Disability-and-Health Books

Dr. Krebs delivers what so often seems impossible: an understanding of the 'how and why' of the physiology of our mind/body. This a readable, inspirational story of how one man overcame devastation. On a higher level, and perhaps more importantly, Dr. Krebs explains how and why what we have come to call 'eastern' energetic medicine and 'western' traditional medical practices compliment each other. Dr. Krebs has the gifted ability to open these two areas of medicine and make them understandable to the lay person.

It addresses Brain integration which is so important, you can have every thing, intelligence wise, and not be able to use it, due to lack of integration this kiniesiology cures that.It also makes the join between the our material existance, and our spiritual world scientifically, in a no fuss scientific manner.

The Kiniesiology described in the book actually does work, which is unbelievable as its so fanatasic Ive tracked down a Leap Kiniesiologist I'm undergoing the treatment, and will probably never stop as I get so much from it. (I'm very intelligent, good at sport, socialable, lovely wife family etc etc but my life was a total mess, inside my head, Ive never regarded myself as mentally ill, when I read about integration it was exactly the problem I had, which was I had all the bits of intellect very good bits in fact but they all didnt work together, which was hell, I had this problem to a high degree, if I hadnt read this book there would never have been any body to describe or help as its like invisible condition, theres nothing wrong with any one bit of you but its crippling). If my sister hadnt sent me this book because of a discussion, I had, I do not know how I would have got through the rest of my life, Basically this book saved my life, seriously. Feel free to mail me with questions. marcus538@tiscali.co.uk.

And Thanks to DR Charles Krebs for writing it, and developing LEAP, cant say how gratefull I am really.

How this man writes so clearly such that any reader can understand is way beyond me, but he does. His description of the brain and its many processes is astonishingly understandable. I would write more, but I am sure I am umbilically switched, and with no money to travel to those who can practice so much of what Dr. Charles Krebs writes about, I will return to reading. It is too bad the US government does not ditch "one child left behind" for a LEAP practice on each and every kid in school!

I got this book from MBBA (MN bio brain association) library, and the day I got it, I started reading it and did not stop until I finished it. Cover to cover in two days. It was absolutely amazing. I've dealt with hospitalizations and abuses of power in those hospitalizations, and while my mother is convinced my problems are not mental diseases, I think I do differ from Rickie. However, it was so nice to read that I was not alone. That hospitals are not perfect. That I can do it, no matter what people say. That was the powerful message of the book.

This book was an excellent insight to how developmental problems may exist or be overlooked even by the specialists! It is very easy to relate to when you work with children struggling to survive.

As a psychiatrist I was especially moved by the honesty with which Dr. Flach and his daughter Rickie wrote of their struggle against her psychiatric symptoms. He did not hide any of the worst aspects of psychiatry in his recounting of his daughter's treatment, yet it was with such an understanding of the limitations of his profession that there is no sense of anger or blame placed on his colleagues. He was equally open and revealing about his own inner struggles, frailties and ultimate resilience. I also think that Rickie and Dr. Flach's decision to pursue alternative (I prefer the term complementary) treatments and their dramatic success is a crucial lesson for all of us practicing medicine today. I highly recommend this book, but that leads me to the only negative comment on this title: it is no longer available. I hope the publisher decides to republish this text. It is so very timely at this time, even more so than when it was written in 1991. Thank you Dr. Flach and Rickie for an inspiring book.

Parents of children who are affected by autism spectrum disorders are well aware of the need to serve as effective advocates for the rights of their children. Imagine the battle that needs to be waged when an entire government fights to withhold funding for the only empirically validated intervention for autism, applied behavior analysis (ABA). Freeman describes the events that occur when a lawsuit is brought about by a group of parents against the government of British Columbia. The lawsuit argues for funding for "Lovaas-style" ABA therapy. In an attempt to block the funding of ABA therapy, the government of British Columbia attempts to discredit Lovaas and ABA through a combination of distortions, selective reporting of the research literature, and questionable ethical practices.

