Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction. 2. Mindfulness Approach. 3. Why Dig? 4. Autism Spectrum Disorder. 5. Anxiety, Anger and Depression. 6. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. 7. Developmental Disability. 8. Wheelchair Users. 9. Poisonous Plants. 10. Gardens for Children who Suffer from Asthma and Allergies. 11. Conclusion. Appendix. Benefits of Horticultural Therapy as Listed in AHTA Position Paper. Risk Assessment. Relaxation/Visualization Exercise for Deep Breathing. Recommended Resources.
Award Winner! Strengthening the mind and body through social, therapeutic gardening at school or home
Natasha Etherington is a horticultural therapist and volunteer master gardener. She designs gardens and adapts horticultural activities to enable people with barriers to enjoy the experience of gardening. Her therapeutic garden design at Pitt Meadows Elementary School won the 2010 Accessibility and Leisure and Recreation Award from the City of Maple Ridge. She lives in British Columbia, Canada with her husband Jason and two children. Her website can be visited at www.experiencegardening.com.
In an increasingly frantic and fast-pace world this book is vital
reading. It includes many child-centred activities that will help a
child build connections and documents the many cognitive,
psychological and social benefits of gardening and being
outdoors... The book also includes appendices on how to carry out a
risk assessment and how to do a relaxation and visualisation
exercise... The author shows her long experience and dedication in
her concluding top tips: to remain flexible and always to maintain
a sense of humour when working with children and to never give up
on your child and always aim high for them.
*The Spark*
Gardening for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Special
Educational Needs has all you need to start gardening and enjoying
this unique experience with the child in your care.
*Canadian Child Magazine*
This inspiring and motivating book presents a thoughtful yet highly
practical program that offers a wealth of opportunities to
complement the indoor curriculum with outdoor gardening-based
activities.
*The Word Pool*
This inspiring and motivating book presents a thoughtful yet highly
practical program that offers a wealth of opportunities to
complement the indoor curriculum with outdoor gardening-based
activities... If teachers, and other who share in the education and
care of the young take up the wealth of possibilities offered here,
the children in their care (whether or not they have special
needs)would indeed benefit
enormously.
*Red Reading Hub - Jillrbennett's Reviews of Children's Books*
...the book follows a clear, systematic approach to using a garden
environment as a teaching tool and the beneficial effects that it
can have on the student... It is easy to read and accessible for
anyone who may take an interest in this subject, be they teacher,
support assistant, volunteer, parent, and in either a mainstream or
a special needs setting... it's great to have a practical book
written with students with SEN and ASD in mind!.. Theoretical
concepts are lightly presented at the start of each chapter, making
them readable and easy to digest... The practical lesson plans are,
in the main, useful, meaningful and worthwhile... the wealth of
other factors - practicality, lesson plans, risk assessments, tips
on gardening, the effects of teaching gardening - really does make
this book worth reading for anyone with a passing interest the
subject.
*Nasen Special*
Gardening for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Special
Educational Needs has all you need to start gardening and enjoying
this unique experience with the child in your care... Leaving no
stone unturned, Natasha Etherington includes chapters on Poisonous
Plants, Gardens for Children who Suffer from Asthma and Allergies
and has appendixes on the top ten potential hazards in the garden
or nature setting, the top ten sensory plants and must have herbs,
and examples of themed containers and gardens.
The author has been generous with giving you numerous links to
resources on the benefits of horticultural therapy and therapeutic
gardens... Best of all, the comprehensive index makes Gardening for
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Special Educational
Needs a handy resource book you will use and reuse.
*Special Needs Book Review*
To discover how, and learn more about how gardening can improve the
lives of children with autism and their families, I strongly
recommend you read Natasha's compact book.
*Communication*
Natasha Etherington provides teachers, parents and other caregivers
of special needs children with a detailed, practical handbook of
the benefits of therapeutic horticulture including a discussion of
each population's needs, descriptions of appropriate seasonal
horticultural activities and a listing of additional resources.
*Katherine L. Kuhn, HTR, JD, USA*
Natasha's much needed book reveals her refreshing enthusiasm for
addressing the needs of a specific population. The useful strategic
activities follow participant-led interests and abilities, making
this a handbook for the supporting people in the life of a person
with autism. Natasha reminds all of us how effectively the
respectful 'lead by following' approach using horticulture can
invite the connection and the subsequent growth needed to be able
to contribute to our society.
*Christine Pollard, Horticultural Therapist, Home Farm, British
Columbia, Canada*
Any book which advocates children getting out of the classroom and
having an opportunity to work with nature has got to be good and
Etherington's book does not disappoint... I would recommend this
book for all teachers and parents looking for a new activity to
help a child change direction and escape from the downward spiral
that can occur with special needs children.
*Asteens*
This book provides a great dip in dip out resource for teachers and
parents alike... I work in a mainstream nursery where some of the
children have SEN and feel that this book provides a great starting
point to providing ideas, links to other sources and safety hints
and tips to give you the confidence to just give it a go... I
enjoyed the book and it gave me confidence to take my children out
into the garden and start exploring.
*SNAP Childcare*
A useful, practical introduction for non-gardeners working with
special needs.
*Mary Mountstephen, SEN Magazine*
I just reviewed a wonderful book that I want to share with you. To
be truthful, I did not know there was such a thing a Horticultural
Therapy (HT). What is horticultural therapy? Natasha Etherington
has all you need to know in her book... I recommend parents buy
Gardening for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Special
Education Needs and do what they can at their home.
*Kid Companions.*
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