About Kathy
Author & Speaker
Who am I?
I was born in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia on a small farm, surrounded by lots of animals, two brothers, two sisters, two parents and two grandmothers. I lived there for twenty years, then moved to Brisbane, where I stayed another twenty years. During that time, I married, became a primary school teacher, completed a postgraduate degree in Theology in Education, had three children and started writing. In 2003 my family and I moved to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates where I was blessed to do a great deal of travelling, to see amazing things, to meet wonderful eclectic people, and to write several more books. I lived there (mostly) until 2016 when we returned to Brisbane.
But that is not who I am.
I am a pluviophile, a bibliophile and definitely a xanthophile, and I have been known to stop the car just to stare at the clouds. I’m an optimist. I love to travel and to experience sights and sounds and tastes of the unusual. I trust people and I grow through meeting others who think differently from me and in turn, make me think. I smile at strangers and love seeing a glimpse into their souls as they smile back. I marvel at the ripple effect of random acts of kindness. I have a deep love for my God and have joy and peace knowing that Christ loves me, despite knowing who I really am. Although I thrive on other people’s vibes, I go slightly crazy if I don’t get time alone, preferably to write. When characters in my novels do the unexpected, I have learnt to trust them and let them write the story their way. I hate lies, injustice, bullies and chewing gum on my shoes.
That’s me.
My Story
I’ve been writing for over twenty years and my first love was dragons and fantasy and different universes. Tremada is still up there with the books that I most enjoyed writing. Then I discovered the Autistic mind, and a new fascination took over. Admittedly, my first three books that dealt with Asperger Syndrome, (as ASD was termed back then), combined my interests. Blue Bottle Mystery had a genie, Of Mice and Aliens had, well, aliens, and Lisa and the Lacemaker dealt with a ghost. (Blue Bottle Mystery and Lisa and the Lacemaker have been released as graphic novels. My illustrators, Rachael Smith and Mike Medaglia brought the books alive!) My teen novel Haze was supposed to be about time travel. In fact, I received an Arts Queensland grant to write the novel, and had included a science fiction plot as part of my application. Then my teenage Aspie refused to comply, so I put aside my sci fi yearnings and obeyed my character. I do that a lot – let my characters write their own plots. It’s easier than arguing with them and they usually win in the end anyway.
Photo Books
My first photo book, All Cats have Asperger Syndrome came from the recognition that whilst there was a lot of information on Asperger’s available at the time (the book was released in 2006) much of it was adult orientated, wordy and full of technical jargon. There was nothing for children to read for themselves and nothing simple to hand to Grandpa or a teacher or the lady next door to explain why those with Asperger’s did the things they did. I wanted to write a quick, visual read that highlighted the positives without ignoring the difficulties of the syndrome and what better vehicle than via cats. As I was creating this book (it involved way more than just writing; the pictures and words had to meld perfectly to capture the essence of Asperger’s) I had a feeling I was tapping into something special. However its success still continues to surprise me. Over ten years later, it still regularly tops Amazon UK top seller lists in various special needs categories.
As soon as this book was released, people started to wonder – if cats have Asperger Syndrome, then surely dogs must have ADHD. So I wrote that book too. And later, I added Inside Asperger’s Looking Out , All Birds Have Anxiety and All About Dyspraxia. Between them, and my other books, they have been translated into twenty-one languages.
In 2020, I updated All Cats to ‘All Cats are on the Autism Spectrum‘ and refreshed All Dogs Have ADHD to accommodate the changes in terminology and understanding that occurred over the years and to make the books gender neutral.
Writing in the United Arab Emirates
Although my photo-books are by far my bestsellers, my lesser known books have also been a joy to write. I lived in the United Arab Emirates for almost thirteen years and wrote several children’s picture books about the desert and the animals of the region. These books were illustrated by the hugely talented Donna Acheson Juillet. Then, whilst still living in Dubai, I co-authored Elemental Island with Judit Kiss while she was living in Budapest. Talk about long distance relationships! We had so much fun creating a world that was entirely populated by people on the spectrum. That island is quite something. Go visit it sometime.
The Secret Science Society
My writing on neurodiversity continued with a quirky little book called The Secret Science Society’s Spectacular Experiment, where a group of lovable rascals (with a bunch of diagnoses that have lots of letters: ASD, GAD, ADHD) get up to all sorts of mischief, whether they mean to or not. I co-wrote this with Josie Montano who by weird co-incidence, lives five minutes from me. And we still mostly communicate by email! We quickly followed that up with The Secret Science Society in Space and enjoyed that so much we plan to write together again in the future.
Why I Write
I love writing, and get withdrawal symptoms when I don’t have time to throw myself into my latest project. However, as much as I enjoy the writing process and delight in holding a new book in my hands, the most rewarding thing of all is to know that someone has finally felt understood when reading ‘this’ book or that a child could face school another day after reading ‘that’ book.
To make a difference. For me, that’s what writing is all about.
Interview with Kathy
Podcast interview with Sue Larkey
Sue Larkey is passionate about all things autism, so it was great fun being interviewed by her in her podcast series about my updated All Cats are on the Autism Spectrum and All Dogs Have ADHD books.
An Interview with Kathy
The Autism Show Podcast
I spoke with Catherine Pascuas on the Autism Show Podcast – a weekly interview show allowing leading autism advocates, educators, professionals, and organizations to share their inspirational stories and best resources with the global autism community.
An Interview with Kathy
Meaningful Morning Monday Interview
I enjoyed being interviewed on radio 2RRR with Jeanine Sciacca and Clare Williamson on their Meaningful Monday Show. I got to talk all about my writing life and my books, especially my photo illustrated one.
Some more insights…
Questions & Answers
How did you become an author?
When I was a school teacher, I read many books to my classes and love the worlds that were created. Finally I decided to create my own worlds. Once I had my first idea, the novel took over took over. I wrote it by hand, and my poor father, who owned a computer, had the dreadful job of interpreting my handwriting and typing it up for me. It never did get published, but I still have my handwritten notes, so who knows, one day I may bring them out and rework them. My first book published was a book of plays based on Bible stories. It was a ‘right time, right place’ book. After that, I became interested in Asperger’s Syndrome and wanted to capture the positives of the syndrome in an Aspie character, and that became my focus for many years.
How many books have you had published?
Currently, I have twenty four books published in Australia, the UK, US and the UAE, with translations into nineteen languages.
Who was your favourite author as a child?
In the beginning, it had to be Enid Blyton. The Magic Faraway Tree, The Secret Five! Places to dream of and aspire to. I wanted to be one of the Famous Four.
