Special Needs Children Books

This book needs to be distributed to every parent upon receiving a diagnosis for their child. Each chapter starts with a success story, giving parents a hopeful look at what can be accomplished, and ends with helpful tips and resources. It takes the reader through every aspect of living with a disability and encourages parents to "raise the bar". Thank you Judy, for your inspiration!

This is a wonderful book! Like having a good friend walk you through having a child with special needs. It is a very positive book and makes you feel better about your life, your child, and your future.

Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs truly helps parents to see their son or daughter in a unique light. Many practical helps and hints, if followed, will help any child reach his or her potential and, quite possibly, surpass the expectations of professionals. Believing in your child is worth more than any test or diagnosis. This book shows parents how to love in practical and proven ways.

This book is exactly what we all need. Straightforward easy to understand information about taking loving care of your special needs child. Resource full. A great tool for us all.

I am so happy I have this book, it brought tears to my eyes as I have been reading it. I have a daughter who is now almost 7 years of age, who has special needs. I have been through so much with Doctor's and testing, and sometimes forget about what else is going on in life. I think anyone who's going through a challenge with their child being a little different from the rest, should own a copy of this book. It's sense that should be common, for both parents and doctor's.

Being the mother of 4, with 3 who are absolutely normal, I feel even more blessed with having 1 child who is different, and this book really confirms I'm not alone in thinking that way. Thank you Judy, for taking the time to write this book. I hope every parent going through these sorts of challenges, is able to read this book!

Changed by a Child is a book of companion notes for parents of children with disabilities. It is a book that covers a wide array of subjects that parent's of disabled children deal with, depression, other children, grandparents, patience, courage, acceptance, etc. Each subject is given a small write up that is easily read. One could read the whole book or use the book as a reference when they are feeling a certain way. It has stories from parents who have gone through the process of raising a disabled child and it honestly depicts life for a parent with a disabled child. Changed by a Child is a book that gives parents the opportunity to see they are not alone in a world they did not expect to visit.

"We don't feel heroic. Our kids are called special, but we don't really think we are. And we don't want to be. We just want to be ordinary people like everyone else. Normal." (198). This quote is found in the passage on heroism. It is one of my favorites, because I think it portrays how many parents of disabled children feel. They do not want everyone to think they are special heroes for raising disabled children, because they are just raising children. However, Gill says that getting up and doing it everyday, no matter what, not giving up, that is what makes the parents heroes.

Changed by a Child is a wonderful book of essays. It touches on every aspect of having a child with a disability, even ones most people do not want to think about. The essay called "Funky", about how a child is somewhat funky is not something most people want to look at or say, but sometimes it is true, and a parent needs to know its okay to feel this way. They are not alone in their feelings or raising a child with a disability. I like this book because it is so honest for parents and caregivers. It is full of the things they need to hear and they need to have to relate to.

I would highly recommend this book to parents, and to professionals that are planning on working with children who have disabilities. It is a book that will help parents with their feelings, and will allow them to accept their feelings about their child. Changed by a Child allows professionals an insight into the feelings and emotions of families they may be working with, which will help them, work more effectively with the families.

Like most of the Moms I know, my courage can sometimes fail me. Or worse, my humor can fail me. I have wholeheartedly recommended Changed by a Child to hundreds of parents, and I have seen a reading of one page bring a roomful of people to tearful silence -- or to animated discussion. This is a useful book, a quiet and wise book. I need to buy another for myself -- the only book besides a cookbook that I ever wore out. And I need to buy more to give away -- because how often can you purchase a little package of genuine kindness to share with others who could really use it?

This little book has been my constant companion for many years, since my own daughter was diagnosed with autism. There is an inspirational quotation on every page, coupled with a very brief story from a parent of a child with a disability. The little stories range from comical to heart-breaking - but never sentimental or sappy. All the entries resonate with honest words from other parents who have "been there" through it all. I return to this little book in every possible mood, and it has never failed to help me find comfort and inspiration. I have given away many, many copies over the years. Highly recommended.

