Special Education Books

Typical curebie propaganda, and a deliberate, hurtful attempt to parody an article an actual autistic adult wrote entitled Ten Things An Autistic Adult Wishes You Knew. Point number one of Ten Things An Autistic Adult Wishes You Knew was that we are not "people with autism", but that our autism is an intrinsic part of who were are. Quite a polar opposite to what this author thinks tomorrow's autistic adults want you to know.

ObviouslyNotAutistic, as she should be called, is simply taking curebie words, shoving them into childrens' mouths, and asking you, the public, to cough up money for it. If the "knowledge and understanding that is increasing even as you read this" statement on her page was true, then books like this would be being cancelled by publishers, and banned as hate literature by countries with true social consciousness.

If you think I am exaggerating, bear these two points in mind. One, I am an autistic adult who is a poster child for what abusing an autistic child or teenager can do years down the track. You can see me describing the horrible conditions I had to grow up in anytime on YouTube, just search for an autistic adult speaking for himself (something curebies like this want to silence). Two, these curebie cowards cannot get the time of day in places like Australia, which happens to be where the foremost expert in autism in the world is based.

Ten years from now, the children ObviouslyNotAutistic is drowning out will rise up and speak for themselves. And what they have to say to her will not be pretty.

The book was in good shape as the seller advertised. It was shipped out and I recieved the book sooner then expected. I would definitly buy from this seller again!!!

This book reads easy and fast and it should be handed out to every parent whose child is diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. It can change the perceptions of anyone--family, friend, educator or counselor--who is face with the baffling behavior of an autistic child. I cannot impress just how much this slim volume can help.
The core beliefs in 10 Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew are:
-All behaviors happen for a reason.
And
-All behavior is communication.
The focus is on presenting (not really exploring or solving problems) the possible causes of "bad" behavior and realigning the thought patterns neurotypical people have when dealing with those on the spectrum. It can also help parents get behind the possible causes of misbehavior on the part of "normal" children.
Some principals in this book are--or should be--universal. Don't let one term (Autism, ADHD, or even "trouble child") define all your child is. Focus on what your child can do instead of getting lost in what he or she can't do. All behavior has a cause, ferreting out the cause can go very far in helping to resolve negative behavior. And most importantly of all, love should not be dependent on good grades, good behavior or "being normal". Love should be unconditional.
If there was ever an Idiot's Guide to Raising a Child this might be it. An essential book for understanding the social, language and sensory challenges experienced by many types of special needs children. This book should be mandatory reading for anyone whose life is touched by Autism Spectrum Disorders.

I really enjoy learning more about autism. It help me understand what my child is going through. Finally out of darkness into the marvelous light. I highly recommend this book for families that are experiencing autism.
Buy as soon as possible.

Anyone who comes in contact with a person on the autism spectrum should read this book. It is a quick and easy read with the ten characteristics clearly stated and easily understood. The suggestions are concise and to the point. Every teacher should have this as a resource and it should be a mandatory read. Having taught children with autism has been a privilege and reading a parent's perspective has reminded me of that once again.

Of all the books I've purchased on the subject of Autism, this one is by far the best one. I was so tired of all the clinical, academic, despairing accounts of ASD in other books, that I stopped reading any material on Autism altogether.

But, this book is completely packed with not only great ideas for teaching and raising our child with ASD, but for ENJOYING our child with ASD!! Finally! The authors bring a sense of sweet humor to daily life, with a real-life sensibility that is missing from every piece of Autism literature I've seen. Instead of focusing on the "differences" we face every moment of every day, the authors just dig in and get to the business of enjoying each "challenge". For instance, the idea that "You Don't Have To Brush ALL Of Your Teeth" was so simple yet so freeing! Every idea offers several different variations, which I found to be very helpful.

I am an occupational therapist that works in the school system and this book has
GREAT ideas from the beginning of the book to the end. It's a "Must have"
book for anyone who works with kids with autism. Great ideas!!! Mariann

I absolutely love this book! The ideas in this book are clear and concise. There is no technical jargon. Everything is in laymen's terms. No unnecessary wordage throughout the book It's exactly what it says it is. Strictly ideas, laid out in an easy to read format.