Who or what has been the greatest influence in your life as a writer?
No one person, just life in general. I watch people. I observe places. I take notes. I see someone and devise a life for him or her. I steal people’s phrases and characteristics. And my travels have influenced me a lot. I try to see life from many angles. I like shades of grey and try to avoid black and white scenarios.
Do you have a routine when you write?
In a perfect life, I would have a routine. Unfortunately my life over the past few years has consisted of moving countries twice and a lot of travel. On a good day, when I have the house to myself I can work solidly for hours on end, and then it may take days before I get that chance again. So for now, my ‘routine’ is intense irregular sessions.
How many words do you write a day?
Depends. When I’m writing a novel, I try for 2000 words a day. But some days I will spend hours over one sentence. When I’m stuck, I put on music, and start pacing. There might not be many words produced, but the creative flow is brimming. When I write my photo illustrated books I can spend a whole day looking at literally thousands of photos and come away with just one perfect image and feel that it was a good day’s work. Likewise, when I am deep in my non fiction I may research a topic for days, listen to podcasts, read books, and then refine the essence of all I have learnt into one perfect sentence. It’s tedious and exhilarating all in one.
Do you enjoy writing, or do you find it a painful experience?
I LOVE it! When there are times I can’t write, I get withdrawal symptoms. I need the creative outlet or I get irritable, tense, tight shoulder blades, the works.
Do you show your work in progress to anyone?
No, not usually. I like to finish my work first, then I like to edit it at least once by myself and only then I will share it with a select group of people whose opinions I value. Until I get my thoughts straight I don’t want to be influenced by anyone else. This all changed when I began to co-write with J.S. Kiss and with Josie Montano, but you can read about those experiences on the With J.S.Kiss and With Josie pages.
Are the plots of your books preplanned?
When I write novels, I’m a bungee jumper – that is, I don’t plot to much extent before I start. Rather, I jump in and let the characters take control. Sometimes when I am on a roll, I finish a chapter and sit back in amazement as my characters have gone places I never meant them to go. They come alive and take over. When that happens it’s elating!
However, my photo books are the opposite. Every step is mapped and controlled.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
TIME! There is never enough.
What genre are you most comfortable writing?
If you had asked me that years ago, I would have said fantasy and sci-fi as that was where my passions lay. But circumstances meant I have written in many genre and I’ve enjoyed them all. Lately, I am being led more and more towards non-fiction and I am surprised at how much pleasure facts can bring.
Do you base your novels on real people and events in your life?
Absolutely. I use life. People. Landscapes. Things I see around me. Emotions. I’ve written whole novels based on pieces of music. Once I saw an old leather gun powder container, with a cobra stopper, in a shop. As soon as I picked it up, I knew I had to write about it. It took me a year to bargain it down to a price I could afford, then it sat on my lap for weeks as I wrote a novel. And people certainly influence me. I have the most amazing, eclectic friends who are a constant inspiration to me.
Do you have any advice for other aspiring writers?
Don’t just start to write, finish what you write. No one has ever had an unfinished novel or article or poem published, at least, not while they were still alive!
Articles About Kathy
An interview with Norah Colvin at Readilearn
Cats and Dogs: Understanding Autism Spectrum and ADHD with Kathy Hoopmann
Norah Colvin is passionate about reading, education and children. She put those loves together to create Readilearn – an online site which is made up from three components that she believes are the foundation of education:
- empowerment through reading
- life-long learning
- with the focus on the individual learner.
I read. I learn. I am.
I was privileged to have her review my latest updated books. All Cats are on the Autism Spectrum, and All Dogs Have ADHD. Here’s a snippet from her review:
“They are definitely beautiful books and delightful to look at, filled from cover to cover with cute cat and dog images. However, the books are more than just that. Kathy shines a positive light on the sometimes-quirky behaviours that are endearing in pets and helps us recognise the beauty and joy we can discover in diversity. She encourages us to accept ourselves and others just as we are.”
Today it is my pleasure to introduce you to Kathy Hoopmann and her delightfully humorous and sensitive books that help to explain how it feels to be on the autism spectrum or to have ADHD — All Cats are on the Autism Spectrum and All Dogs have ADHD.
These books are perfect for use in both the home and classroom settings. Children and adults on the spectrum or diagnosed with ADHD will find themselves in the books, and others will recognise and develop understanding and empathy for their fellows who may travel the world on a slightly different path.
All Cats are on the Autism Spectrum and All Dogs have ADHD are updated versions of Kathy’s previously published and successful books All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome and All Dogs Have ADHD. Kathy explains her reasons for updating them.
“I first published All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome in 2006 and All Dogs Have ADHD in 2009. Fast forward 11 and 14 years and although both books were still selling well, the layouts were dated and some of the text needed tweaking to represent current views and terminology. The biggest criticism I had was that they were written with male pronouns
And, as many girls have ASD and ADHD, they also wanted to see themselves on the page. With these things in mind, I took the opportunity to freshen up the entire books and revitalized them with all new images as well. “
They are definitely beautiful books and delightful to look at, filled from cover to cover with cute cat and dog images. However, the books are more than just that. Kathy shines a positive light on the sometimes-quirky behaviours that are endearing in pets and helps us recognise the beauty and joy we can discover in diversity. She encourages us to accept ourselves and others just as we are.
A recommendation by Haley Moss
The updated version of All Cats are on the Autism Spectrum has a beautiful foreword written by Haley Moss, Esq., an autistic attorney, author, artist and advocate. Haley writes:
“Me-wow! I was 13 years old when my mom brought All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome home from an autism conference. You’d expect teenagers to think they’re too old for picture books when they so desperately want to be seen as adults, but nope — the adorable cats and simple yet positive words to connect everything together made me, a lifelong dog owner and lover, feel a deep connection with cats and autism. I couldn’t describe the magic of how cats perfectly explained everything I felt and knew about myself. Kathy’s stunning depictions of autism resonated deeply with me. I was already confident and proud to be autistic, and that pride was solidified in a picture book.”
Haley continues to explain the positive and profound effect the book had upon her own self-awareness and the understanding of those in important relationships with her. Of the updated book, Haley says,
“All Cats are on the Autism Spectrum is like receiving a hug from a lifelong friend you haven’t seen in a while.”
I don’t think you could get a better recommendation that that.
Both All Cats are on the Autism Spectrum and All Dogs have ADHD help us develop a greater understanding of cats, dogs and people. Through that understanding we learn to develop empathy and compassion and a world that is a nicer place for all of us.
