Book Review and #Giveaway - Coloring Outside Autism's Lines

#Autism is part of our reality in the Smith household, but only a small part, so when I was asked to review Coloring Outside Autism's Lines: 50+ Activities, Adventures, and Celebrations for Families with Children with Autism I thought it sounded like a book that would be right up our alley!



Product Description:


Your Road Map to Rediscovering Joy, Fun, and Togetherness 


Having a child with an autism spectrum disorder may mean that you have to change your life. It can seem as though there are so many things you just can't do. But there are adventures-large and small-that kids with autism love, and they are waiting for your whole family! Just think outside of the ordinary, look for reachable sensory experiences, come prepared, and keep an open mind, and everyone in your family can go along for a great ride. This book is packed with exciting ideas for families living with autism, with everything you need to know to make them a reality. Including: 

• Unconventional backyard fun: zip lines, trampolines, tree stumps, and even exercise bikes! 
• Easy ways to adapt public places such as bowling alleys, ice skating rinks, and swimming pools into stress-free outings 
• Surprising activities that can lead to lifelong interests 
• Dreaming big: there's a world of amusement parks, water slides, camping, and other family getaways that are truly within reach 
• Special activities for grandparents and extended family members 
• How to team up with other parents to maximize the fun 

With tips and advice from dozens of creative families who have found fun with autism and want you to do the same.


My Review:


This book has so many great tips - from suggesting ice cubes as bath toys to tips for helping your child learn to ride a bike, this book covers a multitude of suggestions for both creating sensory stimulation and for getting calm and quiet time in too!
I like that this book is written in a tone that doesn't take a one size fits all approach- the authors know that every child on the spectrum is different and so they are able to be creative and give multiple ideas for creating Joy, Fun and Togetherness.
I found inspiration in its pages including some great ways to adapt holiday celebrations and one of my favorite things - some cool Halloween costume ideas for kids with sensory issues.  For me, I've always bought Liam pajamas and used them as a Halloween costume (He was a race car driver the past few years), but having more ideas in my back pocket as he gets older will certainly be a bonus - plus, just reading about the three simple costumes mentioned got my creative juices flowing! 
If you are looking for some out of the box (or into the box) ideas for adding more fun into your family when Autism is involved, then you need to check out Coloring Outside Autism's Lines: 50+ Activities, Adventures, and Celebrations for Families with Children with Autism


You can get the book at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other fine retailers!  And, for a limited time, Sourcebooks has made many of their Autism and Aspergers eBooks, including this one available for just $2.99 each!

About the Author:

Susan Walton is the author of "Coloring Outside Autism's Lines," published by SourceBooks, Inc., which encourages families to embrace and enjoy life when a family member is affected by autism. She is the parent of an adventure-prone child with autism as well as a set of twins who are not far behind when it comes to searching for fun. She runs the Peninsula Parents of Special Needs Kids group in Northern California and is on the Board of the Best Day Foundation, an organization that provides outdoor adventures like surfing and snowplay to kids with special needs. 

The Giveaway:

Rules:

Giveaway is open to US and Canadian Residents only

Mandatory Entry must be completed before other entries count.

Each entry must be made as a SEPARATE COMMENT

Giveaway will end on May 5th, 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:

Tell me why you want to win this book

Bonus Entries:

+2 Bonus Entry - Leave a comment on Susan Walton's Guest Post 

+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 - Grab my Autism Awareness Month event button and tell me were it is

+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

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 2 hours apart)

"#WIN Coloring Outside Autism's Lines Book from @chascouponmom at Acting Balanced http://bit.ly/dFfo3d  #AUTISM #giveaway ends 5/5