Artlink has supported Gail Keating, a retired teacher to publish two new books about what her autistic pupils taught her. 

Gail Keating, a retired teacher of students with multiple and complex needs has distilled over 30 years learning from people with autism into two volumes. Gail’s books ‘Paper and Pens’ are two illustrated volumes, one of stories and one of tools, intended as friendly supports for parents or support staff working with anyone who has autism related anxiety or requires creative communication.

“This book aims to help all of us who share the lives of those with what is called autism to learn to think differently ourselves so that they can understand us better.” 

Gail Keating

Readers will discover Gail’s stories in Volume 1 – through anonymous characters or vignettes of those she’s taught (or as she’d describe it, what they’ve taught her), and how they helped her see a different vision of the world. In Volume 2, she shares some of the tools or practical ways which helped mutual communication.

The book is for anyone who supports someone with autism or a learning disability who wants to understand more about another’s perspective.

Gail’s book is available free of charge through Midlothian libraries and is available to buy or download from the Artlink Shop. 

This work has been supported by the RS Macdonald Charitable Trust Fund and Midlothian Council Autism Strategy.