Barbara Gill is a writer, attorney, and disability advocate as well as the mother of a child with Down syndrome. In this book she shares short one or two page vignettes that honestly tell what she has experienced. With titles such as "Awareness", "Sorrow", "Magical Thinking", "Forgiveness", "Pain", she captures the emotions that parents of children with disabilities share. Each reading stands by itself and can be read over and over again. It is a book that you will always keep nearby and will want to read from for years to come.

This collection of short vignettes might be good for those struggling with grief about their child with a disability,
those that want to know that there are others who feel that way too.
I found the book annoying and upsetting, as I am grateful for my daughter with DS and enjoy her a lot.
I was also disappointed that the author chose to try to write almost entirely about disabilities other than DS(Down Syndrome). Her child had DS so she could have shared more of her own experiences and perhaps given the book a little more warmth.

This book is a great tool for working with children on the Autism spectrum. Theory, assessment checklist and therapy activities are all included.

Do Watch Listen Say - is a book that I was required to purchase for a class. Although is was required reading, I found it to be very helpful in planning and implementing strategies for teaching a range of students, including late talkers and kids with communication delays in addition to those diagnosed with ASD. Highly recommended for both teachers and parents - easy to follow and read. Good hands-on suggestions.

I am a speech therapist and found this book to be a useful addition to my library, although I would suggest that anyone looking for information on autism check out multiple sources. There are simply too many viewpoints out there and too many different techniques for any one book to be 'the' book on treating autism. Also, this book was published in 2002 and at this point many of the suggestions will probably be nothing new to anyone familiar with the fundamentals of social skills training, using visual aides, and incorporating sensory techniques into therapy.

This book gives a good, balanced overview of how to effectively work with an autistic child. There were also a number of good suggestions and ideas for how to plan therapy sessions. I found some of the suggested activities to be a bit mis-matched in terms of ability level - some of the suggested 'games' for very basic skills, for example, seemed too complex for children working at such a beginning level. Overall, though, a good resource.

A practical book with some great advice for therapists and parents on having your autistic child OBSERVE AND LEARN FROM THEIR ENVIRONMENT! That is what we want right?

I like this book because it gave me practical advice to work with my son the very same day on suggestions that work.

For the holidays and birthdays give this book to your therapists/aides and teachers vs. another gift. It is a good, worthwhile read.

A very practical, hands-on approach to working with the autistic child.

It was great to find this. My husband read it as a boy and wanted to find a copy to read to our sons.

This is a touching story written from the perspective of a little Chinese boy and his journey home through war raveged territory. I've read it over 5 times (including each year to my 5th grade class) and it's sweetneess still brings tears to my eyes.

Boys can be picky readers, so I always take notes if they actually love a book. My 8 year old carried this book everywhere and told be about it every night for a week. Besides Redwall or Harry Potter, this is the first book he has raved about.

I read this book aloud to my sixth grade reading class. They loved it, and always wanted to hear more. Its also a great way to introduce students to some of the history of China, Japan and US involvement in the war there.

I read this book as a child and, in turn, read it to my children. It has a permanent place in our hearts. It is the well written story of a young Chinese boy and his beloved pig, "Glory of the Republic", who get separated from his family and caught behind Japanese lines when Japan invaded China in the late 1930's. It has some very scary moments. It also has tragedy. I think your child should be about 5th or 6th grade to be able to fully appreciate it. But the book will open your eyes as to what it might be like as a child to be caught in a war. The boy does get reunited with his family, but have your kleenex handy. As a parent you will definitely need it at the end.

Dear Karen Hesse,

Just Juice was a great book!It also taught me 3 lessons!You should try this book to have a fun time reading books.

Sincerely,
Emily Cheung

This is the first book I have read by Karen Hesse, and it probably won't be the last.

I am a sixth-grade reading teacher for struggling readers, many of whom are English language learners. I used this book in the classroom for the first time this semester, and my kids really enjoyed it. The language is approachable without being low, and the tone is sweet and simple without being sappy or emotional. And the plot? Well, we got to the last quarter of the story and the students, who will gripe and complain whenever they have to pick up a book, were on the edges of their seats with anticipation. It was a this-is-why-I'm-a-teacher experience!

