Small Steps Forward

This book is an accessible resource written by a parent, for parents with children with special needs. It gives a clear and accurate description fo the progression of normal development (without age norms), divided into six areas: cognitive, language, physycal, sensory, social and emotional. Practical activities are described for specific skills in each of these areas - and the activities are easy to carry out, using resources you would find around the home, or linked to everyday routines. The communication ideas are consistent with what speech and language therapist would advise and it gives good summaries of specific approaches such as sighning. The book also includes useful chapters on ‘how to survive’ coming to terms with having a child with special needs, as well as other issues important to parents of any young child - sleep, toilet-training and bahaviour… I would cerainly recommend this book to parents and newly qualified therapists as a quick, accessible guide to development as well as for practical ideas and an insight into the main concerns of parents. – Speech & Language Therapy in PracticeWhen young children are diagnosed with autism, there is much that parents can do to help. This new edition of an award-winning book includes up-to-date research and practice, providing parents and carers with the information they need and a host of ideas to encourage their chilld’s development. The games and activities use toys and materials which most children will already have and involve no special preparation. Most important of all, they are fun to play. – CommunicationThis book is a great resource…as it gives an excellent insight into the worries and fears that parents face as well as offering excellent advice. – Assosciation of Paediatric Chartered PhysiotherapistsFull of suggestions of ways to help your child without specialist therapies and equipment, and lots of practical tips on sleep management, toilet training, dealing with professionals, and coping with the stress of a special child in the family. – Child CareParents of young children will find this a fine guide for behavior management and cognitive skills as well as social and emotional growth. – The Midwest Book ReviewThe best bit about this book is the warm feeling of positive reasurance that runs reliably throughout from an author, who you know, has really been there and lived through it. Rings with reassuring authenticity throughout and has some very practical, useful tips and details as a result. – Early Years EducatorThe book is positive, accessible, easy to dip into and reflects real life… For parents dealing with the initial realization that their child has special needs I feel this book must be 10 out ot 10. – National Childminding AssociationThis book would make a welcome addition to the bookshelf among the classic books on child development and rearing. It is a “parent power” book to be dipped into, which, coupled with the knowledge the parent or carer has of their own child’s vision, and some modification, will offer information and advice to help a child with a visual difficulty take small steps forward along their unique development path. – Insight

Sarah Newman worked for ten years as an administrator in higher education after gaining a degree in history at Oxford. Her first child was diagnosed as developmentally delayed at the age of one and as autistic at three. She has two other children and lives in the New Forest. She has also chaired a local charity for families of children with special needs.