This book is a must have for a person who has someone anywhere on the spectrum. Not only will this book stay on my bookshelf for a long time, I bought copies for my family members.

This is a must read for anyone working with or parenting an Autistic child. Full of useful ideas.

Full of practical information. A must have. Another book I've found helpful is He's Not Autistic But...: How We Pulled Our Son From the Mouth of the Abyss

It has now been several months since reading Tony Attwood's excellent book and I have pulled it out to read again. It provides invaluable insights into myself and many people that I know.

Tony's light-hearted approach keeps it readable. As he says, he has discovered a means of removing almost all of the symptoms of Asperger's from a person. Simply put that person in a room, by themselves, alone. The symptoms have now disappeared.

When it comes time to understand what happens when other people are in the room with someone who has Asperger's Syndrome, then read this book.

Mike Mazzetti

When our 9-year-old son was referred to a specialist to assess for Asperger's Syndrome, I wanted to get my hands on as much information as possible! The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome is just that: complete! It has been an amazing resource to open our understanding of this neurological disorder. I went to our son's assessment feeling confident and able to communicate with the specialist. The book helped me understand my son in many areas that I had no idea would fall under Asperger's Syndrome. When the initial referral was made, I felt like my feet had been knocked out from under me. When the diagnosis was made, however, I felt much more sure footed because of the knowlege and tools I learned in Tony Attwood's book.

As, a teacher, I was afraid that the proliferation of titles dealing with Asperger's Syndrome was the "flavour of the month", but Tony Attwood gives a full and detailed explanation of the origins of the research and why we are only just hearing about this syndrome. The best part is that after reading this book, I have started to look at some of my "problem" students in a completely new way. Attwood not only explains why they are the way they are, but also gives expert advice about how to best cope with children (and adults) who are not easy to cope with. I say this last sentence deliberately, as Attwood points out that we must cope with them, as they are the way they are and they do not change. The condition is genetic, lifelong and stable. The book is a treasure trove of information and helpful ideas.

I have suspected that my older sister (50's) has Aspergers for the past couple of years. After reading The Complete Guide to Aspergers I feel confirmed in that thought. Attwood outlines all the symptoms and I see my sister in so many of them. He explains everything from childhood to adulthood. I plan to send this book to my sister with a note and I just hope she reads it and can, for once, understand that there is a name to what she feels. It is a fantastic book.

I read this book by pure chance (first I read Thinking in Pictures, Expanded Edition: My Life with Autism) because I know a child who has difficulties to learn at school. And I buy this book to have a good scientific reference on AS and high functioning autism. And I was satisfied beyond the limits but for someone else so much closer to me. Believe me this book will make you understand a lot of people around you. Even you are not in relation with autism, you will learn a lot. But if you are in touch with a person with the asperger syndrom, believe me too, you will learn more and, above all, feel better in your life. Unfortunately I am very close to an adult with high functioning autism (or AS). Sometime you could think this adult is a total idiot in social relationships. This book bring complete informations about the subject. And the life is much easier when you understand you are not a kind of social monster.

i could hardly put the book down...such a sad story yet a lot of love also..true friendships are hard to find

After the Fire is a beautifully written story of two young men whose friendship helped them survive and thrive after devastating burn injuries. It is one of those books you don't put down until you you turn the last page. It is also one of those books you keep thinking about in the days and weeks after you finish reading it. I highly recommend it for anyone who still likes to learn about life via the written page.

As a student at Seton Hall during the fire, I wasn't sure I would be able to read through the book without reliving January 19 all over again. But I must say - the author did a fantastic job of walking the reader through Alvaro and Shawn's recovery, while still providing insight to all of those involved with this day.

