Specific Disabilities Books

This book was so riviting that I read it from cover to cover in four hours straight. I am a mother of a four year old high-functioning autistic boy. With the miriad of treatments now available I sometimes feel lost in my search to help my son. Reading Sound of a Miracle and other books told by mothers of autistic children and their struggles has helped educate me on what treatment options are available and where to focus my tedious research efforts. The author makes it clear that AIT does not produce miraculous results in every child, however, it did for her daughter and that's a story worth being told and read!

Georgiana (Georgie) was born on May 24, 1965. She made all developmental milestones within normal limits as did her older sister, Dotsy. Speech was the only major milestone that Georgie did not make during her early years. She was nonverbal until she was 4.

Georgie's mother had many overwhelming issues - a divorce when the girls were quite small; Georgie's aversion for any sound, music included and Dotsy's being diagnosed with leukemia at age 4.

Annabelle naturally has Georgie tested and sent to early intervention programs. The only place where Georgie appeared to have thrived was at Bellevue Hospital because, as Georgie explained years later, "it was quiet there." Dotsy's health plummets and she dies at the age of 8 in 1971. Georgie, then 6, was sent to a residential facility identified as "Childville."

Childville sounds like a genuine Chamber of Horrors. Georgie complains about the noise and staff dismiss her complaints. She is overmedicated and complains about how the medicines make her feel. She becomes hostile and displays aggression because she cannot tolerate noise. A social worker who sounded cruel and incompetent from the telling, identified as "Judith" seems determined to block and undermine any and all progress on Georgie's part. When Georgie shows an unusual balancing ability and begs for a skateboard, Judith refuses, telling Georgie's mother that Georgie is "overcompensating a fear." Fortunately Georgie gets her skateboard and is quite proficient on it.

Georgie is fortunate enough to have summers free of that institutional wasteland. Luckily for all, Annabelle marries Peter, a gentle, loving man. That union produces a brother and later a sister for Georgie. Peter has grown daughters from a previous marriage and it is in this loving, blended, extended family that Georgie blossoms.

Annabelle decides that Childville is just not the answer and withdraws Georgie in 1976. Peter had accepted a job in Switzerland, and naturally Georgie wanted to join her family. Childville staff threaten to keep Georgie by refusing to release her (how could this legally be done). Judith invokes just about every Freudian cliche possible to block Georgie's withdrawal from Childville. Fortunately, Peter and Annabelle withdraw Georgie and move to Switzerland. The medications are discontinued and for the next several years Georgie flourishes in Switzerland. She learns to ski, is mainstreamed and explains that her aversion for sound is due to having a heightened auditory sense. Luckily, she has been treated by several very humane doctors specially trained in Auditory Integration Therapy (AIT) and this treatment is continued during her years abroad. One can't help but cheer when Georgie dances in the rain, explaining that the rain "doesn't sound like a machine gun anymore." Georgie said AIT literally saved her life.

After several years abroad, the family returns to the United States. Georgie's records "mysteriously vanish" because the cruise ship she was on met with a disaster and several cartons had to be discarded. The disaster turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Free of previous baggage, Georgie attends a public school in Connecticut. She graduates as class valedictorian in 1984 and is currently happily married. She is now fluent in 6 languages including Arabic; is a gifted artist and very spiritual. Georgie is also an author. She has chronicled her life story in "Overcoming Autism," in which she promises readers that upon reading her book they will have a very clear understanding of what it means to have autism. The book is currently available on her web site, but it is worth reading. It is a book you will cherish.

This book is filled with stories that wrench any parent's heart - and then fill it up again page after page - with new hope and inspiration!

These amazing recovery stories are a wonderful testimony to the devotion and unconditional love of unrelenting parents who will stop at nothing to recover their special needs child.

This is another extraordinary collection of personal accounts of people on the autism/Asperger's (a/A) spectrum who have been successfully treated with Auditory Integration Therapy (AIT). People with autism have trouble synthesizing sensory modes and have "hyper" sensitivity; that is, extraordinarily acute senses.

James, whose mother wrote about his spectacular progress in Stehli's previous book, "Dancing in the Rain" describes his personal experience with autism. A bright, well-rounded young man, James appears to be very accepting and open-minded. I like the way he was avidly interested in the "American Girls" series and saw no reason not to learn knitting; it was a real skill he had and he found it a soothing activity.

