Coping with / advice about physical impairments / disability Books

Book SynopsisBased on his own life experiences, travels and meditations, Chris Mitchell reflects on how mindfulness practice can help people with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) with daily challenges including negative thought patterns, emotional and sensory issues, and navigating the social world.This practical handbook provides advice and instruction on adopting a mindful way of living to help tune in to the present moment and each chapter provides step-by-step mindfulness exercises that allow individuals with AS to overcome obstacles through awareness. Included are breathing exercises, simple yoga stretches, sitting, standing and walking meditations, visualisations, and easy ways to incorporate mindfulness techniques into everyday activities such as eating, brushing your teeth or doing the dishes.By teaching how to live mindfully moment to moment, this book gives people with Asperger's Syndrome the key to relieving stress, increasing awareness, and living a healthier and happier life.Trade ReviewChris Mitchell has authenticity in terms of knowing Asperger's Syndrome from a personal perspective and from having himself experienced the benefits of mindfulness. Incorporating mindfulness in everyday life will have a positive effect on all the core characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome. Reading this book has the potential to be a life-changing experience for those who have Asperger's Syndrome. -- Tony Attwood, Clinical Psychologist, Minds & Hearts Clinic, Australia, and author of The Complete Guide to Asperger's SyndromeAs an autistic person who knows the value of mindfulness, I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to gain greater awareness of themselves and live more peacefully. Using great analogies, Chris shows how we can manage the stresses of an autism spectrum condition using simple exercises to deal with little things that can build into debilitating stress and ill health. -- Zaffy Simone, autistic adult, independent autism consultant and illustratorI have known Chris for a number of years and this book reflects his calm, insightful attitude towards life and Asperger Syndrome very well indeed. There are some wonderful intuitions, even philosophies, in this book that will be beneficial for many people associated with Asperger Syndrome. -- Dr. Luke Beardon, Senior Lecturer in Autism at The Autism Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, UKThis book opens with a very supportive introduction for both the person with Asperger's Syndrome considering mindfulness and the professional who may be supporting them. Chris writes in a clear and expressive manner showing a true understanding of both Asperger's Syndrome and mindfulness. I really feel like I have shared in part of Chris's journey and gained along the way. -- Janet Ashfield, life coach and mindfulness practitionerA great introduction to beginners in the practice of mindfulness. Mitchell provides step-by-step exercises directed at helping individuals with AS to increase their awareness of their own mind, body, and the world around them in a new way... it offers the personal perspective of someone with AS who has not only mastered a way of surviving, but also fully experiencing all that life has to offer. Mitchell makes the practice of mindful living come alive in his own life and offers a path that others may follow. -- Jodi Wilson * Mindfulness *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Mindfulness in a Secular Context. 1. Asperger Comfort Zones: Bringing Asperger's Syndrome out of Automatic Pilot. 2. Changeability of Asperger's Syndrome: Impermanence within Asperger Traits. 3. Asperger's Syndrome in the Present Moment: Tuning the Effects of Asperger's Syndrome to the Present. 4. Mindful Movement: Acknowledging Physical Capabilities and Limitations through Simple Stretching. 5. Getting in Touch with Emotions: How to Be Mindful of your Emotions and Become Flexible Towards the Emotions of Others. 6. Recognising Body Language: Releasing Tension and Understanding the Body within the Body. 7. Managing Sensory Issues through Mindfulness: How to Notice when Autism-Related Sensory Issues Influence Thought Patterns by Opening to Them. 8. Obsessions, Habits, Fixations and Thoughts: Trapped or in Control? 9. Refreshing Asperger's Syndrome: Expanding Sensory Experience Through Practicing Mindfulness of Walking. 10. Steering the Raft through the Social World: You Can't Control the Social Flow, but You Can Adapt your Asperger's Syndrome to it. 11. Mindfulness and Quality of Life: How I Feel that Mindfulness has Enabled Me to Tune In to Here and Now Through Applying Equanimity. 12. Please Don't Rush: Finding Flow Here and Now. Bibliography. Useful Links and Contacts.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDoes your other half have Asperger Syndrome or do you suspect that he or she is on the autism spectrum? This quick and helpful relationships guide provides all the information you need for relationship success with your ASD partner.In the second edition of this best-selling book, Maxine Aston draws on over a decade of experience working with couples affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. Updates include reference to recent research and information on same sex relationships, sensory issues and pregnancy. Full of bite-size tips and advice, the book explains Asperger Syndrome, discusses whether or not seeking an autism diagnosis will help, and offers simple strategies for coping with a range of relationship challenges including communication, social, and intimacy difficulties.Trade ReviewI