A book of train-based conversation social skills lessons for children

with autism spectrum disorders

 

  Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers in two English editions –

US & UK

Also translated by other publishers in French, Mandarin and Japanese.

Click HERE to order The Conversation Train on Amazon.

“This book is a vital tool for anyone teaching conversation skills!  The Conversation Train is packed with engaging train imagery connecting the aspects of conversation with trains in a tangible way.  It explores advanced conversation issues such as a ‘derailed’ conversation, or expanding interactions by ‘making the train longer.’  This interactive format capitalizes on the natural appeal of trains, offering specific teaching cues to support positive peer interactions.  A must-have for any elementary teacher or parent.”

~Jill D. Kuzma, M.A., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist and Social Skill Teacher, Minneapolis, MN

Here are more quotes from reviews of The Conversation Train Book. 

* Click on the quote to connect with the actual review at its web source *

“This is a really clever and helpful book aimed at giving autistic children a better understanding of how everyday conversations work, using the analogy of a steam train… It’s very appealingly done, and there are photocopiable worksheets at the back for reinforcement and assessment.  This is a very high-quality resource, confidently recommended.”

“I really enjoyed how the book breaks down each element of a conversation,  has several examples and then has visuals to help support the child’s own conversations. I can see how practical a book like this would be for a verbal child who is struggling with how to enter, maintain and end a conversation.”

“Highly recommended, especially for educators and public or school children’s library collections.”

“This is a simple and handy method for talking about talking. It is very appropriate for my clients on the autism spectrum (or really, for anyone!). Shaul has provided excellent visuals and very useful pages to copy and use with those who are learning to converse without getting lost in preferred topics.”

“This is a brilliant idea … I would love to see this book in every library and elementary school class room.”

“Great book perfect for kids who are higher functioning on the spectrum. My son loves trains so he really liked the pictures and included work sheets are great. Really helped him relate to the idea of conversation and made it a more enjoyable process.”

“This book has been a huge help.  It describes the parts of conversation as the parts of a train…perfect for my train lover…and gives us a way to talk about conversation.  We’d tried for a long time to explain about not answering what someone else says with an unrelated thought but now we just say, “Oops, you derailed the train,” and he stops and responds to what the other person said.”

“Gifted this to a speech therapist and she used it immediately and said it was a great success!”

“Great book perfect for kids who are higher functioning on the spectrum. My son loves trains so he really liked the pictures and included work sheets are great. Really helped him relate to the idea of conversation and made it a more enjoyable process.”

“Perfect book! Simple and straight forward and includes follow up activities! I recommend it to anyone teaching conversation skills! Love it!”

“I love Joel Shaul’s new book.  It uses kids’ love of trains to engage them in talking about how to start a conversation, keep it going, stay on topic, switch topics appropriately, and end a conversation.”

“An approach to teaching a crucial social skill that is attractive and understandable for the child with ASD. Suitable for the professional, but also easily used by family and friends. The train metaphor is clear, unforced, and, most importantly, inherently interesting. The visual mnemonic for each element greatly facilitates rehearsal and reinforcement.”

 

 

 

Available in Mandarin, published by Huaxia Publishing House; in French, published by Autisme Diffusion; published in Polish by Wydawnictwo Harmonia.