About Kathy Hoopmann
Kathy Hoopmann has written over twenty books with translations into nineteen languages. She has won, and been shortlisted for many literary awards, including the Children’s Book Council of Australia Award and has four times been awarded a Nautilus Award (US) which is granted to ‘books that change the world’. Kathy is best known for her writing on various diagnoses from autism to mental illness, in fiction and non-fiction. The simplicity, charm and insight of Kathy’s books have made them must-haves for children and adults worldwide.
Lydia’s newsletter
All Cats are on the Autism Spectrum
A blog piece by Lydia, an Autistic individual who documents life on the Autistic spectrum and interviews loads of interesting people, so I feel very honoured that she reached out to me.
Her words: “Remember Kathy Hoopmann? She’s back with a new book – an update – called All Cats Are On The Autism Spectrum. The book is out later this month – and I spoke to her for this newsletter.”
Here’s a taster…
Would you consider yourself to be a cat person?
I love cats. I grew up on a small farm and we always had a house cat or two that were loved and cared for, plus lots of barn cats that bred wild and kept down the mice, but definitely did not like to be cuddled. (I learnt that the hard way.) However, as I grew older I developed an allergy to cats so I have not been able to own one for a very long time – not that you can ever really ‘own’ a cat, of course 😊
Just write for kids
The Quick Six Interview with Kathy Hoopmann and Josie Montano
It’s a pleasure to feature a ‘spectacular’ author duo on the blog, representing their upcoming new release that will surely be a hit with a wide audience; Kathy Hoopmann and Josie Montano with The Secret Science Society’s Spectacular Experiment! Wow!
It’s a pleasure to feature a ‘spectacular’ author duo on the blog, representing their upcoming new release that will surely be a hit with a wide audience; Kathy Hoopmann and Josie Montano with The Secret Science Society’s Spectacular Experiment! Wow!
About the Authors
Kathy has written over twenty books for children and adults, and is best known for her books on developmental and mental health. She has been shortlisted for many literary awards, including the CBCA Award for All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome and has four times been awarded a silver Nautilus Award (US), given to books that make a better world.
Josie’s dream was to be an author from age 9. Decades later, she’s now an international award-winning author of over 60 books. Josie also writes under the pseudonym of Santomauro on the topic of autism. She’s always writing down ideas and wants to write until she’s a really, really old lady in a nursing home full of other authors.
WHO
Who wrote, illustrated and published this book?
The book is written jointly by co-authors Kathy Hoopmann and Josie Montano, and is illustrated by Ann-Marie Finn. Published by Wombat Books.
WHAT
What is it called and what is it about?
The book is called
THE SECRET SCIENCE SOCIETY’S SPECTACULAR EXPERIMENT and is
about four students who are forced to represent their school to produce an experiment for a science fair.
Mona likes to moan, Kiki with anxiety, is a worry-wart, Bart with autism loves following rules, and Zane with ADHD HATES following rules. When they are together, it can only mean one thing: DISASTER!
During a catastrophic science experiment, the very diverse characters learn to work together and find that what some might call ‘weaknesses’ are actually strengths. This is a fun story about diversity and individuality.
WHEN
When is its release / launch date?
It will be released on August 10 when schools are celebrating all things science in Science Week. -We are having multiple launches with the dates to be confirmed.
WHERE
Where did the inspiration for this book come from?
We met in 1999 at a writers’ festival and have been friends ever since. We have both written on the topic of Autism Spectrum Disorders, plus are published in other genres. Over a coffee one day we came up with the concept of the Secret Science Society’s Spectacular Experiment and had a blast creating a bunch of quirky, lovable rascals who get up to all sorts of mischief, whether they mean to or not.
WHY
Why is this book meaningful to you and why would its message resonate with readers?
With our combined understanding of mental and developmental diagnoses that have lots of letters (ASD, GAD, ADHD), we wanted to create a world where all children are included and accepted and valued for who they are. It is our hope that this aim will resonate with all readers, and especially with those with autism, anxiety and ADHD. All children will be able to see themselves through the characters on the page and also learn through their fun, exciting and unexpected experiences.
HOW
How have you promoted this book and how can we find it?
The book is due for release in August, so we are currently working with our publisher to produce an exciting and full marketing plan including school talks and presentations and interviews. In the mean time checkout
http://wombatbooks.com.au/index.php/the-secret-science-society-s-spectacular-experiment
for more details and teacher notes.
#thequicksixinterview #thesecretsciencesocietysspectacularexperiment #kathyhoopmann #josiemontano
READILEARN Book Review
Review of The Secret Science Society’s Spectacular Experiment
Welcome to my review of The Secret Science Society’s Spectaular Experiment, a new junior fiction chapter book co-authored by Kathy Hoopmann and Josie Montano
Welcome to my review of The Secret Science Society’s Spectacular Experiment, a new junior fiction chapter book co-authored by Kathy Hoopmann and Josie Montano.
The book will be launched on 10 August, timed to coincide with National Science Week 10–18 August and just prior to Children’s Book Week 17–23 August. I received an advance copy from the authors in return for an honest review.
About The Secret Science Society’s Spectacular Experiment
Authors: Kathy Hoopmann and Josie Montano
Illustrator: Ann-Marie Finn
Publisher: Wombat Books
Publication date: 10 August 2019
Genre: Junior fiction
Number of pages: 92
The blurb
Mona likes to moan. Kiki is a worry-wart. Bart loves following rules. And Zane HATES following rules.
When the four of them are put into the Secret Science Society together, this could only mean one thing: DISASTER!
Will they be able to work together to create an experiment that Mona won’t moan about, Kiki knows is safe, Bart will think is perfect and that is really, REALLY exciting for Zane? But sssshhh, the ending is a secret.
About the authors
Kathy Hoopmann
Kathy Hoopmann has written over twenty books for children and adults, with translations into fourteen languages. Her work sells widely in Australia, the UK, the US and the Middle East.
She has won, and been shortlisted for many literary awards, including the Children’s Book Council of Australia Award and has four times been awarded a silver Nautilus Award (US) which is given to books that make a better world. Kathy is best known for her photo-illustrated books dealing with Asperger Syndrome, ADHD and Anxiety. The simplicity, charm and insight of these books have made them must-haves for children and adults worldwide.
I introduced Kathy to you last year through a guest post she contributed about her books that support teachers teaching children with ASD.
Josie Montano
From age nine Josie’s dream was to be an author and at age 13 she received her first rejection letter from Golden Books. Decades later, she is now an international award-winning author of over 60 books.
Josie also writes under the pseudonym of Santomauro on the topic of Autism. She’s always holding a pencil and writing down ideas. Josie wants to write until she’s a really, really, really, old lady in a nursing home full of other authors.
