Developmental-disabilities Books

This is a great little book that gives a simplified explanation of special needs for younger children. Teacher Toad gives us 6 special lessons about the different sorts of problems some tadpoles can have... children with uneven development, children with hard to break habits, children who have problems socialising, children who are easily distracted, children who get obsessed with their hobbies, and children who jump to conclusions. In each one he explains what is going on and how the situation can be helped. That is two thirds of the book. The final third is the explanatory notes on special needs for parents and caregivers and notes on developmental differences, which makes it a handy little book for grown ups too. The author is herself diagnosed with Asperger syndrome and has two sons, one of whom is also AS and the other ADHD.

This is a pretty good book. If you want a deal, as of today anyway, the publisher is selling this in hardback at the paperback price online at contextpress"dot"com

This book was very informative and helped with some of our questions and things we were concerned about in the future of bipolar disease.

I picked up Learning Conversations on the recommendation of a colleague as a reference related to organizational learning. What I found in it was a great set of frameworks dealing with both personal and corporate learning. The book frames the learning process well, especially at the individual level. What it does that is magic is provide a model of the natural (and necessary) steps in the development of an effective coaching relationship. This alone is worth the purchase of the book. The additional excellent materials related to organization and personal learning processes are bonuses. The only drawback to the book is its length and the at-times academic style through which some of the materials are presented. The thoroughness of the materials represents both a strength and, depending on your time, a drawback to the volume. But the practical tools and explanations it provides are well worth the read.

This book is a nice start, when working with low-functioning children with autism. It was developed by a mother and has some great techniques for the home environment and for increasing language development. I found that it seemed to stop off and although it offered some expansion ideas, it leaves off mainly where her son leaves off. It is a wonderful resource for helping parents with ideas on how they can teach their children at home and improve the home environment for language development.

This is a very interesting book. The subject is very up-to date and the references used are all relatively recent. I kept the book with me every where I went, and finished reading it in about a week. I strongly recommend it for those dealing with children with developmental disabilities.

This book is helpful in my therapy practice for young children to help them to cope with challenges/frustrations that they face in everyday life. It provides some uiseful tips for coping. It is easy to implement some of the techniques.

Dreadful book--I read this in the early days of looking for information on my daughter, and I found it depressing and unhelpful. There are a lot of books out there now that can help you help your child. This emphatically is not one of them. Read Steven Gutstein, Stanley Greenspan, and Catherine Maurice if you want to teach your child using behavioral interventions: there are so many sources online now to help parents new to the diagnosis.

She's also way too negative about the possibility for the child's improvement, and I think she condescends to both parents and autistic children. I've read much of what's out there, and this is nowhere on my list of recommended books for parents.

I am sorry, but I checked out this book from the library a few days after my son was diagnosed and it made me sick! Fortunately I also checked out Facing Autism by Lynn Hamilton and also other more current books on the subject! Bryna Siegel is no expert. She only has a masters degree and could not treat children if she wasn't a professor at a university. She has done more damage for children with autism than she has ever helped them. She has said that because ABA is so expensive, if your child doesn't have a marked improvement in the first 4 to 6 weeks, you should try something else. I think that is a bit too black and white. She also says that parents are quick to blame the program if their child is not improving. Well, Dr. Vincent Carbone says, if your child isn't learning, look at your teaching method. "Children with autism are not learning disabled, they are teaching challenges!!"

Finally, school districts LOVE to pay Bryna to testify on their behalf against parents who want an ABA program for their kids. That should tell you something! Bryna Siegel is a self- promoting "know it all."

I have been part of the world of autism for 5 1/2 years now. My child is 8. This book was of most interest to me the first two years of his diagnosis, but I still pick it up now and then.

When I first received my son' diagnosis, I looked on the Internet and read many horrifying statistics such as, 40% of autistics end up insitutionalized by high school, and 75% of autistics had mental retardation. Nowadays if you do a google search, you would be hard-pressed to find those statistics anywhere. So things have changed DRAMATICALLY since then, and a more recently written book might be more relevant and generally more positive in outlook.

