Disability: social aspects Books

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Book SynopsisNew to the world of AuDHD?You're probably familiar with autism or with ADHD by now: an increase of information online has helped more people advocate for assessments. However, much of the discussion around the two conditions centres on their neurological differences. But what about those diagnosed with both? Where do the two conditions intersect and overlap?Explaining AuDHD is a straight-talking guide for those trying to understand Autism and ADHD as a combined diagnosis. Using real-life stories of people living with AuDHD, this book offers advice for those grappling with a diagnosis, and provides a framework for readers to advocate for themselves and discuss it with loved ones.Written in accessible prose by Dr Khurram Sadiq, Explaining AuDHD is a worthwhile read for anyone questioning their own neurodiversity, undergoing assessment, or making sense of their recent diagnosis.

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Book SynopsisJoe Harkness, author of the acclaimed Bird Therapy, investigates the connections between nature and neurodiversity

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Book SynopsisThis is the rise of the anti-capitalist neurodiversity movementTrade Review'This groundbreaking book fills a crucial gap in the discourse about neurodiversity, providing a deep history of the invention of the 'normal' mind as one of the most damaging and oppressive tools of capitalism, while not succumbing to the myths of the 'anti-psychiatry' movement. To read it is to see the world more clearly.' -- Steve Silberman, author of 'NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity''A vital book that kindles the flames of a Marxist neurodivergent revolution. Chapman boldly challenges us to envision a world liberated from neuronormative oppression, where dismantling capitalism is central to disabled, Mad, and neurodivergent liberation—a new radical approach to neurodiversity that is explicitly anti-capitalist.' -- Beatrice Adler-Bolton, co-author of 'Health Communism''An instant seminal text, Empire of Normality takes on the huge task of crafting a coherent, radical, Marxist approach to neurodivergence. Chapman impressively and critically assembles disparate philosophical, scientific and activist currents across time to carve out a new politics that pushes beyond liberal rights-based approaches, and guides us towards a liberated future.' -- Micha Frazer-Carroll, author of 'Mad World: The Politics of Mental Health''Empire of Normality argues that a radical politics of neurodiversity needs to be central to the struggle against capitalism. Chapman explains why this is necessary, not only for neurodivergent folk, but for our collective liberation. Thought provoking, challenging and compelling.' -- Professor Hel Spandler, Editor, 'Asylum: the radical mental health magazine''Engaging, impeccably researched, and a vital step in the emergence of a new social paradigm. Chapman uncovers the origins of the stifling norms that limit our collective potentials, and points the way toward a better and more creative future.' -- Nick Walker, author of 'Neuroqueer Heresies'Table of ContentsPreface Introduction 1 Rise of the machines 2 The invention of normality 3 Galton’s paradigm 4 The eugenics movement 5 The myths of anti-psychiatry 6 Fordist normalisation 7 The return of Galtonian psychiatry 8 Post-Fordism as a mass disabling event 9 The neurodiversity movement 10 Cognitive contradictions 11 After normality Notes Bibliography Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisPathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome (PDA) is a developmental disorder that is being increasingly recognised as part of the autism spectrum. The main characteristic is a continued resistance to the ordinary demands of life through strategies of social manipulation, which originates from an anxiety-driven need to be in control.This straightforward guide is written collaboratively by professionals and parents to give a complete overview of PDA. Starting with an exploration into the syndrome, it goes on to answer the immediate questions triggered when a child is first diagnosed, and uses case examples throughout to illustrate the impact of the condition on different areas of the child's life. Early intervention options and workable strategies for managing PDA positively will make day-to-day life easier for the child, their family and peers. New problems faced in the teenage years and how to assist a successful transition from adolescence to adulthood are also tackled. The book concludes with a valuable resources list.Full of helpful guidance and support, this user-friendly introductory handbook is essential reading for families, carers and anyone who knows a child with PDA.Trade Review[This book] written by professionals and parents, it is highly accessible, illustrated by a wealth of case studies and provides practical strategies and approaches covering both the home and school context for managing children with PDA. In terms of addressing the underlying anxiety-driven need of these children, there is a useful section on developing emotional well-being and self-awareness in children with PDA. This book provides a very useful overview and practical resource which all educational psychologists should find helpful -- DebateThis book is a useful addition to the literature available on understanding and managing PDA in children and will be an excellent resource for those working and living with children with PDA on a daily basis. -- Child and Adolescent Mental HealthProfessionals working with children presenting PDA behaviour would be able to use the book as a "bible", since the sub-headings allow access to information quickly and easily... This book offers good guidance, understanding, advice and solutions to parents, teachers and everyone involved with a child presenting PDA. -- Special ChildrenThis book is full of helpful guidance and support for anyone caring for, or working with, children with Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome (PDS)... This is a comprehensive, user-friendly introductory handbook that offers practical advice for overcoming difficulties from diagnosis through to adulthood. -- CerebraPathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome, as a sub-group on the autism spectrum, is now recognised, as are the implications for management and support, particularly in education settings. This book is invaluable in helping parents and professionals identify, understand and support this very complex group. -- Dr Jacqui Ashton Smith, Principal, Helen Allison School, National Autistic SocietyTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. Introduction. 1. What is PDA? 2. Positive Everyday Strategies. 3. Living with PDA. 4. Providing the Best Education for a Child with PDA. 5. Developing Emotional Well-being and Self-awareness in Children with PDA. 6. Summing Up and Questions for the Future. Appendix 1: Useful Websites and Links. Appendix 2: Book List. References. Index.

