Book Review - Coloring Outside Autism’s Lines: 50+ Activities, Adventures, and Celebrations for Families with Children with Autism

About the Book

Coloring Outside Autism’s Lines: 50+ Activities, Adventures, and Celebrations for Families with Children with Autism (Sourcebooks; ISBN: 978-1-4022-4120-8; TP $14.99; November 2010) includes more than fifty carefully selected outings and activities that bring a new kind of hope for families living with autism. Written by Susan Walton, a mother of an autistic child, she believes that having fun needs to be a central part of any intervention and therapy.

Drawing on her own personal experiences and anecdotes from other parents of children with autism, Walton shares exciting ideas for families living with autism. Activities include new kinds of backyard fun with exercise bikes and zip lines, surprisingly autism-friendly outings such as ice skating, indoor entertainment like hideaway forts you can build in the living room, new twists on the holiday celebrations kids’ love, and much more.

Acknowledging that a great many family activities are dictated by the coping abilities of that child, this book offers tips and advice from dozens of creative families who have found fun with autism, including:    

• What to prepare so you can fully enjoy your outings
• How grandparents, extended family, and special friends can help
•  Activities in your community, on the road, and in day-to-day life
• Strategies for dealing with particular situations that could arise
• Advice for holidays and celebrations
• Resources to help your family dream big

About the Author

Susan Walton grew up in Connecticut and now lives with her family in Northern California. She has three children, and her eldest has autism. While she resists categorization by the variety of factions who attempt to treat or explain autism, she is dedicated to sharing the journey with other families and finding the joy in life. She founded PPSNK (Peninsula Parents of Special Needs Kids), a group where families can connect and enjoy recreation and adventure with their kids in spite of the reality that “into each life, a little rain must fall.” Learn more at susanwaltonbooks.com.

My Take on the BookI know a number of people who have children that have been diagnosed as autistic. In speaking with them they mention that it is so easy to get consumed by the diagnosis itself. This book takes a different stance and focuses on what a family can do to focus now on the child itself and help get the child the help that they need to be successful. What comes out most in this book is that there are so many activities that families can do with their children to bring the best out in the child, but more importantly the best in the whole family.

This book was practical and provides great resources for any family. The book was easy to read and was a quick read. Each section in the book provides step-by-step instructions on how to get the most form the activities that are shared which makes the activities that much more meaningful.

Overall, what I loved most about this book was that this book provided family members ways for them to enjoy their children and their family which is really what families dealing with autism need. 

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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