This book is NOT a pep-talk. It can be alarming to read some of her statements about autistic children. For example, here is a statement similar to others made in the book: "Because autism constitutes an additional barrier to functioning, autistic people seldom hold jobs at the level that could simply be predicted by their level of intelligence."

Depending on my state of mind, this COULD be depressing. But it can also be motivating - I could tell myself, "This is statistical data, it tells me nothing about my own son and his future abilities. It is an interesting fact and something I will keep in mind and try to address as I continue working to help my son fulfill his potential."

However, I STILL think this book is worth checking out of the library. The book does a good job of describing autism - particularly the social and communication challenges autistic children face. The other useful thing about her book is that it is a fairly detailed SURVEY of autism, from childhood to adulthood. If your child has autism, you will most likely see aspects of your child in the pages. Sometimes she draws your attention to something you might not have realized was an autistic tendency.

For example, her comments on "playlalia" were a wake up call to me that I needed to help my son stretch and elaborate on his play activities. His play looked relatively normal when observed casually - but a closer look revealed characteristics of "playlalia", as she calls it.

I've also found the parts describing the loss, anger, and grief of parents, and the impact of autism on siblings, to be useful to our family as well.

The treatment resources section was of less interest to me. Siegel holds Lovaas and ABA in high regard and she emphasizes teaching communication skills and behavior management. She briefly mentions "alternative" therapies, such as holding therapy, AIT, diet, and facilitated communication. RDI is too new to be mentioned in this book.

In conclusion, useful survey information about autism and its characteristics. The outdated information on outcomes for autistic children, and Siegel's detatched, somewhat pessimistic tone might be too depressing for some parents.

Caveat Emptor! Buyers beware. This book set expectations of hoping to find relevant or recognizable autism experiences and behaviors. I also didn't like the way the author relied on diagnoses and leaned on them like a weakened, tottery old crutch. For example, Dr. Grandin, a famous person with autism and someone who clearly lives with a rather severe form of autism is pigeonholed into the "PDD" (Pervasive Developmental Disorder) box. All of Dr. Grandin's claims about the Autistic Experience appear to be denied. I didn't like that.

In reading this, one cannot help thinking that the author had a framework for which her view of autism fit and any and all other information and experience would be denied. My take on it is, if the neurotypical (NT) population wants to know more about autism, then ask somebody with autism! For Pete's sake! Not everybody on the spectrum thinks in pictures, for example. That kind of stereotypical thinking drives me up a tree.

Another reviewer on the U.S. boards rightfully says that this book would have better served the NT and autisstic worlds by not pretending to have insight into a world which the author is not a part of nor claim to have insights that are sorely lacking. Saying this book provides insight to the autistic mind is like saying you are a gourmet chef because you watched one cooking show or are a world traveler because you visited one city in one foreign country. Autism is as varied as there are individuals who have it and fewer things annoy me as much as the a) negative stereotypes, such as the tired "Rain Man" cliche and b) NT people claiming they have answers to autism when they are merely spectators and speculators.

Describing behavior is one thing. Knowing the underlying causes and understanding the responses people with autism make in given cases is an entirely different matter. I'll say it again - if you want to know about autism, then talk to somebody who is autistic!

There are many books that are vastly superior to this one. If you want a good overview of autism/Asperger's, start with Tony Attwood's books. He is truly a leading authority and expert on autism/Asperger's.

There was a bit of useful information in this book but it suffered from being outdated and too pessimistic in its outlook. Contrary to the author's statements, far more than 10% of autistics have the capacity to be integrated into mainstream society. Lovaas's research has the number at close to 50%. While I believe the actual figure may be somewhat lower, 30-40% seems reasonable to me. And as our knowledge and understanding of autism increases, the percentages are only going to improve.