consider that the partners of those who have Asperger's syndrome are quite remarkable people; this book is a tribute to their personal qualities and will contribute to a significant improvement in mutual understanding and enjoyment of the relationship. -- from the foreword by Tony Attwood, Clinical Psychologist and author of The Complete Guide to Asperger's SyndromeWhen I first boarded the Asperger Express bound for a journey of self-discovery, I had nothing but my own experiences and Maxine Aston's books tucked under my arm. I read them, no, I swallowed them whole, sat back and began to rethink my entire life. Her books saved my life and for that I'll forever be grateful. Besides being a pioneer of Aspergers awareness, Aston is a wonderful writer. The Other Half of Asperger Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder) is a clear, easy to understand page-turner as well as an eye-opener. Since this book was first written, she's worked with hundreds of individuals on the spectrum and stayed abreast of all the latest research which imbues and enriches this 2nd edition. -- Rudy Simone, author of Aspergirls, 22 Things a Woman Must Know If She Loves a Man with Asperger's Syndrome and 22 Things a Woman with Asperger's Syndrome Wants Her Partner to KnowIn a comprehensive sweep Maxine Aston manages to cover all the concepts people in AS-linked relationships need. Without shying away from tough topics, Aston gives immediately useful advice and research-based guidance. This is the type of book I like to have handy, flipping to a random page to read during tough times since every page of the book is helpful. Aston's upbeat tone and many insights give clarity to the unique issues facing couples as they improve their relationships. -- Ashley Stanford, author of Asperger Syndrome and Long-Term Relationships and Troubleshooting Relationships on the Autism SpectrumI highly recommend this rare treasure! Couldn't put it down! Through numerous examples Aston clearly explains the differences between the Asperger and Non-Asperger partner. She encourages couples not to strive for the impossible but instead to try some of her invaluable insights and tips. A must-read! -- Louise Weston, RN. B. Nursing and author of Connecting with Your Asperger PartnerTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. Preface. Foreword by Tony Attwood. Introduction. Part I. Some Facts about Asperger Syndrome. Is Asperger Syndrome Predominantly a Male Condition? Suspected, Undiagnosed Asperger Syndrome. Obsessive Behaviour or Special Interests? Socialising, Friends, Present and Past. Trying to Communicate. Seeking a Diagnosis. After the Diagnosis, What Next? Initial Attraction. Getting Help. Part II. Living and Coping with Asperger Syndrome. Improving Communication. Getting the Message Across. Anger and Asperger Syndrome. Sex and Asperger Syndrome. Parenting. Money Matters. Special Interests. Routines. Socialising Solutions. Empathy and Reciprocity. Asperger Syndrome Cannot be Blamed for Everything. Staying Together. Useful Sources of Help and Information. References. Further Reading. Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPuberty, personal hygiene and sex can be difficult topics to broach with your child, especially when they have an intellectual disability or autism. The authors of this guide provide honest answers to challenging questions and provide solutions to the dilemmas that many parents face on a daily basis. Structured around issues related to puberty and emerging sexuality in children with disabilities or autism, such as physical changes, mood swings and sexual behaviour, the book presents case studies alongside practical guidance on how to overcome problems that commonly arise.The book also explains laws relevant to disability and sexuality and suggests appropriate sex education programmes to meet the needs of differing degrees of disability.Trade ReviewPuberty, sex and sexuality challenge many of us as we grow up, and then again as we parent our own children. Supporting a young person through puberty who has a diagnosis of intellectual disability or autism may add layers of complexity associated, for example, with learning and communication, increased vulnerability, the law and ethics. The authors of this book combine enormous wisdom with deep compassion and insight to deliver an uncompromising yet tactful and sensitively written guide presented in plain terms that almost everyone will understand. -- Dr Sandy Toogood, Senior Lecturer, Bangor UniversityWe strongly recommend this book. Perfectly written and structured, it provides answers to important questions on real life issues that every parent, carer or practitioner might face today or in the future. A great read and an important addition to sex education literature. -- Ioannis Voskopoulos and Labrini Ioannou, PsychologistsAs a parent of a teenage boy with an intellectual disability, this book is a must read. It will be my go-to guide for many years to come. With refreshing 'frankness', the book answers questions that parents and carers may have during their child's journey through adolescence.If you need any guidance along your journey, this is the book for you - a powerful dose of encouragement and motivation to 'keep going'. -- Joanne Morris, parentTable of ContentsForeword by Professor Richard Hastings. 1. A Brief History of Sex. 2. Why Read this Book? Healthy Development and Keeping Safe. 3. Biology, Bodies and Growing Up with Intellectual Disabilities. 4. Bodily Changes. 5. Behaviour. 6. Feelings. 7. Relationships. 8. Sexuality and the Law: What does the law say about sex and young people with learning disabilities/Autism?. 9. Sex Education Programmes.

