Product Review: Natural Learning Concepts Products

Natural Learning Concepts is a small business dedicated to providing tools for teaching children on the autism spectrum. Their focus is on behavioral and communications skills, and they build on behavioral techniques and social stories. Unfortunately, while their products are handsome, they don't generally provide really useful tools for supporting children as they learn and grow.

Natural Learning Concepts produces a range of card sets, books, responsibility charts and other tools for parents and teachers of children with autism spectrum disorders. They're created by Jene Aviram, the mother of a child with autism; you can see a profile of Jene and her business on About.com's Special Parenting site.

Conversation Starters: Sets of picture and word cards are intended to build understanding and start conversations. Questions like "where are we going?" however, lead to simple, one-word responses -- not conversations.

Responsiblity Checklists: These cards describe daily activities as if they were responsibilities ("I play ball games in gym"). They don't break down tasks, nor do they provide specifics -- so it's unclear how they might be used.

Social Story Books: These full-color social skill books are extremely specific ("my busdriver Sally drives me to school"), but they are not customizable. It's hard to know how they could be used in a general setting.

Question Set: These handsome photo cards are intended to elicit correct answers to what and how questions. They are attractive, but similar photos can be found, free of charge, in books, magazines, and personal photo albums.

In short, these products provide only very basic tools for learning. In addition, while they're nicely produced, they're somewhat pricey for what you're getting. "Responsibility checklists," for example, are essentially board books on rings -- and they sell for $12.95. While that's not out of the ball park, it certainly isn't a bargain either. "Question Series" cards, which come 40 to a pack, are $24.95. That seems very high to me.