Fw: Teen Author with Autism Gives Advice on How to Befriend Autistic Kids

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----- Forwarded Message ----To: deniseslist@...Sent: Tue, February 15, 2011 4:48:03 PMSubject: Teen Author with Autism Gives Advice on How to Befriend Autistic Kids

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Elena Meredith Free Spirit Publishing meredith@... HOW TO TALK TO AN AUTISTIC KID by Stefanski April 2011 Minneapolis, MN—Meet . He’s 14, loves golf and Star Wars. He volunteers at an animal shelter and wants to go to college to learn about computer animation. is autistic and just wrote his first book, HOW TO TALK TO AN AUTISTIC KID (Free Spirit Publishing, $12.99). Like every kid, likes to have fun and wants to have friends. But children with autism find communication to be one of their biggest challenges, which can be frustrating for autistic kids and for their peers. In the book,

describes what it’s like to have autism—and how to be a good friend to someone who’s autistic. “I want to help kids without autism feel comfortable around kids with autism. I hope fewer autistic kids will feel lonely.†One in 110 children and 1 in 70 boys are on the autism spectrum. In HOW TO TALK TO AN AUTISTIC KID, explains that while not all people with autism are exactly alike, they do share a few characteristics: difficulty with communication, a hard time understanding social situations, and the tendency to get intensely focused on one thing. The book answers many questions readers may have about their autistic peers, such as why does my autistic friend sometimes talk too loud or stand too close? Why won’t he look me in the eye? Why does it seem like my friend doesn’t understand what I’m saying? How should I act when we’re together?

In HOW TO TALK TO AN AUTISTIC KID, explains that autistic kids don’t always understand social cues like body language and figures of speech. He cites his recent obsession with Australia as an example of how kids with autism can get “stuck†on one thing. He says autistic kids are easily bothered by their five senses; for example, they’re often sensitive to the feel of their clothes. is most bothered by loud noises and hard fabric. When he is upset, he calms himself down by humming loudly or buzzing like a bee. emphasizes that being different is okay. “Whether we have autism or not,†he writes, “everyone does things sometimes that make others go, ‘Huh?’†With ’s personal voice and direct approach, HOW TO TALK TO AN AUTISTIC KID offers an inviting, nonclinical look into the mind of an autistic kid. Classmates, siblings, teachers, parents, and grandparents of autistic kids can all benefit from reading ’s account of living with autism. shows readers how they can reach out to autistic kids—be a hero and stick up for them if they’re being bullied, invite them to sit by you at lunch, or volunteer to be a school buddy. In HOW TO TALK TO AN AUTISTIC KID will give readers the confidence and tools needed to befriend autistic kids. And with ’s upbeat and often funny advice, they’ll feel like they’ve made a friend already. -end- About the Author: Stefanski is 14 years old and likes to declare proudly, “I’m autistic and artistic.†At age four, he was adopted from an orphanage in Bulgaria and moved to his new home in Valparaiso, Indiana, where he still lives. loves reading and writing and animals, and volunteers at an animal shelter. A talented golfer, has participated in the Special Olympics and other competitive golf events. With the help of his mom, wrote HOW TO TALK TO AN AUTISTIC KID to help other kids understand autism and learn how to be friends with autistic kids. About Free Spirit Publishing (www.freespirit.com) Meeting kids’ social, emotional, and educational needs since 1983 Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Free Spirit is the leading publisherbof learning tools that support young people’s social-emotional health and theirbeducational needs. Free Spirit’s mission is to help children and teens think for themselves, succeed in life, and make a difference in the world. HOW TO TALK TO AN AUTISTIC KID by Stefanski ISBN 978-1-57542-365-4 = $12.99 = Hardcover = 48 pp. = two-color, illust. = 6. " x 8. " = for ages 8 & up

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