My review
The story opens with Zane, bored with the lesson and struggling to see the sense in the teacher’s instructions. When, in total innocence, he decides to find out what could be so bad about mixing those coloured powders, his usually calm teacher springs into action and evacuates the classroom.
From there the tension and excitement escalate as four diverse children are thrust together to create an experiment for the soon-to-be-held science expo. It’s a chance for Zane, who often acts without thinking to show he can be responsible as he works with his best friend Bart, who has a tendency to take things literally and prefers to work on his own, Kiki who sees disaster in every situation and difficult-to-please Mona.
I was drawn into the story from its opening and I’m certain children will be too, seeing elements of themselves and their classmates in the familiar characters and situations as they try to work together, each contributing equally to the experiment.
The story deals with diversity in an open and honest way that will help children develop a deeper understanding and acceptance of themselves and others who may have quirky characteristics due to ADHD, ASD, Anxiety or other differences.
The book, perfect for reading aloud to the class, provides opportunities for sensitive and open discussions of emotions and diversity which in turn contribute to the development of empathy. It just might inspire children to ask their own science questions and conduct their own science experiments too, responsibly, of course.
The Secret Science Society’s Spectacular Experiment is also suitable as an introduction to chapter books for your more able readers.
Where you can purchase The Secret Science Society’s Spectacular Experiment
The book can be pre-ordered prior to its 10 August launch or purchased after that from the publisher Wombat Books.
Teaching notes are also available on the website.
Both Kathy and Josie are available for school visits. You can contact them via the publisher Wombat Book, their websites or on social media.
Kathy Hoopmann: www.kathyhoopmann.com
Twitter: @kathyhoopmann
Linked In: Kathy Hoopmann
Josie Montano: www.booksbyjosie.com.au
You can also read a little more about the authors and their book on the Just Write for Kids blog.
Book Lover Book Reviews
Kathy Hoopmann, author of All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome on making a difference
Today we welcome author Kathy Hoopmann to share with us how she came to write her suite of award-winning books for children about the autism spectrum, anxiety, ADHD and more. And, the very generous people at Footprint Books have offered AUS/NZ readers the chance to win 1 of 2 book packs containing Kathy’s bestselling titles.
If anyone had told me twenty years ago that I would spend a large portion of my life writing about Asperger Syndrome, Autism and Anxiety, I would have snorted in disbelief.
My first writing love was dragons. And gnomes, and dwarves. And gnomes flying on dragons. Oh, and science fiction and different universes. My fantasy novel, Tremada, is still up there with the books that I most enjoyed writing. Life inside my head was infinitely more exciting than real life. I was not exactly what you would call ‘earthbound’.
Then I discovered the Asperger mind, and a new fascination took over. Admittedly, my first three books that dealt with Asperger Syndrome combined my interests. Blue Bottle Mystery had a genie, Of Mice and Aliens had, well, aliens, and Lisa and the Lacemaker dealt with a ghost. (Blue Bottle Mystery and Lisa and the Lacemaker came alive recently as stunning graphic novels. My illustrators, Rachael Smith and Mike Medaglia are artistic geniuses!)
My teen novel Haze was supposed to be about time travel. In fact, I received an Arts Queensland grant to write the novel, and had included a science fiction plot as part of my application. Then my teenage Aspie refused to comply. It was real life or nothing with that dude, so I put aside my sci fi yearnings and obeyed my character. I do that a lot – let my characters write their own plots. It’s easier than arguing with them and they usually win in the end anyway.
My first photo book, All Cats have Asperger Syndrome came from the recognition that whilst there was a lot of information on Asperger’s available at the time (the book was released in 2006) much of it was adult orientated, wordy and full of technical jargon. There was nothing for children to read for themselves and nothing simple to hand to Grandpa or a teacher or the lady next door to explain why those with Asperger’s did the things they did. I wanted to write a quick, visual read that highlighted the positives without ignoring the difficulties of the syndrome and what better vehicle than via cats. Okay, so that last bit might not be so obvious. That concept was planted in my mind years earlier at a conference given by Tony Attwood where he said, “All cats are dogs with Asperger Syndrome.” So simple and profound. However, it took me five years to translate that into a book.
As soon as All Cats was released, people started to wonder, if cats have Asperger Syndrome, then surely dogs must have ADHD. So I wrote that book too.
Since then I was bombarded with other suggestions for photo books. All Donkeys have ODD (maybe), All Sloths Have Depression (I’m sure they don’t. Have you seen their happy little faces?) and All Fish Have Short Term Memory Loss (Not true. Apparently, they have a longer memory span than teenagers). One suggestion stuck in my mind. All Birds Have Anxiety. I was a bit hesitant at first wondering if their little beaks could make a wide a variety of eggspressions. I was pheasantly surprised. Birds had owl the emotions I needed. (I’ll stop with the fowl jokes now. Not everyone finds them emu-sing). And so another book was born.
Although my photo-books are by far my bestsellers, my lesser known books have also been a joy to write. One of my favourites is Elemental Island. I co-wrote this with J.S. Kiss while she was living in Budapest and I lived in Dubai. Talk about long distance relationships! We had so much fun creating a world that was entirely populated by people on the spectrum. That island is quite something. Go visit it sometime.
And my Autism writing is set to continue with a quirky little book called the Secret Science Society where a group of lovable rascals, (with a bunch of diagnoses that have lots of letters – ASD, OCD, ODD, ADHD, etc) get up to all sorts of mischief, whether they mean to or not. I am co-writing this with Josie Santomauro, a fellow ASD author, who by weird co-incidence, lives five minutes from me. And we still mostly communicate by email. Go figure.
As for the future, well, not everything is Autism related. I have a number of books with Christian themes that I am working on. I am also branching into writing biographies. One is about a girl, brain damaged in a car accident, and her remarkable journey of recovery. The other is about…, well, I can’t tell you yet. A writer has to have some secrets!
Writing has been my life nigh on twenty years now. As much as I have enjoyed the writing process and the joy of holding a new book in my hands, the most rewarding thing of all, is to have someone say that my work has made a difference in their life. To know that they experienced an ‘Ah ha’ moment when reading this book or that their child could face school another day after reading that book, makes every moment in front of the computer worthwhile. To be read and to make a difference. For me, that’s what writing is all about.
That Kathy is making a very real difference is in no doubt. In December 2017 she was the recipient of Autism Queenland’s Individual Achievement Award at the organisation’s annual Creative Futures Recognition Awards Ceremony.
Find out a lot more about Kathy Hoopmann, her many award-winning titles and projects currently underway at her website. You can also connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.
