Disabilities Books

Views from Our Shoes is a wonderful collection of stories. I enjoy it every time I read it, and take something new from it each time. The first time I read this book, it helped me understand myself better. It helps to know that there are other siblings who have the same range of emotions towards their special siblings that I have toward mine. The essays do not hold back any feelings, which is important for helping other individuals.

I would highly recommend this book to siblings and parents of children with special needs. I think that siblings, both younger and older would benefit from reading this book. Especially if they have never met any other siblings of individuals with special needs. This book would also benefit parents and help them understand the feelings of their "normal" child. Children with special needs can demand a lot of attention, and their siblings will often fade into the background willingly, and it is important for parents not to let their children do this. Even though siblings may put themselves on the back burner, it can create bad relationships among family members in the future. Views from Our Shoes would be a wonderful book for children and parents to read to help them relate to each other.

My daughter enjoys this book immensely. After reading only a few essays the first day she informed me that she was happy she had a brother with special needs. I wasn't worried much before the book but it helps to cement that idea and make it one she states outloud! She was also thrilled to find the guide in the back of the book on writing her own essay about her brother. While I do feel like a few disabilities are OVER used here and many left out, it's still a good book for kids in early elementary age. It opens my daughter's eyes to the fact that not everyone has the same disease or conditions. (My son has a genetic disease as well as a chromosomal disorder.)

Overall I was pleased with this book. There is a great range of sibling ages and conditions in the book. That being said, I was surprised that there was not at least one story that was specific to a child with spina bifida. There were several children with various rare conditions, kids with Downs, cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness, mental retardation, autism, etc, but no spina bifida kids. The closest they came is a child who has hydrocephalus.

The market for children coping with a disability is sadly lacking in resources- books like this one are rare- and I would still recommend it to a family who had siblings, cousins or friends with any disability, including spina bifida, but I am disappointed that it was not included.

Donald Meyer has compiled a wonderful book of essays from siblings of disabled children. My thirty year old son bought me this book for my birthday. Growing up, I too was one of these children and would have truly benefitted from anything that would have explained what happened to our family. As one of these sibs, I had to grapple with guilt, embarassment and also neglect from my parents due to the resources, both financial and emotional that were poured into my sister's handicap. My heart goes out to both parents and siblings of exceptional children. It is so much pain to bear for them and they feel even worse about complaining because they are "normal."

My 11 year old daughter read this book and even asked if she could read some of "her favorite essays" to us - she is the older sibling of our 2 year old little girl who was born 17 weeks early and she has cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness, is tube-fed and chronically ill. Her favorite stories were of the ones that she could most relate to - like the little boy who said he did not understand why his sibling was so ill when she was born. I think it made my daughter feel like it was okay for her to have bad and good emotions about her little sister. I think it validated them.

There are many books on the market geared towards adults dealing with children who have Asperger's, but very few books that are written for children with Asperger's. "Baj And the Word Launcher: Space Age Asperger Adventures in Communication," by Pamela Victor takes on this task and delivers a witty and educational story about Baj, a young man living in the space age, along with his parents and nosy sister.

Not all children with Asperger's share the same attributes, but some of the commonalities are trouble communicating, not being able to decode facial expressions and social cues, and having difficulty processing sensory input. People with Asperger's have some wonderfully uncanny characteristics as well; they remember details, and are exceptionally creative. With this in mind, Victor offers some simple and helpful suggestions, and does so in a way that is easy to digest.

We learn about Baj's daily routine and his meetings with Mr. Pilma, his school counselor. Mr. Pilma's golden rule is "STOP! LOOK! LISTEN! And THINK before you speak." Mr. Pilma is amazingly adept at helping Baj navigate his daily interactions, offering common sense advice as well as a few extraordinary accutrements. Mr. Pilma comes to Baj's rescue with a magical communications kit - a calming cape, a word launcher, and listening aids. The calming cape is, of course, a wonderful calming cloak, the word launcher helps Baj organize his thoughts so that he can pick the right words when responding to others, and the listening aids help Baj focus on crucial text, summarizing the speaker's intent.

Most of the time these aids come to his rescue, but sometimes he needs additional advice from friends. When Baj ignores his best friend's greeting, due to the fact that he is in the midst of a day dream, his friend admonishes him to "...keep one ear and one eye open for what's going on around you, even when you are imagining things." Baj takes this advice in the spirit it is intended and notes his friend's words. Over a period of time, we follow Baj and watch him transform from a boy struggling to cope with the world around him to someone competent to handle any and all social interactions.

Baj, and the reader, learn some important lessons about body language, diplomacy, listening to others, responding appropriately, and asking questions. After Baj learns a new skill, it is reinforced in the text with a dialogue box, replete with a series of questions, i.e., "What happens inside your body when you get nervous? Happy? Scared? Mad?"

