Special Needs Children Books

All Children Have Different Eyes is an excellent resource for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, other Special Education Teachers, or other people in the VI field, including parents. The book explains in elementary school language about different visual impairments and modifications needed for these students. I use it as part of a lesson for general ed classrooms with VI students in them. As seen at Dallas TAER conference April 2008.

This is a very encouraging and informative book. Examples of thoughtful behavior and explanations of differences can help change childish curiosity and unkindness. This book focuses on what can be accomplished by children who have visual difficulties. First, the authors have us meet Tommy who has nystagmus. A sound spelling is given along with a little story of how Tommy encourages positive reactions and how he handles negative reactions of children. After Tommy's story, we read stories of other children with other low visual difficulties such as cataracts, myopia, and strabismus. There is a glossary. Resources include books and websites. Activities in the back of the book, give reference to pages in the story with examples of improving social compentency skills. The scenes in the stories and the skills include making friends, coping with mean people, coping with other people's lack of knowledge, etc. I highly recommend this for children, teachers, and parents.

This is fantastic Christmas tale (although I would read it anytime of the year) about a mysterious and elusive Newfoundland dog who saves a disabled man in a snowstorm and then disappears on his way. I agree with the other reviewer that it is certainly a real "tearjerker" but in a wonderful "power of miracles" way. The most compelling thing about the book is that the text depicts the story of the man's family awaiting his arrival on Christmas Eve, while the pictures show what is actually happening to him on this dangerous, stormy night. The art is fantastic and I find new details during every reading. My thanks to author, Frances Ward Weller, and illustrator, Robert J. Blake, for such a fabulous work.

My five year-old daughter likes to pick out books that make mommy cry "happy tears"-- and this is one of them. Beautiful illustrations tell the story of Uncle Ambrose struggling home through a harsh storm on Christmas Eve, while the text tells the story of the concerned young neice waiting at home for his return. Uncle Ambrose's miraculous rescue inspires hope and belief in the miracle of Christmas. After drying our tears we read it again and again, watching the illustrations to find that someone watching over Uncle Ambrose.

LOved the book. I love reading about children with disabilties and all they proof to the world that just because they are blind or such dosn't mean there less of a person.

I read this book with my deaf 4th grade students. It was amazing. They loved this book. They all said it was their favorite book ever. They really don't like to read but this book was about them. It was a little bit difficult reading level wise, proably more appropriate for 5-6th graders. My students everyday begged to read more "apple." It is about a deaf boy in the early 1900s from a deaf family being sent to a school for the deaf for the first time. They learned history and deaf culuture through this book. The most amazing part was the dialogue is written in sign. It reads like ASL. That was wonderful. You really understood the culutural history of these people. I just wish there was more. There could be a whole series and my students would read everyone of them. Read it!

In the last five years I have read many books about Asperger's syndrome as the mental health field has learned more about it and as I try to help families understand the source of a young child's difficulty and determine the best course of treatment. This book is a gift to professionals and families alike. It is a comprehensive resource with information highlighted in summary boxes throughout the text. It explains normal development of 3 to 6-year-old children and the many ways Asperger's syndrome can present, offering descriptions of three children from evaluation through treatmnet. Helpful therapies are described in depth by experienced practitioners, including parent-child play therapy, pragmatic language therapy, occupational therapy for sensory and motor issues, and Leventhal-Belfer and Coe's own specialty combined social skills / parent support groups; alternative therapies are discussed as well. The chapter on working with schools in developing collaborative relationships to help a child is excellent. With all this, one of the things I especially liked about this book is its warm, engaging, respectful tone and its focus on the parents' emotional journey in coming to terms with Asperger's syndrome in their child.