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Book SynopsisEliza Fricker gets it. Describing her perfectly imperfect experience of raising a PDA child, with societal judgements and internal pressures, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, resentful and alone. This book's comedic illustrations explain these challenging situations and feelings in a way that words simply cannot, will bring some much-needed levity back into PDA parenting. Humorous anecdotes with a compassionate tone remind parents that they are not alone, and they're doing a great job. If children are safe, happy, and you leave the house on time, who cares about some smelly socks? A light-hearted and digestible guide to being a PDA parent covering everything from tolerance levels, relationships and meltdowns to collaboration, flexibility, and self care to dip in and out as your schedule allows to help get to grips with this complex condition. This book is an essential read for any parent with a PDA child, to help better understand your child, build support systems and carve out some essential self care time guilt free.Trade ReviewIn The Family Experience of PDA Eliza Fricker shares her heartfelt insights through an accessible illustrated volume that will be helpful to parents as they support, encourage, and manage their children who may have features of PDA. The book through words and pictures provides the important lessons she has learned about the sensitivities and regulatory capacity of her child. Eliza shares the basic principles that enabled her child and family to feel safer and to mutually enjoy daily interactions. We learn the power of softening the edges of restrictive parenting, which may function in more resilient children with higher thresholds to be reactive but is disastrous with a child with feature of PDA. We learn that a gentler less demanding, accepting, and positive playful parental strategy will lead to more cooperative behaviors and mutually rewarding co-regulatory interactions. -- Stephen W. Porges, PhD, Professor Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillThis book is the perfect tonic for frazzled loved ones of children with PDA. Perfectly imperfect, quirky and always en pointe, Eliza will make you nod and smile with her descriptions and illustrations whilst also providing you with a tonne of practical ideas without once seeming preachy. -- Dr Pooky Knightsmith, Child and Adolescent Mental Health ExpertTable of ContentsForeword by Ruth Fidler; Introduction; Tolerance Levels; Meltdowns; Relationships; Sensory; Anxiety; Collaboration; Flexibility; Prioritising; Positives; Self Care

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Book SynopsisThe acclaimed sociologist''s landmark, compassionate work on how society treats those who are different''By definition, of course, we believe the person with a stigma is not quite human''In ancient times stigma were physical marks branded on people considered unfit to be in society. Today social stigma shames those seen as ''abnormal'' in more insidious ways. Erving Goffman''s defining sociological study draws extensively on the lived experiences of those who have found themselves on the edges of society to look at the complex ways in which stigmatized individuals see and project themselves, the strategies they use to deal with rejection, and how stigma can shatter their relationships with others.''His brilliant book'' Guardian