Read more less

Book Synopsis"One day Jack asked me, 'What color do you see for Monday?' 'What?' I said distractedly. 'Do you see days as colors?"Raising five children would be challenge enough for most parents, but when one of them has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, life becomes a bit more chaotic, a lot more emotional, and full of fascinating glimpses into a unique child's different way of thinking. In this moving memoir, Carrie Cariello invites us to take a peek into exactly what it takes to get through each day juggling the needs of her whole family. Through hilarious mishaps, honest insights, and heartfelt letters addressed to her children, she shows us the beauty and wonder of raising a child who views the world through a different lens, and how ultimately autism changed her family for the better.Trade ReviewCariello's autistic son, Jack, sees days of the week as colors; fixates on shampoos, birthdays, cars, and calendars; and is animal phobic. Here, she grants readers intimate access to his unique mind; quirky, sometimes frustrating, behaviors; and his special personality. Cariello intuitively sensed "something was amiss with adorable little boy," specifically "language deficiency,...limited eye contact,...horrific outbursts", and his inability to seek comfort. She and her husband, Joe, were relieved to have a diagnosis, and moved quickly to obtain services. Cariello shares her family's more humorous and trying experiences with swimming and karate lessons, the YMCA, water parks, and a Disney cruise, all with five children, ages 3-9. She also discusses how she and Joe learned to cope with marital stress and her struggle to make therapists, teachers and the world see Jack "in all his autistic glory," not simply as "the child." Ironically, Cariello explains, "in my quest to help him reach his full potential, I'm actually reaching my own"; she reflects on her tenacity, and choosing to "embrace, not conquer" autism. -- Publishers WeeklyOne in 88 children receives an autism diagnosis, according to a 2008 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Though so many families are affected, there doesn't seem to be enough information or support to relieve the sense of isolation intrinsic to the diagnosis. Cariello's second son, Jack, who is on the autism spectrum, sees the days of the week as colors, hence the title of her book. This family memoir is a heartfelt, honest, often tongue-in-cheek view of life with an autistic child, showcasing Jack's laugh-out-loud escapades and his keep-your-hanky-handy triumphs. The thematic visual of snowflakes-"similar but unique...drifting, melting, re-crystallizing"-is used to represent his autism, and is particularly poignant. However, the worry and frustration that are an inevitable part of parenting, and most especially special-needs parenting, are not glossed over, but celebrated as signs of growth for the family as a whole. A short glossary defines terms that may be unfamiliar to readers. VERDICT This upbeat, inspirational title will appeal to those interested in autism, family dynamics, and parenting. -- Library JournalAs the Cariello family faces challenges and fears, readers find wisdom and inspiration in an ingenious love that never gives up. This is a family you'll hold to your heart long after you've turned the book's last page -- Mary Johnson, author of An Unquenchable Thirst: A Memoir... a positive perspective on the challenges of raising a child with autism... The strength of Carrie and Joe and the love that they obviously share for each other and their family are incredibly inspiring. -- Doug Flutie, The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for AutismTable of ContentsNote to Self. Early Days. Jack. Beware the Busy Urologist. Snowflakes. Making Progress: Stretch, Don't Break. My Paper Boy. When We Can't Find the Words. Cookies for Dad. A Letter to Henry. Lessons at the YMCA. The People We Meet. Dogs on Parade. A Letter to Joey. What Does Heaven Look Like? Obsession. Karate. A Letter to Rose. Anxiety and Medication. Cariello Cruise. A Letter To Charlie. Believe and Breathe. The Autism in All of Us. Signs. A Letter From Joey. Where We Are Now. A Letter to Jack. Glossary of Terms.