In addition to these lessons, the story itself is captivating and lively. The author does not talk down to the reader and it is obvious that she has high regard for her subjects, including the sometimes persnickety sister. I realize that this book is geared towards children with Asperger's, but it is equally fitting for any child, or any adult for that matter. Who couldn't benefit from most of these lessons? I immediately found myself being more attentive to what was being said by those around me, but oh, what I wouldn't do for that calming cape.

Quill: Well-written, great story, packed full of useful information, for any age.

I was thrilled to read Baj and the Word Launcher. It is such a fun book, and a wonderful way to get inside the head of a child with Asperger's Syndrome. I think that reading this book will be very supportive for other children like Baj, who have a hard time figuring out what's going on around them and could use a bag of tools, like the Word Launcher, to help them out.

Our 7-year-old son just finished this book. He loved it. It was an exciting story that had him eager to turn the page.
We recently decided to tell him that he has Asperger's Syndrome and it quickly became his excuse for all his difficulties. Through this book, he was able to understand that he is responsibile for his behavior and he has begun to see that he can maintain control.
Best of all, he enjoyed reading it. It was the first chapter book he was willing to read. Not only was the content beneficial & fun, but book itself helped him overcome his fear of reading a 'big kid' book.
We highly recommend this book for elementary school aged kids with Asperger's Syndrome.

This book makes me think of the name for the Kennedy Administration (1960-63), the New Frontier. This is the New Frontier in autism/Asperger literature!

Baj is a delightful character who has Asperger's Syndrome which is the spectrum partner to autism. He embarks upon a stellar Magical Mystery Tour armed with a Communication Kit so he can learn to decode facial expressions and other nonverbal language cues. Many is the time when I've wished I had such a kit.

Readers, neurotypical and on the spectrum alike will enjoy this book and love traveling with Baj to the New Autism/Asperger's Frontier!

My son and I just finished reading Baj. My son read it first and couldn't put it down. (He really enjoyed the sci-fi theme and glimpse of life on another planet.) It is an engaging and warm-hearted read which weaves fundamentals of communication and body language into the story of Baj and his friends. This is a book for kids and adults alike who wants to improve their communication skills or just become more aware of them. And it's a great way to start a discussion with any child about these essential skills. I loved the Stop and Think boxes - which can be used to spark conversation and understanding of the concepts. We can't wait for more adventures of Baj!

If you are a parent, or teacher/therapist/service provider, to a gifted child with ADHD or Asperger's, this is the best book around. I am puzzled by the reviews that say this is academic in tone - I actually thought it was a tremendously effective and accessible compendium of the seminal research in the field. Dr. Lovecky makes two big, valuable contributions in this book - she documents what we know, empirically, about ADHD and Asperger's kids with high IQs (the focus of much research and treatment is based on the average IQ population, and is not always helpful or appropriate to understanding and working with gifted kids), and she offers many concrete strategies for helping these "twice gifted" children at home and at school to develop strategies for problem solving, social skills development, etc. As a mom of a recently diagnosed, and long misunderstood, gifted son facing extreme executive function challenges, this book made me understand my son better and helped give me some insight into how I can better support him as a parent. I am giving copies to my family members to help them support him as well! THIS IS A FANTASTIC BOOK WORTH TWICE THE PRICE!!!! Thank you Dr. Lovecky for writing it.

I have been reading book after book trying to figure out what is going on with my son, and I've finally found it! I had so many "a-ha" moments while reading Different Minds. Even the title speaks to me!

This book not only discusses the issue of twice-exceptionality (a new concept to me), it goes into great detail about characteristics of children with different exceptionality combinations. For example, ADHD is not lumped into one description...gifted kids with ADHD, inattentive-type are differentiated from gifted kids with ADHD, combined-type, based on the fact that their thought patterns, behaviors, and emotional reactions to situation can be markedly different. As an example, there is a paragraph that clearly describes why gifted kids have higher levels of anxiety, and how (in our case) inattentive-type ADHD can cause that anxiety to be even higher due to over-focus.

Another of the great things about Different Minds is that it gives very specific ideas on how to handle these issues. I needed practical, hands-on tools that I can use to help encourage, support and motivate, as well as cope with, my twice-exceptional son. I got some great ideas from this text that were very specific to our situation. The book discusses, as an example, how a behavior management technique that works with a boy with inattentive-type ADHD may not work with a girl with the same combination of issues. The specifics in this book are fantastic.

Also included are discussions of learning styles, which lead to several "a-ha" moments regarding my own personal learning style and that of those I interact with. I believe this can be invaluable in terms of learning to motivate people, both children and adults. This has helped us refine our home/bedroom organization system, as we are all visual-spatial and thus need to see our "stuff."