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Book SynopsisOliver Sacks was born in 1933 in London and was educated at Queen's College, Oxford. He completed his medical training at San Francisco's Mount Zion Hospital and at UCLA before moving to New York, where he soon encountered the patients whom he would write about in his book Awakenings.Dr Sacks spent almost fifty years working as a neurologist and wrote many books, including The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, Musicophilia, and Hallucinations, about the strange neurological predicaments and conditions of his patients. The New York Times referred to him as 'the poet laureate of medicine', and over the years he received many awards, including honours from the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Science Foundation, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the Royal College of Physicians. In 2008, he was appointed Commander of the British Empire. His memoir, On the Move, was published shortly before his death in August 2015.Trade ReviewThe Mind's Eye is about the possibility of recovery and the inexorable decline of the ageing individual. From this collision of incompatible truths, tragedy is made . . . making this Sacks's most powerful book to date. * Sunday Telegraph *Packed with wisdom, humour, extraordinary human stories and reflections on how we all perceive the world . . . He ends with a brilliant discussion of blindness and the ways in which blind people develop visual concepts. Heartily recommended’. * Reader’s Digest *

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Book Synopsis'An evocative, endearing, entertaining and thoroughly delicious character portrait and a terrific first novel' - Donal MacIntyre, TV presenter'A tender, thought-provoking and totally gripping novel from a wonderful storyteller...deserves to be a huge hit!' - Matt Cain, author of The Secret Life of Albert EntwistleMeet Margaret Small: 75, plain spoken, Whitstable native and a Cilla Black super fan. Shortly after the death of her idol, Margaret begins receiving sums of money in the post, signed simply 'C'.She is convinced it must be Cilla, but how can it be? To solve the mystery of her benefactor Margaret must go back in her memories almost 70 years, to the time when she was 'vanished' to a long-stay institution for children with learning disabilities.An absorbing and page-turning mystery with a dual timeline, The Vanishing of Margaret Small takes readers into a fascinating past, and introduces an unforgettable literary heroine.Perfect for fans of Libby Page and Gail Honeyman.Praise for The Vanishing of Margaret Small:'A captivating and charming story' - Imogen Clark'Funny, sad and uplifting all at once' - Frances Quinn'A beautiful story of human spirit and its power to thrive against the odds' - Anstey Harris'A fantastic, feel-good story . . . rich in nostalgia and a joy to read' - Matson Taylor'Beautifully observed and poignant. An outstanding debut.' Alex Brown'Compelling and authentic . . . Margaret's story is quiet but her voice is mighty' - Julietta Henderson

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Book SynopsisAN EXTRAORDINARILY MOVING AND ORIGINAL MEMOIR OF GROWING UP GAY AND DISABLED IN 1980s LONDONSHORTLISTED FOR THE SLIGHTLY FOXED BEST BIOGRAPHY PRIZE 2023 When Emmett de Monterey is eighteen months old, a doctor diagnoses him with cerebral palsy. Words too heavy for his twenty-five-year-old artist parents and their happy, smiling baby.Growing up in south-east London in the 1980s, Emmett is spat at on the street and prayed over at church. At his mainstream school, teachers refuse to schedule his classes on the ground floor, and he loses a stone from the effort of getting up the stairs. At his sixth form college for disabled students, he''s told he will be expelled if the rumours are true, if he''s gay.And then Emmett is chosen for a first-of-its-kind surgery in America which he hopes will ''cure'' him, enable him to walk unaided. He hopes for a miracle: to walk, to dance, to be able to leave the house when it rains. To have a body that''s eTrade ReviewVivid, engaging... this insightful memoir sheds light on the author's life as a disabled gay man who is often rendered invisible -- Andrew McMillan * Guardian *A frank and intimate memoir written with an incredible clear-eyed intensity * Claire Fuller *The magic of Emmett De Monterey's book is its disarming accessibility. Compulsive reading, unique, this beautifully crafted work is suffused with depth, affection, and remarkable observations. De Monterey is a profoundly gifted writer. * Charlotte Fox Weber *Exploring the reality of growing up gay and disabled in 1980s London, this beautiful memoir is as uplifting as it is devastating, and as funny and wise as it is profound. * iNews *Astonishing, illuminating and enriching. * Matt Cain *