This is a very informative and indeed very important book. I say that both as a parent of a child struggling with the issues discussed in this book and as a Clinical Psychologist. The overall style of writing is neither pedantic nor dummy-downed, and the authors clearly have front-line experience. The authors review how Asperger's affects social development as well as the myriad issues surrounding school functioning. They clearly enumerate which professional services can be considered under which circumstances, both for the child and also for the parents and a variety of intervention strategies are reviewed. How to talk to and what to ask of teachers and other professionals is discussed using a helpful format. Most importantly, this book is clearly written by those with empathy for the child and the parents' journey. They adopt a non-"pathological" approach that is attuned to the child's perspective and strengths. I've read a lot on this subject -- it is my business -- and I found this book to be the best at explaining this complicated topic.
--Nina Prudden, Ph.D.

Everything you need to know about assistive technology and new laws about assistive technology.

AS a teacher in the higher education area, I found this book to be excellent in a good, solid overview for my students. I am currently using it in my class and would recommend it to anyone in a teacher education program.

Anne Clinard Barnhill, born in 1952 relates the story of her life as sister to Becky, who was born 1/31/58. Becky displayed autistic behavior almost from infancy. She became continent at 4; was marginally verbal for the first few years of her life; communicated by phrasing her statements as questions, e.g. "Does the Becky want to eat? Why can't the Becky learn at home?" Anne, 6 years her sister's senior took Becky under her wing and was lovingly protective of her. She even spent her summers working with Becky on cognitive skills.

Sadly, precious little was known about autism in those days. Becky was erroneously labled as "emotionally disturbed" and even retarded. Sadly, this was not uncommon back then. Becky's schooling was also a problem - in 1965, she was expelled for disruptive behavior from one special needs class in West Virginia and saw a therapist. One group home refused to take her until she became fully self-sufficient in toileting. Although continent and reliable, Becky still needed help cleaning up. Once she mastered that skill, Pressley House, a group home/school was willing to accept her after placing her on a waiting list.

On October 1, 1966 the Clinards took Becky to Amos Cottage, which was an interim placement. Becky served 9 months in Amos Cottage which sounded like a genuine hellhole. Nurses ran the place and the lowest functioning children were kept in crib-cages with bars across the top. Becky talked of the "water babies in the basement," which sounded like she meant children with hydrocephalus. She was able to describe Amos Cottage, which sounded horrible. The Clinards were horrified by the place as anyone would be, but sadly there was no other place forthcoming for Becky.

In June of 1967 after a nearly 9-month sentence in Amos House, Becky enjoyed the annual family camping trip; had fun dodging her sister and sneaking off to the pool which was verboten and in general loving the outdoors. Despite many of her unexplainable behaviors, Anne remains loving and tolerant of Becky. I like that.

Becky's behavior remains severely autistic. She pulls dolls apart until they are limbless and headless; she flips any object in her path and she gives her sister the nickname "Jet," explaining that she thinks Anne's face is jet-plane shaped. (Kind of makes you think of Paul McCartney & Wings' song, "Jet.")

Anne talks about her own milestones; her love of the Beatles whom she discovered in late 1963; her boyfriends; her schools; her crushes; her peers and how they all related to Becky. I like the way she describes her response to the events of the day, e.g. Viet Nam War (she had classmates and friends who were drafted); hippies and the music and the family Ford Galaxie, a singularly cool car. One funny story involves how Anne and her friends got stuck in that Ford and rescued it, with great music from 1968 as the soundtrack.

Anne introduces readers to her family. Readers are treated to both sets of grandparents, aunts and cousins as well. One of my favorite parts was when the girls' mother would sing Beatle songs and emphasize the "yeah, yeah, yeah" chorus in the 1963 classic, "She Loves You." It just goes to show you that nobody could dodge that Beatle influence! Becky's classmates wanted her to choose Beatle songs for her ballet recital. The Beatles remain a comforting presence throughout the book.

Despite their vastly different needs and personalities, the sisters really do, as the Beatles said, "Come Together." Readers get to follow Anne down her growing up years and experience into adulthood; at the same time readers follow Becky's progress as well. Becky weathers some major storms, including abuse at a group home when she was 9-11.

