Product Description

Children with autism or Asperger Syndrome (AS) have difficulty understanding figurative language because they use and comprehend language literally and expect words to mean exactly what they say. This can often lead to misunderstandings at home and in the classroom. Jude Welton looks at a hundred of the most common figures of speech in this visual workbook designed as a springboard for family and classroom discussions. Each figure of speech is accompanied by an illustration showing its literal meaning, which will help AS children recognize and learn to enjoy metaphors and figurative language. The book can be used by parents one-to-one with their ASD child. Teachers can also use the book as the basis for classroom work on figurative language.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #73659 in Books
• Published on: 2004-03-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Review
'Figures of speech can often cause confusion for young children - "they had a ball" doesn't necessarily conjure up the image of people having a good time...A new visual workbook, What did you say? What did you mean?, designed as a springboard for discussion, looks at 100 most common figures of speech. The accompanying illustration showing its literal meaning will help children recognise and learn to enjoy metaphors and figurative language.' - Practical Professional Child Care "Jude Welton has given us a truly helpful introduction into the world of metaphor... Any parent or teacher working with Asperger's will find it beginning to open the doors of imagination for the child in ways that they might not have thought possible. A lovely and practical book, which children and grownups can enjoy - and giggle over - together." - from the Foreword, by Elizabeth Newson

About the Author
Jude Welton has a 9-year-old son with AS. Although originally trained as a child psychologist specializing in autism, she is a freelance writer, writing mainly on the arts. She recently started writing about and for children with AS. Jane Telford is a long-time friend of the author. She is an artist and illustrator, who has exhibited paintings and drawings widely in the UK and also internationally.

Customer Reviews

At last a clear explanation....
This book gives clear explanations of metaphors and is suitable for a range of ages and applications including explaining this confusing use of the English language to ASD children. If you've ever been at a loss to explain or give examples of a metaphor buy this book.

Very Easy and Specific To Understand!! Awesome!!!
What Did You Say? What Do You Mean?: An Illustrated Guide to Understanding Metaphors is such a wonderful tool to enhance your knowledge on the backgrounds and/or reasons of each idiom. The author quite specifically illustrated the literal meanings, the real meanings, i.e, implications, reasons of the meanings, and examples. The book is not only for child and adult Aspies, but also neurotypical people. Once you catch what idioms really mean, you will be sure to get hooked on them.
This book certainly is more comprehensible than An Asperger Dictionary of Everyday Expressions(2nd Edition), although the latter contains more information than the former. Especially for Aspies or Non-native speakers of English, I would like to recommend the former to strengthen your vocabulary building more efficiently! I feel it might be hard to image the meanings of idioms written on the latter, because it seems to lack specific information. Therefore, I would like to ask you to start with this book.
After all, this dictionary is the real reinforcement of smoother communications in your daily life! You should keep in mind that overuse of the idioms and metaphors is likely to confuse listeners or readers, though.