Specific Disabilities Books

I had the honor of serving in the same Platoon in Iraq with this fine Soldier. The one thing that I will never ever forget is the way he never, no matter what the circumstance had a negative thing to say about anybody or anything. His religious convictions and utter faith in God was an inspiration to everyone who had the honor to serve with him. He fails to mention in here on the same night of the innocent mans death in March 04' he was sent to guide a HMMV carrying two wounded soldiers through the dark night and dangerous Baghdad Streets alone to the Green Zone to guide this lost HMMV to safety, undoubtedly saving their lives. I love the man you are SGT. C. BANDITS!!!

Evan Ellis

This book is a wonderful read and it lets the world know what those close to Kortney already know.

Received this item very quickly. Wonderful book! I met Kortney this weekend at a memorial motorcycle ride--what an amazing individual that has risen above! I look forward to reading the rest of the book!

RIP Dave!

Kortney's story is a compelling and fascinating read on its own. He exhibits honesty not only to his challenges but as to his successes and failures. One is left with a profound admiration for his life and lessons learned on a path that no one would voluntarily chose.

What really made the book "pop" for me was the brilliant contextual writing that Bill Briggs wraps around Kortney's story. From the political turmoil of small town Mississippi, to often sobering ironic timing of Kortney's rehab with the politics of this war, to the history of the Para Olympics, to the intricacies of mechanical knees and legs, all add immensely to the reading experience.

Good, very good! It's an amazing story and I think it's important to know it in particular now because of Paralympics in Bejing.

This is a must-have for your autism library. The book begins with a brief history of modern medicine and then defines what separates science from fad and anecdote. Other reviewers here have discussed the way this book debunks modern fads and pseudoscience so I will focus on two other areas that really impressed me.

First, the editors concisely describe how to go about determining whether or not a treatment suggested for your child is based in science or not. After reading Controversial Therapies, I now have red flags that go up when someone suggests chelation or brush therapy or other therapies based in anecdote. Also I learned to expect specific goals from therapies and not the vague improvements usually promised.

Second, the authors debunk many fad treatments for developmental disorders, but doesn't discount all of them. Instead, the authors teach the reader how to set up a scientific trial of one for your child based on facts. For instance, if your occupational therapist prescribes brush therapy to help overcome a certain behavior, you must define the behavior, measure the behavior without brushing, then measure it with brushing. In my son's case, like the case given in the book, my son's violent behaviors increased after brushing. I have since performed a trial on the effect of small doses of caffeine on his self-stimulatory behaviors (it helped).

This book is an important work in developmental disability literature and I highly recommend it. I also wish you strength, laughter, and success on the way to recovery for your loved one with a disability.

Controversial therapies for developmental disabilities is an excellent book that describes a variety of approaches for the treatment of children and adults with developmental disabilities. There are 28 chapters that point out inconsistencies amongst therapies that claim to be effective for treating autism and other disabilities. This book points out in detail the difference between what is pseudoscience and what is science by pointing out important information about therapies such as sensory integration, facilitated communication, and other ineffective treatments. Many of the therapies described in this book are advertised as fun, loving, caring, and able to create relationships between care givers and children, which sounds appealing to parents. These therapies are not science-based rather they are based on intuition, and personal values and opinions. Take sensory integration for example, which lacks evidence that its effective for children with autism or for people with developmental disabilities, however some parents and professionals provide this treatment to individuals based off of claims that are made from other people and from the therapists that used this so called treatment.
Because of such claims uninformed parents spend a lot of time and money on therapies that have not yet been proven to be effective. This book can help such parents avoid potential dangerous treatments for their children. It's unfortunate that there aren't any laws that prohibit the use of treatments that have not been proven to be effective for the treatment of developmental disabilities. I think that it's unethical to provide such "treatments" and this book advocates for people with developmental disabilities about the truth of bogus therapies.
The book also discussed why applied behavior analysis is an effective treatment compared to the other treatments described. It would have been great if the authors provided more information about the evidence for its efficacy in comparison to other methods. Nevertheless, this is an informative book for educators, parents, students and professionals. I enjoyed this book because I have new ways to articulate many of the fads described and provide rationales why it's not an effective treatment for people with disabilities.