It is hard to find stories about burn units, and when this one was featured in the People Magazine I couldn't wait to read it. I work in the burn unit and am extremely interested in burn care.
This book didn't disapoint.I was impressed with the authors ability to be in the unit and to get a first hand look at what we do daily. The story of the friendship as it developed and the emotional impact of the different stages unfolded, was terrific. You will enjoy the relationships that the boys made with women after the fire. They are truly special women!
I highly recommend this book and for you to look up the story and photos online!

In her book "After the Fire," Robin Gaby Fisher tells of the tragic fire that took place at Seton Hall University in January 2000. This fire claimed 3 lives and left 58 injured, the worst off, Shawn Simons and Alvaro Llanos, are the subjects of this story. Even though Shawn and Alvaro had only met as roommates a few months earlier, the fire clearly defined their relationship--like two war buddies who could not survive on the outside world without each other, each one feeling guilty they had let the other down.

This story is also about the doctors, nurses, and physical therapists in the burn department at St. Barnabas Hospital in New Jersey. It was at this hospital in which Fisher's writing was at its finest. It was clearly demonstrated that the staff in the the burn unit were unlike any other in the entire hospital--they were closer, defined by the constant tragedy and trauma that they witnessed. Nurse Kathe Conlon states, "If you can't become part of the team, you don't last. In the course of a day burn nurses could deal with child abuse, elder abuse, or a whole family wiped out by fire. They saw babies scorched into near skeletons and young mothers who were burned beyond recognition trying to save their children" (p.81). When Fisher describes the procedure known as "debridement"--a method in which the burn patients would have their open wounds srubbed, the raw emotion of the patients and nurses was almost unbearable. After one particularly difficult debridement session with an eight-year-old boy who received burns after playing with matches, Nurse Sue Manzo broke down in tears. Fisher states, "Most nurses took pride in being stoic. Not in the burn unit. There, no one was afraid to show emotion, and when they did, the others always rallied to support them" (84). It became clear how dedicated, compassionate and selfless these doctors and nurses truly are.

But the story ultimately belongs to Shawn and Alvaro--Shawn with the strong, dedicated mother, and Alvaro with the over-bearing, immature, emotionally weak mother. Fisher drew such deep contrasts between these wo women. One can only wonder how Daisy Llanos felt about her portrayal in this book. As a journalist, she had gained "unfettered access" to the burn unit at St. Barnabas and one of the most powerful scenes in the entire book is when Alvaro looks at his face for the first time in the mirror, with Shawn at his side.

It is when Alvaro and Shawn are both out of the hospital that Fisher's writing falls apart. It seems as if she needs to hurry up and end their story once they are out in the real world. But all we readers can do is hope and pray for these two young men who have literally been to hell and back. And while Fisher certainly did not want to present too much information on the boys who started the fire--they were clearly not the focus of the story--she took way too long to describe the extent of the investigation.

Shawn Simons and Alvaro Llanos have certainly endured a lifetime of pain, but instead of turning their pain inward, they have both decided to persevere. One can draw strength from the powerful words of Shawn Simons, "Sometimes I think I am one of God's angels, sent down to do good. Maybe to help people who are not as strong as I am" (p.226). It is clear that both Shawn and Alvaro truly are angels.

Dr. Shaywitz explains dyslexia in easy to understand terms. She is able to explain dyslexia in layman terms and describes various reading delays The book lays out treatment plans in a step by step manner that is very helpful for any teacher working with dyslexic children. It is a wonderful guide for parents as well giving them an understanding of the different ways to treat dyslexia.

This book is an excellent resource for both parents and educators. It was recommended to me by a private tutor for students with dyslexia and I found it extremely helpful. The information is provided in a way that is reader friendly and suggestions are given for parents working with their children and teachers working with students. I would definitely recommend this book as a resource!

I wrote a review that I didn't get the book, but I just got it. Great!!!!

Creates a profile of the dyslexic person...and provides instructional interventions that work.....feels like a handbook....I have two copies, one for home and one for school...

I really needed a good explanation of dyslexia after my daughter was diagnosed with it. I was told of this book by the school reading specialist. Every chapter of the book was eye-opening and helped bring my child's plight into better focus. I now feel so much more informed and better prepared to help my little girl.

