Use this alphabetical index to find books that have been reviewed for the Harried Parent's Book Club.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J-L | M-N | O | P-Q | R | S | T | U-V | W-Z
Raising a Sensory Smart Child
Book cover image courtesy of Lindsey Biel and Nancy Peske
By Lindsey Biel, M.A., OTR/L, and Nancy Peske, with a foreword by Temple Grandin; 399 pages. Subtitle: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child With Sensory Integration Issues.
Bottom Line: It's like being in the best support group ever -- led by an occupational therapist who has all kinds of time to sit with you and strategize all those sticky sensory situations, and populated by parents who've been there, done that, and are happy to share.
Bottom Line: It's like being in the best support group ever -- led by an occupational therapist who has all kinds of time to sit with you and strategize all those sticky sensory situations, and populated by parents who've been there, done that, and are happy to share.
Raising Your Spirited Child
Cover image courtesy of PriceGrabber
By Mary Sheedy Kurcinka; 302 pages. Subtitle: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, Energetic.
Bottom Line: Sometimes, changing your attitude toward your child's behavior is far easier than actually changing that behavior. And in fact, sometimes changing your attitude changes the behavior, too. Appreciating the good qualities in our kids that often appear to be bad qualities is what this book is all about. Your own particular qualities will factor in, too.
Bottom Line: Sometimes, changing your attitude toward your child's behavior is far easier than actually changing that behavior. And in fact, sometimes changing your attitude changes the behavior, too. Appreciating the good qualities in our kids that often appear to be bad qualities is what this book is all about. Your own particular qualities will factor in, too.
Reaching Out to Children With FAS/FAE
Cover image courtesy of PriceGrabber
Book by Diane Davis; 192 pages. Subtitle: A Handbook for Teachers, Counselors, and Parents Who Work With Children Affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects.
Bottom Line: Some books have lots of theory and research and very few practical suggestions to actually act on. This book is all about the practical. Filled with checklists, samples, and activities, it's a good companion to FAS/FAE books that tell you why but not how. It's helpful for anyone who deals with an affected child on a daily basis.
Bottom Line: Some books have lots of theory and research and very few practical suggestions to actually act on. This book is all about the practical. Filled with checklists, samples, and activities, it's a good companion to FAS/FAE books that tell you why but not how. It's helpful for anyone who deals with an affected child on a daily basis.
Ready to Learn
Cover image courtesy of FSB Associates
By Stan Goldberg, PhD; 313 pages. From the Cover: "Understand how children learn; Learn how to become a super teaching parent; Avoid current and lifelong emotional problems; Prevent learning problems in kindergarten; What to do now to make your child's future better."
Bottom Line: If those cover promises don't wear you out right there, the book might finish the job. It's packed with excellent learning strategies, but may make you feel like a bad parent if you're not on learning patrol 24-7.
Bottom Line: If those cover promises don't wear you out right there, the book might finish the job. It's packed with excellent learning strategies, but may make you feel like a bad parent if you're not on learning patrol 24-7.
Real Work for Real Pay
Cover image courtesy of Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
By Paul Wehman, Katherine J. Inge, W. Grant Revell Jr., and Valerie A. Brooke, with invited contributors; 360 pages. Subtitle: Inclusive Employment for People With Disabilities.
Bottom Line: Finding meaningful work is something that all parents wish for their children, and one of the dreams that parents of children with special needs most fear for. Real Work for Real Pay offers the prospect of real, inclusive employment for people with a variety of disabilities, and goes into great detail on the kind of groundwork and assistance needed to make that happen.
Bottom Line: Finding meaningful work is something that all parents wish for their children, and one of the dreams that parents of children with special needs most fear for. Real Work for Real Pay offers the prospect of real, inclusive employment for people with a variety of disabilities, and goes into great detail on the kind of groundwork and assistance needed to make that happen.
Realizing the College Dream with Autism or Asperger Syndrome
Cover image courtesy of PriceGrabber
By Ann Palmer; 176 pages. From the Book Cover: "This accessible book focuses on how parents can help their ASD child to get to college, and how to get the most out of it."
Bottom Line: Some parents read books about miracle cures or stoic acceptance for inspiration, but for parents of older kids with special needs, who are finally facing the future, a book like this might fill the bill. While it does offer instruction and advice, it's mostly the story of a kid who, against the odds, went to college and did just fine.
