A Spectrum of Light
Cover image courtesy of Jessica Kingsley Publishers
By Francesca Bierens; 187 pages. Subtitle: Inspirational Interviews With Families Affected by Autism
Bottom Line: After short chapter introductions, Francesca Bierens lets the parents interviewed here speak for themselves and their families, in vignettes on a variety of subjects, including developmental differences, family issues, inclusion, acceptance, and children's unique gifts. The overall message is that things may be hard, but they get better, and parents get better at coping. That's a nice break from the usual horror stories and controversial cures.
Speech and Language Development and Intervention in Down Syndrome and Fragile X
Cover image courtesy of Brookes Publishing Company
Edited by Joanne E. Roberts, Robin S. Chapman, and Steven F. Warren; 305 pages. From the Back of the Book: "This definitive volume is key to supporting the communicative competence of people with Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome at every stage of life."
Bottom Line: A gathering of research studies, this "definitive volume" is clearly not meant for parents, nor makes any claim to be so. Still, some parents (like me) do insist on cracking scholarly tomes now and then, and this one's borderline accessible. If you live and breathe DS or FXS, you may well find information to make the effort useful.
Bottom Line: A gathering of research studies, this "definitive volume" is clearly not meant for parents, nor makes any claim to be so. Still, some parents (like me) do insist on cracking scholarly tomes now and then, and this one's borderline accessible. If you live and breathe DS or FXS, you may well find information to make the effort useful.
Starting Sensory Integration Therapy
Cover photo courtesy of Sensory Resources
By Bonnie Arwine; 128 pages. Subtitle: Fun Activities That Won't Destroy Your Home!
Bottom Line: If you're looking for a book that's actually about starting sensory integration therapy -- finding a therapist, interpreting test results, understanding what goes on during sessions, coordinating insurance payments -- this isn't it. There are sure some way cool games to play with your child, though. The book's less about starting therapy than bringing all that therapeutic goodness home.
Bottom Line: If you're looking for a book that's actually about starting sensory integration therapy -- finding a therapist, interpreting test results, understanding what goes on during sessions, coordinating insurance payments -- this isn't it. There are sure some way cool games to play with your child, though. The book's less about starting therapy than bringing all that therapeutic goodness home.
Step by Step Help for Children With ADHD
Cover image courtesy of Jessica Kingsley Publishers
By Cathy Laver-Bradbury, Margaret Thompson, Anne Weeks, David Daley and Edmund J.S. Sonuga-Barke; 154 pages. Subtitle: A Self-Help Manual for Parents.
Bottom Line: Even good parents run out of ideas sometimes, and need a fresh approach to dealing with challenging behavior. This parent-friendly and encouraging manual gives you a step-by-step look at new strategies to try and new skills to build. It's the kind of thing that will make both you and your child feel more competent and successful.
Steps to Independence
Cover image courtesy of Brookes Publishing Co.
By Bruce L. Baker and Alan J. Brightman; 383 pages. From the Cover: "Highly acclaimed and widely used, Steps to Independence boosts your children's self-esteem and maturity while helping them reach their full potential."
Bottom Line: Showing kids how to do things for themselves is a nice idea, but it's so much easier to just do it for them. This is a book that teaches parents how to teach their children well, with step-by-step instructions on how to help kids learn to do everything from shoe-tying to home repair.
Bottom Line: Showing kids how to do things for themselves is a nice idea, but it's so much easier to just do it for them. This is a book that teaches parents how to teach their children well, with step-by-step instructions on how to help kids learn to do everything from shoe-tying to home repair.
Stop Walking on Eggshells
Cover image courtesy of New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
By Paul T. Mason, MS, and Randi Kreger; 258 pages. Subtitle: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder.
Bottom Line: Life with a person who has Borderline Personality Disorder is not so much a roller coaster as one of those rides that lifts you up, up, up to panoramic heights, and then hurtles you headlong to the ground. Stop Walking on Eggshells isn't written specifically for parents, although they are included in some of the examples. But it does give a great overview of why people with BPD feel what they feel and do what they do, to themselves and others.
Bottom Line: Life with a person who has Borderline Personality Disorder is not so much a roller coaster as one of those rides that lifts you up, up, up to panoramic heights, and then hurtles you headlong to the ground. Stop Walking on Eggshells isn't written specifically for parents, although they are included in some of the examples. But it does give a great overview of why people with BPD feel what they feel and do what they do, to themselves and others.
Strange Son
Book cover image courtesy of Riverhead Books
By Portia Iversen; 397 pages. Subtitle: Two Mothers, Two Sons and the Quest to Unlock the Hidden World of Autism.
Bottom Line: Iversen is a former Hollywood art director whose life was transformed twice -- when her son Dov was diagnosed with autism, and when she met Soma Mukhopadhyay and saw the amazing work Soma was doing in getting her own autistic son to communicate. The mission of these two mothers to get scientific recognition for Soma's procedures, and save their own sons -- and so many other sons and daughters -- makes this book read like a good suspense novel.
Bottom Line: Iversen is a former Hollywood art director whose life was transformed twice -- when her son Dov was diagnosed with autism, and when she met Soma Mukhopadhyay and saw the amazing work Soma was doing in getting her own autistic son to communicate. The mission of these two mothers to get scientific recognition for Soma's procedures, and save their own sons -- and so many other sons and daughters -- makes this book read like a good suspense novel.
Supporting Siblings and Their Families During Intensive Baby Care
Cover image courtesy of Brookes Publishing Co.
By Linda Rector; 180 pages. From the Back Cover: "Essential for practitioners who work with families during and after intensive baby care, this easy-to-read book is also a lifeline for parents of at-risk newborns, who will use the real-world advice and strategies to address the needs and concerns of their older children."
Bottom Line: When an infant is born premature or gravely ill, a parent's days may rotate around the NICU and consultations with doctors. Where does that leave other children in the family? Well-informed and in good hands, if the advice in this book is put into action.
Bottom Line: When an infant is born premature or gravely ill, a parent's days may rotate around the NICU and consultations with doctors. Where does that leave other children in the family? Well-informed and in good hands, if the advice in this book is put into action.
Supportive Parenting
Cover image courtesy of Jessica Kingsley Publishers
By Jan Starr Campito; 253 pages. Subtitle: Becoming an Advocate for Your Child With Special Needs.
Bottom Line: Learning your child has special needs is daunting enough -- finding out that this means you will have to become your child's case manager, an expert in all his or her needs and strengths and challenges, can leave a parent feeling seriously unworthy. Author Campito has been there, done that, and taken notes to help parents new to the process, and those who just need some reassurance as they go along, take up the task of fighting their child's good fight.
Bottom Line: Learning your child has special needs is daunting enough -- finding out that this means you will have to become your child's case manager, an expert in all his or her needs and strengths and challenges, can leave a parent feeling seriously unworthy. Author Campito has been there, done that, and taken notes to help parents new to the process, and those who just need some reassurance as they go along, take up the task of fighting their child's good fight.