All this being said, the most important thing, for me, about this book is that after reading it, I did not feel so alone! I finally found a book that "gets" my child and makes him sound normal, at least for a twice-exceptional child!!

Through the years, I've bought countless books on the separate problems of ADHD, Aspergers, giftedness and learning deficits. This book was a GREAT relief because it really gave me all the practical information and more that I could possibly want to know on these subjects. Plus, it was enlightening. I'm highlighting pages and finding out things about myself, my husband AND my boy who is ADHD, Aspergers, gifted and has CAPD (auditory processing problems). I personally feel they are all somewhat related, and you don't get true giftedness without some other problems. I disagree with a previous reviewer who thought it was a book more for professionals. If you have a child with any of these problems, I'd recommend buyin this book and reading it thoroughly before going on and buying separate books on the subject.

Yes, Deidre Lovecky writes in an academic style. I appreciate books that don't talk down to parents, but allow us to share in the data the experts have developed without dumbing it down.

If you have a gifted child, know that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. The chances are very good that you are gifted, too. If you truly have a need for the wonderful information in this book, I suspect you will have little difficulty absorbing the concepts that will help you help your child.

Having encouraged parents to boldly go and read this book, I must also comment that whatever you find here that should be acknowledged and coped with by your child's teachers, school administrators, or psychologist, can be easily communicated by getting them a copy with appropriate passages marked. The book IS written professionally and for the benefit of other professionals as well as parents.

I first met Dr. Lovecky 14 years ago, and I was impressed then with her insight and interest into children who were gifted and demonstrated difficulties such as ADHD, Asperger's, etc. Her depth of clinical experience and observation has enabled her to develop and share keen insights that will help any parent or professional recognize and help a gifted child with an added exceptionality.

This book was informative, but written in a tedious and academic style, like a textbook. I think it would be more useful as a reference for professionals than a guide for parents. In some respects my son would fall into one pigeon-hole, but in other traits he would fall into quite another. And it left me quite confused as to how to handle his difficulties. Many of the recommendations are oriented toward young children, but a teenager is a different matter entirely. It also ignores many of the other pressures on teenagers that are part of the equation. We're going to go to a therapist--hopefully he will be able to figure something out.

Farmer McPeeper and his Missing Cows

By: Karly Bellanger.


One morning farmer Mcpeeper's cows took his glasses. So he could not see the cows. The cows ran away, so Farmer McPeeper went looking for his cows. The cows go all over, like to a park. No matter where they went farmer McPeeper couldn't see them because he didn't have his glasses. The cows also went swimming, to a baseball game, and to the movies.
I like the book because I think the cows are funny. I didn't know that cows could skateboard. The book was silly to read.

We purchased this book because it was recommended reading over the summer for my child. What a delight! The illustrations of the 'missing cows' were terrific and quite amusing to my 7 year old. We got a kick out of the part about Thunderbolt, Mr. McPeepers horse.

This book caught my eye the first time I picked it up. The illustrations are the best I've seen, and my kids just adore it! On each page they look for the Farmer's missing glasses (one of the cows has them in each scene). It's like "Where's Waldo" only better! The story is engaging and the illustrations eye catching. You can't miss with buying this book.

This cute story fits nicely with our Northern California Sonoma County Agricultural heritage. The errant cows cavort in the most un-cow like fashion that captivate the reader, much in the same fashion as the Click Clack Moo books. This book was selected by the California Teachers Association as the theme book for the 2006 Read Across America activities celebrating the birth of Dr. Seuss. The illustrator created special bookmarks, bookplates, posters and certificates for the occasion. They can be viewed at cta.org. Our union purchased copies for each of our k-5 school libraries. Got Books?

There are few more appealing characters than milk cows who are up to no good! Farmer McPeepers, who leaves his glasses behind, cannot find his milk cows. From the moment the cows tip-toe away (on their hind legs) until the end, you will find plenty to amuse you on each page. And your child will LOVE finding the milk cows in all the hilarious illustrations. The comical cows are fishing, waiting in line at the movie theater, jumping rope, climbing monkey bars, etc.

The text and illustration complement each other beautifully. Kids will scream with delight.

As the mother of a challenging teenager with a long list of `disorders', I cried while reading GENIUS! George and Joanne Lynn write with a raw honesty that cut straight to my core.

In the Editor's Preface, Joanne writes "Families such as ours live in a crucible, that chemistry lab vessel made of a material, steel or platinum or porcelain, that doesn't burn away in a furnace...George and I live in the furnace of our son's wild neurology, and our job is to contain him so that he can grow, without burning up in his own heat. And we must not burn out in the nurturing of him."