Disclosure: If you click a link in this post and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission.
Book Giveaway
The very generous people at Footprint Books, the distributor of Kathy Hoopmann’s titles in Australia and New Zealand, have provided 2 book gift packs for giveaway. Each pack contains 6 titles as outlined below. Simply tell us which gift pack you would most like to win in the form below.
- Entry open to people with Australian or New Zealand mailing address only, entries close midnight 28 February 2018
- Earn extra entries in the draw by spreading the word via Twitter , Pinterest and Facebook/Google+/Webpage
- The 2 winners will be randomly selected and announced on our Facebook Page
Gift Pack 1, Value $155.94 RRP
Lisa and the Lacemaker – The Graphic Novel
Of Mice and Aliens: An Asperger Adventure
Gift Pack 2, Value $145.85 RRP
Blue Bottle Mystery – The Graphic Novel: An Asperger Adventure
All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome
Lisa and the Lacemaker: An Asperger Adventure
Blue Bottle Mystery: An Asperger Adventure
SORRY, ENTRIES CLOSED — See winners announcement
* Readers outside Australia and New Zealand will be pleased to hear that Kathy’s books are also available worldwide from Book Depository.
ReadiLearn
Teaching Children with ASD – Ideas for the Classroom with guest author Kathy Hoopmann
Do you have children with ASD in your classroom and wonder best how to cater to their needs? Do you have friends with Asperger’s Syndrome or perhaps have it yourself? This week’s guest, Kathy Hoopmann, has a wealth of suggestions to help you understand and appreciate and enjoy the complex syndrome that is known as ASD.
Do you have children with Asperger Syndrome in your classroom and wonder how best to cater to their needs? Do you have friends with Asperger Syndrome, or maybe have it yourself? This week’s guest Kathy Hoopmann has a wealth of suggestions to help you understand, appreciate and enjoy the complex syndrome that is known as ASD.
Combining her knowledge of Asperger Syndrome with her teaching background, Kathy has written over twenty books for children and adults. She is best known for her photo-illustrated books that deal with Asperger Syndrome, ADHD and anxiety. The simplicity, charm and insight of these books has made them must-haves for children and adults around the world.
Kathy has won and been shortlisted for many literary awards including the Children’s Book Council of Australia Award, and she has four times been awarded a silver Nautilus Award (US). Her books have been translated into thirteen languages and sell widely in Australia, the UK, the US and the Middle East.
The books help children and adults with ASD recognise that they are not alone and provide support to carers, teachers and other professionals working with people with ASD. In any home, school or classroom library Kathy’s books would help everyone learn to understand and support each other.
Welcome to readilearn, Kathy. Over to you.
The boy crawled under a table, his cap pulled low. All eyes were on me to watch what I would do. I was the relief teacher, or ‘light relief’ and the class was eager for a good show. But I had been a relief teacher for too long to take the bait. Besides, I recognised the behavior. The boy displayed many characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder and frankly under the table was the very best place he could be, for his sake and mine.
‘Miss?’ a child ventured, ‘Billy’s under the table and he’s wearing a hat indoors.’
‘So he is,’ I agreed, ‘I guess he likes it there and that hat looks pretty comfortable to me.’ I went on with the lesson. Billy came out in his own time and all was well. He still wore the cap.
That was twenty years ago, before I started writing about Asperger Syndrome, (now known as Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD) but it was for situations like this that I began writing my books.
When a child is diagnosed with…, well anything really, most carers are prepared to investigate the issue to great depths. Doctor Google gets a solid working out as they arm themselves with facts and solutions. Often parents-with-an-interest are more learned than their local GPs and could run their own clinics. (In fact, they do; they’re called Support Groups.)
However, Grandma or the old man next door or the overworked teacher is much less inclined to spend every waking moment solving issues that have puzzled specialists for years. I realised that there needed to be some simple literature that demystified Asperger’s so that our society could become aware of the many positives of those on the spectrum, whilst supporting the negatives.
My first venture into ASD writing was The Asperger Adventure series; Blue Bottle Mystery, Of Mice and Aliens and Lisa and the Lacemaker. To the best of my knowledge, these were the first children’s fiction books with the main characters diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, and many a parent and teacher have used these books to help children come to terms with their own diagnosis. Blue Bottle Mystery and Lisa and the Lacemaker have been re-released as graphic novels.
I later ventured into nonfiction with my photo books; All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome, All Dogs Have ADHD and Inside Asperger’s Looking Out. Although marketed for children, I never saw them as a children’s book. Knowing how time-strapped most people are these days, I wanted to write a non-threatening, light-hearted, but enlightening book that adults and children alike could read in minutes yet come away with a much deeper appreciation of the specific issue.
They have been used extensively in classrooms to help other children understand those in their midst. I often get mail from people telling me the impact my books have on their lives. People feel validated as ‘real’ people and know that they are not alone, that others are like them ‘out there’ and that someone finally understands them. Here is an extract from one lady and her powerful reaction to reading All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome…
“I am sixty four years old, fairly sensible and grounded yet I started to sob. With every page I turned and read, I cried harder. All the wasted years and misunderstandings in my life were somewhat being explained. You were relating my whole existence to date, and the tears would not stop… I cried like never before… tears, mainly for my lost and wasted life, were being dragged up from the bottom of my heart and the tears kept coming.”
My heart aches for this lady and it is exactly for people like this that I write.
Since then I have been bombarded with other suggestions for photo books. All Goats have Pica (true- they’ll eat anything), All Lions have Narcissistic Personality Disorder (possibly, but maybe it’s just their right) and All Clams Have Cotard Delusion (I quite like that one).
A clinical psychologist revealed that about 80% of his clients have anxiety in some form or other, and that led me to write All Birds have Anxiety. One mum told me that her young son was riddled with anxiety when he had to present a talk in front of his class. Normally, he would have refused to go to school on presentation day, but instead, he sat quietly, read All Birds Have Anxiety, then got up and dressed for school. The power of positive words can never be underestimated.
One of my favourite books is Elemental Island, co-written with J.S. Kiss. We created a utopia that is entirely populated by people on the spectrum. And then a child with ‘social syndrome’ is born. It explores and celebrates differences in people from an alternative perspective. It’s a very interesting island. Go visit sometime.
Several years ago, I had long swapped my ‘teacher hat’ for’ visiting author hat’. However with my background in teaching, and my knowledge of ASD, I was in the perfect place to write a book to help teachers understand, appreciate and support, and dare I say, enjoy, the children on the spectrum in their care. ‘The Essential Manual for Asperger Syndrome (ASD) in the Classroom’ tells you exactly what you are getting.
