Specific Disabilities Books

This is a book for that special bookshelf of about a dozen classics that burn with relevance and can be read again and again. John H. Griffin was not only a skilled author, but he lived one of the most amazing lives of the 20th century, aptly described by Robert Bonazzi in the book's introduction. Of course, Griffin is well known for dying his skin, posing as a negro, and reporting on his experiences in the book Black Like Me. Amazingly enough, Black Like Me is only one episode in an improbable life. Scattered Shadows covers Griffin's developing blindness, and eventual recovery. Griffin reflects upon music, literature, and religion as his sight departs as a result of a World War II injury. The author has been underappreciated since his death. Hopefully Scattered Shadows will rekindle interest in Griffin, a person worth knowing

This is a necessary addition to the current body of literature on literacy. The book begins with a concise review of the current research on out-of-school literacies and proceeds to provide fascinating theoretical and practical insights from educators and researchers. An interesting component to the volume is the brief practitioner response that accompanies each chapter. This is a must read for anyone interested in improving the literacy practices of marginalized youth.

This is an excellent resource for teachers and other school staff for helping kids learn.

This book is not only an important piece of research but also a great story of gifted teachers and unique learners. This book is beyond throught-provoking...it is ground-breaking. Those who read it will learn much about possibilities for people with disabilities and their teachers and for schooling itself.

I agree with Scott, the first reviewer, Margaret's book is a must read book, inside you will find the beauty of silence in her life, her hardships, and how she overcame them. Margaret is Deaf and I saw her transform from a confused street person into a very stable woman in the 12 years I have known her. If there are flaws in the plot, I was too busy reading to discover any. That is probably the sign of a terrific book! The reason I say this is because she writes in American Sign Language, a language apart from English; however it has been modified to accommodate the English readers. It is a very absorbing well written book projecting a lot of courage and to overcome all of the stumbling blocks in her path. It's a book about a woman who should be bitter but has a forgiving nature. It is also about mental illnesses, and communication barriers. An EXCELLENT READ! Very Inspiring and many can learn from this book!

Small Steps Forward by Sarah Newman

This is a great book written by a very impressive woman. Sarah Newman discovered she had an autistic child when her first son was a few months old. Her first reaction was panic and her next thought was to get as much help as she could. She searched for a book on the subject and found that there were none. So Sarah set to and wrote one that made use of her experience parenting her own special needs child. The result is the book - Small Steps Forward.

As you would expect from the circumstances surrounding its creation, the book is down to earth and practical. It is full of the experience that Sarah gained in the day to day problems of managing, entertaining and helping a small child. Sarah is a practical and highly intelligent woman, so there is plenty of sound advice on how to make the best use of professional advice and where to find practicaql help. The book is written with real understanding for the problems involved and comes to the re-assuring conclusion that parents should remember "it is you who know your own child best."

I read this book when my wife was preparing the illustrations and found the experience very moving. It gave me a small insight into the problems and pleasures of parenting a special needs child and struck me as a book that would be a god-send to any parent of such a child. In fact me and my wife have already given it to the parents of one such child. Furthermore I believe that any parents of a child under 5 would find hundreds of good ideas and lots of good advice in the book..

The illustrations are beautiful capturing the "different" charm and beauty that belongs to Downs Syndrome, Autistic, and other special needs children. Parents or young special needs children will find this a beautiful book as well as a supremely useful one. I heartily recommend this book. Nick Mellersh

Preparing a young child for the world of school and other social situations doesn't always come naturally. "Social Competence of Young Children" is a scholarly psychology manual examining the state of social competence in children below the age of five. A focus on understanding the concept and the influences from family, culture, and other sources marks this study of various disorders that may affect this first coming of age of many in life. Doubling as a guide for parents, "Social Competence of Young Children" is a highly recommended for community library Child Development and Psychology collections.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This book was very interesting. I am in an ASL class for school and this book made me realize another world that I didn't fully understand. This book should be read by any ASL student, and any parent of deaf children.

The Special Education Treatment Planner is a must-have reference book for anyone associated with special education. It is a comprehensive guide to planning education programs and interventions for all types of special needs children. Clearly written and easy to use, it should be a staple on the bookshelf of any educator or clinician who works with individuals with disabilities. Ideal for professionals new to the field who are looking for guidance on how to create an effective education plan, or for veterans just looking for new ideas. Don't write an IEP without it!

I had the pleasure while attending Western Maryland College now McDaniel College, to have Joel Macht his last semester of teaching. He was a fantastic professor and shared valuable information. This is a wonderful resource about those children we label special ed. It brings into that our current guidelines fail students who may need us most. His philosophy is that all children are special and need help!