As an teacher educator this is a breath of fresh air - common sense and a spotlight on the ridiculous fads in education abound.

Finally, a book that takes an objective view on the current "quick fix" and "miracle" treatments that are seen in developmental disabilities, specifically in autism.

Controversial Therapies exposes the ugly, inconvenient truth about sensory integration, auditory integration training, facilitated communication, positive behavior support, and a host of other fads and bogus treatments. Jacobson, Foxx, and Mulick have complied a set of chapters, and written many themselves, that provides all the ammunition that anyone needs to shoot down these wasteful and chronic malignancies that pervade the field of developmental disabilities and especially autism.

I use this text in my ethics course along with Ethics for Behavior Analysts (Bailey & Burch) and find that the combination makes for a great foundation for logical and responsible thinking about important treatment issues in our field.

Jon Bailey
co-author "How to Think Like a Behavior Analyst"

Jean Little does an excellent job in explaining the life of a little girl by the name of Sal to the rest of the public. This girl is very courageous and goes through some very big hurdles and obstacles, but she is eventually going to get through some of the hurdles, but it will take some time. I think that she does an excellent job with this. If you want to find out more about Jean Little and Sal, read Mine for Keeps.

I just finished reading my childhood copy to my 6 1/2 year old daughter. We both loved it. The family portrayal was lovely as well as the inisght into Sal and her struggles with fears and cerebral palsy. I am dissapointed the book is out of print and I cannot give it to others.

"Mine for Keeps", by Jean Little, is a great story about friendship you can't miss. It's a story about a girl, Sarah Copeland (Sal), who suffers of cerebral palsy (faulty development or damage to motor areas in the brain). She had always dreamed of going home with her family, but when her dream came true, she wished she had never wished for that. Sal has to overcome many obstacles: make new friends, adapt to her new home, and to not look bad in front of others. It is a story about friendship you can't miss, where a girl who use to be scared of everything-dogs, people, school, even dressing herself, finds friendship in a dog. It is a story with an ending that will leave you pleased.

This book can really capture your heart. Sal has just come home to live with her family, after living in a special boarding school, for people with Cerebal Palsey. She gets enrolled in a public school, and makes two best friends, Libby and Elsjie. Elsjie has a brother named Piet, who is also crippled, like Sal. If you like reading Jean Little's books, I reccomend her biography, "Little by Little" This book is a must read!

This is truly the best book featuring a character with cerebral palsy. Sarah (Sally) is the central character in this story. At 9, she has attended a school for children with physical challenges for the past five years. The Canadian province she lives in has no such school, so her parents arrange to have her admitted to the school in America.

Finally, a rehab center opens in her town. Sally's parents move closer to the center so Sally can live at home. Her father flies her back and works like a soldier helping Sally to feel integrated into her rather large family.

Sally has an older, bossy sister named Mindy, a brother close in age named Kent and a sister in kindergarten named Meg. She gets to know Meg because Meg was the sibling she spent the least amount of time with due to her years in America.

Sally's father is truly a rare gem. He is clearly a very intelligent and articulate man and he provides intelligent explanations for things. For example, when Sally, understandably fearful of starting out in public school asks why she was sent out of the country in the first place, her mother flares up. That was needless. Sally needed sympathy and a good explanation, which her father provided. He told her that at Meg's age, Sally could neither speak clearly nor feed herself; she could not walk; she could not dress herself. He summed it up nicely by saying that he thought she would want to do these things for herself. He was truly a delightful character.

Once enrolled in public school, Sally makes friends with classmates Jon and Elsje Jansen and another girl who immediately takes her under her wing. Sally learns that Elsje's brother Pieter had a heart condition that precluded him from attending school for a year. Nursed at home, Pieter nurses a grudge against his illness and insists on only speaking Dutch, thus further isolating himself. It is Sally, his sister and his friends who get Pieter to leave his self-imposed shell to help them with their dog training project.