I knew from personal experience that after an exhausting day with students, the last thing teachers want to do is research how to help one child in one class with a specific issue. So I did all the research for them.
This manual is easy to navigate, rich with information and is filled with tips that are easily workable in the average classroom. The book is not designed to be read cover to cover, but rather an ‘Issue Sorter’ at the front of the book directs the teacher to the section most likely to be helpful, such as social issues, bullying, field trips, meltdowns, forming friendships, literal thinking and speaking, and the overwhelming influence of sensory sensitivities.
Many of these issues overlap with other diagnoses and can help provide a classroom environment that builds self-esteem, which, let’s face it, is a more powerful solution to good grades than any weekly test.
In each section, I’ve included an insight as to how each issue affects the child from his/her point of view; activities to help explain the child’s behaviour to other students; and a ‘Home Link’ helping parents and teachers to work together. Basically, I wrote a book that I wished I had owned years ago.
And my Autism writing is set to continue with The Secret Science Society where a group of quirky rascals, with a bunch of diagnoses that have lots of letters (ASD, OCD, ODD, ADHD, etc,) get up to all sorts of mischief, whether they mean to or not. I am co-writing this with Josie Santomauro, a fellow ASD author, and it is due out late 2018.
Writing has been my life for almost twenty years and if even one misunderstood and rejected person feels validated and worthy after reading my books, then it has all been worthwhile.
Thank you, Kathy Hoopmann, for sharing these insights into Asperger Syndrome and how your books can help us understand, accept and appreciate each other.
Thank you for having me.
Bare Essentials
All Birds Have Anxiety by Kathy Hoopmann
Humans aren’t the only ones to experience anxiety. All Birds Have Anxiety is a humorous and comforting little book that explores the ubiquitous nature of stress, how it can be constructive and what we can do to experience less negative anxiety and more joy in our lives.
Anxiety Disorders are prevalent in our society. And they
come with lots of letters: GAD, OCD, PTSD, SAD. Tey
can affect children just as easily as adults. In 2015, in the
Young Minds Matter Survey, Australia, it was revealed that
278,000 children aged between 4 and 17 years experienced
an anxiety disorder in the previous 12 months. And we’re
not talking about feeling a bit anxious here. These are
crippling experiences that can leave a person gasping for
breath, hiding from others for months, panicking to the
point of hysteria, or compulsively repeating patterns and
actions. Anxiety Disorders disrupt lives, strain friendships
and can hurt families.
And yet, despite the prevalence of anxiety, where almost
everyone will either have had a anxiety attack during their
life, or know of someone who has, there is still a huge
stigma about revealing the disorder to others.
A/Prof James Scott, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at
The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research
states, “Stigma and a low level of mental health literacy are two
important and highly modifiable reasons for the ongoing
unacceptably high levels of anxiety disorders in children living in
high income countries such as Australia.”
So it became obvious to me that there was a need for a
book that not only realistically and truthfully revealed the
massive difficulties associated with anxiety but also made
them less threatening, and more easy to explain to others,
including to family, school, friends and health professionals.
As this would be a book that was promoted to children, it
was vitally important that I validated their experiences with
gentleness and sensitivity. My books, ‘All Cats have Asperger
Syndrome’, ‘All Dogs have ADHD’ and ‘Inside Asperger’s
Looking Out’ all used photos of animals as a vehicle to
explain complex diagnoses. So I decided to continue with
that theme and searched for an animal that often displayed
symptoms of anxiety.
I have to admit that I was dubious at first of using birds.
Of course, I recognised that birds indeed must experience
anxiety on a daily basis. In fact, the ‘good’ sides of anxiety,
such as being aware of danger, and an instinctive urge to
protect themselves and their young, are what keeps birds
alive. Birds are also constantly under threat from other birds
and animals, from human intervention and exposure to the
elements, all of which could cause ‘bad’ anxiety. It is well
documented that confined birds may compulsively peck
themselves, or pace back and forwards in their cages, or rock
and shiver. Birds caged directly in front of a window, can
become anxious if they cannot hide from something that
frightens them. They may screech and thrash if they are
constantly watched by an ‘enemy’, such as the house cat.
So I knew that birds certainly experienced anxiety and for
that reason alone, I thought they would be a good vehicle to
explain human anxiety. However, I was worried that with
their hard beaks and feathery eyes, that I would not find
enough images to anthromorphise them. How wrong I was.
Birds are so expressive! I was able to find hundreds of
photos that were cute and fun and could be used to get
complex concepts across in a way that a child could laugh
and say, “Yep, that’s how I feel,” without making them even
more anxious.
Once the vehicle of birds was decided, I then focussed on
two main points. First, I wanted my readers to come to a
full understanding of the unrelenting enormity of anxiety,
and how it pervades every aspect of a person’s life, day and
night. Secondly, I was determined that this would be a
positive book of hope. I spoke to psychologists, doctors and
psychiatrists to learn about the methods they taught to deal
with anxiety on a day to day basis. I chatted with people
with anxiety and asked them what helped and what didn’t.
Ten I summarised all their answers into the simplest
language I could. Not everything in the book works for
everyone. But the important thing is that there are things
that can help.
Anxiety does not have to rule a life forever—at
the very least, it can be tamed, even if it never
goes away completely.
As an Anxiety Disorder is often found alongside other
difficulties, All Birds have Anxiety is printed in the dyslexie
font that has been designed with every letter unique so that
when the letters are flipped or rotated they do not blur with
other letters. For a person with dyslexia, this can help
alleviate one extra stress in their lives.
With the book out for less than a month, I began
receiving reports of it being used in a victim support unit to
calm adults in an agitated state. A widow of a man killed in
a terrorist attack spoke of it giving comfort and putting a
smile on her face. Parents have written that it helps their
children realise that what they feel is normal, it’s okay to be
worried, and anxiety does not have to control their life.
And that is my greatest desire for this book. Tat it
validates the enormous difficulties faced by those with
anxiety, whilst giving helpful advice on how to cope. And
most importantly, that it gives them hope that there will
come a time when they can glide through their days
without anxiety, and face a future worth living.
ALL BIRDS HAVE ANXIETY
Kathy Hoopmann, Jessica Kingsley Publishers 2017
ISBN: 9781785921827
hiParent to Parent NZ
Birds can be extremely anxious creatures
Australian Kathy Hoopmann has been a full-time author for 17 years, with 21 books translated into 13 languages. Here, she talks about her most recent publication All Birds Have Anxiety, released this month.