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn his groundbreaking book, Talmer Shockley (himself a love-shy individual) presents a thoroughly accessible and motivating read for those suffering from love-shyness... Pay attention to his words of wisdom. They will help you find the partner that you so richly deserve'- Nick Dubin, author of Asperger's Syndrome and BullyingFor many people, romantic and sexual relationships are complex and cause feelings of anxiety. For people who are love-shy, this anxiety is so overwhelming that it can make finding a partner feel like an impossible dream. Although relatively unrecognised, and therefore often undiagnosed, love-shyness is a condition which causes an intense phobia of romantic and sexual situations. This book is designed to help Love-Shys overcome this fear and allow themselves to meet, date, and eventually maintain romantic relationships with members of the opposite sex.A self-confessed Love-Shy, Talmer Shockley explores the condition, its links with Asperger's Syndrome and how it differs from normal shyness. He gives candid advice on how to deal with being love-shy, make dating an enjoyable experience, and survive the “relationship jungle”. While love-shyness is predominately a male problem, it can also affect women, and the book offers tips on relationship success for both sexes.Refreshingly honest and insightful, The Love-Shy Survival Guide provides essential advice for love-shy people wanting to overcome their anxiety and form successful romantic relationships.Table of ContentsIntroduction. 1. The Important Basics. 2. The Big Picture. 3. Get Out There. 4. Therapies. 5. For Women. 6. Going Pro. 7. On Your Own. Appendix A: Dealing with Shy Children. Appendix B: How to Give this Book to a Love-Shy. Bibliography. Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEntrepreneurship can be an ideal career option for enterprising individuals with Asperger Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and this detailed guide explains how to tell if being self-employed is right for you and how to go about starting and growing your own business.Written by a successful entrepreneur and business consultant with Asperger Syndrome, this book provides all the guidance you need on the practicalities of starting up a company. The unique strengths that Asperger leaders can bring to a new business venture are highlighted and solutions are offered for elements of entrepreneurship that can create stumbling blocks such as developing working relationships within your company, marketing yourself and your business, managing finances, networking and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.Full of pragmatic advice, case studies from established business owners with Asperger Syndrome and practical tools for professional development, this is an essential startup handbook for anyone on the spectrum considering making the leap to becoming an entrepreneur.Trade ReviewNot only is a book on Asperger entrepreneurship long-overdue, but Rosalind may have shut down the need for future books on the subject. She has written a thoroughly complete, easy-to-read guide that will satisfy not just the budding entrepreneur who has some idea of what's required, but also the dreamer who has no clue where to start... An Asperger's Guide to Entrepreneurship had me exclaiming 'Finally!' too many times as I read it. It promises real hope, and positive change in the lives of so many of us. -- from the foreword by Michael John Carley, founder of GRASP and author of Asperger’s From the Inside-OutThis detailed guide explains how to tell if being self-employed is right for you and how to go about starting and growing your own business. It highlights the unique strengths that Asperger leaders can bring to a new business venture and offers solutions for elements that could otherwise create stumbling blocks. Full of pragmatic advice, case studies and practical tools for professional development. -- prospect - Educational ResourcesTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. Introduction. Part 1: Understanding What it Takes to be an Entrepreneur. 1.Understanding Entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneur. 2. Why Do People Decide to Become Entrepreneurs? Part 2: Moving from a Corporate Job to an Entrepreneurial Career. 3. Strategic Planning and Decision-Making as an Entrepreneur. 4. Differences in Operational Processes in General. Part 3: Practicalities of Starting Up a Business. 5. I've Made the Decision – What Now? 6. Initial Financial Forecasting. 7. Developing a Competitive Advantage. 8. Developing a More Formal Business Plan and Model. 9. The Entrepreneur as Leader. 10. Dealing with Suppliers. 11. Marketing Yourself and Your Business – Your Public Face. 12. Initial Business Development. 13. The Tender and Contracting Process. Part 4: Personal Development for Entrepreneurs on the Autistic Spectrum. 14. Building Internal Relationships. 15. Networking – An On-Going Requirement. 16. Making Your New Business the Focus in Your Life – NOT Your Life in Totality. 17. Developing your Work Area to Optimise your Performance. 18. Taking on Other Shareholders – The Challenge of Sharing Your Business. 19. Learning to Live with Change – The Life of an Entrepreneur. Part 5: Practical Toolkits and Exercises. References. Index.