Becky's sentence at Pressley House ended in 1971. Then 13, she went onto a special program at the local high school and secured a diploma in 1979 for merely attending. She worked at area sheltered workshops before she entered a group home in 1990 at age 32.

Readers get to cheer Anne's successes as well; a successful second marriage; a blessing of 3 sons; her degrees and her courage and candor in sharing her life and that of her immediate family. Readers are encouraged by Becky's progress as well. Their story has helped lift the Dark Curtain of the Dark Ages that acted as a barrier towards appropriate placement and diagnosis for people with autism. Sadly, few options existed in those days.

In addition to the Beatle parts which I readily identified with and understood, I like the way Anne Clinard Hill opens each chapter with a passage from "The Wizard of Oz." This classic is one she and Becky have loved over the decades and do to this day.

This book makes me think of the song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from "The Wizard of Oz." Readers cannot help but think that in time the Path to Acceptance and recognition of autism is closer than over that rainbow and is tangible, not illusive. I am one of the people who thinks that. I like the way Becky accepts herself as well and I think this is one of the best books I have ever read about a sibling who has autism.

This book explores the often unnoticed side of being a so-called 'normal' (or 'neurotypical') person who loves someone with a mental disorder, namely autism. I found this memoir refreshing in the way that it unapologetically gives voice to those of us on the other side of the coin--those of us who have done our best to stretch our love outside of the box by often putting our own needs on hold to be good family. This book will especially appeal to baby boomers who have grown up with autistic siblings during a time when the disorder was still unnamed, as it addresses the historically inaccurate 'parental blame' theory of the disorder's etiology. I would recommend this book to anyone who has been touched by someone with a mental disorder, and anyone who considers themselves an advocate for the mentally ill.

I have not started reading this book yet however the seller was quite helpful in getting the delivery to me. Which I really appreciated.

After reading The Attention Zone it is odvious that Dr. Cohen is undoubtedly the leader in his field. Clinical discriptions and a no non-sence style of writing creates a masterpiece that easily understood and equaly helpful to docters and parents alike.

Having read more than 30 books on ADHD, I have found this one to be one of the best. It provides an excellent resource for understanding and diagnosing ADHD, as well as "overlapping" disorders, like ODD, and Conduct Disorder. This book is easy to read for parents, but probably a good book even for professionals who may be unfamiliar with the basics of this disorder. There is also a detailed section on treatment, including behavior management and medication. A very timely section covers obtaining special school services and classroom techniques for teachers. If you don't have any books yet on ADHD, this is a great one to start with and keep as a resource in your home library.

I have read over 10 books about ADHD. After you finally face that your child has ADHD you want to know how to help.

This book clearly explains how ADHD is addressed under IDEA and the 504 plan and how an IEP (Individual Educational Plan) fits is associated with both the IDEA and 504. It also gives recommendations about how to best use the IEP to your childs advantage.

This book also provides information about behavior modification. It explains what it is and how it works. This information should be helpful to any parent of an ADHDer.

There is also a chapter about "Classroom Techniques" that suggests some things that teachers can do to help the ADHD child be more successful and less disruptive in school. I will use the information in this chapter to help develop my child's IEP. I will also buy another copy of this book to give to my child's teacher and I'll put an amazon book mark at this chapter!

In summary, it's one of the most useful books about ADHD I've read. Get one for yourself and one for your child's teacher.

This is a great book for new parents of special needs children. It is also a great inspiration and a lesson of what is possible with love and compassion. It is short but sweet, a great story. You will pass it around the office!

Tomacina Hochgurtel tells the story passionately and honestly about how she became the legal guardian of her sister's baby, Jordan Lee, who was born with Down syndrome, in her soon-to-be released book, "Aunt Mommy."

She and Dan Hochgurtel were not married when she found out that her sister was pregnant with her fourth child.

