Ian's Walk: A Story about Autism

"Ian's Walk: A Story about Autism," by Laurie Lears
Julie can’t wait to go to the park and feed the ducks with her big sister, Tara. There’s only one problem. Her little brother, Ian, who has autism, wants to go, too. Ian doesn’t have the same reactions to all the sights and sounds that his sisters have, and Julie thinks he looks silly. But when he wanders off on his own, she must try to see the world through his eyes in order to find him.




Amazon Customer Review:

Even though I have two autistic boys I read Ian's Walk to my older high-functioning son who is seven and he instantly noticed similarities to his five-year-old brother.
While looking through the pictures you cannot help but share the emotional journey his sister takes while on this walk to the park.
The illustrations are accurately defined and capture the real essence and beauty of Ian as he takes in his surroundings like no one else.
I shared this book with many families and suggested the teachers in both classrooms read Ian's Walk during library time, especially teaching awareness the month of April.
Ian's Walk will help others to identify some symptoms they might not of understood before reading the book. For any parent of an autistic child,you might want to read this alone the first time because it can be quite emotional.
You will become more aware of the day in the life of one who is autistic and never take a simple walk to the park for granted and see through the eyes of all those who resemble Ian. [Bonnie Sayers May 10, 2002]

Leah's Voice (Children an Autism)

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"Leah's Voice," by Lori Demonia is a fictional story inspired by two sisters.

Leah's Voice isn't just a "difficult subject" book. It isn't just about Autism. And the author's goal isn't just to help kids "cope with" an Autistic sibling. Lori Demonia knows first hand that there are many challenges that the sibling of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder faces--their sibling's behavior may sometimes be confusing or frustrating, their friends may not be as understanding about why their sibling is different--but she also knows that having a sibling with ASD isn't some constant burden that kids need to "deal with." Siblings love each other! And siblings fight. And they misunderstand and get frustrated. Just like...well...SIBLINGS.

In the book, a little girl named Logan is excited for a play date with her new friend Abby. But when Abby doesn't want to play with Logan's older sister, Leah, because she talks differently and plays differently, Logan gets mad. Why can't Abby understand that Leah is different, but that they can all play together? The book then explores other ways in which Logan and Leah are different (Leah didn't like the movie theater and started crying, Leah is a great artist and helps Logan paint pictures). Logan understands that her sister has Autism, but she doesn't know how to explain it to her friend. Eventually, Abby comes around and realizes that she should be patient and take the time to get to know Leah.

What I like most about this book is that it is, first and foremost, a good children's book. The story is well-told, the characters' feelings are revealed through their actions not just stated by the author (a hallmark of good writing, in my opinion, and one that is overlooked by many seasoned authors of adult literature) and the illustrations are beautiful. [Review by Mary Lavers Feb 11, 2013]



A note about the author:

Lori DeMonia is the recipient of the 2014 Temple Grandin Outstanding Literary Work of the Year Award for her book, Leah's Voice.

Lori and her family live in the Philadelphia area where she has worked as a behavioral health TSS, therapeutic support specialist, for 7 years. 

Their oldest daughter, Leah, was diagnosed at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital with Autism Spectrum Disorder when she was 2 years old.

Lori serves as a parent consultant with PEAC - The Pennsylvania Education for all Coalition, an organization that supports inclusive classroom placement for special needs children. 
For more information on this author go to Halo Publishing International