I feel empowered to help her and have the insight to know why she reads the way she does. Her reading has improved simply because the quality of my home instruction has improved. I had been hindering her with my improper teaching methods!
Thank you Dr Shaywitz for your brilliant insight and your pioneering research.

First of all, I realize this book is slightly dated, in that it was published 17 years ago. The unfortunate thing is that I don't believe much has changed since Kozol wrote it... if there have been major changes, he wouldn't have found it necessary to write his second book, Shame of the Nation, or continue to push for equal-opportunity education like he is still doing today. So, although this book was researched and written awhile ago, I do believe it is still relevant for discussion today.

This book is sad. Plain and simple, it made me very sad to read about the way these kids have to "learn" every single day. Children who live in poverty every single day of their lives, who struggle just to get a decent meal and a good night's sleep, who cannot count on safety, a clean environment, or even love from their families, should absolutely, 100% have one place they can call their sanctuary - their school. Unfortunately, this book showed that is simply not the case. Children who live in these horrifying conditions of dire poverty are going to "schools" (and I say that loosely because some of the schools Kozol describes simply are not places to learn) that are decrepit, dirty, disgusting, with not enough space, not enough teachers, not enough books, no computers, and sometimes not even enough working toilets. There isn't another way to describe this book other than horrifying. Pure and simple, we should not be allowing any child to spend a minute in these conditions, let alone every day for eight hours a day. This book is heartbreaking to read, but it needs to be read, because I truly do not think that conditions have changed since the book was published in 1991. This is something that, as a country, we need to improve, big time. Our future literally depends on it.

Kozol begins his book by writing about east St.Louis. Wikipedia writes about East St.Louis as one of the most crime-ridden cities in the nation. This is one of the poorest cities in America and of course the school system suffers. The school buildings are run down, bathrooms are broken, and the kids don't have textbooks to study from. The physics labs haven't had water for 25 years and the sports field is completely in ruins . A lot of industrial waste is dumped here from the chemical factories that have established themselves in these areas. Usually it happends by accident when trains with the stuff spills it out on the ground. Then an alarm sounds and people have to take cover. But the kids here suffer from lead poisoning, high asthma rates and other diseases that can be traced to the toxic elements that surround them. The neighbourhoods themselves are filled with 24 hour liquor stores, strip bars, gambling houses, and dealers roaming the streets at night. Its hard to think of a worse start for a kid.

He writes of another neighbourhood in Chicago, called North Lawndale. That was a vibrant community until the riots after Martin Luther Kings death when a lot of the businesses where destroyed. It never really recovered. Now the gangs have moved in and the industries have moved out. A pastor from the area says"kids like these will kill each other over nothing". Dr.Martin Luther King himself lived there but there is no memorial. Only an old truck stands at the spot where his house once was. The schools here are also in terrible condition. Out of a kindergarten class of 23 kids 14 will drop out. 4 at most will go to college. 1 of those 4 will graduate. Three of the twelve boys will have spent time in prison. A few teachers are great but mainly there is a shortage of teachers, leaving many classrooms without one. In fact these kids are economically getting much less than the kids are in the richer areas. Although many adults say that one should not tell these poor kids that because that would encourage "victim" thinking. Although I would feel like a victim if I was reading a textbook that said Nixon was president like some of these kids do! Top salary of a teacher in an underpriveledged innercity school is 40000 dollars a year whereas in a suburb up to 60000 dollars. About 2900 dollars is spent every year on a child in a poor neighbourhood whereas 7800 dollars is spent on a child in a rich one. There is a silent understanding amongst many corporations that the kids in the inner city schools are perfect for the bottom end jobs that they offer. They aren't expected to become doctors or lawyers. This has led to principles and teachers of these innercity schools in "framing their language carefully" when requesting grants or money from corporations to "train ghetto children to become good employees".