Tomacina Hochgurtel, now 29 and profound beyond her years, had this to say of her situation at the time:


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Special to The R-C Tomacina Hochgurtel's book, 'Aunt Mommy.'

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"I was only 20 years old. Dan and I were living together in a tiny apartment. We were striving to live life as adults. Struggling to go to work everyday and pay the bills on time. It is bizarre how something so common could seem like such a chore. Life doesn't always come easy from the beginning. We are all entitled to make our mistakes. Everyone spends their entire life trying to figure out how to live life to the fullest.

"Dan and I were definitely not perfect; we made our share of mistakes. We fought like cats and dogs. We let a lot of little things come between us.

"Marriage was not really a thought yet. Having a child was nearly inconceivable. We could not even remember to feed the cat most of the time. Getting out of bed in the morning to go to work on time was a task we had not yet mastered. Needless to say, to start a family and live for each other was something we could not even fathom."

Hochgurtel talks about how she, along with her two other sisters, witnessed the birth of their sister's son, and immediately fell in love with him, at the time not knowing he was a Down syndrome baby.

"He had very light blond hair, ivory skin and those beautiful eyes. I could see right into his eyes. They were magical! I knew right away that there was something special about Jordan Lee. I just wanted to hold him forever and never let him go. I had never felt anything so intense; I was speechless," said Hochgurtel in her book. "I was so madly in love with this new little angel!"

Each chapter in this short and poignant little paperback book - 75 pages - begins with a new picture of this child deemed "amazing" by Hochgurtel. She tells the tale of Jordan's tumultuous first year, with a troubled life quite the opposite of the structured one he eventually came to have with Tomacina and, her intense and emotional struggles to get legal guardianship. Hochgurtel talks about how Jordan eventually made her and Dan's lives complete beyond their expectations.

"Jordan Lee has always been the kindest and most loving person I have ever met! Being loved by Jordan is the most wonderful and fulfilling love that I have ever and most likely will ever experience. It is as if he loves on a whole different level than most people. His love is so pure and so innocent and selfless. He is the brightest light, even brighter, like the sun, and he came into my life and lit up my whole world like a brand new summer morning."

Jordan is now 8 and in third grade. Tomacina Hochgurtel has lived in Carson Valley for her entire life. Tomacina and Dan Hochgurtel were married in 2003 and welcomed their youngest son David into their lives in 2004. Tomacina Hochgurtel is the manager of her family's restaurant, Two Guys from Italy in Gardnerville, where she works as a waitress, cook and bookkeeper. She always dreamed of being an author and was excited to have a story, she was so passionate about, to write.

"When I was younger I used to say I would write mystery novels," said Hochgurtel. "This book actually started as a diary. It was what I could do to get through all the chaos."

Hochgurtel's book is selling for $8.99. "Aunt Mommy," a 2007 publication by Tate Publishing & Enterprises, LLC, of Mustang, Okla., can be purchased now at Two Guys from Italy in Gardnerville, or at tatepublishing.com. After the book's release date, July 3, it will be available at amazon.com, borders.com or barnesandnoble.com.



-- Jo Rafferty is People editor at The Record-Courier. She can be reached at jrafferty@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 210.

As a mom of two kids with autism, I read every book about autism that I can get my hands on. By far, Ellen's books are the best out there. Since The Autism Trail Guide is a collection of essays, the book is perfect for busy parents and educators who find themselves with only 15 minutes here and there throughout the day to read. It's a very easy read, not at all "clinical" like so many books on the subject. The book is the perfect mixture of information about the nature of autism (including challenging behaviors and sensory issues) and insights that can only come from a parent dealing with autism day in and day out. I recommend this book (and all of Ellen's other books) to anyone that loves, teaches or otherwise cares for a child on the autism spectrum.

This book is a fantastic companion to Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew (by the same author). So easy to read, you can feel the empathy of the author as you read it. Easy to apply to own situation. I give it a 10 out of 10.