I loved it when James said, "...when you see your child lining up cards, for example, don't punish him for perseverating...don't see it as acting strangely. See him as the architecht or draftsman he could become, designing the strongest buildings or drawing the straightest lines." James speaks to hope and potential. He also addresses the very real problem of the word "perseverate" in any tense. While many professionals and parents might find it a helpful "shorthand," it is really just a negative and destructive word. It is highly damning, judgmental and has hurt many and done far more harm than any good.

James, like Stehli's daughter, Georgiana Thomas is an author. Articulate and insightful, James focusses his chapter on the positive aspects of having autism. Georgiana Thomas has written "Overcoming Autism," about her personal experiences and at the time of this review, her book is currently available only on her web site. Her book, together with James' work, "The Self-Help Guide for Special Kids and Their Parents" deserve places of honor along with this book.

This is one of the most inspiring and uplifting books about autism that I have ever read. Hats off to the people who shared their stories and for the Rays of Hope they have beamed each reader's way. We need this book!

This book makes me think of the John Lennon 1980 classic, "Clean Up Time."

This is an excellent book geared for the adolescent or tween on the autism/Asperger's spectrum. I like the way it tackles topics such as body development; hormonal changes; basic grooming and bathroom etiquette such as when boys use urinals.

I like the way vignettes were provided using different voices, e.g. first, second, third person. Prompts such as visual cues and other teaching tools are included. This author wisely suggests using a similar approach in teaching preschoolers good grooming habits and the rationale for same.

This book is for the adult instructor and young pupil alike. The drawings are discreet and appropriate and are not likely to make a young person feel embarrassed or threatened.

The tone of this book is plainly quite instructional, which is often a good approach with the a/A population. People with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) have been called "little professors" and often seek informational books and present discussions in an informtional format. This book does a good job of recognizing this trait and responding to it accordingly.

I highly recommend this book for parents, educators and young people. It is an important work and valuable resource tool.

My son turned ten a few months ago so I decided Personal Hygiene and Puberty were topics we needed to delve into. I am very glad I purchased this book since it covered Deodorant, shaving, growth spurts and using a urinal.

My 10 year old is high functioning and his almost nine year old sibling is non-verbal and could benefit from some of the chapters as he gets older.

Throughout the book the stories are told in various points of views, either in the first, second or third person. Visual cues, communication aides and assistive technology is shown within the chapters. Mary also suggests starting self-care skills as young as three for brushing teeth and washing hands.

One thing to note is that the fonts change throughout the book. The pages that discuss developing a program and teaching various skills are presented in an easy to read manner, mostly for the adults teaching the curriculum. The remaining pages are activities and social stories that have larger fonts that are bolded. This seems to be easier to follow for my son as well.

All the diagrams inside are in black and white, plus the cover is not overstated and should not be embarassing to a pre-teen or teen.

Your student or child will not read about birth control, sexual intercourse, reproduction or sexually transmitted diseases. It is recommended to supplement this curriculum as the students become young adults. I was glad to know these issues would not be covered, yet my son ran into two words when looking up puberty in the dictionary - reproductive and sexually.

He was disappointed not to find a glossary, but liked learning about growing a mustache and how old he would be when he finally gets to high school.

None of the steps listed in the book are numbered, which I think is a good thing so the students do not get stuck on certain numbers instead of the actual steps.

The information presented is repetitious in nature, but that is needed when teaching children on the autism spectrum. There is plenty of room for note taking and creating your own social stories. This book is a useful tool for families, teachers and therapists to instill these vital lessons to children with autism.

A practicing psychologist for more than 30 years who evaluates and treats children, adolescents and adults for a variety of problems, Myles L. Cooley also draws upon his experience and expertise as a consultant to schools and as a presenter of education al programs to educators, mental health professionals, physicians, and parents in "Teaching Kids With Mental Health & Learning Disorders In The Regular Classroom". This basic and very strongly recommended instruction manual and guidebook is specifically designed to help classroom teachers learn how to recognize, understand and help challenged (and often challenging) students to learn and succeed academically. A compendium of practical and proven strategies educators can use when teaching and supporting students who exhibit mental health problems and learning disorder issues, "Teaching Kids With Mental Health & Learning Disorders In The Regular Classroom" will also alert teachers as to what behavior sand symptoms to look for in troubled students, provide ideas for fostering social development in these children, and how best to motivate all students to learn. Of special note is the discussion of the latest approach to intervention procedures, including Response to Intervention (RTI).