This is a wonderful book that I have loved since I was a little girl. I even have a well loved copy. It is a real treasure.

This was a very heartwarming story. Reading this book gave me insight to Denise. It's truly amazing everything her and Neil went through to adopt David. I thought it would be an "OK" book, but I was wrong. It was fantastic. I couldn't put it down. I reccomend this book for everyone, as everyone will find something in it to relate too.

I think this is one of the best books I have ever read. The author does a great job of taking you into her world. This is a must read for anyone with a disability who has ever been told they cannot do something. Also a must read for those without disabilities to see that the abilities of people with disabilities are limitless. I look forward to future books by this talented author.

Denise made me both laugh and cry - somethimes at the same time. This is a WONDERFUL book about determination, ingenuity and grit all combined with a non-stop sense of humor. Denise shows us how it is possible for people with severe disabilities to thrive dispite society's limiting attitudes. I loved the book.

The Question of David should be required reading for all adoptive and prospective adoptive parents. Their disabilities notwithstanding, the Jacobsons took on a huge responsibility with unlimited risk by adopting a child thought to have disabilities of his own. I laughed and cried and ached all through the story. As an adoptive parent of a child with ADHD, I found Denise's struggle with day-to-day issues an inspiration. How does she do it? Cheers to the Jacobson's and to David!

This book is a touching look at motherhood and all of its challenges. As a first time mother, I related to the same feelings of inadequacy, doubt, hope and elation that Denise so poignantly describes. My hat goes off to the Jacobsons who share their aspirations and who serve as an inspiration for all parents and parents to be whether they are disabled or not.

I am very happy!!! I got an additional $12.00 savings by the time the book arrived. My university wanted $98.00 for the book & that is not including tax. I was able to save $38.00, NOT TO MENTION THE TAX i SAVED.
Thank you Amazon & nward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )

Great book, great shipper. Came fast and I am happy with the whole purchase.

I had to buy this textbook last year, as I was getting my teaching endorsement in Special Education. It is a good text, although mostly only useful if you are studying this for ceritification (I haven't used since I've been teaching).

This book is an excellent resource for all special education teachers. I especially recomment it for new teachers because it basically covers, in depth, the information that a first year teacher needs to organize their classroom, implement programs for facilitating teaching (e.g. peer tutoring,setting up reading and math programs, etc.).
It is a very challenging because of the amount of information covered. It teaches approaches to language arts and math (e.g. a concrete, representational, abstract approach to teaching math). It encourages and discusses ways to make teaching a more hands on approach to learning. I love it!

I have always used Cecil's book in my own research in developing materials. It is written clearly, is regularly updated, and presents sound thinking for special educators. If you work with students with learning and/or behavioral problems, this book is essential.

Having been bullied most of my life in and out of school I just learned to live with it. It was only when, like the author, I was diagnosed in adulthood with AS that the pieces of my life began to come together. However one thing still troubled me, why was I subjected to such harsh treatment? That was up until I read this book.

This book, written in a style of a informative manual for professionals such as teachers, clearly spells out why people on the spectrum are subjected to bullying and harassment on a daily basis in the torturous prison that is our schools. The author has dedicated a chapter to some of his own experiences and uses these and the stories of others on the spectrum to plainly illustrate his points. However unlike some other books on the subject that I have read he also backs up these points with numerous references to other studies, books and other AS authorities.

I am not saying that this book is without its flaws. For one many of the strategies suggested for use by the teachers and the victims themselves will have in one form or other been tried and have often failed due in part to the fact that some bullies actively look for a chink in the armour, once it is found the whole cycle begins again. Also the book is very thin for the subject matter and while this is good in stopping the reader getting bored it does very little when you are trying to find really good in-depth material on the subject.

