Disabled Books

"Enabling Communication in Children with Autism" is a very practical book which helps teachers ,parents and others working with Autistic childen to provide an environment which will optimise the opportunities for communication to take place. I found the book easy to read in clear "bite sized" chapters with a good mix of case studies and practical examples. As a teacher I found I could apply it well to my own setting.

It does not require expensive resources, or staff to completely re-organise classroom settings. Rather, it emphasises how crucial it is for adults to examine their own communication strategies with childen, and how this can be vital in extending children's own communicative acts.

Two of the main stategies are the use of minimal speech and proximal communication. In applying these approaches described I felt very comfortable, and I have observed positve changes as a result over a period of a few weeks. These ,and other strategies are clearly and easily explained with practical examples. The approaches described fit well with other techniques for teaching children with Autism, eg PECs and TEACCH.

Engaging the Disengaged: How Schools Can Help Struggling Student Succeed by Lois Brown Easton (Corwin Press, 304 pages, $37.95), reviewed by Dan Condon

Far too many young people sit in classes disengaged; far too many drop out of school altogether. The drop-out statistics are frightening enough, but no one really knows how many more students merely endure school, sitting in the back of the room, tuned out. Engaging the Disengaged is addressed to those of us who work with such students, and also to those who work with the teachers and principals who work with such students - district administrators, for example. Finally, it speaks to teacher education and continuing education programs that prepare teachers and administrators to work in schools that "house" such students. The reader will encounter many different voices from K-12 schools throughout the country in this book: voices of students, voices of their teachers, and voices of those who observe these students and teachers working together.

This book is about changing the culture of schools so that they are more humane and habitable for struggling learners - really, for all learners. Easton argues that schools should make important changes, such as creating whole-school learning communities. Teachers can certainly change their own classrooms, but school wide change is likely to have a greater effect. In fact, redesigned schools - not just high schools but all schools that serve struggling students - can help keep such students in school, learning, graduating, and contributing to a society that needs them.

Easton organizes her ideas into two sections: Culture and Curriculum, and Instruction and Assessment. The final chapter pulls it all together by looking at the effect of school on the whole student. Topics include a testing culture vs. a learning culture; the importance of building relationships and creating community; how principles govern a school better than rules; building a democracy in schools; how really to be standards-based; innovative instructional strategies; and performance assessment for learning.

For over a decade, I have been working with young people who have found success to be elusive in their high school experiences. Few were on track to graduating and many had dropped out. Easton's book shares realistic and inspiring examples of the kind of engagement that transforms such kids' lives.

Based in Estes Park, Colorado, Dan Condon is the Associate Director of the Professional Development Center, a CES Affiliate Center, at Eagle Rock School, a CES Mentor School.

The seller sent me a personal email to let me know my book was shipped and when it was expected to arrive which I really appreciated. He also said if I was unhappy with the condition of the book he would work with me. Luckily, for both of us, I was very satified with my product. Now I have faith in buying used books online. Thank you for such a positive first time experience.

Federal Disability Law in a Nutshell is a well written work explaining some of the finer points of disability law. I am not certain I would suggest paying full price for it now, as much of the information provided is available for [...]

I just finished reading this book, and found it very informative and clearly written. The book begins with the less complex and leads to the very complex in a smooth, precise manner. Recently beginning work in a facility that deals with a clientel prodominately afflicted with CP, I found this book to contain and explain the vital information that I need to do my job as a well-informed dietetic technician. I highly recommend this book to parents and caregivers of the feeding disabled child.

This college-level survey of the status and problems of adults who suffer from mild cognitive limitations continues the dialogue begin in the 'Six-Hour Retarded Child' report, published over 25 years ago by the President's Committee on Mental Retardation. Forgotten Generation surveys the daily challenges these mildly retarded adults face in everyday life, from employment to health and community living. An excellent guide.

From Legs to Wheels is the true story of Duane Mulvaney, a man who has overcome more than his fair share of obstacles. From the very first chapters where he explains his younger years working at a paper mill and his sudden realization of the need for friendship, the reader realizes s/he is reading the words of a very special man.

Mr. Mulvaney continues from that point to talk of the very proudest moments in his life, as well as the very lowest moments. From his marriage to his soul-mate (his "Babe") and the births of his daughters, to a tragic accident which left him as a quadriplegic, you will experience every emotion on the spectrum. Duane Mulvaney has a special talent to share the deepest part of himself, without asking anything in return, and he does this not only in his book, but in the experiences he has had with others throughout his life.

It might seem like a cliche, but once you start to read this book, it is very difficult to put down; and once you have finished reading his words, you cannot help but be full of inspiration.

This book provides a great review of the work accomplished on gestural communication over the past 20 years. Not all labs that have produced literature on this topic were inlcuded in the book, but the authors nonetheless tackle the challenge of discussing the subject and do it well. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in researching gesstural communication in non-human primates and other animals.

i loved the book and got a copy for the OT

As heralded by such masters as Eckhart Tolle and Don Ruiz the earth at this time is graced by a number of awakened divine flowers of consciousness which grace us with their tremendous healing power and gentility. Marshall Ball is no doubt one such light in our world. His healing gift is through the power of his words. In this important document of our time [A Good Kiss] Marshall Ball uses his gentle and seemingly simple use of the English language to incite a healing effect that evokes deep emotions and directly effects the heart. Short of a miracle, both of Marshall Ball's books are a collection of communications poetically expressed and clearly echo teachings from A Course in Miracles, Eckhart Tolle's Power of Now and Stillness Speaks, and the Conversations with God books, none of which have been a source of study for this young man of 17. It seems Truth is spoken again by another source of pure love, but here, with heavenly gentleness and a poetic voice that can lift and heal the coldest of hearts. I highly recommend reading and studying both "A Good Kiss" and "Kiss of God" as material for spiritual study and personal growth. May this gentle heavenly force continue to grace us with his divine wisdom and healing voice.