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Keisha’s Doors: An Autism Story
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Tacos Anyone? An Autism Story
Reviews
Thanks to Marvie's books, "Keisha's Doors: An Autism Story" and "Taco's Anyone? An Autism Story," my daughter, (age 7) and I have grown closer with the talks that have followed reading them. The book(s) have opened up opportunities for the two of us to have some very frank and deep discussions about what it is like to a) have a son with autism and b) have a brother with autism and has allowed us to share on a level that we really, believe it or not with all of the activism in this house, have not connected on prior to this. She realized from reading these books that she needs to learn to take cues from her older brother and bend to fit his interests to engage him to play with her. Her approach with him over the last month in reading this book once a week has softened even more and her compassion has grown. She is seeing the world a little more through his eyes than just her own, and to view things from another person's perspective is a big lesson in life for anyone to learn, much less a seven year old child.
--Shelley Hendrix Reynolds, President, Unlocking Autism
For any professional who works with autistic children, these books are a must have. I reccommend them to all of my parents of autistic children. Also, I recommend them to teachers who have inclusion classes (incorporating special need children into regular classrooms), as a way of explaining what autism is to typically developing children in a way that they understand. My parents and teachers love them. The illustrations and story lines are great, not to mention that the stories are in English and Spanish. Can't wait to read the next books from Marvie Ellis. These two books are a must have!
--Sylvia Clark, OTRL
From beginning to end, Keisha’s Doors is wonderful. This book is a must have for any loved one that is living through the journey of Autism. Marvie Ellis does an excellent job of taking you through the beginning of Keisha’s journey. It is written through the sister’s experience; however, each feeling Keisha’s sister and family experience throughout the story, I found myself relating to with a warm and heavy heart. As I read, I felt that I was reading my son’s story. I wondered how Marvie Ellis knew my son. I understood what my son is going through. Marvie explained what my son could not tell me. I could not read about Keisha’s journey fast enough. In fact, as I read the last page, I wanted to read on, but there were no more words to read. Wondering what will happen next, I realized that I will find out each day. When I closed the book, I looked at the cover again. The picture of Keisha opening a door is now what I visualize as I try to open the next door. Thank you Marvie Ellis.
--Nicole , Portland , TX
Autism In Multi-Cultural Families: Books For Kids
Keisha's Doors
Guide Rating - 4.5
Autism is not limited to white American children who speak only English. Autism can affect anyone and if a child has autism
and the associated speech difficulties, multiple languages can be very problematic. These books address this issue in a fun,
colorful and entertaining way. They are especially appropriate for the siblings of special needs children.
A Delightful Selection
I am always thrilled when I find books that explain autism to children in a way that does not intimidate or frighten them. This is
so important for a sibling of an affected child, and it is important to the child as well. Communication begins with
understanding. After that, the tools of language can be used effectively. These books are a great way to create understanding
of the differences in the life of a child with autism and help siblings build bridges to communicate with each other.
This book is geared toward a sibling, probably older, of a child with autism. It explains what is going on that the NT child
observes, and what the meaning behind those actions are: those behaviors may seem somewhat strange so it is important to
understand how the child with autism thinks. The illustrations put those concepts into an easy-to-understand framework for the
child's mind to grasp and understand. Autism can be frightening for the sibling of an affected child; what we can't see and don't
know about, scares us, and that is particularly so with children.
A Multi-Cultural Approach
Not everyone with autism is a white American. Autism is an equal opportunity disorder; any color, any race, any sex, any
religion... you get the idea - anyone can be affected. Unfortunately most of the books available for children are all written in
English. If a family speaks one language at home, and the child hears another at school, it can be more than just a little
confusing. The most common language used in the United States, excluding English, is Spanish. These two books, and there
are more coming, address those issues.
"Keisha's Doors," and "Tacos Anyone?" are written by Marvie Ellis and illustrated by Jenny Loehr. They are beautifully and
softly illustrated in such a way that the emotions come through the illustrations, without overwhelming the reader. It is clear,
when the scene is shown about Keisha receiving the diagnosis that her parents are saddened, but it is not at an intolerable
level for a young child to see. The words supplement the illustrations to explain the total picture to a sibling.