This book is written in a very user-friendly format for educators. Over twenty mental health and learning disorders are described in this book including symptoms, behaviors, classroom strategies,and professional treatments. Based on current research and educational trends, this is the perfect book to bring to IEP and Child Study meetings for practical and concise interventions. Teachers and counselors will not only find plenty of ideas on how to motivate their students with learning and mental health disorders but also how to apply effective teaching strategies with all students. As a school counselor who spends a great deal of time meeting with teachers and parents, this book has spent very little time on my bookshelf. A great tool!

I'm usually pretty skeptical about new books for teaching. This book contains practical lessons that are easy to use in the classroom. I've already recommended it to several of the Language Arts teachers that I work with. These strategies are good for students with LD as well as all students in the classroom.

There are many books, but few are geared to the practical, everyday processes of reacing out to a child with a disability. This book does that. Everything is step by step, and easy to carry out. I have been a SPED teacher for over 33 years. You can never, ever learn enough.

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Superb text book. Excellent for preservice teacher education as well has a helpful handbook for practitioners. This book provides a comprehensive cover of transition services. I highly recommend this book.

Dr. Miller is a nationally known expert in the area of transition and special education. With this book he once again sets the standard. It is informative, innovative, easy to read, and very relevant. I would highly recommend this book as a resource for high school special education teachers and principals as well as a text for undergraduate and graduate course work.

Dr. Emener has successfully defined 'heroism' in presenting these vignettes of athletes who have overcome tremendous hurdles. Need a huge shot of inspiration? Then this is a 'must read'! You'll move through your everyday problems with less whining, for sure.

This book is a timely example of what a true athlete is. With what is going on in the so called "real world of sports", with players in baseball, football, basketball, golf and so on asking for and receiving more money than ever before, putting the fan completely out of reach with their ability to attend or even take part in the sport, you have Dr. Emener's book, showing us a different light. Ultimate Challenges shows us what kind of courage and dedication it takes to be an athlete, the Ultimate Athlete. It is also heart warming to know that Dr. Emener is donating the royalties of this book to the United State Olympic Committee. Just one more reason to buy this book and support these athlete's who have no real corporate sponsorship, unfortunately.

This book will truly tug at your heart. Bullough has crafted a very nice framework around several classrooms and the lives of the kids that make them up. The children have stories of physical abuse, growing up without one or both parents, surviving with little or nothing to eat, and living with and among drug users. Many of these kids have had to grow up to adulthood within the span of their eight to ten years of life. The situations that many of these kids have to live in would be enough to crush anyone's spirits. Yet many of them have soaring attitudes and the perseverance to see themselves through -- beacons of hope in the gloom.
Well-written, heart-rending and uplifting at the same time, and definitely worth reading.

Have you ever read a book you wanted your friends to have already read so you could talk about it with them? This is one of those books. As teacher and teacher educator, I found in the lives of these children echoes of the lives of children and teachers I have taught. Robert Bullough's layered analysis gives entry into the worlds of these children without being titilating or depressing. His analysis articulates the issues of poverty, father absence, drug abuse that teachers deal with. In this way, he connects these stories,34 children's stories, to the larger issues confronting schools and society. More importantly I valued his respectful tone--his book communicates hope and respect for teachers, parents and most importantly these wonderful children whose lives are uncertain. His analysis helps each of us see ways we might make a difference in the uncertain lives of child in our own communities and shools.

This product is a must have for principals, college students, general education teachers and special edcation teachers. It is explain so that all could understand even the most challenging issues pertaining to special education.It is a great reference that could be used by general education teachers,to become familiar with the many acronyms used in special education.

The collaborative work of educators and academicians Margaret J. McLaughlin and Victor Nolet, What Every Principal Needs To Know About Special Education is a foundational resource of basic information that every school principal needs to master with respect to overseeing special education students -- especially in this modern era of accountability imposed by the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act and the No Child Left Behind Act. Essential information concerning the legal foundations of special education; how to use data for school improvement; fostering an optimum learning climate; applicable features of effective special education practices, and a great deal more, present What Every Principal Needs To Know About Special Education as an excellent and "must-read" reference. A means to the worthy bottom line of how to get better education and better results for the special education students who need it most, What Every Principal Needs To Know About Special Education is highly recommended as a core addition to public school administrative reference shelves and reading lists.

I have been hunting for an inexpensive guidebook to use with my methods and materials in special education class. I have students teaching everything from pre-k through 22 year olds covering every topic from life skills, to traditional academics, to art. This means that a traditional textbook doesn't do me much good. However the others I looked at were too general to help. Then I found Accessing. Just reading made me exclaim in agreement. I like the format, the content and language used. So far my students have given it a thumbs up too- both for price, size and content.