I'm also reasonably certain that parents who share the author's attitude of "there's only so much you can do, you just have to settle for less" may have a self-fulfilling prophecy on their hands. My experience as the parent of an autistic child has been continuous incremental improvement, but only in the presence of positive pressure. And that pressure has to come from both on the parents and the teachers - one or the other is not enough.

The author's skepticism about the more questionable treatments for autism is well-taken. Some, such as vitamin B6, have been shown to cause serious injury. Even when they aren't dangerous, they can waste a lot of time, energy and money that could be better directed elsewhere, such as in a well-designed ABA program. I would advise parents who are about to embark on
a new treatment for their children to ask if there are any
well-designed studies proving it's efficacy. If not, look
elsewhere.

Read this book in 2 days. Fascinating. Answered all my questions
and gave lots of suggestions for parents dealing with an ADD child.

Concerned Mom,

Before 86-ing this book, look at your own source, which is 5 years old. Also consider that the vast majority of the psychiatric profession in Europe believes ADD is a figment of the American psychiatric community's imagination. If they're right, anyone who believes ADD is a genuine disorder is a pseudoscientist, whether they believe it can be conclusively diagnosed or not.

In addressing ADD and ADHD Dr. Phil and Frank have both maintained that a thorough attempt at a differential diagnosis MUST be made(ruling out other learning disorders, stressors in the home, other possible disorders or chemical imbalances, depression, etc.) PRIOR to reaching a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD. They also insist that this must be done in CONJUNCTION with an EEG. The EEG reading alone is persuasive, but not diagnostic. If they have claimed to the contrary then they are going against everything they have maintained in their shows addressing this issue.

You may agree or disagree with them and I'm sure some qualified professionals disagree with them as well. That's not uncommon in the medical community, and it certainly doesn't make this pseudo science.

If their claim were simply that the EEG ALONE were diagnostic in the absence of a thorough examination of patient history, etc., then you're beef would be legitimate. But why the hostility? These days children are often overmedicated based solely on the reommendation of tired parents or teachers. By contrast Dr. Phil is advocating a careful thorough screening prior to reaching that diagnosis, and consideration of all available therapies, not medical therapy alone. At the same time the screening process he's advocating will no doubt help some people who haven't been diagnosed but should have been finally get the help they need. So many are written of an depressed or looking for excuses for a lifelong struggle with frustration and attention span (my wife for example), but thanks to a rigorous screening process followed by a careful neurological exam including an EEG, most of the red herrings can finally be ruled out and effective treatment can begin. This is a total middle of the road position between throwing pills out willy nilly and just telling people to get over their disorder. Who loses here? And where is the argument that the EEG IN CONJUNCTION WITH a careful differential diagnosis, detailed patient history and examination of past behavior, academic struggles, etc., can't be diagnostic of this disorder? Some may disagree, but what's new about that?

The three star rating is because I haven't finished reading the book.

I found this book to be an excellent resource for a parent lost in the sea of ADD/ADHD information. The author's conservative approach is sensible and educated. I also appreciate the subtle spiritual insight he offers which helps the reader understand some very positive aspects of ADD. This book has become my main resource while we deal with this situation.

I am an adult with ADHD inatintive type. I have struggled all my life with this condition. Howevere, I have managed to earn a BA in psychology and I am currently working on a masters degree. Because of my expierences in psychology classes I know something about scientific research and empirical evidence. This book was a major dissapointment to me because it lacks the simple scholary research to prove the claims made by Dr Lawless. I am afraid this book is nothing more then modernday snake-oil that will cause more harm then good.

This book is so full of pseudo-science that I fear it may cause a great deal of harm to children and adults with ADHD. Dr. Lawless is a psychologist and should now how to read the scientifice research on the subject found in peer reviewed journals. While, I believe that the chemeicals in the foods we eat are a major cause of illnesses, ADHD and obesity, There is little scientific evidence that add is caused by diet. However, their maybe more evidence in the future. One of his clames of red dye has been proven completly false. Another one his claims about magnet theropy are so out of the scientific mainstream that he comes of as a snakeoils salesman. Please do not buy this book. If you want reliable information by on of the Driven to Distraction books.