Read more less

Book Synopsis"A stunning account."?Kirkus, starred review?This profoundly literate memoir of courage stuns and moves, and in its ferocious honesty, delights.??Mark Medoff, Oscar-nominated screenwriter of Children of a Lesser GodTake It Lying Down is ?a movingly intricate weave?a detailed and poetic chronicle of healing against all odds, an intense love story, a narrative of a young man?s journey from Maine to New Mexico and adulthood, and a book of literary inspiration and wisdom . . . this is not a medical book, not a self-help book: it?s a literate, occasionally theatrical, surprisingly buoyant, always philosophical and compelling journey through one man?s life.??From the Foreword by Len JenkinSix months shy of retirement and on a family vacation in Mexico, Jim Linnell steps off the porch of a rented guest house and breaks his neck. He is medevacked to his hometown hospital in Albuquerque and from there to a spinal cord injury hospital in Denver, where he learns he may live the rest of his life as a quadriplegic. How does a person absorb such news?Jim?s injury is incomplete: He has a two-year window for improvement. After three months of rehabilitation at the hospital, he and his wife, Jennifer, return to their home with an armada of equipment for his therapy, a heavy dose of anxiety about how they will manage together, and many unanswerable questions: Will Jim get better? What kind of future will they have? Can they move past denial to accept the possibility that Jim may remain a quadriplegic?Take It Lying Down portrays a man reclaiming his life from catastrophe?it is a book of exemplary courage.

Read more less

Book Synopsis"In his book Understanding Dyslexia Denis Lawrence leaves no stone unturned. This up-to-date book provides a comprehensive account of all aspects of dyslexia. The author's knowledge, experience and empathy is evident and the book can be recommended for all who want a simple account of the nature and consequences of dyslexia."Professor Maggie Snowling, University of York, UK"[This book is] a very readable introduction and guide covering theories of dyslexia and important areas of practical importance to those living with dyslexia or providing support for them."J.B.Thomas, Loughborough University, UKDyslexia affects at least ten per cent of children and is the most common special educational need that teachers encounter. However, the characteristics of dyslexia can mean that it is often confused with other learning difficulties. Whether you are a teacher or a parent, this easy-to-read book helps you to understand what is meant by 'dyslexia', Table of ContentsAcknowledgements IntroductionThe history of dyslexiaCharacteristics of dyslexiaDefining dyslexiaDyslexia and other specific learning difficultiesTeaching the dyslexic child The causes of dyslexiaAssessing dyslexiaUnderstanding a psychological reportSelf-esteem and the dyslexic childMaintaining self-esteem in parents and teachersSociety's attitudes towards dyslexiaGlossaryAppendicesIndexReferences

Read more less

Book SynopsisHigher Education presents significant challenges for disabled faculty. This book highlights the structural barriers that create challenges for faculty and demonstrates ways in which we can improve on current practice. Staff face a competitive environment which is increasingly characterised by long working hours and the use of standardised metrics to monitor and evaluate performance. The author underlines this issue as well as covering a range of subjects including the stigma associated with disability, workplace discrimination, the decision to disclose a disability, and access to workplace accommodations. The book:âAmplifies the voices and experiences of disabled facultyâExamines the representation of disability and how this affects both disabled and non-disabled audiencesâProvides a range of personal accounts of visible and invisible disabilities by those working in Higher EducationâArgues for changesTable of ContentsChapter 1: Representing DisabilityChapter 2: Stigma and Discrimination Chapter 3: Academic Culture and Context Chapter 4: Invisible Disabilities and the Decision to DiscloseChapter 5: Experiences of Disabled AcademicsChapter 6: Perceptions of Disabled Academics and Disability Chapter 7: Advice and Guidance

