"Keisha's Doors: An Autism Story Book One" was published in 2005 by Speech Kids Texas Press, Inc. It was the recipient of the 2006 Benjamin Franklin Finalist Award for "Best First Book."

Tacos Anyone? An Autism Story Book Two

Austin, TX (PRWeb) February 26, 2007 -- "Keisha's Doors: An Autism Story Book One," is the only known published children's illustrated book depicting an African-American family. The story is about an older sibling, Monica, who doesn't understand why her younger sister, Keisha (2 ½ years old), won't play with her. The family finds out that Keisha has autism and goes to see a therapist to understand what autism means to them.

Autism is a neurological disorder that affects areas of social, speech-language, sensory, and motor development. Autism affects 1 out of 150 children based on the current research from the Center for Disease Control. However, there is little data on the number of African-American children with this disorder. African-American children are typically diagnosed two years later than Caucasian children.

"Keisha's Doors: An Autism Story Book One" was published in 2005 by Speech Kids Texas Press, Inc. It was the recipient of the 2006 Benjamin Franklin Finalist Award for "Best First Book." The author, Marvie Ellis, also included a multicultural, gender, and bilingual crossover in this book which few children's special needs books offer. Mrs. Ellis stated, "It is important that African-American children see and read books about other African-American children with special needs. Children need to see books that reflect not only their heritage but their family and social environment."

About the author: Marvie Ellis is a national consultant for parents and educators regarding autism and other communication disorders, a certified pediatric speech-language pathologist, and an author of two award winning children's illustrated autism books, "Keisha's Doors: An Autism Story Book One" (ISBN 1-933319-00-3), & "Tacos Anyone? An Autism Story Book Two" (ISBN 1-933319-02-X), 2005 Barbara Jordan Media Award winner. Books are available on Amazon.com and the publisher's website, www.speechkidstexaspress.com.

Contact:
Marvie Ellis, Author/ Autism Expert
(512) 426-0163
http://www.speechkidstexaspress.com
Blog site http://www.kidsautismbooks.blogspot.com

###

Post Comment:
Trackback URL: http://www.prweb.com/chachingpr.php/SGFsZi1UaGlyLUNyYXMtSG9yci1NYWduLVplcm8=

kids children family disabilities autism special needs disability books african-american marvie ellis