Developmental-disabilities Books

Packed with brand new material in this updated and expanded second edition, "The ABCs of Learning Disabilities" is now available in a second edition that improves upon the first in every way. Covering the history of disabilities by academic subject, the new edition sports an informative introduction to learning disabilities, how to diagnose them in students, a new chapter on self-regulation, and much more. "The ABCs of Learning Disabilities" is a must for every educational professional who and wants to educate learning disabled students in the most efficient and effective way possible.

Wong really goes in depth in simple language and crucial research that involves Learning Disability. She really writes so that everyone who have never heard of LD can understand. She goes through different aspects of LD. It's a recommended book for those who have no idea what learning disability is and to those who are professional in the schools. A true 5 star.

As a psychologist with a strong background in neuropsychology, I am delighted at the unique contribution this book makes to my field. There are many books that address the needs of children with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), but none that guide parents to help their children live independently once they reach adulthood. I have a special interest in ASD because of my 25-year-old nephew whose hydrocephalus has left him with many executive function deficits that have significantly affected his ability to live independently, keep a job, and function socially. His deficits are so subtle that they are often misunderstood by the people who know and care about him. I have already ordered copies of this book for them.

This highly accessible book springs from Dr. Perry's personal experience growing up with two sisters with disabilities as well as her extensive clinical experience working with adults with ASD. It meets parents where they live, addressing their hopes and fears as well as offering practical advice for dealing with the everyday challenges unique to this population--challenges like managing money, lying, making friends, being sexually active, honoring commitments. It addresses parental guilt and acceptance with the compassion and insight. Dr. Perry gives down-to-earth explanations of complex constructs, like initiation, self-monitoring, impulsivity, empathy, and emotion and attention regulation. And a bonus: She describes these and other executive functions with such clarity that after reading this book you will find greater insight into not only your child's behavior, but also into the workings of your own brain. The tone is positive and supportive without shying away from the very real difficulties that ASD presents.

This book as an essential resource for therapists, employers, parents, concerned family members, and anyone else who cares about and works with adults with an ASD. The many case examples capture the essence and uniqueness of adults with this complex condition. She offers a good balance of first person reports, case examples, clinical information, and practical suggestions. It is both informative and a pleasure to read. I highly recommend it.

This very accessible and enjoyable book is designed for parents and care providers of adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Although there has been much focus on children with autism, this book couldn't be more timely. These kids are growing up and, as the author points out, many parents will want to come up with alternatives to keeping them at home for the health and well being of everyone involved. This book offers concrete suggestions and solutions. Recommended reading for anyone involved in the welfare and education of adults with autism.

As an occupational therapist I am intrigued by how animals are used therapeutically with people who have many different types of disabilities. However, it is informative and useful to read a book that focuses on how animal-assisted therapies have helped the author's son (who has autism). Pavlides packs her book with thought provoking questions to ask when seeking out a source of therapy. She presents the negative as well as positive aspects of each therapy and obviously did her homework, travelling around the country (such as to Island Dolphin Center in Florida) to learn about therapies less familiar to her. Her focus on animal welfare should put animal activists at ease. The case-studies tie it all together as Pavlides presents the challenges of raising a child with autism and the benefits of the growing field of animal-assisted therapies.
Barbara Smith, M.S. OTR/L, author of The Recycling Occupational Therapsit (PRO-Ed. Inc.) and Still Giving Kisses: A Guide to Helping and Enjoying the Alzheimer's Victim You Love (lulu.com)
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Merope Pavlides writes in an unassuming manner that is practical, relatable and informative. She shares her professional and personal experiences with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) individuals and the use animal-assisted interventions with an emphasis on dogs. This book is a fabulous handbook for beginners: it reads easily, without complicated jargon, and includes many resource recommendations as well.

Although I don't have direct personal experience with someone with an ASD, I volunteer as a pet therapy team with my dog and have seen first-hand the impact a cold, wet nose can have on the human spirit. I hope this book will help others to experience the joy and freedom assistance dogs can offer.

In the last five years I have read many books about Asperger's syndrome as the mental health field has learned more about it and as I try to help families understand the source of a young child's difficulty and determine the best course of treatment. This book is a gift to professionals and families alike. It is a comprehensive resource with information highlighted in summary boxes throughout the text. It explains normal development of 3 to 6-year-old children and the many ways Asperger's syndrome can present, offering descriptions of three children from evaluation through treatmnet. Helpful therapies are described in depth by experienced practitioners, including parent-child play therapy, pragmatic language therapy, occupational therapy for sensory and motor issues, and Leventhal-Belfer and Coe's own specialty combined social skills / parent support groups; alternative therapies are discussed as well. The chapter on working with schools in developing collaborative relationships to help a child is excellent. With all this, one of the things I especially liked about this book is its warm, engaging, respectful tone and its focus on the parents' emotional journey in coming to terms with Asperger's syndrome in their child.

This is a very informative and indeed very important book. I say that both as a parent of a child struggling with the issues discussed in this book and as a Clinical Psychologist. The overall style of writing is neither pedantic nor dummy-downed, and the authors clearly have front-line experience. The authors review how Asperger's affects social development as well as the myriad issues surrounding school functioning. They clearly enumerate which professional services can be considered under which circumstances, both for the child and also for the parents and a variety of intervention strategies are reviewed. How to talk to and what to ask of teachers and other professionals is discussed using a helpful format. Most importantly, this book is clearly written by those with empathy for the child and the parents' journey. They adopt a non-"pathological" approach that is attuned to the child's perspective and strengths. I've read a lot on this subject -- it is my business -- and I found this book to be the best at explaining this complicated topic.
--Nina Prudden, Ph.D.