This beautiful book, is written from the intimate perspective of parents who have lived in the furnace with their own son, as well as their perspectives as therapist and poet. George Lynn writes with professional authority about attention differences - in particular AD/HD, Asperger Syndrome, bipolar disorder and Tourette Syndrome. Yet this is not just a book about coping with syndromes and disorders. It is about seeing the brilliance within our child. It is also about how we parents need to focus inward, nurturing our own genius, and giving it expression. Taking care of our own health, mind and spirit strengthens us to meet the challenges of living amidst the daily chaos. This book is like finding an oasis in the lonely desert of cultural misunderstanding and judgement. Thank you George and Joanne for this gift.

George and Joanne Lynn know first hand that the process of taking care of a neurologically eccentric child is emotionally taxing and all consuming; so much so that the child's deficits tend to take center stage at the expense of an appreciation for their gifts. Many of these gifts, they explain, are the results of the very eccentricities that brought on the diagnoses. With empathy and amazing insight, Lynn helps us to appreciate and learn to cultivate these gifts in our children so that our children may develop the positive self image necessary to reach their potential. This potential may exceed our wildest imaginings. Their disabilities are an undeniable part of their genius and the tapestry of their lives telling a story of where they have been and where they are going. With care, their genius can be cultivated and become a powerful and positive force in their lives. The Lynn's emphasize strengthening the positive without denying the challenges of these children, as both contribute to the child's sense of self and their path thru life. In-as-much as every virtue when examined from a different perspective can be seen as a flaw, so the struggles and "symptoms" of these remarkable children can influence them in very positive ways. A very encouraging read for the parent who is lost in the sea of doctors, diagnoses, frustration, and hopelessness and may have lost touch with their child , their family, and even themselves in the process.

While acknowledging that ADHD and other "neurologically different" children can be disruptive and have problems affecting both others and themselves, the authors - whose teen son has been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and Asperger's Syndrome - acclaim these exceptional people as also having a "genius" or "guiding spirit" that can help them make important, even vital, contributions to society.

As a counselor of children and adults, George Lynn says many of his AD/HD adolescent clients "are sports champions or team captains at the high school level. As performers or musicians they tend to be creative and innovative composers, and charismatic on stage." And there are many examples throughout history of prominent achievers who are neurologically different.

This book is fantastic as well as all of his books. George Lynn is not only a therapist, but also a parent who has raised a child with many neurological challenges. I would highly recommend this to anyone!

This book will be high on the short list of titles I recommend to parents of challenging children who ask "which books are worth reading?" This title is clearly worth the investment of time, not only because George Lynn is a skilled therapist who has seen and helped scores of neurologically challenged kids, but because he has lived it as a parent. In addition to wise advice, this book records a very personal journey in which we can see what he and his wife experienced from the inside out.

I was particularly struck by his reminder that every human being needs a "Great Story" with which to frame their talents and strengths, something to serve as a beacon in darker times, a reminder that we each are much more than the sum of our liabilities. Kids with multiple difficulties need such a beacon especially, but while dealing with the stresses of daily living, it is all too easy to forget.

In the process of reminding parents and kids to seek the Great Stories they all have to tell, George Lynn has given the gift of a Great Story for himself.

pete english, you spelled facet wrong. hehe. sometimes when i am home alone, i google myself (copyrighted).

I borrowed this book from the library and then I'm here now to buy it for my own. This book goes through each type of disability, how they are identified and will guide you through the maze of school testing, IEP's, and how to be your child's advocate to make sure they are getting everything they should be getting from their education! Great detail on emotional growth, planning for the future and assessment measures!

I recommended this book to the LD Specialist at my childs school who couldn't thank me enough for finding this book so she has a sound resource to suggest to parents of LD children. This book not only helps you learn to identify your childs learning disabilities or learning difficulties, but also to understand them. Also, it provides the information you need to talk with the school knowledgeably about testing and LD services. It helps you understand what your part of this process should be and tells you what you need to know to successfully participate in the process. It gives you strategies your child can use in everyday life situations that will help him/her learn. And it helps you with information about the social and emotional needs of your growing child. I no longer feel helpless in dealing with this issue. This book has given me the knowledge, but also very importantly, concrete ways to help my child be as successful as can be.

For any parent facing the possibility or reality that their child has learning problems this is the book I would recommend. I cannot think of a question it did not answer or a facit of the topic it did not cover. It helped me enormously - I am on my second read and this time I am taking notes.

When my daughter was diagnosed with a learning disability I was lost at how to deal with the school system. The first time we did her IEP I did not know what to expect. There weren't any parent advocates for us at the time of her IEP. This book prepared me on how to be an advocate for my child. I educated myself about her needs from the book and had alot of confidence when meeting with the school system to plan her education for the following year. Actually I went to the meeting knowing what to ask for and how to ask for it. It worked out that the items I asked for she received. Now we constantly use the book as a reference guide when we are unsure of something. This book is good right up into adulthood when your child is choosing higher education or out in the workforce. It was a lifesaver for us and a great learning tool!

