Disabilities Books

This third edition of The Biology of the Autistic Syndromes finally puts fully in place the new paradigm of autism which knocks down the two major myths about autism. 1)Autism is NOT caused by poor parenting - the parents are, if anything, the victims of this psychoneurological disease -- and 2)autism is NOT one disease -- it is many different diseases. The symptoms of autism are due to neurodevelopmental errors in the fetal brain. Modern neuroimaging techniques have shown that virtually every brain region is affected in autism.

Approximately three-quarters of the children diagnosed as autistic have one of the disease entities of autism, discussed in Chapter 10. Another quarter of the children have a double syndrome, that is an autistic syndrome in addition to a second, well-established medical syndrome, discussed in Chapter 11. Correct diagnosis of each individual child, as outlined in Chapter 16, is the essential first step toward accurate medical therapy.

There are chapters on Asperger syndrome, epidemiology, neuropsychology, epilepsy, biochemistry, neuropathology and molecular genetics.

The new paradigm of autism is changing the future for children with autism.

"Long ago in the middle kingdom, in a village by the sea, there lived a girl called Mei Mei. She was a girl with no prospects." So begins Jeanne Lee's evocative folktale set in a fifteenth century Chinese village. When Mei Mei's father dies on the eve of her wedding, her brothers use her dowry to pay for an extravagant funeral, then take all his possessions for themselves, and throw her out of the house. Unable to marry and shunned by the village, she eventually finds work and shelter with the crippled old woman, Po Po, another outcast who makes and sells her bitter dumplings each day at the market. When the Emperor's treasure fleet sails into the harbor, a ship's slave escapes, and asks the two women to hide him, and this, the three find is the start of a new beginning for all of them..... Ms Lee's dramatic text is filled with history as her story unfolds, slowly, towards its happy and satisfying conclusion, and is complemented by eloquent illustrations in soft and muted colors. Together, word and art transport the reader to a far-away place and time. With an author's note filled with historical details that enhance the story, Bitter Dumplings is an engaging tale, perfect for youngsters 7-10, or as a read-aloud for younger children.

This book is a recount of the impact that a mentally challenged child has upon other family members. It is a wonderful and honest story about achievement and happiness and illustrates what can be accomplished with love and hard work.

I happen to be the author of this book, so I have first hand experience what it is like to be the sister of a mentally retarded child. Many years have passed since our childhood and Sue and I are now in our sixties, but our God has been very good to us as we both enjoy excellent health and happiness. Sue is living independently and totally loves it. She helps older citizens in her apartment with their trash carry out and they pay her $1.00 for each time she helps them.

I know that from time to time, you as parents of handicapped children, will feel hurt, cheated and yes, you will doubt that there is a God, but you are special parents or you would not have been chosen to care for this wonderful human being. Just hang in there and trust that life gets better with each accomplishment that your child demonstrates for you. Much love

I am reading this book for the second time in 2 years. It gave me much insight into the value of suffering in one's life. It will provide the reader with meaningful answers to questions such as why me? It is an easy read. I have given this book to numerous friends who were experiencing some degree of suffering and they found it useful. One example of a powerful quote in the book is " self knowledge comes to us only in the dark times, when we are stripped of illusion and naked to truth". Blessings contains hundreds of thought provoking lines such as this.

Joe appeared perfectly normal at birth...or so the Apgar scores indicated. But within two hours of his birth, Joe is whisked away to the newborn intensive care unit in grave danger. He is thoroughly tested and found to have severe cerebral palsy. The specialist gives Nia and Alex, Joe's parents, little if any encouragement. The experts all seem to agree that Joe will be blind and unable to speak, move or even recognize his mom and dad.

Nia and Alex are devastated but unwilling to accept the life sentence the doctors have given their infant son. Their lives are filled with a seemingly endless round of visits to specialists, therapists and healers. Nia is even more adamant than Alex; she simply refuses to accept the prognosis so often repeated to her. The doctors suggest she is in denial, but there is absolutely no denying that Nia will do whatever she possibly can to see that Joe has a life worth living.

Light therapy, oxygen therapy, patterning, tapping, music therapy, sensory therapy, Reiki, crystals, Chinese herbs --- Nia tries them all. In fact, it seems there is nothing she won't try. The baby book, purchased in happier, more hopeful times, remains empty the first year. There are no milestones to record.

Nia reduces Joe's drugs for epilepsy, against the advice and orders of the neurologist. Later, when the neurologist mentions that there are no traces of epilepsy on Joe's latest examinations, he still won't admit there is no need for those drugs at all.