In the Bronx one school that is overpopulated is located in an old roller skating rink. It was made to fit 1000 people now there are 1550 people there. The interior is old and falling apart. Too many people crowd into small rooms and many of the windows are broken. There are hardly any computers and the school is surrounded by heavy traffic. In another Bronx school there is a gaping hole in a classroom floor, the blackboards are so cracked that students risk cutting themselves on them when writing, paint flakes off the wall and covers the floor, and when it rains theres a waterfall flowing down the six flights of stairs in the school. Out of 500 freshmen from one school 82 will go on to take the SAT. On the other hand a school in a well off district is close to a park with lots of flowers around it. 825 kids attend this school. Here the library contains 8000 books in contrast to the skating rink school library that contained 700 books.

Wan to understand why our education system is in the shape that it's in? READ THIS BOOK! Explains why lower income schools perform the way they do....must have for any educator's collective of continuing education books. Worth reading twice!!

Kozol's Savage Inequalities paints a frightening picture of urban schools in the United States. He describes schools that are overcrowded, dilapidated, and flooded with sewage. He asks why we allow our children to go to schools in conditions where none of us would choose to work. He deeply explores the issue of inequality in funding. While he does suggest equalizing funding, he is careful to mention that the problems facing schools are complex and require innovative solutions. I know many teachers have read this book, but we need policymakers and elected officials to read it as well.

I needed this book for a class I was taking. WOW!, it was a real eye-opener. As it was really hard to read because it is sad. How amazing that there are schools here in the United States that are in dire need. I would reccomend it, but be prepared to cry.

This book covers everything a parent would want to talk and teach a child with AD/HD. It covers even meds., coping skills, ect.. at a child's level. My son loves it! It makes him feel normal.

Fantastic book for kids with ADHD/ ADD. It has really helped in our household and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is easy enough for kids to read and has loads of great chapters - Eating right, Ways to succeed at school, How to make and keep friends etc etc.

It talks about ADHD in a non-confronting way and has been an enormous help. My daughter carries it with her and quotes from it all the time. She has become a little more settled since reading this book and I think she is starting to understand a bit more about why she behaves the way she does.

This book is wonderful for parents to read with their child who is diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. My daughter loves it because it is something she can read by herself and understand about ADD, I think it's an invaluable tool for a parent because it helps me understand about ADD as well. The book has great worksheets throughout that are very helpful for parents to evaluate and see how their children feel and assess themselves. I think this is a great book, especially if you would like to read along with your child or if you have an independent reader who loves to learn.

I have told everyone I know who has an ADHD kid about this book. My DD was recently diagnosed and it was a confusing time. The book clarified everything and normalized the issue for her. It was written simply and clearly and the age range given is perfect. A great resource for kids who are just diagnosed.

I have an interest in all information and ways of informing people about ADHD and The Survival Guide for kids with ADD or ADHD, is not only informative, it is also practical and fun. I support any author who suggests positive ways for parents to interact with their children with or without ADHD. This is a must have for any parent of a child with ADHD.

I am the author of:

One Boy's Struggle: A Memoir: Surviving Life with Undiagnosed ADD

Bryan

Holt was/is a revolutionary thinker who really starts your wheels turning. I love how accessible and natural he makes learning & teaching. Great for someone who is looking for motivational, inspirational material on how it may be possible to home educate their child(ren), and why they may be thinking about it. Underlines the many sad flaws and scars of the educational system in American schools today.

I had a hard time with this one... I think its description needs to be more straight forward: reads like a scientific journal/notes of observations. I was bored a lot, but determined to complete the book.

I was glad I did. The last chapter and follow up were the best parts of the book! I loved the last chapter that summed up all of his thoughts and observations into an idea. Very thought provoking.

Now someone just starting out on the parenting track might enjoy his notes and observations better than someone who has already been through it like me.

The book offers a careful look at how young children learn. The book makes a good case for providing the right environment to let children learn at their own pace. Instead of squashing children's natural inclination to learn it is incumbent on educators to provide for the awakening in the young mind the thirst for knowledge. A must read for parents and educators.