There are many great ideas presented in this book about dealing with your add child, BUT the chapter on meds is completely off base. Let me preface the following with MY opinion (I am not an MD or an expert) that children with ADD need a team approach in helping them deal with the condition (if you choose to call it one) and there is a place for meds for many kids, BUT it is only a piece of the puzzle. Parents, teachers, family members, Md's, and behavioral specialists are all crucial. I happen to work indirectly with many of the world thought leaders and experts on ADD (ie. Joseph Beiderman, Mass General Hospital, Boston MA/ Harvard Medical School, ... look up his credentials). First Dr. Frank Lawlis is not an MD, this means he has not been to medical school- that is not to say he isn't a great psychologist, just that he HAS NOT and DOES NOT write prescriptions for these meds and has NO first hand experience with directly managing these meds himself. In this book there are many things that are completely false regarding ADD meds. For example he states that they only work for about 50% of kids. FALSE Let me cite 3 credible sources that disputes this (notice in the book that he does not talk about HIS credible source)
1. "approx 70% of patients respond to the first stimulant agent administered with resulting improvement in their ADHD symptoms." - Practical Considerations in Stimulant Drug Selection for the ADHD Patient- Efficacy, Potency and Titration Beiderman, Today's Therapeutic Trends, 02'
2. "Improvement occurred in 65-75% of 5,899 patients randomized to stimulants." - Practice Parameter for the Use of Stimulant Medication in the Treatment of Children, Adolescents, and Adults, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Feb02'
3. "At least 80% of children will respond to one of the stimulants if they are tried in a systemic way." Clinical Practice Guideline: Treatment of the School-Aged Child with ADHD, Published in American Acedemy of Pediatrics, Oct 01'.

All of these quotes are credible and are opinions based on evidence-based medicine from the experts. Lawlis also states that there has been little research in children and that most studies have been done on adults and rats/mice. This is Completely False! The Journal noted above, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (that was a review of "161 randomized controlled trials that have been published encompassing 5 preschool, 150 school-age, 7 Adolescent, and 9 adult studies" Where does Dr. Lawlis get his information?
The review noted above by the American Acedemy of Pediatrics, identified for analysis 2405 citations, 92 reports, and 78 different studies. This is American Acedemy of Pediatrics- They are only interested in children and adolescents! Not Rats, Mice, and Adults.
These are the most credible Medical Journals published. These are not the biased trials sponsored by big pharma. The information in these Journals is taken very seriously by Pediatricians and Child Psychiatrists, and is heavily relied upon by these professionals.

Lastly, he also states that these drugs are identical to cocaine in their affect on the brain. This is not true, they have similarities, but by NO-Means identical. Yes it is true that stimulant medications can be abused and can also be addictive, but some of the newer formulations of these meds have lessened their abuse and addictive potential by altering the speed at which the drug is released into the bloodstream thereby somewhat flattening the curve (Cocaine use produces a curve that is almost straight up-this is what gives the "high") The most common way for these drugs to be abused is by crushing them and snorting them (which allows for fast absorption and steep curve), and some of the newer meds are crush resistant and/or cannot be turned into a fine enough substance to be snorted. There has also been data published that shows a DECREASE not increase in drug abuse for patients who have taken stimulants. It is believed that kids who are treated (drug treatment and otherwise) are less likely to associate with kids who are failing academically/socially and who are more likely to be using drugs. (This is not to say that high all high achievers abstain from using OR that ALL children who are failing ARE using) It is just a point that kids who are treated are more likely to be focused on school and their responsibilities and are less likely to be involved in drug use. Kids who are failing in school academically/socially are often looked at as outcasts and are often looked down upon by peers, teachers, and family, and this can cause a child to look for an escape... sometimes drugs. Children who Do benefit from stimulant medication sometimes have more self-esteem because of their success, and certainly less scrutiny from peers, teachers etc.