In part one, Freeman outlines the specific strategies used against the parents' lawsuit while explaining why the government of B.C. is outright incorrect in its assertions against ABA and Lovaas. In the second part of the book, Freeman provides dialogue between the lawyers and witnesses (from actual court records) that depict these arguments and counter-arguments. Happily, the British Columbia Supreme Court ruled in favor of the parents by declaring that early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) is a "medically necessary" treatment for autism and that the B.C. government was in violation of the constitutional rights of the children by not providing funding for this treatment. The court also ruled that the case against Lovaas therapy was biased. Unfortunately, the book concludes by pointing out that the government of B.C. appealed the court's ruling and has still not implemented the funding of Lovaas-style ABA.

This book is a must read for anyone involved in the lives of someone affected by an autism spectrum disorder. It should also be on the reading list of all legal advocates who work in the field of developmental disabilities. Freeman gives us a wonderful guide for effectively arguing against those who would refute the validity of ABA as a science and as an empirically validated educational intervention. "Science For Sale" is a wonderful "candle in the dark" in the field of autism treatment.

Every parent of every child with autism should read this book. It will open your eyes to the way governments use taxpayer dollars to cheat children out of the medical treatment they so vitally need...and it will prepare you for the fight for your own children's rights. Do NOT miss this book!

Another essential read from Sabrina Freeman. Any parent or advocate fighting for the necessary treatment for people with autistic-spectrum disorders must get a copy of this book. It is frightening to see how easily the science can be misquoted and misused in the effort by some to avoiding paying for scientifically-validated treatment. When you have to prepare yourself for the fight, this a resource you must have.

Amazing story. This book is a highly recommended read for anyone hoping to cure himself of any disease or condition, be it imperfect sight or anything else. Whatever ails you, you will be convinced that you can overcome it. Meir Schneider views disease as an opportunity for self-growth rather than as an evil enemy to be killed off. Healthy people don't get sick. "Once the body is relaxed, the breathing correct, and all the joints completely flexible, it is difficult for any disease to take hold."

His holistic method makes too much sense to disregard. However, our society is not ready to step into an age of holistic health care.

This is a wonderful, inspiring book. I have read it many times. It is full of wisdom, but very practical. I can't recommend it too highly. It is not just about healing bad eyes but many other physical problems. Meir Schneider is a humble genius.

I have been working in the field of education and various forms of therapy for over 35 years having been the director of a large program for the developmentally disabled and working in rehabilitation of adults as well for many years. I have never found a more inspiring book in all that time. Recently, a friend in his middle 50s who had been through all of the "right" therapies available in the major teaching institutions in New York City following a massive stroke was becoming quite discouraged. He had made nowhere near the progress that he had hoped for despite really working at whatever he was given to do. After reading Meir's book, he became totally motivated again and made an appointment to see Meir when he came to New York and is now on the road to real progress working at 2 things in his life full time: Teaching his mathmematics students in College, and going at it rehabilitating himself and inspiring those around him to stretch out in life and not s! imply to accept the limitations that they have always supposed were barriers to fuller participation in life. I can not reccommend any book more highly in this field.

This is an excellent text for anyone wanting to understand learning disorders and the negative impact that social misunderstandings about the disorders have on those who struggle with them. This is a book of hope. Recommended highly for persons wanting to understand their learning disorder, anyone who knows someone who suffers with a learning disorder, and the professional community that wants to help them. This is a practical text, as well as a scholarly piece of work.

Myrna Orenstein's superbly presented work in Smart But Stuck covers the emotional aspects of learning disabilities: a topic often omitted from coverages which focus on physical development. From clues pointing to possible learning disabilities to treatment and therapies, Smart But Stuck provides excellent background and advice.

I actually wept through many parts of this book, as I saw the truth of my own experience described in its pages. The notion of undiagnosed learning disabilities, the "chasm", and "imprisoned intelligence" were ways to organize the previously indecipherable, chaotic jumble of my feelings, relentless feelings of humiliation, and hopelessness that wrecked my marriage, disabled my graduate studies efforts, and made my life a hell on earth. Once I saw my experiences in the light of "imprisoned intelligence", I found a plethora of ways to adapt to my learning disabilities in healthy ways, and thus begin to find more successful adaptations to daily problems, intellectual stagnation, and emotional satisfaction. I thought my life was over, a failure, my fraudulent self exposed to the world. Now, life is newly exciting, and problems are there to be solved, learning disabilities taken into compassionate consideration, and the joys of life returning. If you think this is too dramatic a description, you haven't been part of the learning disabled world.