Louisiana's Song is a wonderful book. Great for all ages. Once again, Kerry Madden takes you deep into the very heart of the Weems family and keeps you there! I found myself longing for more Weems stories!

Kerry Madden is a master at creating characters that existed in a real part of America - and allowing readers to understand the times and tribulations of a family in a time not too long ago. The importance of keeping recent history alive for young readers cannot be overstated. Real people, real problems, real characters that young (and old) readers can identify with and understand. Heartwarming, but not soft, Madden goes deep into the characters. This is the kind of book that keeps it real. The book stands alone, but to get the entire journey, start at Gentle's Holler.

This book can show about really good times and really hard times. It could definitely teach people that have an easy and carefree life about much harder times and much better times. It's adventurous and exciting, and if you love nature, this book is perfect for you.


Alexis...
8yrs. old

Louisiana's Song

In reading Madden's second book of the Maggie Valley series and of the Weems family, you find yourself lost in the story. At the end, you must return to the world of tv, canned music, microwaves, etc. Madden's stories of the beautiful Maggie Valley might well be set anywhere as a young girl struggles with her dreams and the reality of everyday life.

This series is a great read for middle schoolers, teenagers, and even to the more mature readers who just want to lose themselves in a time that was more peaceful, more in touch with nature, and families were closer.

Here's my general rule regarding sequels: If you can pick it up and read it through without knowing one teeny tiny detail about the previous book (and I am including the author's name in that statement) and still feel like it stands entirely on its own two feet, then that's a pretty good book, mister. And "Louisiana's Song" is a pretty good book. A soft novel. The kind of book for a certain kind of doe-eyed twelve-year-old girl, perhaps. Or maybe I'm just limiting the scope of the potential audience of this title. In "Louisiana's Song" you're dealing with personal loss, hardship, and disillusionment. The ending could have used a once over, but for the most part this is a strong title and one that is sure to become deeply beloved by someone out there somewhere.

All Livy Two really wants is for life to become "normal" again. Ever since her daddy got in that car accident all those months ago her life has been topsy-turvy. Mama is having difficulty getting ends to meet. Grandma Horace is always insisting that they leave their lovely mountain holler home in the North Carolina mountains to live somewhere industrial. But now it is 1963 and daddy is coming home at last! Surely everything will go back to normal now, right? Wrong. Having suffered severe head trauma from his accident, Livy Two's daddy needs to relearn everything about his old life slowly. To Livy Two's surprise, however, it's her quiet sister Louise that is able to provide daddy with the help he needs and who works up the courage to sell pictures to make money for the family. Will all that be enough to overcome Grandma Horace's campaign to get their mama a factory job and them into the city? Time will only tell.

It's funny that the hero of Ms. Madden's series is always Livy Two, but that the titles are always named after her siblings and not herself. It's probably the mark of the series that the heroine's tales always bear the name of her sibs and that she herself bears a name that serves as a constant reminder that she was not the first child named "Livy" in her family. This is a loving household, but one that gives its children certain weights to bear. At one point Livy Two's mama explains why she willingly had so many children. It was because their father wanted a big family and to live in the beautiful outdoors. Now he's been hurt and no money was put aside for his family in his absence. And when families are this large, it's the older siblings who get stuck with the brunt of the responsibility. Little wonder that Livy Two's older brother Emmett takes off the minute he thinks he can.

Madden gets the emotional quality of her story right. In fact, there are times when it feels like she's shooting you through with one feeling or another on the sly. Livy Two's daddy is a good example of this. When they bring him to a kind of fun park called Ghost Town to see his son, a faux gunfight breaks out. The next line reads that, "Daddy stops crying and watches the rest of the show from behind a post." We didn't even necessarily know that he WAS crying at that point. So really, in a way this makes me feel even more sorry for him than if Madden were giving you a play-by-play of all her characters' emotional states and actions. The same might be said for Grandma Horace. Since we're seeing all of this from Livy Two's perspective, we're not supposed to sympathize with her Grandma, but it's hard for adult readers not to see her point of view when she says, "Child, I'm sixty-one years old, and I'm surprised that this year has not put me in my grave." Her methods for getting the family to move to Buncombe County may be questionable, but you can understand why she'd want to give her grandchildren what she truly believes to be a better life. Admittedly, it was a bit precious for me at times. I'll acknowledge that. It's remarkably hard for an author, any author, to show sentiment without dipping into twee. For the most part Livy Two and Louise are able to give their younger siblings stories and fairy realms that feel of childish innocence. Other times it's a bit much for me, though I suspect that child readers won't mind a jot.

