Why Do I Have To?: A Book for Children Who Find Themselves Frustrated by Everyday Rules - Softcover

Dr. Laurie clearly understands how children with limited flexibility and difficulty coping think and respond. She has used her clinical experience to teach us how to help these children succeed. Dr. Laurie has provided a format, similar to Social Stories (TM), for reducing stress in daily life and for minimizing conflict stemming from unwritten or everyday rules. While there is no one solution for every child, the stories can be easily adapted for each child. She encourages children to be participants in determining solutions to their problems by providing simple, not simplistic, methods that work. -- Teri Wiss, M.A., O.T.R./L., Director of Development is CHILD'S PLAY! If you want a child with Asperger's syndrome to comply with a social or family rule, it is very important to explain the logical reason to comply. Laurie's book provides the logic for compliance that will be invaluable for parents and teachers. I know this book will become regular bed time reading and be used many times at home and at school. -- Professor Tony Attwood This is a useful self-help guide that tackles a wide range of issues... some of the strategies involve a lot of personal initiation... Although, this book is not explicitly aimed at children on the autism spectrum, it certainly tackles issues particular to this population. The author clearly has experience in this area.. she is founder and director of The Friends Program, the therapeutic group project for children with Asperger's in the US... it is certainly a resource that educational psychologists could use in their work with service users. It also be recommended as reading for some children, teachers and parents who are having particular issues with dealing with rules and need a logical explanation and some guidance. It is accessible and easy to read with amusing picture to add interest and most of all, there is a positive ethos underpinning this book, which helps reassure children that they are not alone in their frustrations and there are ways to help. -- Joanna Hill, Trainee EP * Debate - British Psychological Society * Laurie Leventhal-Belfer's approach shows empathy for children's wish to do things their way, explains why their way does not work, and provides a list of practical suggestions for how to cope with these challenges and avoid feelings of frustration. Her approach encourages children to be involved in determining solutions for dealing with daily rules and expectations...This is the ideal book for children who have difficulty coping with the expectations of daily living, as well as for their parents and the professionals who work with them. -- Speld Magazine, Australia This book looks at everyday situations that can cause conflict for children with Asperger's syndrome at home, at school and with their friends. A useful tool to give parents and carers the confidence to tackle behaviours that are regular triggers for conflict. -- Naplic As a SENCO I would recommend this book to staff in schools supporting pupils within the autistic spectrum and/or with ADHD. Finally, this book would also be a useful read for children, young people and their families. -- NASEN Laurie Leventhal-Belfer's WHY DO I HAVE TO? is a thoughtfully structured guide for children who are fustrated with everyday rules and adults who are fustrated with those children. This short book is packed with a comprehensive set of questions, phrased from a child's perspective, dealing primarily with social expectations...This book will be an invaluable addition to the shelves for the children who are challenged by the expectations of daily living. The insightful questions, thoughtful answers, and clinically tested suggestions will decrease fustration for children and parents alike. -- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Why do I have to go to school before the show that I am watching is over? Why do I have to wear shoes and a jacket when I go outside? Rules like these can be really frustrating - but they don't have to be! Why do I have to? looks at a set of everyday situations that provide challenges for children at home, with their friends, and at school. Laurie Leventhal-Belfer empathizes with children's wish to do things their way, explains clearly why their way does not work, and provides a list of practical suggestions for how to cope with these challenges and avoid feelings of frustration. This is the ideal book for children who have difficulty coping with the expectations of daily living, as well as for their parents and the professionals who work with them.