The English language can be extremely confusing and illogical, especially for people with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who interpret meaning in a very literal way. Why should an announcement that cats and dogs are falling from the sky indicate heavy rain? And what have chickens got to do with being a coward?
It's Raining Cats and Dogs is a witty and stylish insight into the mind of someone with an ASD. It beautifully illustrates why people with ASDs have problems understanding common phrases and idioms that others accept unquestioningly as part of everyday speech. The quirky drawings will entertain and inspire those on the spectrum, giving them the confidence to recognise figures of speech, feel less alienated and even use idioms themselves.
The drawings will form instantly memorable references for those with ASDs to recall whenever they need to and will be helpful for anyone curious to understand the ASD way of thinking. They will enable people on the spectrum and their friends, families, teachers and colleagues to better understand and communicate with each other.
Author(s): Michael Barton
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Year: 2012
Language: English
Pages: 98
It’s RainingCats and Dogs: An Autism Spectrum Guide to the Confusing worldof Idioms, Metaphors and Everyday Expressions......Page 4
Foreword......Page 11
Introduction......Page 13
Classic Idioms......Page 19
It’s raining cats and dogs......Page 20
Getting the sack......Page 21
You’re pulling my leg!......Page 22
He went bananas......Page 23
To chicken out......Page 24
A different kettle of fish......Page 25
Stick to your guns......Page 26
Feeling under the weather......Page 27
I was over the moon......Page 28
It’s a piece of cake......Page 29
You’re burning the candle
at both ends......Page 30
It cost him an arm and a leg......Page 31
Your ears are burning!......Page 32
He’s got something up his sleeve......Page 33
Call a spade a spade......Page 34
Going round the houses......Page 35
Breaking the ice......Page 36
In a pickle......Page 37
He’s got the wrong end of the stick......Page 38
Shortened Expressions......Page 39
He had the sun in his eye......Page 40
Put the kettle on......Page 41
I feel like a pizza......Page 42
Everyday Expressions
and Sayings......Page 43
He’s driving me up the wall......Page 44
His head is in the clouds......Page 45
I’ve got some time on my hands......Page 46
It’s hard to get your head around it......Page 47
To cry your eyes out......Page 48
A square meal......Page 49
He has a sweet tooth......Page 50
He gave me a piece of his mind......Page 51
My head was spinning......Page 52
I laughed my head off......Page 53
To have a face like thunder......Page 54
I worked my socks off......Page 55
It’s not my cup of tea......Page 56
We didn’t meet eye to eye......Page 57
He is all ears......Page 58
To bend over backwards......Page 59
That’s how the cookie crumbles......Page 60
To grab the bull by the horns......Page 61
I changed my mind......Page 62
He went out with a bang......Page 63
Double Meanings......Page 65
The drinks are on the house!......Page 66
He caught my eye......Page 67
Catch the bus......Page 68
You’re fired!......Page 69
Draw the curtains......Page 70
Bear with me......Page 71
Toast the bride......Page 72
Metaphors......Page 73
You’ve hit the nail on the head......Page 74
You’re winding me up......Page 75
He flew up the stairs......Page 76
He had egg on his face......Page 77
The bread and butter......Page 78
Splitting hairs......Page 79
You took the words right out of my mouth......Page 80
It’s pouring down......Page 81
I was like a dog with two tails......Page 82
Put yourself in my shoes......Page 83
To be under somebody’s thumb......Page 84
The ball’s in your court......Page 85
He knows it inside out......Page 86
He ran around like
a headless chicken......Page 87
Keep your eyes peeled......Page 88
To open a can of worms......Page 89
Set the cat among the pigeons......Page 90
Instructions and Statements......Page 91
Take a seat......Page 92
Hang on!......Page 93
Don’t rub it in......Page 94
Keep your eye on it......Page 95
To put your foot down......Page 96
Cut it out!......Page 97