Speaking Up and Spelling It Out used an open format consisting of essays, poems and interview. Each passage starts with information about the author and most have a picture. The editors clearly state that this is not the typical book revolving around AAC use. Truly, I found the topic of AAC use to be secondary to the authors experience with the device. Every author speaks to having to create his or her own lives, virtually creating a new culture with the use of AAC's. I enjoyed the glimpse into the histories of these augmented speakers (editors terminology for people who use AAC's to communicate) who have blossomed through the development of communication. Each story is full of hope, humor, and heart.

Topics covered include the history of AAC's (from personal and development prospective), education, employment, public policy, multicultural issues, and my favorite, literacy. Several of the stories included bi-lingual strategies to championing their environment. Many of the authors felt that the struggle to be heard was what made them the fighters they are today. The augmented speakers talk about the most important issue is getting an AAC that suits the users need. The consensus is to use whatever is the quickest. Non-augmented speakers don't spend much time trying to figure out what an augmented speaker has to say. However, maneuvering around the professionals can be challenging as well.

This book is an excellent source for anyone wanting to know more about the AAC users experience. Therefore, I not only recommend this for family, friends, and other augmented speakers; but, professionals as well. Nothing makes a better trainer than to understand your population. I am using it as a tool for an augmented speaker that is strengthening his literacy skills.

I am working with AAC users and experts on a "pioneer" project in Italy (...). I'm not a subject matter expert (I have an engineering background). Through this book I got an idea of what does it mean AAC for the people who are using it.
The exposure is "easy-to-read" and pleasant even for "non experts" as I am and it opens your mind on a rich and interesting world...

This is an outstanding collection of first-person narratives on what it is like to use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Individuals who use AAC share their life experiences, describing both the "early years" as well as the life they enjoy today. They include both their successes and their frustrations, this book provides valuable insights on AAC from the people who know it best.

This book is a must have for those with spinal cord injuries, especially those with cauda equina syndrome (CES)as most do not receive a rehab team to help them will all that they need to live their lives to the fullest with thier paralysis. As a paraplegic to the degree of CES this book is hard to put down and it has so much good information. It is a bit depressing knowing that I have been deprived of the help of a rehab team to help me live my life to the fullest. It as been almost 4 yrs that I have had to figure things out on my own with the help of my husband and it great to get a hold of this excellant book. Now if I could just get workers' comp to approve going to the Shepherd Center day program maybe I can finally get that rehab team I need, but in the mean time I have this great book.

This book is an excellent resource for general public and professionals who are interested in the theme of spinal cord injury (SCI). It uses clear language and also good humor. All to help you understand the important basics of SCI and also to help you survive to SCI. I am using it for my doctoral dissertation as an excellent reference. Congratulations to the authors! I highly recommend this book.

This book was great. It told about the various types of spinal injuries and how each injury is different based on where the injury was located and how it affected your body and daily life skills.

It also gave insight as to what the family has to deal with as well as the patient.It also covered everything from what a spinal cord injury was to diagnosis and treatment;skin care; rehab;bladder and bowel management and caregiver relief. This is the A-Z book when in comes to spinal injuries.

I found in very informative as my husband recently suffered a spinal cord injury at work and we were told that he would never walk again. However, we have been blessed and he is walking 100 ft w/a walker at a time and is slowly regaining movement in his lower extremeties and we hope that he will be back to his old self soon.

I am ordering this book for a friend who now has to deal with this same injury. Thanks...

this book is recommended for the children at my church. Almost all of the children have grandparents in the church and some are already facing this problem. It was a lovely book.

My daughter's school librarian sent this book home when I asked for a book to help my daughter understand the permanence of this condition. The book was wonderful - we were able to laugh (grandma puts her shoes in the fridge) and even when the grandma moved to a nursing home, the story was not scary. The focus was on loving grandma just the way she was and helping grandma feel loved, even if she didn't remember.