As I mentioned before, this book doesn't require any knowledge of its preceding novel, Gentle's Holler. Be that as it may be, there were a couple moments where I got a bit confused. There's someone named "Uncle Hazard", for example, who is not identified as a dog until you're onto page 12 and the barking begins. And if you're not a fan of series where the plot bleeds into its sequel, best that you avoid this book. I got to the end of the tale without a lot of the major plot points getting resolved and was shocked to suddenly find my nose in the Acknowledgments section. It's an odd choice on Madden's part, I'll admit. "Louisiana's Song" stands on its own right up until the end. Readers, particularly child readers, aren't fans of books that leave them hanging so I wonder if at least one of the dangling strings could have been resolved.

There's a class of sixth graders that comes into my library once or twice a month, and these kids have a huge range of tastes and preferences. I'd say that five or six of the girls, though, like a certain kind of book. They read Izzy, Willy-Nilly by Cynthia Voight, A Corner Of The Universe by Ann Martin, and Shug by Jenny Han. They eat these puppies up and then come to me asking, "Do you have any more of the same? Do you have anything EXACTLY like these books?" I don't, obviously. The best that I can do is to sloooowly introduce them to the notion of historical fiction. These are kids who prefer contemporary fare, but find the right historical novel with the right characters and emotions and they go to town. So the next time I see them, I'm going to have to booktalk "Louisiana's Song". It'll be right up their alley. The great characters. The feelings of love and frustration between siblings. Trying to strike out on your own. For a certain kind of reader, this is a book to love.

I don't have much time right now, so I'll sum it up with a big WOW!!! More interesting than Mark Haddon's book by far. This book is listed an amazon.ca as being for 4-8 year olds, but that must be a mistake. I would not give it to anyone under 10. The book's cover has a picture of a girl on it, but it really deals with a lot of teen and adult issues and there are a lot of complex hidden "treasures" (puzzle pieces?) within the story, something the reader only figures out upon completion or upon a second reading. It all comes together beautifully and the reader is left feeling a little more worldly for having read it.

"Words are flying out like endless rain into a paper cup,/They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe...images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes/That call me on and on across the universe...thoughts meander like a restless wind..." -- Beatles, 1970

The lyrics from "Across the Universe" underscore this book quite well. Esmeralda Mrky is introduced to readers at age 19 reflecting upon the past 8 years of her life. At 11, she meets the Andreasson family. Their son Sam is a year her senior and she and Sam's sister Savannah are the same age. Savannah has a severe form of autism, yet she is verbal and has her own way of communicating. She also likes to bang on the drum.

Savannah's spiritual freedom and lack of inhibitions impress Esmeralda and she views Savannah as having an advantage. Savannah's mother is somewhat of a free spirit who seems at home in the Summer of Love in 1967. The girl's father is interested in archeology and the Andreassons live in Arizona, but come to Lake Cowichan Canada for part of the year. Savannah's freedom seems to parallel the freedom of the natural beauty of Lake Cowichan. He is singulary focussed; not one to initiate social contact and his behavior is somewhat suggestive of Asperger's, which is the spectrum partner to autism.

Poetry is interspersed throughout the book and it is this lyrical "voice" that makes Savannah's autism all the more plausible and understandable. The girls share a love for jewelry and one Christmas Savannah gives Esmeralda a spherical ornament. Every time Esmeralda looks into it, she is drawn into a different world. The swirling imagery described by the glass ball makes me think the Beatles' classic, "Across the Universe" is very a propos.

In time, Esmeralda's family moves to another part of Canada. Her uncle marries a cashier who had been rude to Savannah's family when the girl melted down in her shop several years earlier. At a later point in the book, Savannah's mother explains autism in a very logical way and what life has been like raising a daughter with a severe form of it. One thing she says about autism which does not apply in all cases is that for Savannah, recent and distant memories are interchangeable; e.g. when asked what she ate, she might tell the person what she ate several months earlier. That is not a behavior that all people with autism have nor is it a confusing concept for all people on the autism spectrum.

Esmeralda makes friends in her new school; she becomes part of a group of individualists who decide to form their own church. That parallels with Savannah's "freedom" and lack of inhibition and connection to the natural beauty in Lower British Columbia, Canada. Esmeralda's new life in Vancouver does include Savannah, and, at 19 she returns to her girlhood home and reconnects with the Andreassons.

"Try to realize it's all within yourself, no one else can make you change." George Harrison, 1967

The sphere could be a metaphor for realizing what is in oneself and having the power to change. The elements of fantasy, such as the literary trips with talking tigers and the like add a note of whimsy to the story. The boundaries seem fluid at times and the time sequence is rushed along.