Having said that, this book gives a rock solid foundation for parents, victims and teachers to build on and create a better strategy for dealing with bullying of people on the spectrum and those who are not. Also this book puts a strong emphasis on engaging bystanders, turning them from innocent bystanders into a dynamic force to help stamp out bullying when it starts instead of when it has taken root. As it says, Bullying does not happen in a vacuum.

If you are looking for a good book about bullying on the spectrum, this guy knows his stuff.

I have asperber's syndrome and I learned this years after I graduated from highschool. I knew that I was very much bullied all through high school and grade school. I suggest that people read this book and think what is happening with the victems of bullies. Many of of them are aspies who do no know it.

Again, I said this is recomend for every one.

As a parent dealing with a fairly new diagnosis, this book went beyond the title. Finally Asperger's has been explained in a way that allows me to grasp what it is like for my son. I also discovered how even we as adoring parents have unintentionally bullied him. This is a crucial read for parents, teachers and school administration. I strongly recommend it!

This book delivers insight and hope to children being victimized and their families. When I counsel children and adults who have been bullied, I am invariably struck by the deep wounds that they carry through life. The fear and trembling lives on, along with the sadness and the pain that are more than just memories that people get over. Nick Dubin speaks with passion in a singular voice as an adult who has Asperger's and as a professional who helps the reader get the big picture. Parents, teachers, and professionals will understand why do bullies do what they do, why people stand by, and what to do about it.

--Robert A. Naseef, Ph.D., author of Special Children, Challenged Parents and co-editor Voices from the Spectrum.

Voices from the Spectrum: Parents, Grandparents, Siblings, People With Autism, And Professionals Share Their Wisdom

Bullying (which includes both verbal and physical harassment) is an extremely serious problem in our schools today. A large percentage of adolescent and teenage suicides are directly and primarily attributable to bullying. Most of the widely reported school shootings were also at least partly acts of revenge against bullying. Unfortunately, most parents and school administrators simply do not understand the scope of the problem. This is largely due to the perception that teasing and bullying are a "normal part of growing up." All too often, the problem is dismissed by well-meaning school administrators that remember being victims of some teasing and bullying in their own childhoods and who think that the victims should just "get over it".

While it is true that everyone experiences a certain amount of bullying, there are many children in our schools for whom bullying is not just an occasional incident to be shrugged off. For most students with Asperger syndrome, bullying is pervasive, constant, and inescapable. They usually lack the pragmatic language skills to effectively use "comebacks" to respond to teasing, they lack the motor skills to fight back if the harassment turns physical, and they usually have few (if any) friends available to provide emotional support afterwards. Add to that the fact that persons with autism have a biologically based difficulty in dealing with frustration and you have a recipe for disaster.

Nick Dubin shows a rare understanding of the severity and nature of the problem from the standpoint of a former victim. He does a masterful job of explaining why persons with Asperger syndrome (and other forms of autism) are extremely vulnerable to bullying. He also offers a wealth of practical suggestions to combat this problem in our schools. If we, as a society, claim to value diversity, how can we turn our backs on our own children that are harassed daily in our schools for no reason other than the fact that they are different?

Why do we expect a 12 year old child with autism to endure daily harassment that is often far worse than that which would be grounds for a very large lawsuit if it happened to a 30 year old adult in the workplace?

Every school administrator, teacher, and parent needs to read this book. Dubin masterfully shows why the problem is both serious and solvable -- if only parents and school officials will pay attention.

This book supports the real reasons to sign with typically developing children. It makes them smarter, increases their language skills and enhances literacy. What else? Sign language is easy to learn and add to any classroom culture. The instructor does not need to be fluent to reap the many benefits! Every educational institution should incorporate sign language into their programming. This book gives the proof to getting it all started.

Daniels' book demonstrates that American Sign Language isn't just for deaf students. Citing numerous research studies, many conducted by Daniels herself, this book gives solid evidence as to why and how ASL supports literacy in hearing children. Best of all, Daniels offers practical strategies for use in the early elementary and preschool classroom.--Kathy MacMillan, author of Try Your Hand at This: Easy Ways to Incorporate Sign Language into Your Programs

This book is an excellent review of why and how signing with hearing children works to build literacy skills (and many, many other skills as well!). I highly recommend this book for early childhood educators and parents!!!!!