Lastly, Lawlis tells a story about a man who died from long-term stimulant medication. I am not going to say that this did not happen, but I will say that stimulants have been used since the 1950's, and the medical community agrees that they are safe when managed properly. The medical community and FDA have pulled MANY medications that were deemed unsafe from the markets (many times against the will of BIG Pharma) and the stimulants would not have remained on the market for OVER 50 YEARS, if stories like this were common or the least bit likely.

I am not at all stating that stimulant meds are the answer because they are not, but they can be a small piece of the puzzle that is helping these kids with ADD. The book is full of great ideas and approaches to ADD, but he is not accurate about the stimulant medications. Parents who see value in them should not feel ashamed and or frightened by what he says because most of it is just not accurate. Good luck and I hope this was helpful.

This book is an ambush. The author uses his son's disability as a platform to rant about social ills which have been visited upon us by overbearing social conservatives and religious fanatics. Still, I felt compelled to read on, in grim fascination--which turned to alarm at Berube's egregious misrepresentation of the Catholic Church's teaching on birth control. Such a disingenuous slap compromises his credibility on almost every other subject he treats in the book.
Still, being the parent of a child with Down syndrome, I waded through the morass in hope of finding some merit. And I found it in the author's discussion of the value of inclusive education in chapter 5. But even here, the terrain was arduous, requiring considerable resolve in order to plow through his treatment of Dawkins, Darwin, Rawls, and Kant, among others.
I checked out a book titled "Life As We Know It: A Father, a Family, and an Exceptional Child." The book I read would be better titled "Life As I Know It: A Father, A Filibuster, and An Exceptional Ego."

I had expected this book to be a memoir about a boy with down syndrome, I thought that it was a dramatic story with lots of emotion. Instead it's simply a book discussing in great depth about biology and genetics. It discusses the reproduction process and mitosis and goes on and on on the topic of genetics. The book later goes on to talk about abortion and whether or not it should be allowed, and many other related debates. While I found the discussions about genetics and abortion to be relatively interesting, I don't understand why the book is based around it. This book is not so much a memoir as it is a biology textbook in disguise. if you want to read a biology textbook then by all means, buy this book. However, if you would like to read a touching memoir about a boy and his life with down syndrome, then try a different book, because as other reviewers have said: this book is not what it claims to be

I read this book as a pediatrician wanting to gain insight into my patients and their families. I really enjoyed the descriptions of raising their child. However, I found the philosophy and policy analysis a little too long winded and less helpful.

This book works best as memoir. Berube is very moving when he describes the first years of his son's life. I too am the father of a boy with Down's syndrome and can vouch for the clarity and truthfulness of the account. The book's many digressions into politics and philosophy could put off some readers, but most of them are well-worth reading and pondering. I only wish they hadn't interrupted the flow of the personal story. The only sidebar I really disagreed with was the one on abortion. It was too strident (Berube is pro-choice), especially coming from someone well-placed to see both sides of this issue. That said, I would recommend this book to any parent of a mentally retarded child, or, for that matter, to any citizen concerned about the place of disabled people in our society. I hope Berube writes another book ten years from now and lets us know how Jamie is doing.

Berube writes a compelling book about his struggles to remain true to the parent/child relationship with his son who is diagnosed with Down's syndrome. Berube's book does a nice job of showing a different side of Downs syndrome - one where a child is a child, not someone (thing) to be feared, locked away or pitied. He writes clearly about the pressures to medicalize his son (meaning talk about him in the ways doctors would) since the medical world is such a part of their history with him. He tells of how he and his wife work to maintain decisions that are respectful of the child they are raising. Berube does a great job of explaining medical processes while also telling where they fall short, how they apply differently to different people and how he can continue to see others' points of view and wish more people could see his. Berube brings up big issues like abortion and (public vs private) health care to name a few. He relates his personal feelings to larger social conditions like how our society treats people with disabilities (which is not very well). This is a must read for teachers, doctors, nurses, and infact everyone, since we, as a society, need to work on seeing disabled people as people.