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It's Raining Cats and Dogs
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It's Raining Cats and Dogs

An Autism Spectrum Guide to the Confusing World of Idioms, Metaphors and Everyday Expressions

Michael Barton
Foreword by Delia Barton

Hardback: £9.99 / $15.95

2011, 160mm x 180mm / 6.25in x 7in, 96pp
ISBN: 978-1-84905-283-2, BIC 2: JNSG2 VFJD

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'The book is helpful for both those on the spectrum and the neurotypical people who surround them. There are excellent, clear explanations for how and why these sayings are confusing. Simple line drawings clearly show the literal interpretation of each phrase. The meaning, in nonfigurative lanuage, appears under each picture. The book could be used in many ways with all children and would make a nice companion to Peggy Parish's "Amelia Bedelia" books for elementary school children. The foreword by Barton's mother as well as the introduction by the author also give helpful explanations and background, making the book more accessible to a wider audience.'

- School Library Journal

'This book is simply enchanting from beginning to end and could happily sit on my coffee table as a book for guests to pick up and flick through... The drawings are gorgeous in their child-like simplicity and remind me of how I, and many of my adult family, draw. All the examples are amusing and instructive... The book is a 'must have', and would make a fabulous gift for aspies and their families but also for anyone working with children or adults on the spectrum, including the police, health workers and social workers, as well as the more obvious educationalist.'

- asteens

'My son, Connor, is 9 and has a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder. This book is brilliant! Michael's drawings are funny and insightful and have really helped Connor get to grips with the peculiarities of every day spoken English. It has improved his confidence to speak more freely and we have great fun reading it together at bedtime!'

- Nicola Harvey, Connor's mother

"What a splendid book! It is a wonderfully clear insight into the minds of those on the autistic spectrum. I found it very helpful and very engaging and will have no hesitation in recommending it to any teacher."

- Paul Sanders, visiting music teacher, Bromley Youth Music Trust

"I have used Michael's pictures in training sessions with mainstream staff to show just what it means to have literal understanding. People are amazed and fascinated by the memorable examples he gives. The pictures give us a real insight into the difficulties in understanding spoken language experienced by people with ASD and clearly demonstrate the value of using visual supports. I have found them to be an invaluable and thought-provoking resource."

- Sue Carter, teacher of pupils on the autism spectrum

"Our English language is full of idiomatic phrases and inferential language which, when literally translated, has little or no related meaning. Many people with ASD may not recognise instances of non-literal language and have difficulty in figuring out intended meaning and consequently may miss the meaning of a significant part of an instruction or conversation...Michael clearly demonstrates this in an amusing and thought-provoking way in his book and has produced an excellent, invaluable tool to help people with ASD and anyone involved with ASD."

- Helen Bull, Specialist Advisor for Social & Communication Difficulties for Bromley Education Services

'I read It's Raining Cats and Dogs and was really impressed with both the content and presentation. The author superbly illustrates (in more ways than one!) the absurdities of the English language. Whilst I'd picked up many of the expressions over the years, his examples enhanced my comprehension and revealed eye-opening autistic interpretations of familiar phrases.'

- Graduate with Asperger's Syndrome (late diagnosis)

'Michael's pictures are an excellent resource. I use them when I deliver training or write advice for schools as part of my advisory role within a local education authority. I always highlight the use of visual support to aid the understanding of language. These pictures provide a clear visual representation of everyday phrases and sayings which can confuse people with autism. I thoroughly recommend them'.

- Jane Rowland, teacher working with students on the autism spectrum, Kent County Council

'Michael's book is a really useful tool to help young people with ASD make sense of how non-ASD people see the world. It is also invaluable for non-ASD people to understand how confusing - and sometimes scary - our words can be for those who think literally! I highly recommend this book to anyone who works or lives with ASD.'

- Wendy Warne, Family Service Manager, Burgess Autistic Trust

'A befitting and beneficial support aid for pupils which delivers a tactful and empathetic approach, this book doubles up as a valuable training resource to assist staff in opening a door to the often confusing and complex world of autism. This publication deserves its place on every school bookshelf.'

- Debbie Newall, Complex Needs Specialist, Charles Darwin School, Biggin Hill

'Michael's book is a fantastic example of how people on the autistic spectrum take language literally. Everyone who knows someone on the spectrum should read this book to help them understand why spoken and written language needs to be as clear as possible. I just love the images Michael uses to interpret idioms and his sense of humour makes them particularly memorable.'

- Michelle Cuss, Visual Support Worker, Burgess Autistic Trust