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the moment she first held her new-born son in her arms, Anne Crosby knew something was wrong with him. Although the staff at the London hospital dismissed her response as cruel and unmaternal, her instincts were correct: Matthew had Down syndrome. Struggling with feelings of shock and grief, Crosby determined that she would do whatever she could to help Matthew lead as full a life as possible. This is the moving, candid, insightful, and often surprising account of the life Matthew made with the help of his mother and other caring people. With her painter''s eye for the colourful detail and a Dickensian ear for the voices of her characters, Crosby describes Matthew''s family and friends, doctors and teachers-a large cast that includes Alice Strong, his Cockney caregiver, the famous child psychologist D W Winnicott, and Princess Anne, a benefactor of MacIntyre, Matthew''s boarding school. Crosby evokes the forbidding atmosphere of Normansfield, the residential institution founded by the man who gave his name to Down syndrome; the spacious beauty of Mentmore, the country estate where she often took Matthew for outings; and the touching camaraderie of the hospital ward in which Matthew died of heart failure at twenty-four. In this remarkable memoir, Crosby also explores Matthew''s inner life, revealing his playful mimicry and unexpected humour, his outbursts of affection and occasional fits of temper, his gallantry toward his first love, and his disappointment over the loss of his first job. Anne Crosby''s portrait of her son gives us an abiding image of Matthew that deepens our understanding of what it means to be human.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe objective of this book is to advance awareness and sensitivity towards the special social and personal needs of people with all kinds of disabilities, of all ages, from infancy to adulthood. It proposes a theoretical background for understanding the situation of people with disabilities. It also introduces an innovative, practical work method, i.e., the CIL which helps this population cope with the social and personal hardships it faces. This book is intended to serve as a tool for anyone engaged in promoting the welfare of people with disabilities. In summary: the book is based on theory and research, including the experience of practical application. It discusses the implications of the theory for universal practice and draws on real-work examples and practices to illustrate points.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA collective memoir that explores a womans journey to understand the complexities of her adult brothers symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. As a child, Claires big brother Ray was bright and inquisitive, but as the two became teenagers, Ray struggled to acquire the social skills that came more easily to others. Claire tried to help, pointing out what he should or shouldnt have said or done. Ray insisted that he wasnt the problem -- On my planet he would explain, there were no social climbers, no subtle hints or subliminal messages to miss, and the telling of little white lies would be a capital offence. At sixteen, sitting with him in the high school cafeteria, Claire vowed to find Rays planet. After graduation, Ray took a job as a letter carrier with Canada Post, but after thirty-three years on the job he was fired, blew his appeal, and spiralled into a suicidal depression. Claire didnt know he was in trouble until he reached out to her by email. Thus began a remarkable written correspondence that pulled back the curtain on an inner life Claire couldnt have imagined. Where in-person interactions plunged him into hot water, Rays writing revealed a compassionate, funny, sad man who showed extraordinary insight into his way of navigating the world. Ray was fifty when Claire realized he might have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but by then, having survived without a diagnosis his whole life, Ray was reluctant to have a label pinned on him and resisted Claires efforts to fix him by trying, in all sincerity, to make him more like her. Dispatches from Rays Planet draws on Ray and Claires correspondence to tell the story of two siblings from two very different planets. There are thousands of Rays in our world. In this collective memoir, Claire and Ray share their journey with the hope that others can also learn that we all perceive the world in different ways, and that different does not necessarily mean wrong.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisMany of us who participate in adventure sports have wondered: "What if the worst really happened? What if everything I have held so dear were to be taken away in the blink of an eye: my way of living, my job, my social life ... everything!?" An inspiring tale of a remarkable recovery from a hugely challenging, life-threatening accident. In 2013 he was caught in an avalanche which swept him over a cliff. Despite falling 140 metres and suffering serious brain injuries he survived. His prognosis was that in time he might be able to communicate by blinking. Nine years later he has made a remarkable recovery and though sheer determination recovered his fitness levels. Pete does have speech problems and an odd gait but he has gone on to find new challenges. He has recently cycled the equivalent distance to once around the equator and continues to live life to the full.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA memoir and an examination of the politics of disability. Fiona Place describes the pressure from medical institutions to undergo screening during pregnancy and the traumatic nature and assumptions that a child with Trisomy 21 should not live, even though people with Down syndrome do live rich and productive lives. Fiona's son, Fraser, has become an artist and his prize-winning paintings have been exhibited in galleries in Sydney and Canberra. How does a mother get from the grieving silence of the birthing room through the horrified comments of other mothers to the applause at gallery openings? This is a story of courage, love and commitment to the idea that all people, including those who are 'less than perfect', have a right to be welcomed into this increasingly imperfect world.Trade ReviewFiona Place is one of our great truth-tellers. There is no other writer like her. -Amanda Lohrey, award-winning fiction writer. DIGNITY, CREATIVITY This is a wide-ranging, deeply personal examination of the writer's approach to parenting AND DISABILITY a son with Down syndrome. There is no sugar-coating, no `angels' or `forever children', but the very real life, great love and perceptive thinking of one mother, one son, one family, forging a good life in twenty first century Australia. -Jill O'Connor, disability advocate A powerful must-read book with three strands. Fiona shares her own life as she explores the impact of childhood family relationships on later motherhood, the rights and abilities of individuals with Down syndrome and questions the ethics of current termination programmes. I hope this book provokes widespread debate of these issues. -Professor Sue Buckley OBE, psychologist, Down Syndrome Education International Portrait of the Artist's Mother illuminates all that is wrong with a society that expects children and mothers to be `perfect'. With carefully crafted prose, Fiona Place pushes back against negative assumptions that people with Down syndrome cannot have engaging and fulfilling lives. Her work, irradiated by her love for her son Fraser, is a delight to read. -Jessica White, author of Hearing Maud Written with extraordinary courage and searing honesty, the author takes the reader on a vivid, sometimes painful, yet life-affirming journey of hope. This book both commands and deserves attention as a creative work and provides unique insight into disability and motherhood. -Miriam Stevenson PhD, disability consultant