How Children Learn is worth the time it takes to read it cover to cover. I learned a great deal about my son, myself and society as a whole. The book is a collection of countless scenarios where children of varying ages (1-6) are learning during normal play, without having to be sat down and "taught" anything. Even if you do have small children as I do and you believe you already know all there is to know, take my word for it. You do not. You don't realize that many things you may be doing right now that you believe are helping your child are actually hindering them by damaging their self-esteem and their ability to work through things on their own.

I am the type of mother that will try to help my child do everything, even if he doesn't ask for it. It's almost automatic. I see him struggle, so I help him. After reading this book, I had to retrain myself. I forced myself to sit back and watch my son, even when he was struggling. I watched, amazed, seeing that he kept trying without screaming in frustration, until he figured things out for himself. I honestly believed that by helping him I was saving him the stress of not being able to do something himself, but I realized what I'm really doing is denying him the chance to do things for himself and the pride that comes along with that. Children do have the ability to work through these things on their own, and John Holt makes that clear.

My only gripe, and this is minor, is that in the revised version of the book, he often contradicts what he originally wrote by saying that he totally disagrees with things he had previously written. His mind seems to change so often that sometimes I felt like I wasted a good amount of time just reading sections in the book that he would later "correct" and state that his original way of thinking was completely wrong. That was a little frustrating! Aside from that, definitely worth borrowing from your local library at the very least.

One of the greatest gifts we can give children is to help them maintain their natural interests in learning. In non-technical terms, this book gives parents and other educators practical insights into how children learn and how they can continue to learn. This book was first published in 1967 and it continues to be a favorite

great book. very helpful. I learned something new in every chapter. easy to read and understand. helps the whole family.

The author makes great points and is very informative. The ideas on how to disipline are wonderful and they make a lot of sense. Plus they seem much fairer to a child with ADHD. I would definately recommend this book to any parent or family member of a child with ADHD.

This is the easy read book I have been looking for! There are great suggestions in this book - although I am not finished with it just yet, I needed some alternative suggestions and received some great info here! I would recommend this book!
Jodie Viviano

This was the first book I read about children with ADHD. It helped me realize that I'm not the only one out there dealing with difficult behaviors. It was written so the average person could understand and make sense of how to affectivly deal with your child. It also helped equipt me with the tools to approach his teacher and school who had just labled my son as a trouble maker who couldn't stay in his seat. I've realize that this IS a medical condition and that he's not just out to get me and everyone else. In the book it is suggested to focus on the top 5 - 10 behavoirs that bother you the most first, not all of them at once. And "Time Stands Still" does work. Now if the doctor only made house calls.

Well written, highly readable. This book gives clear, concise descriptions of what exactly constitutes an ADHD diagnosis, as well as an overview of the most commonly used medications to treat ADHD. He also gives lots of good solid tips for behavior management. What really sets the book apart however, is the practical advice concerning nutrition. This book is perfect for parents of newly diagnosed children. I would recommend this book to anyone with a child having ADHD.

I used this book with my barely 4 year old (developmentally normal) who has 'anger management' issues that originate with anxiety. There are pages in the book that we were able to write or draw pictures of how he felt. The scale of 1 (calm and safe) to 5 (out of control) was a concept that he grasped right away. He is getting better and better at recognizing when he's getting worried before he gets to a 5. If he does lose control and melts down, just the verbal cue "what number are you at" or asking him to calm down and try to get back to a 1 or 2, and he immediately starts to use his strategies - deep breathing, squeezing hands, thinking happy thoughts. I love this book.

This is a great book to work with your child. You can personalize it and change it as they grow.
Barbara V

This is a really cute book for kids who worry. It is not real meaty but the concept is great. It helps them put worry into perspective and gives a scale to help prioritize worries.

This book is an excellent tool for children having diffiulties controlling their emotions. The visual thermometer and the "social story" makes it very helpful to assist these children to learn how to respond to their feelings/emotions more appropriately. My four year old likes to look at his thermometer and read the story every time he has reached a "5". It's been very helpful for him.

I have bought and given several copies of this book. It helps give a language to feelings that might otherwise be hard to describe.