Australian Kathy Hoopmann has been a full-time author for 17 years, with 21 books translated into 13 languages. Here, she talks about her most recent publication All Birds Have Anxiety, released this month.
After a colleague first suggested Kathy write about anxiety, it wasn’t an idea she relished instantly. It was one, though, that grew in her mind over the following eight years. When another of her books All Dogs Have ADHD was released in 2009, a psychologist who helped her research it propelled her into thinking about this next project.
He said: “A huge portion of my patients, both adults and children have some sort of anxiety related
issue.” But for Kathy, who had no experience with anxiety and knew virtually nothing about it at
the time, it wasn’t a project she immediately jumped into.
“Jump forward eight years, and during that time I’ve encountered numerous people with a whole
variety of anxiety issues. I’ve seen adults crippled with it and know children gasping for breath because of it. It disrupts lives, it strains friendships and hurts families. I wanted to write
a book that could sensitively but realistically reveal the symptoms of anxiety but still give hope,” she says.
After extensive research Kathy says her eyes were opened to the extent of anxiety, and how it can
completely change a person’s life.
“I wanted this book to achieve two main things. First, I wanted my readers to come to a full
understanding of the unrelenting enormity of anxiety and how it pervades every aspect of a
person’s life, day and night,” she says.
“The second thing I wanted to achieve was that this would be a positive book of hope. I spoke
to psychologists, doctors and psychiatrists to learn about the methods they taught to deal with
anxiety on a day-to-day basis. I chatted with people with anxiety and asked them what helped and
what didn’t.”
Kathy’s next step was to summarise the answers into the simplest language she could, and she admits that while not everything in the book works for everyone, the important thing is that there are things that can help.
“Anxiety does not have to rule a life forever. At the very least, it can be tamed, even if it never goes
away completely.”
To those who do deal with anxiety, Kathy says this:
“Anxiety is horrible and lifecrippling. But you are not horrible and your life does not have to
be crippled forever. Get out and enjoy nature, be with people who love you, listen to the wisdom of
others who have found ways to cope with their own anxiety and, if necessary, never be afraid to seek professional help. Then you can dare to hope for the future.”
This book is one in a series written by Kathy Hoopmann. Other books include All Dogs Have ADHD
and All Cats Have Asperger’s syndrome. Kathy has a way of explaining the complexities of these conditions in such a way that parents, teachers, siblings, children and the individuals experiencing
it themselves can relate to. It draws you in from the beginning with the beautiful photos that jump
out of the page. The text takes little effort to read yet powerfully illustrates what anxiety looks
like day-to-day, how it feels in your body, and how it impacts on people’s lives; including their
abilities to perform everyday tasks and make decisions.
The author goes on to explain how self-talk intensifies anxiety, but used positively can be a powerful tool to challenge the negative impacts of anxiety. I like the way it ties together the
interactions between feelings, thoughts and actions in a comprehensive manner. All of the
known recommended strategies for anxiety management are cleverly incorporated into the text
in a manner that makes it seem very achievable. I think anyone who has experienced a moment
of anxiety can relate to this book. It would be a useful a resource for people of all ages.
By Kathy Hoopmann. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, released March 2017. Reviewed by Parent to
Parent NZ and Altogether Autism researcher Rebecca Armstrong, MAppPsy, BSocSci (Hons).
church times
Each Child is Loved by Someone
ASPERGER syndrome is named after Hans Asperger (1906-80), an Austrian paediatrician who identified a group of adults and children who had problems in the areas of social interaction and communication, and had sensory and adaptation issues. So says The Essential Manual for Asperger Syndrome in the Classroom, by Kathy Hoopmann.
Dennis Richards reviews books about Asperger’s, sport, money – and sheep
ASPERGER syndrome is named after Hans Asperger (1906-80), an Austrian paediatrician who identified a group of adults and children who had problems in the areas of social interaction and communication, and had sensory and adaptation issues. So says The Essential Manual for Asperger Syndrome in the Classroom, by Kathy Hoopmann (Jessica Kingsley, £14.99 ( CT Bookshop £13.50)).
Psychological research has given us far greater insight into the syndrome in recent years. That being so, currently up to one in 80 children is now diagnosed as having Asperger syndrome. Thirty years ago, we had barely heard of it. Consequently, all teachers will, at some stage in their careers, come across such children.
Full marks, then, to Kathy Hoopmann. She has written a book that teachers, whom she winningly describes as “time-poor”, will hugely appreciate. It is packed with information, giving jargon-free explanations why children with Asperger syndrome react as they do.
The opening pages are invaluable. The “issue sorter” pages allow the reader to look through a list of up to 60 situations where school problems may occur. There is much to learn from this volume, and we should not be too proud to learn it.
Although I must have taught scores of children on the autistic-spectrum disorder scale, of which Asperger syndrome is a part, I did not know that Asperger children are highly likely to suffer from some kind of sensory disorder. Hoopmann lectures us a bit, but in a way that shows how much the subject matters to her.
“Never forget that you are teaching a child who is loved by someone. Read that sentence again,” she instructs us. The best moments come when, suddenly, the penny drops, and we start to recognise children we have taught – their pattern of behaviour, and a rational explanation. Brilliant.
Mom Blog Society
All Birds Have Anxiety: Explaining Anxiety to Children
It’s hard enough for adults to deal with anxiety, but with children, it’s extra challenging. Author, Kathy Hoopmann, has written a book to help explain anxiety to children, in a way that they can understand.
All Birds Have Anxiety is filled with vibrant colorful photographs of birds ( I know it sounds odd, but the pictures fit perfectly with each concept).
Just look at that face…I’m anxious just looking at him/her!
Having been raised on a farm in Australia, Hoopmann has been surrounded by animals all her life. I guess it’s a natural fit for her to use them as a way to teach children about issues. All Birds Have Anxiety is not her first publication. As a best-selling author, she has also penned:
- All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome
- All Dogs Have ADHD
- Inside Asperger’s Looking Out
- The Asperger Adventure series
About All Birds Have Anxiety
Life as a bird can be stressful! From worrying about airplanes, windows, and getting enough worms to eat, it is clear that birds can be anxious beings. Through a light-touch, quizzical depiction of bird behavior, All Birds Have Anxiety uses colorful images and astute explanations to explore with gentle humor what it means to live with anxiety day-to-day, and how to begin to deal with it.
With a background in teaching (as a primary school teacher and then obtaining a Graduate Diploma in Theology in Education), Hoopmann is well qualified to share thoughts and insights with the children that she writes for.
