30th, 2011 at 11:59 PM and 

the winner will be chosen by Random.org, announced on Acting Balanced 

and contacted by email.

The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize.

Mandatory entry:

Visit Workman Publishing's Point to Happy page and tell me something you've learned.

Bonus Entries:

+1 Bonus Entry - Follow Acting Balanced/Chascouponmom on Twitter (leave twitter name)

+1 Bonus Entry - Follow Acting Balanced on Google Friend Connect

+1 Bonus Entry - Like Acting Balanced on Facebook 

+1 Bonus Entry - Subscribe to Acting Balanced by email (must be completed)

+1 Bonus Entry - Add this giveaway to any giveaway linky and leave me the blog post's URL (3 maximum)

+3 Bonus Entry - Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to your post

+1 Bonus entry- grab the Autism Awareness Button from my sidebar and tell me where it is on your blog

+1 Bonus Entry - Leave a NEW comment on any non-contest post (maximum 2 per day)

+1 tweet this phrase (up to 3x per day, at least 1 hour apart)

"#WIN Point to Happy #Autism book from  @chascouponmom at Acting Balanced http://bit.ly/e0OO0D #giveaway ends 4/30 "