Disabilities Books

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 is the best book I have read on the subject for adults with learning disabilities. Shapiro and Rich write in a way that is easily understandable by laymen and also in a way that is highly informative. If you have a learning disability, you can easily relate to their examples of other real people with similar problems and learn how LD problems are diagnosed, what causes the problem and treatment methods, including strategies and drugs. I would certainly reccommend this book for any adult who has a learning disability or simply wants to learn more

At last a book on learning disabilities that you do not need a doctorate in the subject to understand. I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs some practical advice on this subject.

"The Falcon's Wing" is Dawna Lisa Buchanan's first children's novel. It's about a twelve-year-old girl named Bryn Cameron who moves from Circleville, Ohio, to Kenmore, Ontario, Canada, with her father. Bryn's mother has died recently and her father and her are coming to live with her mother's sister (Aunt Pearl) and her aunt's fourteen-year-old mentally handicapped daughter (Winnie) on their farm.

Bryn's new family takes some getting used to. She soon learns how nonexistent her mother's relationship had been with her sister: Aunt Pearl didn't know Julia (Bryn's mother) had died, or that Julia had a daughter. Even though her aunt welcomes them in to her home, she doesn't show a lot of interest in them at first and has some difficulty in showing affection. But Bryn knows Aunt Pearl isn't a cold woman; she's witnessed how compassionate her aunt can be when she's around Winnie.

Making friends in the small town soon becomes another obstacle, especially with her cousin tagging along (who some have nicknamed "Snake Girl" because of her slanted eyes). Despite their rudeness and jokes, Bryn still hangs out with the local kids (Cecil, Rita, Ed, Rachel, Virginia), and even saves one of them from drowning in the Castor River.

By the end of the book, Bryn is able to cope better with her mother's death, Rita (the bully), and her aunt and cousin. However, her father still seems to be a little distant. The only chance she has of understanding his loss of his wife is by reading the letters he still writes to Julia.

"The Falcon's Wing" is one of my favorite young adult books. The main characters are believable and I could sympathize with Bryn. The reading level is for ages 9 - 13, but I would recommend this book to anyone interested. Another book I would recommend is "The Summer of the Swans" by Betsy Byars (mentally handicapped family member).

This had to be the first really interesting book that I had ever read. I got the book on a whim and couldn't put it down once I had opened it. No book had ever moved me the way this one book had. The way that Bryn eventually opened up to her Aunt Pearl and cousin Winnie. How she showed that there was nothing to fear or laugh at about a child with Down's Syndrome. Everything can trully work out if you give it time. A distant father can come back out of the shelled he sealed himself in. A cousin can learn to accept their cousin for who they are. And a neice can realize that a seemingly bitter aunt can be one of the best friends that you could ever ask for.

Yes, I am a contributor to this book. My brother, Michael, has autism. My chapter covers the success we had with auditory retraining.

The whole book, because it contains the lessons learned by the families of autistic folks, offers helpful insights and the "you are not alone" element that is so helpful when dealing with something as perplexing and frustrating as autism.

I was happy to contribute and even happier to see the end result. I think this will end up being one of the most useful books on the subject. It's a solid tribute to a wonderful fighter in the battle against autism, the late Bernie Rimland, founder of the Autism Research Institute.

Kristin Zhivago

One of the few books on autism that features true-life stories which tell it like it is.
Honest. Heartwarming. Helpful. A must for anyone who works, treats, knows or lives with a person with autism. Includes a "shocking" expose' of the corrupt system serving our disabled. More importantly, tells parents how to fight back.

I recieved the order very quickly and in great condition. Will order from provider again!

John Rolland's book taps into the intersectional and ever changing relationship of illness, family, and time. Rolland presents a thorough and well-organized theory and framework for clinicians to use for assesssment and treatment. Rolland reaches his purpose in the provision of a highly developed and sensitive model that surpasses other models that are stagnant and unidimensional. Rolland "educates" the reader through use of charts, visual illustrations, case examples, and sample questions. This enhances the learning experience of the reader. Rolland fortifies social work by presentation of a model that accentuates the nature of social service; looking at the broad implications of change over time and the adaptability or "stuck" that a family may experience in relation to disability or illness. he recognizes the difference in "family" and the stigma of illness or disability. His weakness comes out of the very nature of the family life cycle as a traditional role in the dominant society. Rolland finishes his masterful book with a piece de resistance; the guided experience of exploration of personal values and healthcare experiences and the impact upon professional practice. Overall, Rolland's book delivers what the author and reader expect and more.

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.

This book is deeply moving, I have listened to the tapes as well and am of the opinion that Art Berg has much to share with anyone that has ever felt depressed, discouraged, or overwhelmed with life. His ability to connect with the reader and convey feelings and experiences effectively is outstanding, as one is left looking at his own life with pondering reflection.

This is a phenomenal book (actually I have the audio cassettes) that anyone who is ever frustrated with life, depressed, whatever.....should read. While being understanding and compassionate, Mr. Berg also is very pragmatic about what it takes to look upon difficulties in a more productive manner. Great stuff!

Shona, who lives on a remote island off Scotland meets a new laird's son one day, and the story leads on from there...

Very powerfully written story that focuses on an intelligent young girl who's trapped inside a body that's unresponsive. It skilfully weaves the isolation of the island with Shona's isolation and adds in some interesting sub plots. Our ten and eleven year olds found it particularly moving as it covers subject matter not normally found in books for young adults. Highly recommended for young adults and their parents.

This is a spiritually uplifting book. I know they are true because I live in a L'Arche community in Clinton, Iowa. Some of these stories are about us. They are straight from our lives. And they are wonderful. These little vignettes are glimpses into the minds and hearts of our "core members," the people we live and work with who have mental disabilities. I recommend this book to anybody who wants to know more about what some people with mental retardation think and believe. I think you will find the stories precious.

It is simply written but filled with truths and lesson that are so beautifully true. The short examples are an ever refreshing insight into life from one who sees it in a truly simplistic manner. It can be used to meditate on truths.