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Book Synopsis''I'd encourage anyone who is aspirational for the lives of young people to draw from the wisdom and best practice in [these] pages.'' Oli de Botton, CEO of the Careers and Enterprise CompanyEverything you wanted to know about SEND, inclusion and careers (but were afraid to ask).?Whether you are a careers leader or adviser, school leadership team member, training provider, further education college representative, university staff member, employer, parent/carer or family member, or policymaker, this handbook is your essential guide to SEND careers. With actionable insights and practical advice, you can ensure that the most disadvantaged and vulnerable young people in our society have equal opportunities to succeed.Inside you''ll discover: Comprehensive strategies for supporting diverse career paths, from supported internships and accessible apprenticeships to higher education and entrepreneurship. In

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Book SynopsisOliver Sacks is a physician and the author of many books, including The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, Awakenings (which inspired the Oscar-nominated film) and Musicophilia. Born in London and educated at Oxford, he held positions at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine and was Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at Columbia University. He is the first, and only, Columbia University Artist, and is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. In 2008, he was appointed Commander of the British Empire. His memoir, On the Move, was published shortly before his death in August 2015.Trade ReviewSeeing Voices is a manifesto, characteristically humane and impassioned; once more, Sacks proves he is the doyen of science with a human face. * Sunday Times *Empathetic, intelligent and compassionate. * Guardian *A passionate meditation on the richness of sign language. * Independent *Scholarly and carefully documented, Seeing Voices makes the gigantic leap so essential to understanding total deafness. * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Rebekah writes in a way that is somehow both world-shakingly profound and beautifully intimate. Her voice is unforgettable in its power to make you feel, question, learn, and grow. There aren't words for how much the world needs this book." — Megan Jayne Crabbe, bestselling author of Body Positive Power “A disability advocate debuts with a collection offering potent rejoinders to ableism…..A fierce and fabulous revision to entrenched ableist scripts.” — Kirkus Reviews [Starred Review] "Sitting Pretty is the book I needed years ago as I grappled with my sense of self and my identity as a disabled woman. I put it down while reading only long enough to collect myself each time waves of emotion crashed over me. Rebekah's spunky, self-aware wit, combined with education that never feels didactic, make this book a worthwhile and rewarding read." — Emily Ladau, writer, speaker, and disability rights activist "Rebekah Taussig's writing is a gift that keeps giving. Her voice is honest, vulnerable and welcoming...It was a joy to read and listen to Rebekah's words. This beautiful book helped me ask questions, open my heart, and remind me to look more closely at the world around me and what small part we can all have in making it a better, more accessible one." — Grace Bonney, founder of Design*Sponge and author of In the Company of Women "A compelling personal book whose confidential voice leads the reader into the author’s vividly lived world of disability. Smart and funny, [Sitting Pretty] does double duty revealing not only the intimate life of a disabled woman but the flaws of the world around her that seeks to repress and contain her." — Lennard J. Davis, Distinguished Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago and author of Enforcing Normalcy and My Sense of Silence: Memoirs of a Childhood with Deafness “An invaluable, eye-opening look at disability from a firsthand perspective.” — Booklist “Her smart and witty observations about living with disabilities will be enlightening and eye-opening for readers.” — Publishers Weekly “Reflecting on her journey toward disability advocacy, Rebekah Taussig's memoir in essays will make you rethink everything you've previously believed about disabled people and their lives. Reflecting on Taussig's personal experiences, and on disability representation more broadly, Sitting Pretty is a rare book from a powerful, new voice.” — Bustle "A groundbreaking and candid memoir" — Shelf Awareness “Taussig’s narrative style is highly conversational, making it feel like one is chatting with a lifelong friend. Her ability to bring levity to a topic some may find taboo is certain to help spread her message of acceptance and love.” — Library Journal (starred review)