This book is geared more to teenage readers and will certainly appeal to adult readers. This book is a gift that allows one to realize it's all within our selves, our own spheres and no one else can make one change. It is a very different presentation of a very interesting topic with highly appealing characters. Let's hope for more books by this author.

I have read many books that were written about disabilities or had characters with disabilities in them, but this is the first time that I have truly been enveloped by an understanding of how disabilities are a natural part of the human experience/culture/existence. The young woman with autism isn't treated as a freak of nature or as a saint or as someone who needs to be fixed. All the characters coexist. Questions arise as to what is best, not only for the woman with autism, but for everyone. This should happen, but there is also an acceptance of each individual for who they are, and a willingness on the part of the protagonist (who does not have a disability) to learn from others and to help when appropriate. This helped me understand autism and disabilities much better than the "we've got to fix them" approach that seems so prevalent. A most honest and thoughtful story.

This was an extremely fun read and I'm sure almost any teen would enjoy this book tremendously. I understand that this is the author's first novel and, although it is beautifully written, I'm not surprised that it comes from a less-experienced writer. There are just some minor clues, as in how the flow seems a bit stiff at times. Still, the author shows great potential and with a little more practice and some relaxation she may be able to write a masterpiece. There are moments of sheer brilliance in this story.

What an adventure! I had no idea this book would be so much fun. When I saw the cover I thought it would be for little kids, but I was wrong. I think anyone over the age of 10 would get a kick out of this story. Well-written and definitely entertaining.

It is unfortunate that it has become a battlefield to get our children their Free Appropriate Public Education. But since it has, this book is a must read for any parent who has any doubts that their child is not getting the education they are entitled to. Andy gives you a good overview of what it is really like out there for parents who learn they cannot just leave it to the "educational professionals." It is an eye openner for those who are new to the system and advocating for their child's education. It would help prepare them for the real battlefield one experiences as you advocate for your child to receive the education they are entitled to.
The experiences he shares sometimes seem incredible, but unfortunately they are real. The Special Education Battlefield is an easy read of what parents, advocates and children do face in the system which is suppose to protect their right to their FAPE. Whether new to the system or a veteran, you should read this book.
I would gladly encourage Mr. Cuddy to write a sequel and cover this important issue in even greater detail for those families who have had to devote their lives to obtaining a FAPE for their children. His vast experience is extremely valuable.

This is the first book penned by Andrew Cuddy, an attorney based in New York state. After a legal career focusing on criminal law, Cuddy swung over to spec ed after realizing just how poor the outcome for people with disabilities can be without Pre K - 12 intervention. (Think "juvenile justice system.") Cuddy is in a position to offer a unique perspective and parents, advocates, and attorneys who represent children with special needs would do well to "Listen up!"

Cuddy knows school culture inside and out, and confronts it with knowledge and unique experience. For example, the author may be the first to significantly focus on the "Mad Buffalo Syndrome," a term coined by the author to describe parents and advocates who use special education to seek attention--similar to Munchausen Syndrome, except with an education spin. And while you may feel he spends an inordinate amount of bandwidth on the topic, it's not something to dismiss. When an advocate's behavior descends to the extreme, using the child's disability for attention, it is problematic to a child's well being and education.

In The Special Education Battlefield, Cuddy shares personal stories, which enhance your understanding of the twists and turns of the special education and due process experience. This book will benefit parents, lay advocates, and attorneys as well, as the author explores diverse topics in a professional manner.

Do you know the Lodestar Formula and the parameters surrounding recovery of attorney fees? Are you familiar with compensatory services? Do you know the importance of keeping accurate records? Can you dissect an IEP? Are you familiar with the variety of disabilities that can affect your child's education? Should you be concerned about Child Protective Services?

He then swings fully into the nuts and bolts of the hearing itself, discussing mediation and resolution and settlement agreements along the way. Whether or not an attorney is onboard, you, the reader would do well to read this material more than once if due process is on the horizon (or even if it isn't), as you'll learn about the requirements and the powers of hearing officers, timelines, pre-hearing conferences, the hearing process, writing the closing brief, and appeals. Cuddy also devotes a section to describe the five types of attorneys. (Which one is more effective?)

When I review a book, I first look at the Table of Contents, then I focus on a book's Index. I was mildly disappointed to find it missing. I encourage the author to include one in a future edition, as it's helpful for people like me who have an insatiable, driving need to dive into a book's content before reading the first chapter. Also, the price of $40 may deter advocates and parents with limited incomes. But these points are minor compared with the information, resources, and expertise Cuddy includes. And an appointment with an attorney would definitely cost more than the price of this book. If you can't afford the cost, my suggestion would be to check with your local library, or pool your resources with others, and read this book to learn how the system works before you venture into the due process arena.

