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IN REVIEW
Local mom writes book to help parents of Autistic children
When Pamela Mari of Hummelstown learned about "curved line thinking," a theory invented by Alice Womer, speech language pathologist and educational consultant for the Capital Area Intermediate Unit, she felt it could benefit her 7-year-old son who has PDD-NOS, a diagnosis on the higher functioning end of the Autism spectrum. Womers theory encourages children to break away of their tendency to be "rigid thinkers," which is the need to do things in the same manner over and over again, and to instead practice being more flexible. Since Autistic kids are often "visual" learners, Mari wrote a book to help teach the theory of curved line thinking. "Curvy Herbie and Straight Nate" is a story about Nate, who has the rigidity of thought that many persons on the Autism Spectrum experience, and Herbie who is the free-wheeling, adventuresome type. Curvy Herbie is able to show Straight Nate that its fun to be a curved line thinker. The book provides an option for the child to draw him or herself as a curved line thinker and to list new things that he or she will try. The book is currently being used by three speech pathologists, including Womer. Copies can be ordered by e-mailing joeybearsmom@aol.com. Cost is $10.
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Sisters-in-law team up to create characters who promote new thinking
By Kimberly Long, Staff Writer
02/12/2006
kim_l@newsitem.com
For someone with autism, something as routine as having a meal at the same time every day is vitally important. This characteristic is referred to as straight-line thinking. Helping autistic children to curb such behavior was the inspiration for a Trevorton woman who, along with her sister-in-law, created a character who is a "curved-line" thinker. The result is a book called "Curvy Herbie and Straight Nate: A Lesson in Curved Line Thinking," written by Pam Mari, of Harrisburg, and illustrated by Dawn Rebuck-Mari, of Trevorton.
"Were just trying to do what we can for children with autism," Rebuck-Mari said. The theory of curved-line thinking was developed by Harrisburg speech pathologist Alice Womer, whose students include Maris 8-year-old son (and Rebuck-Maris nephew). The theory encourages autistic children to be more flexible in their thoughts and actions. In helping to accomplish that, the sisters-in-law, noticing that a school worksheet on the theory was very plain, with only straight lines, decided it could use a new twist. Rebuck-Mari prepared a similar worksheet but made straight and curved stick figures in the illustrations. Those stick figures later became the basis for the book. "Anything you can do to encourage kids to think outside the box is worth it," Rebuck-Mari said.
With a combined 30 years of experience in writing and graphic design, the sisters-in-law created and illustrated Straight Nate, who follows the same routine daily, and Curvy Herbie, who likes to try new things. While the "curves" are important, the illustrations are still simple stick figures because children "on the autism spectrum" can better comprehend such simplicity, Rebuck-Mari explained. In the book, Straight Nate walks his dog and watches television at the same time every day. While out one day, he meets Curvy Herbie, who invites Nate to spend some time with him. Nate refuses the offer because its not part of his daily routine. On a second meeting, Herbie invites Nate to get pizza, which Nate also refuses because he doesnt believe he will like it. Herbie, however, insists, and the two share pizza. "From what we understand, people with autism dont think its OK to do things differently," Rebuck-Mari said. "We try to re-confirm that its going to be OK." The last page of the book is laminated and has a worksheet similar to what Mari received from her sons school. It allows children to fill in the blanks of things theyd like to try, and suggests goals they can seek.
With this one finished, the pair hopes to create another book. "We decided were going to come up with new girl characters Straight Kate and Curly Shirley," Rebuck-Mari said. Each book sold includes a parents lesson guide to help their children, and a separate worksheet similar to that in the back of the book. The book is available online for $10, including sales tax and shipping, at http://www.explodingpenproductions.com.
Mari and Rebuck-Mari created the "Stomp the Dinosaur" campaign to teach kids about the dangers of lead poisoning when they worked for the City of Harrisburg. "We loved it because it allowed us to be as creative as we wanted to be," she said about that job.
They have used their writing and drawing skills to found their own company, Exploding Pen Productions. Rebuck-Mari said they will try anything, especially things that are "out of the ordinary." They are considering expanding on the "Curvy Herbie" and "Straight Nate" theme with wire characters, and theyve prepared a jingle. Also, their husbands, who are brothers originally from Italy, may provide the connections to make their book available in other languages.
Regardless of the success of "Curvy Herbie and Straight Nate," Rebuck-Mari said helping just one child would be the best reward. "If we can encourage children at a young age to think outside the box, even just one child, thats really the reward," she said.
The News Item 2006
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