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Book SynopsisGreg Marshall''s early years were pretty bizarre. Rewind the VHS tapes (this is the nineties) and you''ll see a lopsided teenager limping across a high school stage, or in a wheelchair after leg surgeries, pondering why he''s crushing on half of the Utah Jazz. Add to this home video footage a mom clacking away at her newspaper column between chemos, a dad with ALS, and a cast of foulmouthed siblings. Fast forward the tape and you''ll find Marshall happily settled into his life as a gay man only to discover he''s been living in another closet his whole life: he has cerebral palsy. Here, in the hot mess of it all, lies Greg Marshall''s wellspring of wit and wisdom.Leg is an extraordinarily funny and insightful memoir from a daring new voice. Packed with outrageous stories of a singular childhood, it is also a unique examination of what it means to transform when there are parts of yourself you can''t change, a moving portrait of a family in crisis, and a tale of resilieTrade ReviewThis hilarious and wholly unique memoir by Greg Marshall tackles many subjects: disability, family relationships, and coming out (twice). With signature wit and humor, Marshall takes material that could be morbid in the hands of a lesser writer, and dares his readers not to laugh. He knows he's had an unconventional life, but there's no self-pity here. Instead, he embraces the absurdity of it all and leans into it, making one hell of an entertaining book. * Buzzfeed, Most Anticipated LGBTQ+ Book of 2023 *Smart and heartfelt ... His honesty and clarity in writing about disability makes this debut one to watch. * LitHub, Most Anticipated Books of 2023 *Greg Marshall's Leg has all the ingredients of an addictive memoir. But what separates this book from the pack is Marshall's rich and rare perspective navigating the world as a queer disabled person. Marshall delves into his unique life experiences to illustrate the all-too-relatable struggle to be your authentic self and he does it with unflinching honesty. He's one of the most exciting new voices in non-fiction. I could get lost in his brilliant brain forever. * RYAN O’CONNELL, author of Just by Looking at Him *

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Book SynopsisThe first book to be written on the Judge Rotenberg Center and their use of painful interventions to control the behavior of children and adults with disabilities. For more than forty years, professionals in the field of disability studies have engaged in debates over the use of aversive interventions (such as electric shock) like the ones used at the Judge Rotenberg Center. Advocates and lawyers have filed complaints and lawsuits to both use them and ban them, scientists have written hundreds of articles for and against them, and people with disabilities have lost their lives and, some would say, lived their lives because of them. There are families who believe deeply in the need to use aversives to control their children’s behavior. There are others who believe the techniques used are torture. All of these families have children who have been excluded from numerous educational and treatment programs because of their behaviors. For most of the families, placement at the Judge Rotenberg Center is the last resort. This book is a historical case study of the Judge Rotenberg Center, named after the judge who ruled in favor of keeping its doors open to use aversive interventions. It chronicles and analyzes the events and people involved for over forty years that contributed to the inability of the state of Massachusetts to stop the use of electric shock, and other severe forms of punishment on children and adults with disabilities. It is a long story, sad and tragic, complex, filled with intrigue and questions about society and its ability to protect and support its most vulnerable citizens. Trade Review"A history of the notorious Judge Rotenberg Center in Massachusetts, and the fight to ban the use of electric shock treatment and other severe punishments on disabled children and adults. This is a historical case study that remains sadly relevant, as aversion therapies are still encouraged in many places." * The Bookseller *“. . . . An in-depth, riveting, and devastating account of violent treatments known as aversives, used at the Judge Rotenberg Center. Nisbet’s painstakingly detailed history insists that we must not look away—as too many have done—from these horrific stories.” * Isis *“A history of the notorious Judge Rotenberg Center in Massachusetts, and the fight to ban the use of electric shock treatment and other severe punishments on disabled children and adults… An incredibly well-documented book.” * Masslive *"This important book brings to light the shameful history of torturous methods used on individuals with developmental disabilities. If animals or prisoners of war had been subjected to this torture, the perpetrators would have been charged with felony cruelty to animals or war crimes. I am hopeful that by exposing what has occurred at the Judge Rotenberg Center, this work will finally bring this sad chapter of our history to an end." -- Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures"Nisbet provides important insights into the present-day use of aversive interventions and the ongoing struggle for disability justice. Highly recommended. General readers through faculty; professionals.” * Choice *Table of ContentsList of IllustrationsForewordAcknowledgmentsChapter I. A Long StoryChapter II. How We Got to This PlaceChapter III. Encouraged to Expand to CaliforniaChapter IV. Pushing BackChapter V. The Death of VincentChapter VI. The Food and Drug Administration Permits the Use of Electric Shock on People with DisabilitiesChapter VII. Here Comes National Institutes of Health: A National Outcry After the Office for Children’s and Mary Kay Leonard’s Loss to BRIChapter VIII. Staging the Next BattlegroundChapter IX. Bad Faith or Responsible Government: Another Attempt to Limit the Use of AversivesChapter X. ContemptChapter XI. More Legal Issues and Advocates Take Action: Weiss and NisbetChapter XII. The FDA Bans the Electric Shock Device: A Final Ruling? Weiss and NisbetEpilogueChronologyEndnotesBiographical Note