I started using sign language while teaching kindergarten years ago just for fun. The kids loved it. Now I know why! This book is great for teachers and parents. If you have a young child having trouble with spoken or written English, GET THIS BOOK! Also get it just for fun, to learn with a best friend, to communicate with someone who is deaf, to enrich your knowledge of human iconography, symbolism and to learn about the history of language. A great book, easy to read, perfect amount of detail, lots of references. (This book is for adults - and includes lots of ideas to use with kids...)

I have just finished reading this book and I cannot wait to get it into the hands of my kid's teachers (and administrators). I am currently learning sign and so are my kids. Although none of my children are ADD or ADHD I know that some of their classmates are. The book suggests that sign encourages a healthier classroom environment as all the children are ACTIVELY participating in the learning process. The ADD/ADHD kids are actually calmer and all students are learning more. (Less wear and tear on the teachers!) By learning ASL we are also encouraging communication with the Deaf. The Deaf cannot hear, so why do we exclude them and expect them to learn our language? We have the opportunity to begin to change the world our children live in, one sign at a time. That is something to think about.

Being a parent of a child with autism, I love the positive perspective this book gives professionals and parents. This book overlooks the stigmas and stereotypes and focuses on acceptance and the unique qualities our children bring to the world. Rob Parish has compiled so many perspectives by so many levels of this "disorder." This is a must read for everyone new to the world of autism!

Embracing Autism: Connecting and Communicating with Children in the Autism Spectrum

Embracing Autism is a well-written compilation of life experiences, struggles and inspirational portraits of families and professionals who have lived with and improved the lives of children and adults in the autism spectrum. I heartily recommend it to families and friends of those parents who struggle with the diagnosis and are grappling with what this diagnosis means.

It will certainly help many to see the diverse nature of this diagnosis and help parents to view their children not as "impaired" but as "unique."

I do not have a child in the spectrum, but do have friends who are struggling with the diagnosis in their families. It helped me to view autism in a new light and unexpectedly, it also gave me inspiration in dealing with my own children outside of the spectrum.

The book certainly speaks to the frustrations of meltdowns, parents struggling with diagnosis and treatment, and the need for more continued education of those of us who do not have a child "in the spectrum." Our culture needs brave souls such as these to make themselves transparent, so that people, like I, can understand how to react, love and support those who live with this challenge.

This is an excellent book that includes interviews with parents, educators and clinicians about people with autism. The book opens with a parent/clinician who interviews a couple whose grown son had severe autism and was unable to care for himself. In a sad twist of irony, that same interviewer found herself answering similar questions about son Jacob, who has severe autism.

I like the way each personal account describes the behavior of the person with autism and how that behavior impacts on the lives of all whom they encounter. My favorite part was the chapter on Shawn Lyons, an extraordinarily bright young man with Asperger's Syndrome, the spectrum parter to autism.

Parts of Shawn's story were funny. I loved the very moving part of his impromptu joining a church production of the Nativity. Instead of being turned away and ordered back to his seat, the cast members allowed him to come on stage. When told that the chorus was going to sing, Shawn somehow got everyone, audience included to participate. That was my favorite part.

The only thing I didn't like was the word "perseverate," which is a damning and damaging word. "Excessive repetition," or "special interests" are far preferable and certainly speak to tolerance whereas that other word simply does not. The use of that word cost this book one star. Luckily Shawn dodged the bullet of just how very harmful that word really is. I am sorry it was ever applied to him in any way, shape and form, especially during his social skills lessons. It is a word best permanently retired.

