Aspergers+Syndrome+-+Ben's+Helmet+Children's+Novels


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Ben's Helmet is a series of 5 children's novels written by Nelle Francis, that aims to help children learn how to cope with the characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome.

Asperger's Syndrome is part of the Autistic Spectrum and is a developmental disorder. Children with Asperger's Syndrome can exhibit a range of characteristics including:


 * Anxiety in group social settings.
 * Difficulty reading expressions and picking up on social cues.
 * Children desire friendships, however often lack the skills to maintain friendships.
 * Can display repetitive behaviours, as well as an intense preoccupation with a toy or favourite topic.
 * Have a desire for structure and routine and can find change to a routine difficult.
 * Have sensory sensitivities (sight, smell, touch, taste, hearing).
 * Have a literal interpretation of language and can be challenged with comprehension.
 * Can speak rapidly.

The Author of Ben's Helmet hopes that children will identify with the character Ben and will make a connection between Ben's thoughts and feelings, and their own. Through each novel, children can observe Ben’s behaviours, reactions and learn about Ben's sensory sensitivities. They will learn strategies for problem solving and hopefully start to seek their own solutions to situations. Children can discover coping skills when navigating social situations, learning to read facial expressions and social cues and when dealing with changes to their environment or routines.

__Age appropriateness__

Each novel varies in age appropriateness and will display recommended ages that range from 5yrs to 12yrs.

__Teacher Strategies__

Ben's Helmet is a wonderful source of literature within the classroom and can be used to explore:


 * Verbal and Non Verbal communication.
 * Behaviours, reactions, emotions and individual feelings.
 * Concepts of diversity.
 * Coping strategies for dealing with challenging emotions and situations.
 * Concepts of compassion and empathy towards others.

__Classroom Application__


 * Ben's Helmet can be used as a text in shared reading, guided reading, and independent reading experiences.
 * The text can be used as a base for readers theatre, acting out scenes, creating own stories through written texts, verbal recounts or through drawing.
 * Children can draw aspects of the story and capture feelings and emotions through art representations.
 * Teachers can read the stories and use Ben's everyday personal challenges in lesson plans to teach key points on communication, feelings, diversity and compassion.
 * To be read to the children for pure enjoyment of the story.

__Possible learning outcomes for children with Asperger's Syndrome__


 * To make a connection with the character in the book.
 * To identify daily challenges that the character faces in the stories.
 * To identify with own feelings and emotions and learn how to appropriately express themselves.
 * To learn coping strategies that can be applied to their own lives.
 * To gain an awareness of sensory sensitivities and learn how to manage them.
 * To learn how to problem solve and seek solutions to personal situations.

Ben's Helmet is a wonderful resource that can be used to broaden awareness and understanding of Asperger's Syndrome and can be a recommended resource to families with children who have Asperger's Syndrome.

Link:

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References:

Asperger Child.com Website sourced from http://www.aspergerchild.com/ www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/**asperger**/detail_**asperger**.htm Forman P (2008) Inclusion In Action