What Is "Keisha's Doors" About?
This book is about how children with autism seem to not be hearing and/or relating to the outside world that is attempting to
communicate with them. I won't give away the story or the plot, but autism and its apparent lack of interest in anyone or
anything, is explained to a child. There are also explanations on what a therapist, and subsequently a family might do to help
reach a child on the autism spectrum. The non-threatening approach of this book takes away the strangeness of autism and
for a sibling, that is a good thing!
Language: Spanish And English Presented Equally
If a child hears two languages, that is an NT child, incorporating both languages into their life is easier than we adults realize.
The part of the brain that learns new languages is very active in children and this area does not go "dormant" until adulthood.
(Ever tried to learn a foreign language as an adult? It's hard!) A child with autism, however, is hearing too much language and
none of it makes sense if the receptive language skills are lacking. A sibling who hears the story, or reads it, about autism and
the associated challenges in both of the languages he or she knows, will be more understanding, not frightened, and in a
position to help their sibling effectively.
Taco's Anyone?
Another Good Choice
"Tacos Anyone?" is a book that is similar to "Keisha's Doors," in that it is presented in both English and Spanish, but different
cultures are shown and different problems that have manifested within the autism spectrum are portrayed. Contrary to the title,
it is not about food; the story within this book are more important than that.
Again, the story is written primarily for the sibling of a child with autism. This story is meant for a child who does not
understand why his sibling won't play with him and how parallel play can be changed into interactive play. The author explains,
through the therapist that is a character in the story, what is going on with a child with autism, and how to work with him or her
to understand how to play.
When a child won't play with a sibling, it is difficult for the NT child to understand. This book makes those problems something
that can be solved. It also empowers the child to figure out what might be going on and how he or she can intervene to help
their sibling affected by autism.
A Multi-Cultural Approach
"Tacos Anyone?" just as "Keisha's Doors," is presented in Spanish and English. The people featured in the books are have
different ethnic origins and it is a very accurate reflection of what a child sees in the "real world."
What Is "Tacos Anyone" About?
The issue that a sibling deal with so often, is the tendency of a child with autism to parallel play rather than interact with
siblings or other children. That is difficult for a NT child to understand and can be a source of conflict. This books assures the
NT child that it is an issue associated with autism and it no way reflects on the child who is not affected. It also explains
methods that can overcome those issues and how a sibling can directly affect and interact with his or her sibling on the
spectrum.
These are beautifully written books, with incredible illustrations. I am very impressed with them, and their author, and I hope
many more come out very soon.
--About.Com Review 2005
The stories are great….They are clever and intriguing.
– Chris P. Johnson, M.Ed., M.D., member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Children with Disabilities and co-chair of the AAP Autism Expert Panel; Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Health Science Center at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and founder of CAMP (the Children’s Association for Maximal Potential)
In this story, the analogy of open doors and shut doors is used to explain the difficulties in sensory reception in children with autism. The speech-language pathologist’s strategy of using alternative sensory channels to compensate for the poorly functioning auditory channel is very helpful in explaining how to communicate with children who cannot communicate in a typical manner.
- Kapila Seshadri, M.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Section Head, Section of NeuroDevelopmental Disabilities, Department of Pediatrics, UMDNJ- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Jersey
These stories for family members are delightful. I feel they would be very beneficial for young family members who are struggling to understand autism.
– Barbara A. Booth, Ph.D., BCBA, Director of Special Education, Pflugerville, Texas ISD
I would definitely consider them for purchase as there seems to be a paucity of books to read to young children…Thanks again for making the effort to supply a need.
- Janne Zochert, Education Coordinator, Head Start, Williamson-Burnet County, Texas
To schedule media interviews or events contact:
Marvie Ellis, Author/Autism Expert
Speech Kids Texas Press, Inc.
www.speechkidstexaspress.com
E-mail: marvieslp@speechkidstexaspress.com
Phone: 512-426-0163
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