Bottom Line: Some parents read books about miracle cures or stoic acceptance for inspiration, but for parents of older kids with special needs, who are finally facing the future, a book like this might fill the bill. While it does offer instruction and advice, it's mostly the story of a kid who, against the odds, went to college and did just fine.
Reasonable People
Cover image courtesy of Other Press
By Ralph James Savarese; 463 pages. Subtitles: A Memoir of Autism & Adoption; On the Meaning of Family and the Politics of Neurological Difference.
Bottom Line: When Savarese and his wife set out first to help a mother and her child stay together, and then to bring that child into their life as their adopted son, they had no idea what traumatic life experiences lay hidden by the boy's autistic silence. Facilitated Communication techniques help young DJ come to terms with his past in a tale full of tragedy and triumph, often tied tightly together.
Bottom Line: When Savarese and his wife set out first to help a mother and her child stay together, and then to bring that child into their life as their adopted son, they had no idea what traumatic life experiences lay hidden by the boy's autistic silence. Facilitated Communication techniques help young DJ come to terms with his past in a tale full of tragedy and triumph, often tied tightly together.
Recognizing and Managing Children With FAS/FAE: A Guidebook
Cover image courtesy of PriceGrabber
By Brenda McCreight; 151 pages. From the Book Cover: "For any parent or professional who needs to work with children with fetal alcohol syndrome/effects (FAS/E), this important guide offers practical advice and solid information on dealing with FAS/E's lifelong effects on behavior and learning."
Bottom Line: Drawing on her experience as a therapist and adoptive mother of two children with FAS/E, McCreight offers some good general information on FAS/E and some specific information that may or may not fit your child.
Bottom Line: Drawing on her experience as a therapist and adoptive mother of two children with FAS/E, McCreight offers some good general information on FAS/E and some specific information that may or may not fit your child.
Reflections From a Different Journey
Cover image courtesy of PriceGrabber
Edited by Stanley D. Klein, Ph.D., and John D. Kemp, with a foreword by Marlee Matlin; 205 pages. Subtitle: What Adults With Disabilities Wish All Parents Knew.
Bottom Line: Do adults with disabilities have important things to tell parents about how to raise children with disabilities? It's tempting to think so, given how little information about raising them our children tend to give out. But while there is much here that's inspirational, in the end, it's all just hindsight. And some of it isn't even 20/20.
Bottom Line: Do adults with disabilities have important things to tell parents about how to raise children with disabilities? It's tempting to think so, given how little information about raising them our children tend to give out. But while there is much here that's inspirational, in the end, it's all just hindsight. And some of it isn't even 20/20.
Road Map to Holland
Cover image courtesy of PriceGrabber
By Jennifer Graf Groneberg; 292 pages. Subtitle: How I Found My Way Through My Son's First Two Years With Down Syndrome.
Bottom Line: Chances are, if you have a child with special needs, somebody somewhere has directed you to the Emily Perl Kingsley essay "Welcome to Holland." Using that chestnut as a starting point, Road Map to Holland tells the story of one family's process of adjusting when one of their twins has Down syndrome, in a way that's both personal and universal. You don't need to be dealing with DS to enjoy this book; if you have a special child, you've traveled these roads.
Bottom Line: Chances are, if you have a child with special needs, somebody somewhere has directed you to the Emily Perl Kingsley essay "Welcome to Holland." Using that chestnut as a starting point, Road Map to Holland tells the story of one family's process of adjusting when one of their twins has Down syndrome, in a way that's both personal and universal. You don't need to be dealing with DS to enjoy this book; if you have a special child, you've traveled these roads.
The Rules of Sex
Cover image courtesy of Nora J. Balderian
By Nora J. Baladerian, PhD, CST, with Johnny Nunez; 70 pages. Subtitle: Social and Legal Guidelines for Those Who Have Never Been Told.
Bottom Line: "The talk" is a daunting prospect for any parent, and one you may feel you can duck if your child has developmental disabilities. But a frank talk is essential to making sure your child stays safe from abuse, disease, and legal trouble. This book offers a good start on that conversation.
Bottom Line: "The talk" is a daunting prospect for any parent, and one you may feel you can duck if your child has developmental disabilities. But a frank talk is essential to making sure your child stays safe from abuse, disease, and legal trouble. This book offers a good start on that conversation.
