Tony the Turtle Books
Created by Valerie Sheehan and illustrated by Susan Meaney
These books have been created to help children with Autism with everyday activities, through the stories of Tony, children can see how Tony feels about going shopping, trying new food or going swimming. The books are great for children and parents or siblings to enjoy together and visualise situations and help both children and parents in these situations.
Visual learning is a very important tool for children with ASD.
It helps them to focus on and remember information. The language is kept direct in the books with very clear visuals so children can follow the stories themselves if they want to look at it. Tony's expressions are easily recognisable and these clear visuals make it easy for the child to follow the story and understand how Tony is feeling.
With ASD, children's senses can be overwhelmed by unfiltered information.
The world can be intensely noisy, blinding or filled with strong smells. It is harder for them to focus on words and hold conversations. Their main difficulties typically present in three core areas: social interaction, social communication and imagination and play. These difficulties can have a huge impact both on the child and on their family. They can affect the child’s relationships with their parents, siblings and peers.
Tony the Turtle stories focus on specific social skills that children with ASD may find difficult.
Through her vast experience as a home tutor, Valerie has learned many ways to support children and develop their skills.
This series of books provides a range of strategies that the characters in the books implement in order to help them learn what to do in a range of social situations in a positive manner.
Tony Goes Shopping
"Tony goes shopping" Going shopping with kids can be a chore for any parent but if your child has autism a “simple" trip to the supermarket needs some planning!
Tony Goes Swimming
Swimming has great benefits for all children but for children with autism it can be very calming and therapeutic.
Tony Tries New Food
This story looks at trying new food without pressure in the hope that curiosity will take over and the child will choose to try it him or herself.
“Valerie has created a wonderfully child centred series of books which demonstrate many of the strategies that we recommend for helping children with ASD to understand the world and communicate more effectively”
— Michaela Connolly, Senior Educational Psychologist
“Valerie has extensive knowledge of and experience in working with children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has used this wealth of experience to create an enchanting series of books which aim to help support parents and their children in a range of different social contexts and in their ability to learn new skills”
— Charlotte Cogan, Senior Speech and Language Therapist
For a set of the 3 books its fantastic value at €18.99 with free shipping in Ireland
individually they are €7.99