I took a class on assessment methods and of all reviewed, the Carolina proved to be one of the best. However, people need to be aware that it is NOT a formal assessment tool and should be used as a guide. The great thing about the Carolina is that it is very user friendly, making it a great tool for parents to use with ease.

This book, or should I say this manual, is really important and helpful. I am a Ph.D student and I know exactly what it does mean to have a manual like this in schools. The manual gives you a chance to evaluate your students with special needs. Additionally, the manual follows the new trends in assessment and evaluation process through linking the assessment results with educational or intervention purposes. By using the Assessment Log and the Developmental Progress Chart, you, as a teacher, can link the ongoing assessment information with the IEP information for your students.
This manual will help you understand the developmental level and deviance for your students, as well as how to plan for age appropriate and functional interventions.
Thanks Amazon for the wonderful book.

This book is must reading for the child psychiatrist in training or in practice! The title is deceptive it involves much more then just learning disorders it is a comprehensive textbook of child psychiatry! Topics covered include Autism,Tourette's, ADHD, organicity, soft neurological signs, traumatic brain injury, specific learning disability, learning disorders, educational interventions, psychological testing etc.. It will give clinicians a perspective they will not able to achieve reading most child Psych. textbooks. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Jorge J. Villalba, MD, FAACAP.

At one point or another in our careers we are going to be called upon to counsel children who present with learning difficulties and their families.

This book is an excellent resource that will greatly enhance the counselor's understanding of these often mysterious issues. Comprehensive in scope, the authors present the current thinking in the field from the disciplines of education, sociology, psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience.

This book makes me think of Jimi Hendrix' 1967 classic, "Are You Experienced?" If not, this stellar work will certainly help you understand the autism/Aspeger's (a/A) experience.

First of all, it is past time to debunk that tired myth about how people with autism don't plan ahead and aren't organized. Not true. Let's just retire that one permanently. If you believe that, I have a nice bridge in San Francisco to sell you along with some oceanfront property in Iowa.

On the contrary, people on the a/A spectrum tend to be organized in thought and behavior to the point of rigidity. I know someone with Asperger's whose photographs are in the exact order in which they appear on the negatives; they are all chronologically organized; books, albums and CDs are alphabetized by artist and further alphabetized by title. How's THAT for organized thinking?

Many people on the a/A spectrum are quite adept at locating discrete objects and polygons in complex drawings; many people on the a/A spectrum excel at completing complex mazes; Tangrams and in "word finding," that is finding smaller words within a longer one.

The photographs do this one justice; the a/A experience is celebrated fully. Instead of reinforcing these foolish myths about autism which help no one and hurt all, this book opens the door to the a/A experience!

As John Lennon said in "Imagine," his 1971 classic, "I hope someday you'll join us and the world will live as one."

This beautiful book is definitely one for the coffee table... large and glossy and full of delicious pictures. It combines the usual characteristics of an art book with the insight of autistic biography and the usual introduction to Asperger syndrome information. In addition to this though it has a very accessible guide to the psychological theories of autism. I identified with the art in it, having produced a similar style of pictures myself in the past (though not as good or as clever). This is an honest and thoughtful celebration of the autistic mind.

I first read this book as a college student for a course on minority relations. This book made me realize that the mentally ill are a minority that often cannot speak for themselves and are frequently overlooked by society. This book portrays the individuals in the institution as real people, not just diagnoses or cases. At the time, I was majoring in criminal justice but soon after, I switched to psychology. Twelve years of college later, I have a doctorate in clinical psychology and still believe this book had a large impact on the path I took. Now, I will be teaching undergraduates and will certainly be recommending this book to my students to help them see the people and stories behind diagnoses.

This book is a new first time thrill for me. The story of a woman who, intending to make a photographic essay of profoundly retarded children in an institution, falls in love with a little girl there, and begins to bring her home for visits. A sensitive portrait too, of her own children's initiation into the world of disability, and how they adjust because of their mother's love. A wonderful book!

This book is very colorful and full of true human spirit. The depiction of stories with people having a variety of disabilities allows one to see them in many arenas. We are welcomed into their homes, friendships, pasttimes and dreams. What a fantastic way to introduce this special community to the world. I enjoyed the book for his easy reading and sense of love, family and success.

Feel Our Freedom: Communities And Connections For People With Developmental Disabilities is an emotional and moving portrait of the lives of more than forty adults living with developmental disabilities. Revealing and insightful full-page, black-and-white photographs by Jon Lowenstein combine with Alisa Hauser Kraft's brief yet involving text descriptions of human lives, coping, survival, and joy. Feel Our Freedom is a highly recommended addition to personal and community library collections.

Wonderfully written and detailed book. As a clinician and behaviorist I will be referring to this book often. A must have for people who perform FBAs or FAs frequently.

This is an extremely good book for the mental health professional or student. It contains alot of up-to-date information on behavioural assessment, and is easy to use. Non-professional parents would also find this book useful.