In closing, Cuddy is an experienced, knowledgeable attorney and strong advocate for children with special needs. The Special Education Battlefield fills a void in special education literature. This book is written in such a way that you actually feel his commitment to children with special needs. So before you step into the due process battleground, grab this book and spend a few hours digesting it. Better yet, grab a second copy for your attorney to read before he stands in front of a hearing officer on your child's behalf.

This is an exceptional book dealing with special ed issues. Andy writes in a friendly, relaxed manner that makes this book very easy to read and understand. My only regret is that I didn't read it sooner! At times I felt as if I was reading my own story. It helps to know, as parents dealing with difficult school districts, we are not alone.

This book is an excellent guide for parents that are dealing with difficult school districts. Cuddy walks through the due process procedures step-by-step and provides a great deal of insight into the characters involved. I particularly enjoyed his classifications of school district attorneys, which included fixers, manipulators, fee churners, mouthpieces and dopes. Perhaps in a future addition he will include a similar chapter on Directors of Special Education. I could not help but think of how our own district's attorney fit so neatly into a particular classification. As times, it felt as if Cuddy was writing specifically about our district. This is a "must read" for any parent dealing with a difficult school district.

Andrew Cuddy is a very experienced practitioner of special education law who really knows his stuff. As I am a special education attorney myself, most of the material in the book is not news to me, but most parents of disabled children will find the ample and accurate information very helpful. Mr. Cuddy definitely has strong opinions, and he pulls no punches in displaying his contempt for many school district attorneys and administrators. Even some parents of disabled children do not escape his trenchant wit, as Cuddy coins the term "Mad Buffalo Syndrome" to describe parents who have not made Peter Wright's transition from emotions to advocacy. I highly recommend this book for parents of disabled children: Cuddy's aggressive approach to the field has helped many parents and their children, and this book should help a parent understand the remedies and procedures available on behalf of disabled children.

Excellent resource for ADA compliance. The requirements for ADA are so complicated that without a book like this it would be difficult if not impossible to understand what is compliant and what is not.

This an awesome book. This book is the to have for all web developers.

This text book is of very high quality and an engaging read. Apart from the expected target audience of web developers, I will suggest that website owners and non-developers should consider getting hold of this vital textbook.

The fact that it leaves you wanting more is a compliment to its quality. Even though it is bulky, I wished it had covered certain areas in more detail.

One small criticism relates to the javascript examples. The discussion of events refers to techniques that are questionable in terms of robustness and re-usability, issues that, to be fair, the author does point out. [Background; search for "addEvent considered harmful" in your favorite search engine.] Yet no definitive solution is given, and the reader is left hanging. More serious is the very poor quality javascript code sample given for the cssjs() utility function, which is poorly designed (needs to be repackaged, should be a class), is inefficient, and is fragile as it contains (at least) two immediately apparent critical bugs.

But such small gripes should on no account not put you off buying this text. The overall verdict, "Outstanding."

Anyway, the numerous authors are to be congratulated. Indeed, given the size of the field and the rapid pace of developments, a second "part II - advanced" volume would be a very good idea indeed.

If you are serious about accessibility (and you should be), this book will not dissapoint. The authors know what they are talking about, and do a good job and presenting both the facts and their opinions in a clear relavent way.

The only reasons I do not give it 5 stars is many items within the book are redundant (I think due to the great number of authors (11!), and perhaps they wanted the book to serve as a reference also), and because the presentation is generally dry. Good information, but not coffee-table reading.

Still in all, as a web developer I would highly reccomend this book to any other developer weather you just want a little understanding of accessibility, or a big dose.

Web Accessibility: Web Standards and Regulatory Compliance is the
perfect reference for any site development team. Everything you've
wanted to know about Accessibility and the Web is here in a single text.
Each member of the team will find necessary information and practical
solutions in one or more of the thorough discussions here. For the
designer/developer who works alone, Web Accessibility: Web Standards and
Regulatory Compliance is the all-in-one reference with the most
up-to-date information and techniques. Thanks to the clear organization,
two tables of contents, and index, all information is easy to find as
well.

For those of us who like background and theory, the book contains lively
discussions of accessibility standards, of the intent of the standards,
and suggestions for using the standards. For me, though, the heart of
the text is in the practical discussions and how-to guides in order to
improve accessibility of every common web technology -- from PDF to
Flash, from javascript to data forms. In addition, we finds clear
descriptions of the law and web accessibility. Importantly, these
discussions are international in scope.

The collective experience of the authors of this text is impressive.
These are the experts to whom we've turned to assist us with accessible
design and development for years. In this text, we have a collection of
the most knowledgeable voices on the subject of accessibility, who speak from a real-world
perspective. They share freely their best techniques, so that we can
create the "best possible experience for the greatest number of
visitors."

For me, Web Accessibility: Web Standards and Regularory Compliance is a
must-have.