{"product_id":"talkability-people-skills-for-verbal-children-on-the-autism-spectrum-ca-0921145322","title":"TalkAbility: People Skills for Verbal Children on the Autism Spectrum – A Guide for Parents","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout TalkAbility: A Parent's Guide to Social Skills\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf your verbal child on the autism spectrum struggles with the subtleties of conversation, TalkAbility offers a clear path forward. This guide, written by Fern Sussman, helps parents teach people skills in everyday situations, from playdates to family dinners. Unlike resources focused on early communication, TalkAbility is designed for children who already speak but need support with the back-and-forth of social interaction.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat Makes This Book Different?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMany programs address nonverbal children or basic language. TalkAbility fills a gap by targeting verbal children who have difficulty reading social cues, understanding others' perspectives, and maintaining balanced conversations. The book avoids technical jargon, offering step-by-step, actionable strategies that you can use right away. Canadian parents will appreciate the practical, flexible approach that fits into busy schedules.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow to Use This Book at Home\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe chapters build on each other, but you can also pick topics that match your child's current challenges. Each chapter includes real-life scenarios, conversation scripts, and simple games to practise skills. The approach is flexible—adapt activities to your child's age and interests. Many parents see noticeable progress over time by using the strategies consistently in everyday situations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Skills Your Child Can Develop\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTalkAbility covers a range of social competencies:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStarting and ending conversations\u003c\/strong\u003e – learning how to initiate and close interactions smoothly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAsking questions and showing interest\u003c\/strong\u003e – moving beyond one-sided talk to genuine dialogue.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnderstanding body language and tone\u003c\/strong\u003e – recognizing how others feel and responding appropriately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTaking turns and listening\u003c\/strong\u003e – the rhythm of conversation and waiting for cues.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlaying cooperatively and resolving conflicts\u003c\/strong\u003e – negotiating and compromising with peers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach skill is broken into manageable steps with examples and suggested activities.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat Parents Are Saying\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eParents of verbal children with autism have found TalkAbility to be a valuable resource. They describe it as a must-have for teaching conversation skills in a natural, supportive way. The practical ideas are easy to implement at home, and the straightforward writing makes it accessible even for busy families. Readers also appreciate the encouraging tone and the breadth of behaviours covered.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFern Sussman is a speech-language pathologist with extensive experience working with children on the autism spectrum. She is also the author of \u003cem\u003eMore Than Words\u003c\/em\u003e, a program for parents of nonverbal children. TalkAbility builds on that foundation, addressing the next stage of social development for children who have begun to speak.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fern Sussman","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48339027198190,"sku":null,"price":126.94,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0816\/1158\/7822\/files\/81jfNemH-PL._SL1500.jpg?v=1784309139","url":"https:\/\/vitamin4ca.com\/products\/talkability-people-skills-for-verbal-children-on-the-autism-spectrum-ca-0921145322","provider":"vitamin4ca","version":"1.0","type":"link"}