I’m the mom of 10, and I know a good children’s book when I read one…and All Birds Have Anxiety is EXCELLENT. I will be purchasing a number of copies, for some of my younger grandchildren, who yes, suffer from anxiety. I’m also going to make sure that our local library has one or more on their shelves.
The explanations are easy for children to understand, and the photos are so perfect. A Flamingo for talking about how one cannot pretend that things are all right…for a LONG time. A precious little chick snuggled next to a puppy showing that there are things that can be done, to help us feel better. At the end of the book there is a fabulous “glossary” of the different birds and photo credits, which has fascinated the eight year old that I’m with right now.
Tri-Country Times
Furry friends make great reading buddies
Dana Knapp reads, “All Dogs have ADHD,” by Kathy Hoopmann to first- through fifth-grade students at State Road Elementary School in Fenton, as an optional activity during recess. She has children at the school and felt the message of the book would resonate with students.
Fenton — Trigger, an approximately 3-year-old black lab played to a full house for the entire recess hour at State Road Elementary on Monday, March 5.
The very patient rescue dog was brought in by owner Dana Knapp of Rose Township as part of a special “March is Reading Month” activity at the school.
Knapp read, “All Dogs have ADHD,” by Kathy Hoopmann to first- through fifth-grade students as an optional activity during recess. She has children at the school and felt the message of the book would resonate with students.
The children laughed, asked questions and pet Trigger. “They loved it, they are excited to see who comes in the rest of the weeks,” said first-grade teacher Sonja Brooks. “We, of course, read and love it all year, but March is an extra celebration of it.”
Knapp and Trigger are first of a series of guest readers, which will all include animals.
There will be a different guest each week throughout the month, including a search and rescue team from Ann Arbor, Adopt-A-Pet, and a hedgehog.
The animals tie into State Road Elementary’s focus on rescue animals, and giving pets their proper care.
Aside from reading with an animal, there are also “reading buddies” in the morning, where older students read with younger ones, which Brooks said has also gone over very well.
Which School Advisor
Kathy Hoopmann Launches New Asperger’s Manual
Whichachooladvisor.com met long-time Dubai resident and Asperger’s Syndrome author- Kathy Hoopmann to discuss the motivation behind her new book “The Essential Manual for Asperger Syndrome (ASD) in the Classroom.”
Whichachooladvisor.com met long-time Dubai resident and Asperger’s Syndrome author- Kathy Hoopmann to discuss the motivation behind her new book “The Essential Manual for Asperger Syndrome (ASD) in the Classroom.”
What is the motivation behind your long-term interest in Asperger’s Syndrome?
I first became aware of Asperger Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) around 1997 when I could see how it impacted various people around me; from students, friends and family. At the time there was a lot of negativity surrounding the diagnosis. However, although I could see that children with Asperger’s could face difficulties, I could also see that they had loads of positive traits too. I wrote my first Asperger book, Blue Bottle Mystery, to show that the main character, Ben, was clever and funny and loyal and just happened to have Asperger’s at the same time. This has been the theme of all my books on ASD, that sure, these children might have some problems, what child doesn’t, but looks at all the great things they can do too!
Previously you were a teacher – to what extend did you draw on this experience while writing “The Essential Manual for Asperger Syndrome (ASD) in the Classroom?”
I taught full time and part time for twenty years as a primary school teacher. I remember how year after year, more and more children with needs I did not understand came through the door. I have also written about Asperger Syndrome for fifteen years and talked to many parents and teachers about the needs of the child in the classroom. So I put these two areas of expertise together and came up with a book I wish I had owned many years ago.
This is your first Asperger’s manual- what made you decide the time was right to write something more ‘instructional?’
This is my second teacher manual. The first was An Environmental Handbook for Teachers that was published by Jerboa Books, a Dubai publisher. As per its name, it was written to help teachers understand and implement environmental awareness in the classroom.
As an author of books on ASD, many people asked my advice about school issues. There are a lot of good books out there about schooling; some very theoretical, and some short and sweet, but none of them were comprehensive and yet simple to read at the same time. So I decided to write a book that a teacher could use without having to read every page. I knew that for any book to be useful, it had to be easy to navigate, simple to understand and be filled with tips that are workable in the average classroom. I also hope that little things might stick in the mind of a teacher that will unlock ways to help their students.
In addition to educators, who do you see benefiting from “The Essential Manual for Asperger Syndrome (ASD) in the Classroom?”
This book will be hugely useful for anyone who has an interest in a child with ASD. Although it is obviously targeted at teachers, I can see parents reading the book from cover to cover in order to be able to suggest helpful and realistic ways a teacher can support their child. Homeschooling parents, music teachers, football coaches, grandparents, etc. can all benefit from the information and tips in the book.
How did you set about researching the manual?
Along with my own teaching experience and the knowledge I have gleaned from writing my other books, I spoke to children and parents and teachers and asked their views on issues regarding the classroom and listened to their complaints and noted the things they were most happy with. I read books, I did a lot of web research, I listened to many You Tube videos made by people on the spectrum, I joined Asperger chat rooms and read copious blogs.
Tell us a little about what we can expect from the book.
I have set out the book with a description of many of the most common issues children with Asperger’s face, such as being literal thinkers, not understanding the perspective of others and having difficulty adapting to change, plus I included a large section on sensory issues. Then I added an explanation from the child’s perspective which is often vastly different from a parent or teacher’s perspective. I followed that up with suggestions on how to help the child in the classroom and finally a section on how the teacher can help the parents support the child at home.
We asked Kathy to give us her top tips for everyone who might be educating and/or parenting a child with Asperger’s Syndrome, and they are:
Listen to the child. Be fair. Listen to the child.
If a child appears naughty, take the time to ask why she behaved that way. Her answer may surprise you. Perhaps she did not hear you clearly, or at all, or took your instructions literally.
Be aware that children on the spectrum do not read body language well. If you are showing anger or impatience by crossing your arms and frowning, then it’s time for you to change. State your feelings clearly and the child will respond.
Don’t give homework. Okay, I know this is unrealistic but it would make a world of difference to the child and his family.
Never forget that the child you are teaching is loved by someone. This one should never be forgotten.
“The Essential Manual for Asperger Syndrome (ASD) in the Classroom” by Kathy Hoopmann is available from Jessica Kingsley Publishers (www.jkp.com) and via all major online bookstores.
Khaleej Times
A new children’s book, ‘Omar’s Goats’, shows children the importance of going green
YOUNGSTERS IN THE Gulf are learning the importance of going green, thanks to a new children’s book encouraging environmental awareness. Written by Kathy Hoopmann and illustrated by Donna Acheson-Julliet, the story unfolds as Omar recruits various animals from the region to help him clean the desert.