Read more less

Book SynopsisCompelling and honest life of a stubborn BC rancher living tenaciously in the face of her Multiple Sclerosis condition. The devastating diagnosis of an incurable, debilitating disease does not ordinarily form the starting point of a triumphant story. This, however, is a triumphant story. Heidi Redl was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2004 and immediately chose to fight the disease with the only tools available to her: sheer stubbornness and courage. Growing up on a pioneer ranch in the rough and dusty days of the late 1960s and the 1970s, Redl learned at a young age to be self-reliant and tenacious. Life as a rancher had given her the courage she would need to bravely and persistently fight back against this chronic disease that now affects 2.5 million people worldwide. But nothing in her previous experiences could fully prepare her to live with an equally tenacious enemy. In this book Redl shares the struggles and triumphs in her uphill battle with multiple sclerosis. To survive, Redl must first learn to trust and rely on other people for the help she would need in the new reality of her daily life. This compelling and honest memoir is a record of her struggle against the physical challenges of living with a progressive disease but also of the support and incredible friendships she found along the way.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is a letter from the heart, written by Jonathan Chamberlain to his daughter. It is the painful, loving and powerfully written story of a girl who was profoundly disabled and lived for only eight years -- yet who changed the world. She inspired her father to found two charities. Read this book, be moved by it. Let it change your life too.

Read more less

Book SynopsisChildren with autistic spectrum disorders have unique learning styles, or autistic learning disabilities. These pose unique challenges to parents seeking the best educational path for their autistic child, and for educators shaping educational programs for children with autism and related disorders.In Helping Children with Autism Learn, Dr Siegel, a developmental psychologist and director of a large university clinic for autistic children, provides concrete guidance for dealing with these challenges. The book not only enumerates the autistic learning disabilities, but critiques all of the available educational programs for these children, pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of each program and the appropriateness of a program for specific disabilities.Helping Children with Autism Learn is structured so that the parent and teacher can use it as a program planner and can evaluate the success and appropriateness of each strategy, refining the program as necessary. Key areas of conceTrade Review"Besides writing in an accessible and often lighthearted style, Siegel has established an excellent and clearly defined structure for each chapter, providing a concise overview, thorough descriptions, and conclusions that help bridge the gap between readers with different backgrounds and familiarity with ASD."--Library Journal (starred review)"Excels at showing what parents and educators need to do to reach autistic children. She includes a valuable section on having successful individualized educational programs (IEPs), the standard for children with special needs."--Library Journal (Collection Development for Autism)"This book contains an abundance of clearly written, easy to understand information for educating the child with autism."--Temple Gradin, author of Thinking in Pictures"This is a very positive book--sensitive to the dilemmas that children with autism face and positive about their ability to learn and adapt. It focuses on solutions to the challenges that autism presents, solutions that lead to new learning and adapting. Siegel's conversational style of language makes the book highly accessible for parents, teachers, and the various interventionists who serve children with autism. Her description of the matrix of abilities and disabilities--how the core neuropsychological features of autism come together to create patterns of strengths and weaknesses--demystifies some of the puzzle of autism. She draws the outline of the separate pieces and shows how they fit together to form both the familiar pattern of autism that clinicians recognize but also the individual profile that defines each individual person with autism."--Sally Rogers, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California Davis Medical Center"Bryna Siegel has made a thoughtful and learned analysis of the unique and perplexing learning strengths and weaknesses exemplified by the autism spectrum. Her book makes a valuable contribution to parents and professionals searching for clarification."--Eric Schopler, Founder and Co-Director, Division TEACCH, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill"The landscape of educational and treatment options for children with autism spectrum disorders is complex and often overwhelming for parents and professionals. Drawing from her many years of experience, Dr. Siegel provides a helpful guide for making decisions about directions in educational programming."--Barry M. Prizant, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Director, Childhood Communication Services and Adjunct Professor, Center for the Study of Human Development, Brown UniversityTable of ContentsPART I ; THE FUNDAMENTALS OF AUTISTIC LEARNING STYLES ; PART II ; AUTISTIC LEARNING DISABILITIES AND AUTISTIC LEARNING STYLES: WHAT MAKES THE WORLD OF THE AUTISTIC CHILD DIFFERENT? ; PART III ; METHODS OF TEACHING CHILDREN WITH AUTISM: HOW THEY ADDRESS AUTISTIC LEARNING DISABILITIES AND AUTISTIC LEARNING STYLES