The story of the Faulstiches is told from Juice's perspective: she is the nine-year-old middle child of five sisters, and she has trouble staying in school. Her Ma is pregnant; her Pa is out of work but an excellent machinist. They have very little, but are a happy family. Several challenges to the family's security and happiness come along at once, but in the end, they are all better for it. And the reader is better for having read it. I highly recommend adding this book to your library.

Have you ever felt worrried for your parents? To stupid to be at school? thats exacly how Juice the unfortunet pooor girl feels because of family troubles and does not have the ability to read or count. Juices family owes two years worth of taxes to the govern ment and stand to lose their house. Juice hates school so she often misses it. Juices mother Ma is expecting a new baby and is diagnosed with diabetes. Pa is trying to find work but is not having any luck. When Pa finally finds work as a metal worker he is too busy shaping metal and delivering it. One day Ma is in labour and Pa goes into town to find help and Juice is left to deliver the baby but not all goes to plan. This book is adrama and action story full of life and is easy to read. I reccomend this book for children who find it hard to read novels and children who are just developing their reading skills.

I think Just Juice was an interesting book because Just Juice had a lot of action and Just Juice never got boring. One of the exciting parts of the book Is how Juice's family is going to pay their taxes.Another exciting part of the book is how Juice could not read. So she got held back a year. She felt really discourage that she could not read. I thought that was interesting because I was thinking how is she going to learn how to read.The Last exciting part is Ma's blood sugar and how Juice helped her read the blood sugar when she was having her baby.
I would recommend this book to 5 th grader girls because there are not many boys in the story and to people who have diabetes because it shows how people can help them.
The theme of the book is how you works together as a family.

I used this book as a read aloud with my third grade class in New York City. A few of the children have been struggling with reading since they began school, and I felt that those students might connect with the main character in some way, shape, or form. I was not prepared for the profound impact this book would have on all of my students. As a class, they were moved to tears towards the end of this story. During our book talks, I watched children who have hesitated at speaking during literature discussions finally raise their hands and share their thoughts. They know a person like Juice, some are just like Juice. This book broke down an invisible wall in my classroom, allowing my children to have an open, honest dialogue about their own difficulties with reading and matters of the heart. "Just Juice" has changed the way many of my children view themselves as readers, students, and little people. I thank you, Karen Hesse. My students thank you.

This book was excellent. I have epilepsy myself and when I read it, it brought back memories of what happend to me when I was younger. I applaud the parents for showing the support they did for their children!

This book was so helpful to me, as I care for my own epileptic daughter. It is a real look into our lives. I think that this book can help others understand what we go through when we cannot get the seizures under control.

Missing Michael is a wonderful and compelling book. As gripping as their parents' love for their son is the unyielding love and support from Michael's big sister Meaghan. Families will be faced with challenging times and can learn from this Family that has truly persevered. This is an excellent work from author Mary Lou Connolly and should be shared with those you care for.

As a parent and psychiatrist treating people with physical disabilities, I found this book a gripping and compelling account of the trials and tribulations of the Connolly family. I was impressed by the author's candid description of how she dealt with frustration, helplessness, and powerlessness of the life-and-death uncertainties of her son's seizure condition. I applaud her self-disclosure in the service of helping others who face similar challenges, and I recommend this book highly to any parent dealing with their child's illness.

Last night, I sat down and read Missing Michael. The book did not leave my hands until I read the last page. For those that were a part of the Mary Lou and Michael's village, this book is a testament that it takes a lot of people to be a safety net for those that we love and respect. I applaud Mary Lou, Michael,Meaghan and Barry for not shutting out the village. For allowing those near and afar to help when and where needed. For taking the chance to allow others see the vulnerablity, yet the dignity that Micheal possessed (even when He did not always realize it). For me, the best part of the book shares that there are people within our village that do understand and care outnumber by far those that don't. This sharing is a primer to those who are friends, family, co-workers, and care professionals of those with Seizure Disorders. Mary Lou thank you - I have a better understanding because of your words.
I look forward to the sequel where we get to see what Michael's mark on this world is realized.