A milestone, so long hoped for, finally occurs. Movement! Joe reaches out, actually moving the muscles in his left arm for the first time. Nia and Alex, however, are drifting apart. Though their goals are similar --- giving Joe as normal a life as possible --- their lives are going in opposite directions. Alex has a job to occupy much of his time, and Nia is so focused on Joe that there is practically no time or energy for anything else.

One day, when Joe is two years old, he raises his arms --- both stiffly and not at the same time, but he does reach them around Nia's neck to hug her. This is major progress. Not only is he beginning to move his limbs, he can now express emotion. Joe learns to tap --- once for yes, twice for no. At last, some real communication. Alex feels that Nia has no time for him, and he moves out, but continues to visit three times a day to assist with Joe's patterning exercises and to play with him.

Joe's progress is agonizingly slow, but Nia has wonderful support from family and friends. And now she has a helper --- a respite worker named Sian, who brings joy and hope each time she visits.

Shortly after his third birthday Joe rolls over for the first time. With every painstakingly slow bit of progress that he makes, Nia is more hopeful and determined than ever that her son will continue to improve. Another eye specialist diagnoses cataracts, so Joe has surgery and is fitted with glasses. Now there is real hope for his sight. His first word is "more," and he is happy when he hears music. The little victories and milestones begin to accumulate; Nia's hopes are not in vain.

BLUE SKY JULY is a testament to the unconditional love, hopes and dreams that every mother has for her child. Nia has courage, patience, determination and the ability to continue moving forward even when the experts are telling her it is hopeless. Beautifully written, the book is by turns heartbreaking and hopeful. It is the amazing true story of a young mother who will do anything within her ability to give her son the full and happy life that is every child's birthright.

--- Reviewed by Carole Turner

This is a very interesting book that explores the concept of diabled persons in performing roles in the theater, dance, art, music, and sports. Of these sports, in the form of special olympics has probably generated the most attention. But plays have been written that feature disabled people.

The late Christopher Reeve raised the bar, so to speak, with his public appearances where his speech was delivered with the help of artificial breathing apparatus.

The book is a serie of articles written by, I guess you would call them experimenters, working in these fields. Most of the writers are connected with universities but vary widely in their areas of study including: theater, sociology, women's studies, social anthropology, medicine, communications, English, and dance. Other writers are practicing musicians, playwrights, or poets.

This is a book that is breaking new ground in the area of disability studies.

The Body Electric deals with the science of the merging of biology and technology. In it, James Geary discusses the advances in biotechnology and provides a glance into the future when new technologies may replace organs and repair and enhance the senses. Devices made of silicon will eventually enhance the human brain and body in ways unheard of today. In the chapter titled Sight/Vision Thing, we learn that computers will be able to analyse facial expressions for various purposes. In the chapters Hearing/Sounds Of Science and Smell/Advances In Odour Space the possibility is raised of transporting odours and flavours via the internet and if this will become just another advertising tool. There are also Taste/Fun With Electric Tongues; Touch/The World Is Your Interface, in which haptic interfaces are discussed, and finally, Mind/The Sixth Sense. The convergence of biology and technology is a fascinating field; this book also addresses some of the psychological, sociological and philosophical implications of these future technologies. The discussion on new bionic senses becoming available is very interesting, like the possibility of seeing infrared and ultraviolet light, plus the possibility of hitherto unknown senses becoming available. The whole framework of existence is changing as the human body becomes electric, opening wider the doors of perception. This great book contains 13 illustrations and concludes with an extensive bibliography and a helpful index.

Bonnie is an amazing woman and this book will show you why this opinion is held by anyone who has ever had the pleasure of knowing her or knowing about her thru her videos and her book.

With 'C' students or less, we need all the help we can get.

This is one of the few books available that actually helps with developing an interest in learning.

Also great is that the author recognizes different talents and abilities and does not devalue the "divergent-thinking" child, as Thomas Edison thankfully was!

I spent a rainy afternoon drinking coffee and reading this unique book from cover to cover. It is at once an emotional piece of writing that deals with a human reality that at times crosses into the realm of the nightmarish where the strength and endurance of the author's spirit shines through the darkness like a beacon of hope. Written from the heart, my own was lurching between sorrow and adrenaline-fueled excitement as I read through the chapters, each embellished with graphic detail, explicit content and a sense of humor earned through hard experience. I'm left with the feeling that Kim Martin would be a remarkable woman to meet.