Laurie Leventhal Belfer is a practicing clinical psychologist. She is the founder and director of The Friends Program, a therapeutic group program for young children with Asperger's Disorder and their families. She is also a member of the Adjunct Clinical Faculty in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Division of Child Psychiatry, Stanford University. She co-authored Asperger's Syndrome in Young Children, A Developmental Guide for Parents and Professionals , also published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Luisa Montaini-Klovdahl is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice who is privileged to work with children and their families. She has worked with Laurie in The Friends Program for nearly a decade.
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 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 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 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