“Each child is a unique puzzle and I cannot help but be drawn in by their quirky natures. Sometimes it takes a lot of time and patience to teach them something, but when they finally have it, you get the highest of highs.”

Encouraging imaginative play in the classroom is an effective way to teach young children how to think creatively and interact socially – vital parts of their cognitive, social, and emotional development. In this interview, educators Carol Woodard and Carri Milch introduce their new book, Make-Believe Play and Story-Based Drama in Early Childhood, which presents engaging and…

“Connection is not based on identification with others’ experiences or reciprocal sharing but rather on, assisting others and being assisted by others in the search for answers. We might even say that systemic constellation work is not really a group therapy but rather a therapeutic group experience.”

“School…can offer a great deal to pupils with autism, but it also presents them with daunting challenges. [...] Flexischooling allows school, parents and child to work together, as a team. In so many ways it is a thoroughly ‘autism friendly’ approach, and is one recommended by many autism experts.”

“I wanted to communicate that there is hope for all learners, that everyone can find a way to learn that is personal and successful. I wanted to share how to translate what a student is saying not just by listening to their words, but by listening to the essence of who they are as a learner. This is not something that can be communicated simply, and it is not a way of being that comes naturally to all teachers… Teaching is generally considered an activity that one does ‘to’ another. I think of teaching as something that I do ‘for’ that other person. The learning is theirs, the experience of change is theirs, and for me the main thrill is when that student starts finding his or her ‘voice’.”

By Jennifer Cook O’Toole, social worker, teacher, “Aspie Mommy” and author of Asperkids. Long before my first baby could read, she knew her logos. Mommy would always stop to answer the siren call of that little green coffee mermaid. As her brothers came along, they too learned the power of the logo – the hypnotic…

In this interview, Maisie Voyager – star of the new novel, The Adventure of Maisie Voyager – takes some time from treasure hunting, travelling and taking on bad guys to share some tips and tales from her life with her Aunt Hetty. Maisie’s story was written by her good friend, Lucy Skye, who appreciates Maisie’s unique outlook on…

“Disputes inevitably test mediators’ skills to the limit. They are also a powerful reminder of what I refer to in some detail in the book: namely that they should never be applied outside of a framework of appropriate professional values, attitudes and cultural sensitivity and awareness. Skills, strategies and professionals practice can never be value-free.”

Michael Barton is a student with high functioning autism. In this 60 second (short) interview, he gives his top tips for surviving school and shares some artwork from his new book, It’s Raining Cats and Dogs, and his hopes for the Autism community. Can you share some of the challenges you, as an individual on…

Here, Gail Watts – mother of a son on the Autism spectrum and primary school teacher – shares a couple of her favourite illustrations from her new book, Kevin Thinks…about Outer Space, Confusing Expressions and the Perfectly Logical World of Asperger Syndrome. The character ‘Kevin’ is based on my son Reilly, when he was a small boy. Kevin Thinks was never…