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

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 '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! 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. FRONT COVER......Page 1 Why do I have to?; A Book for Children Who Find Themselves Frustrated by Everyday Rules......Page 4 Contents......Page 8 PREFACE FOR CHILDREN......Page 12 PREFACE FOR ADULTS......Page 14 1 Rules that may be Frustrating at Home......Page 18 Why do I have to go to school on time?......Page 20 Why do I have to wear shoes and a jacket when I go outside?......Page 22 Why do I have to sit at the table to eat when I am not hungry?......Page 24 Why do I have to rest when I am not tired?......Page 26 Why do I have to go to the bathroom when I don’t need to?......Page 28 Why do I have to share toys if I am still using them?......Page 30 Why do I have to turn off the computer or the TV before my game or show is over?......Page 32 Why do I have to stop talking about things that I like?......Page 34 2 Rules that may be Frustrating about Friends......Page 36 Why do I have to play with my friend all of the time?......Page 38 Why do I have to say “thank you” for a present that I do not like?......Page 40 Why do I have to go to a friend’s house when I would rather stay home?......Page 42 Why do I have to let other kids play a game the “wrong” way?......Page 44 Why do I have to apologize to other kids for hurting them if they hurt me first?......Page 46 Why do I have to listen to other kids talking about things that I think are boring?......Page 48 3 Rules that may be Frustrating about School......Page 50 Why do I have to listen to the teacher talking about something that I already know?......Page 52 Why do I have to do things that get my hands dirty?......Page 54 Why do I have to say “Hello” with words?......Page 56 Why do I have to answer only the last question the teacher asked?......Page 58 Why do I have to tell my friends that I am no longer playing the game when they can see for themselves?......Page 60 Why do I have to ask my teacher if it is OK to leave the room?......Page 62 Why do I have to sit at my desk at school when I am doing my work?......Page 64 Why do I have to be quiet when I am working?......Page 66 Why do I have to explain to an adult why I got into a fight?......Page 68 Why do I have to do homework after I have been working in school all day?......Page 70 APPENDIX 1 WHAT FRUSTRATES ME, AND WHAT MIGHT HELP......Page 72 APPENDIX 2 MY GOAL CHART......Page 78 This book looks at a set of everyday challenges for children at home, with their friends, and at school. The author 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