On the other hand, Shawn's aides came up with some innovative ideas to help him learn how to "read" other people. On one occasion when Shawn was sharing his special interest in botany, his aide gave an exaggerated yawn and politely told Shawn that her brain could not hold as much information as his could about botany and that whenever one's eyes glaze over or they look away, fidget or yawn, those are good indicators that he has belabored his topic. Shawn was then able to apply that concept in other areas.

The title of this book speaks to tolerance. The idea of embracing this sensori-neurological condition is very much one of acceptance, one of recognizing the gifts that people on the spectrum have to offer.

Robert Parish presents a collection of wonderfully written experiences, of family and friends, with children whom radiate a diverse light. Enlightening to those who may feel the need to pull a shade - encompassing to those with understanding - and for some to learn a new meaning of compassion. The stories recount the challenges faced day to day. The strengths they carry, the weakness they share. Take the time to challenge yourself and feel someone else's world.

Embracing Autism, by Robert Parish and Friends, is a fantastic read.
As an adult sibling of a brother with autism there are many stories and emotions in this book which I can relate to. I found myself laughing and crying within the same story. I am so pleased that there is a book which presents different points of views and levels of autism.
I would highly recommend this book.

"Comprehensive" starts the subtitle, and Comprehensive it is! Too many print-handicapped people are forced to stumble through the multi-layered service system, picking up clues almost by accident until they "strike gold" in the person of a skilled counselor or librarian. Here is a full set of Tools for Learning, along with a user's guide! Important for every visually impaired student and family, vital for every school or school system's Special Education department. No less useful for those with serious learning disorders like dyslexia, or with challenging physical disabilities that prevent the easy handling of printed material. Yes, addresses and phone numbers may change; new organizations may develop; but this is a book that will be USED and that will repay its purchase many times over.

A volunteer at VISION Community Services, A Division of the Massachusetts Association for the Blind, a lovely 85 year old who is legally blind and severely hearing impaired, mentioned that she was interested in the Guide (as the result of reading a review in our newsletter). I loaned her our library copy and here's what she had to say: "Spent several hours with the Field Guide. Every low vision person should have access to it. One bonus I reaped was a comprehensive description of major suppliers, what they supply and differences between them. Also, Leibs gave a useful assessment of assistive devices. This is bewildering to the newcomer to the field. In the end, I copied out several titles of Great Books to improve my mind. Several times I've tried Huckleberry Finn and quit in boredom. On the other hand, the Toni Morrison title caught my attention, I've been meaning to sample her. Don't expect to like it, but I might be surprised." She adds that it was also good to know the approximate cost of having a book reprinted in large print, and the major LP companies. Despite being legally blind, her vision is better than her hearing so she reads large print books. Her vision loss is due to glaucoma, so she retains some decent central vision.

This book is the "needle of a compass" for the blind and dyslexic. Kudos to Leibs for providing the best resource guide for the blind and dyslexic I've read! He's not only gathered countless resources and provided those in an easy to navigate format, but he's added his own personal struggles and discoveries that finally lead him to experience the sheer joy of reading. I've placed this book in a prominent location in my office and will refer to it often as it's truly the work of a research genius. Special attention should be paid to the Introduction as Leibs takes you on a poignant journey to his discovery of reading and shares his excitement as well as disappointment while uncovering the bliss of reading. Additionally, Leibs provides a "suggested reading" list with contact information on how and where to acquire these books. Truly, his passion for reading will no doubt inspire your own, whether you are a fully sighted reader or not. Kudos to Leibs! A gem of a book, and long overdue!

I picked up this book for the first time a few nights ago and was immediately hooked. As a legally blind consumer and as Director of Rehabilitation Services at an agency whose mission is to empower blind and visually impaired individuals, I was immediately moved by the significance of Mr. Leibs' work. I read late into the night, and my last thought before drifting off to sleep that night was that I wished that this book had been around 30 years ago -- it would most certainly have saved me and a lot of others who live with severe vision impairment or blindness a whole lot of struggle and grief!

This book is the only of its kind I've encountered. The information, both concisely and engagingly presented, opens a breathtaking vista of literature and learning to the lives of the visually impaired in providing guidance to independent access of the printed word!

