Volunteer Week 2013 - thanks a million

The Association for the Wellbeing of Children in Healthcare (AWCH) would like to thank our Hospital Ward Grandparents, Board Members and Office volunteers for their time, thoughts and energy in doing a myriad of tasks, which are always done with grace, fun and laughter.

Thanks a million! The support you provide through your involvement with AWCH enables families to continue to nurture their children through the stresses and strains of a hospital experience.

My friend with Autism

My friend with Autism

Enhanced edition with free CD of coloring pages

Written by Beverly Bishop, illustrated by Craig Bishop

Future Horizons, Texas, 2011.

My friend with autism is written in a friendly tone and there are bright illustrations throughout. It is essentially written for school children to encourage better understanding and knowledge of peers with autism. The story is narrated from a child’s perspective and begins with “I have a friend with autism. He is good at many things”. The friend with autism is described in a positive manner and the theme of friendship is developed. 

The book addresses sensory sensitivity, communication differences, playtime and provides children with an example of what this might be like for a child with autism.

The setting is at school and teachers who have this book at hand can read it to develop student understanding through the example of the narrator, “I can help him by showing him how well I sit quietly”. 

Adults will be able to refer to the section at the end of the book with page-by-page notes and  helpful  thumbprint illustrations for further information and overview. 

Find also 18 symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder, 10 Quick strategies for helping a child with Autism and Recommended reading, with thumbprints of book covers. The accompanying CD contains additional colouring pages of material from the book.

Review by:

Jillian Rattray

AWCH Librarian

April 2013

Prescription for success: supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Medical Environment

Prescription for success: supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Medical Environment

Hudson, Jill

Shawnee Mission, Kan.: Autism Asperger Pub. Co., 2006.

Written by a Child Life specialist (Play therapist) from John Hopkins Hospital, this book is essentially aimed at supporting families. It is a communication tool for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to use when visiting health professionals. The book starts with a look at the medical encounter and presents this experience from the child’s point of view. The title “Prescription for success” reflects the focus on preparation both prior to and during the child’s medical encounter.

The motivation for the book is to support children with ASD better, health professionals in hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dentists, administrative staff and others will be learn more about the children’s needs from this overview. Importantly, the book is engaging because it is written in a friendly, easy-to-read format and includes practical and creative techniques. Chapters cover the Medical encounter; characteristics of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders; developmental levels; assessment; interventions and supports (pp 49-73) and effective implementation of interventions and supports. A large section on interventions and supports will help to bridge knowledge gaps  medical professionals may experience. 

Find also appendices with the role of service providers as well additional resources and games to prepare for medical encounters. There is an accompanying CD with forms, activities and games worksheets which can be printed and duplicated. Illustrations are in black and white. More resources of this nature which are both family-centered and helpful for health professionals, would be welcome.

This book is available for loan from the AWCH collection at call number: 618.9285882 HUD 1

Book Review written by

Jillian Rattray

AWCH librarian

 

Take Action to End Government and Super Fund Investment in Tobacco

The tobacco industry has lost almost a billion dollars of Australian investment over the past year thanks to a campaign by health groups - including ASH Australia and other partners in Protecting Children from Tobacco (AWCH is a member at  www.ashaust.org.au/lv4/ProtectChildrenEndorsements.htm).

Our partners have stressed the industry’s appalling Environment, Social and Governance record, especially its practices of targeting children in promotion and exploiting child labour. This has led to three state/territory governments divesting and also the Federal government’s Future Fund, as well as several super funds. This is money the industry can’t use to addict kids.

One suggested action to help with this campaign:  encourage your friends, employees, volunteers and supporters to write to their MPs and ministers as well as their own super/pension/retirement fund and seek more information about size/nature of their tobacco investments, and seek investment policies excluding tobacco.  Background, arguments, latest developments, who to write to and how at www.ashaust.org.au/lv4/Lv4action_investment.htm .

  
Written by:
Stafford Sanders
Coordinator
Protecting Children from Tobacco
ASH Australia http://www.ashaust.org.au/