As the mother of a young boy with ASD, I am a devotee of 1st person narratives dealing with the autism experience. Anne Addison's book shares many practical, fairly easy to implement suggestions, but the book got under my skin as well. This book is indeed easy to use and read. However, the author just has too much money to throw at situations to create a realistic portrait of raising a special needs child. I cannot "hire" the "help" that Anne is able to hire for fulltime babysitters, housecleaners, and random other folks who keep hearth and home for her. Nor can I afford (and I don't believe that the majority of us out there can) to fly my child around the country to the have consultations with the leading experts in the field, as Addison repeatedly does. Yet, these means are frequently recommended to the readers.

Addison also came off like a "supermom," even though her advice was to try not to be one. I'm sorry, bot only a person who does not have to clean, watch her children, run errands and cook is going to be able to write all of the letters to insurance companies, teachers and other team members that she recommends.

This book did have some valuable insights. Her advice on hospitalization was particularly compelling, and worth the read for that alone.

This is a great personal story of a mother's struggles and successes in raising a son with Asperger's. After years of meeting with teams of professionals and individuals in the field, she has come up with alot of very useful information for anyone that has or works with kids with asperger's.

This is a touching, in-depth look at a mother's personal account of life and daily struggles of having a child with autism. She tells of the importance not just to "survive", but really deals with one's own attitude and how that affects the overall picture. I thought One Small Starfish was very well-written, stressing the need to cheer your child on and teaching them to be the best they can be.

This is one of the best books about a child with Asperger's that I have ever read. Despite the word "perseverate" which is a damning and harmful word (it also speaks to intolerance) which is better replaced with "repetition/special interests," this is an excellent work. Anne Addison deserves a round of applause for this stellar work. I love the Beatle influence by entitling a chapter "Getting By With a Little Help From Your Friends." That Beatle influence - it's a good one!

Her second child, Jack was born in 1991, a year after his sister Sarah. While Sarah was described as a low maintenance child, Jack had behavioral and sensory issues from the beginning. I like the way Addison looks back at Jack's early behavior and realizes what might have caused it, such as a meltdown he had at age 2 when he wanted a juice box while visiting an unfamiliar relative.

I also like the way she describes her son's schooling; the resource tools she used and the overall layout of Jack's classrooms. Jack initially had a good school experience in pre-kindergarten, but that came to a crashing end the following year. Claustrophobic and highly active (Jack was also described as being ADD/ADHD), Jack was forced to sit in a closet for a time out. The boy was understandably scared out of his mind.

When Jack was in second grade, his world unravelled. He had a meltdown in class; was not well matched for the teacher he had that year and engaged in dangerous behavior such as jumping out of a moving car. He was subsequently hospitalized and the experience sounded nothing short of traumatic. Jack's day in the emergency ward until he was sprung was horrifying enough, but the two month sentence he served in a local hospital (December 1998 - February 1999) sounded horrifying to me. The one thing I took issue with was Addison's wondering if being there on Christmas would affect Jack. Of course it would! The boy probably felt he was being punished and to serve time in a hospital on Christmas - ouch! On Christmas Eve, he wrote a note saying he wanted to get out of that place and who could blame him? Another horrifying event was Jack being locked naked in a seclusion room while Addison waved good-bye. That was very upsetting and one can't help but wonder if Jack felt that was being sanctioned.

The only good thing to come of this experience that I could see was that Jack was on a strict behavior modification program. That helped him learn what social boundaries are. Once released, Jack attended the hospital school (Partial Hospital Program - PHP) until more suitable placement could be found.

After many trials and errors with medication and different types of therapies, including alternative methods such as one that involved manipulating the boy's head and neck, an appropriate school was found for Jack. Readers soar with his progress and growing development.

Since autism/Asperger's (a/A) is a sensory condition, Jack's behavior made perfect sense from a sensory, sensible standpoint. He disliked haircuts because he didn't like the way shorn hair felt on his skin. He found parties too loud and confusing. He understandably didn't like the physical therapies because of his sensitive sensory issues. He had to follow a detailed, routine sequence to perform many routine tasks such as dressing and brushing his teeth.

There were two things that I found confusing: In the chapter entitled What's Going On With the Other Kids in the Family, John is called "Ken" twice. In the Sample Medication Log, Jack is called "William" twice. Who was Ken? Also, the chapters did not line up with the Table of Contents and were off by one number.