Read more less

Book SynopsisWomen''s lives are shaped by sexism and expectations. Disabled people''s lives are shaped by ableism and a complete lack of expectations. But what happens when you''re subjected to both sets of rules?This powerful, honest, hilarious and furious memoir from journalist and advocate Lucy Webster looks at life at the intersection; the struggles, the joys and the unseen realities of being a disabled woman. From navigating the worlds of education and work, dating and friendship; to managing care; contemplating motherhood; and learning to accept your body against a pervasive narrative that it is somehow broken and in need of fixing, The View From Down Here shines a light on what it really means to move through the world as a disabled woman.Trade Review"In a book that is at turns both devastating and light-hearted, Webster succinctly dismantles preconceptions around disability" -- Ellen Peirson-Hagger * The New Statesman *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA practical, authoritative book on an increasingly talked-about condition that affects more than 8 million American adults. Dr. Lenard Adler, director of the Adult ADHD Program at New York University School of Medicine, presents the latest findings on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. In Scattered Minds, he reveals hidden warning signs, debunks common misconceptions, and offers information on obtaining an accurate diagnosis, along with treatment options that include cutting-edge medications and proven coping strategies. Includes a screening quiz.

Read more less

Book SynopsisGood news for parents of special- needs kids: a proven approach to everyday meals that fosters learning and development.Any parent of a child with autism, Asperger?s, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, or other developmental disabilities knows that special-needs kids often have food sensitivities and can be very fussy eaters. Plus, they?ve been told to avoid such common ingredients as gluten and casein, making it even harder to give them the balanced, healthy meals all children need. Now, Judy Converse, a registered, licensed dietitian, offers new advice and guidance on how to use food as an essential tool for development. Based on the latest research, Special-Needs Kids Eat Right includes: ? Simple substitutions that can be easily customized to suit any child?s needs ? Advice for helping the whole family?along with school staff and caregivers?adjust and take part ? Strategies and tips for staying on track at restaurants, holiday gatherings

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOn occasion nearly everyone experiences short-term back pain from sore or strained muscles. But for many who come to treat their back gingerly because they fear further 'injury,' a cycle of worry and inactivity results; this aggravates existing muscle tightness and leads them to think of themselves as having a 'bad back.' Even worse is the understandable but usually counterproductive assumption that back pain is caused by 'abnormalities'-bulging disks, a damaged spine, and so on. However, these abnormalities are frequently found in those who have absolutely no pain whatsoever. In reality, most backs are strong and resilient, built to support our bodies for a lifetime; truly 'bad backs' are rare.Drawing on their work with patients and studies from major scientific journals and corporations, the authors of Back Sense-all three are former chronic back pain sufferers themselves-developed a revolutionary self-treatment approach targeting the true causes of chr

Read more less

Book SynopsisBlind and visually impaired children experience the world in unique ways. To help them learn and develop, parents and teachers need to understand how such children relate to their environment. Felicity Harrison and Mary Crow, who have spent years working with blind children and their families, offer practical strategies for encouraging the blind child's development and interaction with his or her family and school community. The authors begin by discussing the reactions of parents when they learn their child is visually impaired, perhaps even multihandicapped. They go on to provide insights into what it means not to see well and techniques for encouraging the child to use whatever vision he or she may have. They suggest activities that parents or teachers can share with a blind child, from songs, games, and crafts to projects around the house and ways to enjoy a walk together. They discuss the nursery school experience and offer ideas on how to make it enjoyable and reward

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less