This book is NOT another "how to live with a disability" book. It focuses on a very important aspect of life, the ABILITY to read, to INDEPENDENTLY access the written word. Leibs has put together an extensive listing of resources to empower the visually impaired reader. In addition, the personal experiences he shares in the book brought back a host of memories of my own educational odyssey. Like Leibs, I and many others with low vision have experienced much hit-and-miss in the process of learning what we needed to know to gain the access we desire and need to succeed. Leibs has put together all the pieces of a complex puzzle into a user-friendly guide that paves the way for others to learn the rudiments of what it takes to access our literary world!

In my opinion, this book should be put into the hands of every visually impaired child in this country. Leibs also targets librarians with this work, as their awareness of these resources may enhance their own knowledge and skills in providing support for visually impaired consumers. I would additionally recommend this book to seniors who constitute, by far, the largest population of visually impaired readers.

Many thanks to Mr. Leibs for a significant contribution to the education and quality of life of blind and visually impaired people!

This book should be in the hands of every sight-impaired student no later than age tweleve. Leibs has completely overhauled the orientation for reading among the blind from one of dependence on teachers and organizations to one of connecting INDEPENDENTLY to a really vast array of resources. This hardcover volume is quite easy to navigate - well designed and quite "user friendly".

I just re-read this book. It is one of the most valuable books for parents, teachers and those who deal with crisis in their life-- which probably means all of us. The author writes poetically of one of the greatest challenges anyone can have --coming to terms with what life gives you. A lawyer, lecturer, teacher and parent, Zimmerman's book goes well beyond talking about the challenges of raising a handicapped daughter and its impact on her family, friends and others. She bares her soul to reveal how you can create a valuable life day by day. Her vitality, her wisdom and her sensitivity are a gift to the world. She writes cinematically and this deserves to be shared with the world. I had the good fortune to meet Zimmerman and she touches everyone she meets with her kindness and warmth. How to go on in the darkest of hours, how to live life to the fullest despite obstacles, hurdles and no guarantees.

This is a wonderful story, a tribute to the human spirit. It's a tribute to Zimmermann's determination, too. I read in Zimmermann's later book that Grief Dancers was turned down by 30 publishers. Then she published it herself. There is much to learn from this story. Just one tidbit to whet your appetite: Zimmermann is concerned as to the effect of the disabled child on the other children. Her young daughter says: "Don't you get it, Mom? She keeps us from just living on the surface." (Despite my name, I am not the author or any of her relatives!)

Susan Zimmermann's story about Katharine is NOT for readers with special needs kids only! It is for all people who have an interest in raising children who will appreciate the different gifts that "different"people have to offer. It is about cultivating in our children an appreciation for, rather than disdain or despair for, people who are "disabled". This is a quick read,very compelling true story that deserves widespread attention! I look forward to Susan's next work!!!!!

This book touched me deeply because I can relate so closely to how Susan was feeling while raising a daughter with Rett syndrome. Her book takes you not only through her daughter's struggles and challenges but it alsotouches your heart as you begin to see how Susan grows with her own realization of how wonderful life can be with a child with special needs.

"I have spent most of the day reading Grief Dancers, and am awed by its honesty and beauty. It's a wonderful book, and I wish it could be required reading." Madeleine L'Engle, Newbery Award winning author. "Susan Zimmermann portrays, with honesty, passion and wisdom, a chapter of her life that is both deeply terrifying and wholly inspiring. It is a story of loss and gain, pain and joy, and -- above all -- profound truth. It is a story with the power to change your life." T.A. Barron, author of Heartlight, The Ancient One, and The Merlin Effect. "Susan Zimmermann has written a book about her daughter, but also a book about each of us -- the fragile, damaged, but insistently precious part deep inside, that refuses to be cast off. To read these pages is to be reminded of the value of life itself. I have rarely been so moved." Swanee Hunt, former U.S. Ambassador to Austria.