Parts of this book were funny. When Jack was asked to cheer a neighbor's daughter whose mother had just died, Jack juggled pillows because he said he thought that would cheer her up. Jack's behavior was logical and he was doing what he thought was right at the time. I thought that was funny.

I like the way strategies are included in this book along with a good resource guide. This is the book parents of children on the spectrum have prayed for. Be sure to get this and make it a very close friend. You will find it to be an invaluable resource and you will be mighty glad to have it close at hand.

One Small Starfish: A Mother's Everyday Advice, Survival Tactics & Wisdom For Raising A Special Needs Child is the true story of Anne Addison, a mother who worked hard to raise a child diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Asperger's Syndrome, and developmental delays, and sensory integration problems. Facing the formidable challenges of teaching a child who is constantly pulled onto paths only he understands, Addison mastered the basic necessities of familial survival and helped her son learn how to cope in a dangerous world. One Small Starfish is a 372-page compendium of practical, "parent friendly", highly recommended observations and experiences from which the mothers and fathers of special needs children can draw information, advice, and hope. Addison's son is currently a successful student in a typical fourth grade classroom and, as other boys his age, actively participates in sports, church choir, and music.

THIS BOOK IS FOR HORSE-LOVERS!
With the Kentucky Derby on her mind Katie is stressed to the limit. She wants to the jockey of Willow King, her horse. She had been practicing but someone else has come into view. A jockey named Mark is new to the riding academy and wishes to ride Willow King in the Kentucky derby. Evryone thinks it is the best for everyone, but Katie has other plans.

This book was even better than Willow King and I didn't think that could be possible! It's realistic and is written by a real Jockey so it's no wonder I could feel my own feet in the irons. Katie Durham is a true hero who shows real mettle in this unputdownable novel.

This was a great book!! I absolutly loved it! I think that it deserves 5 stars more than any other book. It is about a girl named Katie who wants to take her horse Willow King to the Kentucky Derby and ride him in it. Katie is a girl thet was born with one leg shorter than the other. In the 1st book, Willow King is born with crooked legs and is going to be put down. But Katie knows how he feels and saves him and turns him into a race horse. Along the way (in the sequel) she meets a blind girl Camela and has to deal with Mark, the jockey who wants to ride Willow King in the derby. I also reccomend the 1st book, Willow King. I hope you read this book because it is a awesome, awesome book.

Arter reading the firse one about Willow King and Katie, I just had to read the second one and was not disapointed. After wiining the Futurity, Willow King is pointed to the Kentucky Derby. Katie dreams of becoming his jockey and riding him in the Derby. She works super hard and eventually, makes it to being a jockey. While in the mean time, meets Camela who is Cindy's cousin who is also blind. Together, they are able to learn a bit from the other.

This novel, sequel to the original story of Willow King, I strongly recommend to anyone interested in horses. It is the story of a young girl who comes from behind with her horse Willow King to go for a million dollars in the famous race at Belmont, the Kentucky Derby. It shares her feelings as she trains to be a jockey despite the discrimination and hard work involved on her way to the top. Despite everything, she works hard to achieve her goals while dealing with her uncertainty and strenuous training. I recommend this book and the original to everyone as a truly moving and heartwarming duo of the world of women jockeys.

This is a great story of what it's like to live, day to day with autism. I prefer this type of book to the type in which parents take credit for their children's miraculous recoveries. This book struck a chord with me. It feels real and true, and is not preachy. This father is an advocate for his son. These parents choose to home school their son rather than put him in a placement that they feel would not be the right fit for him or, in some cases of places they toured, places that would be harmful to him. I wish I had read this book before we accepted services from our local school district, which our son's speech therapist later called the worst program she'd ever seen. The wrong services are better than no services at all. These parents read their son's behavior and cues and persevere to find the best services for him. This book shows that people affected by autism are capaple of forming connections with others. I am hoping for a sequel.