Still My Grandma is a children's picturebook about the bond between granddaughter Camille and her loving Grandmother. Camille's grandma has Alzheimer's disease, which makes forget Camille's name or her do other strange things sometimes. Even though Grandma has to move out of her house and nurses have to help care for her, Camille finds ways to carry on their special traditions. The simple, mauve-themed illustrations balance this heartwarming read-aloud story, ideal for introducing young children to the concept of Alzheimer's and forms of dementia that can afflict elderly loved ones.

The Strangest Song is truly a story of love and hope. It should be an inspiration to all parents who are dealing with the challenges of raising a child with any sort of mental differences. It recounts the many fears these parents faced and their difficult pursuit in finding the resources to help them. It was many years before they learned that there were other individuals who had the same genetic disorder. The sameness led them to discover the unusual ability their daughter had for music. It is thrilling to trace these early days to their daughter singing opera with the San Diego Symphony!

An inspiring story about a young woman who, with the support & advocacy of her family, followed her passion for music with great success despite living with a genetic disorder.

Well written & engaging, this is a story everyone interested in the mysteries of the human brain or the extraordinary capacities of the human spirit should read.

This is the first book to cover Williams syndrome and the genius musical abilities of many who have it. Science blends with autobiography in the moving story of a father's quest to help his mentally handicapped daughter - and his discovery of her musical gifts, which eventually convinced him that people with her disorder can be musical geniuses despite their impairments. His quest for understanding of the chemistry involved in her impairment and to make the most of her abilities leads Lenhoff to not only help his daughter become a musician, but to the establishment of the first residential college for mentally disabled musicians. Any collection strong in either biography, psychology or medical insights will want this; especially general-interest lending libraries.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I really like this book although haven't used it too much with my 5 year old. I think it'll be really handy as he gets older.

This book makes me think of the John Lennon 1980 classic, "Clean Up Time."

This is an excellent book geared for the adolescent or tween on the autism/Asperger's spectrum. I like the way it tackles topics such as body development; hormonal changes; basic grooming and bathroom etiquette such as when boys use urinals.

I like the way vignettes were provided using different voices, e.g. first, second, third person. Prompts such as visual cues and other teaching tools are included. This author wisely suggests using a similar approach in teaching preschoolers good grooming habits and the rationale for same.

This book is for the adult instructor and young pupil alike. The drawings are discreet and appropriate and are not likely to make a young person feel embarrassed or threatened.

The tone of this book is plainly quite instructional, which is often a good approach with the a/A population. People with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) have been called "little professors" and often seek informational books and present discussions in an informtional format. This book does a good job of recognizing this trait and responding to it accordingly.

I highly recommend this book for parents, educators and young people. It is an important work and valuable resource tool.

My son turned ten a few months ago so I decided Personal Hygiene and Puberty were topics we needed to delve into. I am very glad I purchased this book since it covered Deodorant, shaving, growth spurts and using a urinal.

My 10 year old is high functioning and his almost nine year old sibling is non-verbal and could benefit from some of the chapters as he gets older.

Throughout the book the stories are told in various points of views, either in the first, second or third person. Visual cues, communication aides and assistive technology is shown within the chapters. Mary also suggests starting self-care skills as young as three for brushing teeth and washing hands.

One thing to note is that the fonts change throughout the book. The pages that discuss developing a program and teaching various skills are presented in an easy to read manner, mostly for the adults teaching the curriculum. The remaining pages are activities and social stories that have larger fonts that are bolded. This seems to be easier to follow for my son as well.

All the diagrams inside are in black and white, plus the cover is not overstated and should not be embarassing to a pre-teen or teen.

Your student or child will not read about birth control, sexual intercourse, reproduction or sexually transmitted diseases. It is recommended to supplement this curriculum as the students become young adults. I was glad to know these issues would not be covered, yet my son ran into two words when looking up puberty in the dictionary - reproductive and sexually.

He was disappointed not to find a glossary, but liked learning about growing a mustache and how old he would be when he finally gets to high school.

None of the steps listed in the book are numbered, which I think is a good thing so the students do not get stuck on certain numbers instead of the actual steps.

The information presented is repetitious in nature, but that is needed when teaching children on the autism spectrum. There is plenty of room for note taking and creating your own social stories. This book is a useful tool for families, teachers and therapists to instill these vital lessons to children with autism.