Faith, hope,courage,easy words to say ,even easier to aspire to, but Running With Walker tells of a family who lives these ideals as a matter of course.I read this book ,or rather devoured it, in a day and a half,its' story as compelling,its' characters as real as any best-selling novel.Running With Walker far exceeds the specifics of a family coping with an autistic child. The humor,warmth and some-times painful honesty of the fathers' narrative,the mom's undaunting hope and determination, the younger brother Davy's compassion and love in the midst of an unusual and difficult situation can speak to any of us in a heartfelt and profound way.
Walker, as the focus of the story,is revealed as a joyous , energetic and loving human being who happens to be autistic.Because his family sees the real boy and not the autistic label, we can too , and join the Hughes'in their struggle to provide a satisfying and fulfilling life for both their sons and each other.I know I will reread this book many times for its' insight and uplifting message and recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone who appreciates a true story about family love.

Care providers in Early Childhood and Developmental Delay need to see this book, for their own professional good. The author is an incredibly perceptive parent. He vividly draws the story of his son's experiences in the hands of a range of professionals. In doing so, Hughes shines a hard light on what appear to be the worst and best possible practices in today's arena. His descriptions elicit gasps -- of consternation or admiration -- page after page. Heart-rending frankness here is lightened by a saving sense of humor. As a fellow parent of a special-needs child, I am left in awe.

As I read this memoir-I was struck by the intelligence and compassion that informs it. Of course-it is about a family with an autistic child. But it is also filled with insight and practical wisdom-about parenting and loving and guiding and coping and persevering. A superbly crafted book, "Running With Walker" is perceptive, imaginative, witty, poignant, humorous-all at the same time. Hughes has created remarkable portraits-not to be missed-of his family-even his city-and especially-of himself.

I began reading "Running With Walker" after brunch one Sunday, and didn't put it down until I finished it later that evening. I hope that peple don't make the assumption, as I did at first, that this is a "medical" book about an illness. This is no more a book about autism than "The Da Vinci Code" is a book about art. This is a story about a family and how they used thier stregnth and love for one another help them to overcome adversity. Hughes puts such a lighthearted, often humorous spin on events that many would have a hard time seeing the silver lining in, and you walk away from his story feeling that you have new good friends in the Hughes Family.

Excellent first book after you have received the diagnosis on your child. Good overview. After absorbing this information, you will want to move on to books that deal with the specific type of epilepsy with which your child has been diagnosed.

After hours of internet searching and bookstore browsing with not a whole lot of usable results, finding this book was great. It is clearly written, easy to understand, and covers all of the different causes for seizures, as well as medications and some discussion of the physiology of seizures. I am ordering another copy for my daughter's preschool teachers, who want to be as educated as they can be so that they are prepared for potential seizures at school.

When my 13 year old son had his first seizure, I completely freaked out. When he had a second seizure, I completely lost it and became full of anxiety, fear, and anger. But after reading this book, I found great comfort knowing that all the emotions I had were "normal". The book is also easy to understand, and covers a lot of information which has helped me to become more informed regarding seizures and epilepsy.

I can't begin to describe the grief and fear and utter isolation I felt when my daughter had her second seizure. I remembered that knowledge is power, and I needed to feel powerful. This book gave that to me and so much more! Suddenly terms made sense and I wasn't alone anymore. The section on family coping is amazing: it's as though the authors have reached inside your mind and put down every emotion you've gone through and some that are yet to come. There are case examples throughout that are uplifting, and yes, sometimes a little frightening, but very helpful to read and very enlightening. Most importantly, the book is positive throughout without minimizing what you're dealing with. My only complaint(and this goes for all books, websites, etc) is the use of percentages to illustrate how uncommon different seizure types are, or how many kids outgrow, etc. We already know our kids beat the odds, we don't need to be reminded, and frankly those numbers that in the beginning were a comfort, now are depressing. Again, if a child in your family has seizures, YOU MUST HAVE THIS BOOK!!!

This book contains the answers to most, if not all, of your questions regarding how seizures and epilepsy will affect your child and family. It will also help you know which questions to ask your child's physicians. It is a most complete work. In five sections it describes why seizures occur, diagnosing, treating, coping, and living with epilepsy. Please do yourself a great favor and purchase this book. It is written in language a parent will understand without previous medical knowledge and also it is written with compassion and optimism. I have recommended this book to my family and friends who wish to understand more of how epilepsy is affecting my son's life. You won't be disappointed, buy it today!