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Book SynopsisAn ACT-based guide for practitioners working with adults with intellectual disabilities, with the aim of fostering self-advocacy and individual empowerment and centring their needs. With case studies and ideas for exercises, this is a clear roadmap for accessible ACT interventions.

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Book SynopsisAnalyses popular Japanese manga published from the 1990s to the present that portray the everyday lives of adults and children with disabilities in an ableist society. The book focuses on five representative conditions currently classified as disabilities in Japan, and explores the complexities and sociocultural issues surrounding each.

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Book SynopsisThe first major anthology by parents with disabilities. ‘Being a disabled parent is a rebellious act. Disabled people should have the same right to parent as anyone else, but often when we decide to start a family we are met with judgement and discrimination. We are questioned rather than supported. We have to push up against the medical system. And we have to confront society’s model of parenting. Yet, despite all this, we still choose to parent. And we are damn good at it too!’ When writer and musician Eliza Hull was pregnant with her first child, like most like most parents-to-be she felt a mix of nerves and excitement. But as a disabled person, she faced added complexities. She wondered: Will the pregnancy be too hard? Will people judge me? Will I cope with the demands of parenting? In We’ve Got This, thirty parents who identify as Deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, or chronically ill discuss the highs and lows of their parenting journeys and show that the greatest obstacles lie in other people’s attitudes. The result is a moving, revelatory, and empowering anthology that celebrates the richness of disabled parenting in the twenty-first century. ‘Such an important book. Joyous, eye-opening, and deeply moving, these powerful stories will challenge long-held assumptions and hopefully shift societal attitudes towards disabled parents. Everyone should read this.’ Francesca Martinez, author of What the **** Is Normal?!Trade Review‘Moving … the essays are at their richest when the authors describe what ought to be mundane (for example, discussing how to adjust the height of a kitchen counter for a wheelchair) or when they are brutally honest.’ -- James Coney, The Sunday Times‘A brilliant, positive, and empowering read full of inspirational stories … really eye-opening.’ -- Anita Rani, Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4‘A luminous collection filled with stories of resistance, innovation, joy, and love, We’ve Got This shows that the biggest challenge disabled parents face is not their disability, but how ableist society is. I’m so glad this book exists!’ -- Eloise Rickman, author of Extraordinary Parenting‘We’ve Got This shows what’s possible — that disabled people make brilliant parents. Eliza Hull is a skilful curator. This book should be mandatory reading for healthcare professionals, educators, and everyone wanting to be a better disability ally.’ -- Carly Findlay OAM, writer, speaker and appearance activist‘We’ve Got This sparkles with insight that will make sense to every parent trying to figure out a way to live with whatever curveball the universe has thrown their way. Surprise is a constant. There is no such thing as normal. And it's not a sin to admit that you don’t always know what you are doing. The stories of disabled parents in this book prove that love and ingenuity are a powerful combination.’ -- Al Etmanski, author of The Power of Disability‘Eliza is a legend — and a great advocate for our community. This book will help a lot of people!’ -- Dylan Alcott, Paralympian‘We’ve Got This is the book I needed many years ago when I was considering whether to have children. Now, as I embark on motherhood, these stories from these incredible parents will teach me so much.’ -- Nas Campanella, journalist‘Such an important book. Joyous, eye-opening, and deeply moving, these powerful stories will challenge long-held assumptions and hopefully shift societal attitudes towards disabled parents. Everyone should read this.’ -- Francesca Martinez, author of What the **** Is Normal?!‘All parenting is a leap of faith: with a disability it’s a powerful affirmation of life — as the stories in We’ve Got This demonstrate.’ -- Virginia Trioli, journalist and radio/TV presenter ‘We’ve Got This challenges the narrow stereotype of what disability looks like. It shows that disabled people are parents too — and bloody good ones at that! Thank you, Eliza, for disrupting the discourse.’ -- Lisa Cox, media professional and disability advocate‘Full of deep, beautiful, important stories. I’ve learnt so much from this book.’ -- Clare Bowditch, musician, actress, and radio presenter‘Eye-opening and heartwarming, We’ve Got This will make you laugh, cry, and rethink disability entirely. A must-read.’ -- Holly Ransom, public speaker and author of The Leading Edge‘This is the book I needed on my pregnancy journey. It’s a source of affirmation and representation that disabled parents deserve.’ -- Alexis Hillyard, disability advocate, keynote speaker, and creator of Stump Kitchen‘An important and necessary read.’ * The Bookseller *‘Something I admire about Hull is that … She wants to do the best for the disability community as a whole.’ * The Saturday Paper *‘Everyone should find something empowering in this first major anthology by parents with disabilities. They show what’s achievable: disabled people make exceptional parents.’ * PS News *‘Parenthood can tangle with grief and loss. Disability can include joy and abundance. And goddammit — disabled parents exist.’ -- Rebekah Taussig‘We’ve Got This attests to the capacities of disabled parents and to the joys of parenting in an authentic way.’ * ArtsHub *‘Eliza Hull begins the book by stating that “being a disabled parent is a rebellious act”. What follows are riveting essays that explain why, all brimming with creativity and pluck.’ -- Louise Kinross, Editor of BLOOM and Special Projects Manager at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto, Canada‘There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding disabled parents. One of ableism’s greatest myths questions our capacity to bring a child into our lives. For this reason there is so much joy in reading this book. Reading so many wonderful essays addressing how parenting plays out for other disabled parents opens doors to my own joy parenting. So open the book already!’ -- Neil Hughes, Paralympic snowboarder and disability advocate‘Being a disabled parent is a “rebellious act”, which is why We’ve Got This is so important. Although disabled parents exist in substantial numbers, they remain in the shadows. This groundbreaking anthology confronts this phenomenon by telling the stories of parents with disabilities and their families — in their voices. We’ve Got This is a must-read!’ -- Robyn M. Powell, disability advocate and Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma College of Law‘As the mother of a daughter with a disability I am grateful for Eliza Hull’s We’ve Got This: essays by disabled parents. There is a lot I can give to my daughter, but perspective on what it’s like to be a disabled parent is not one of those things. Of course, these stories aren’t just for her: they’re for everyone! The world needs to become more deeply acquainted with the breadth and depth of humanity found within the stories and experiences of disabled individuals, including disabled parenthood. This book is a revelation and full of beauty, humour, and grace. It’s hard to be what you can’t see — thank you to Eliza and all the parents in this book sharing their stories to help my daughter, and others, see ever more possibility.’ -- Amy Webb, disability advocate and author of When Charley Met Emma and Awesomely Emma‘The rawness, vulnerability, and authenticity in these stories is refreshing! Too often in the disability community we don't feel reflected accurately in TV, news, and the media, and these stories shine a light on that. The need to be heard and respected is something we can all relate to, disabled or not, and these messages are exactly what we need to hear more of.’ -- Marco Pasqua, public speaker and accessibility consultant‘The collection includes authors from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences … it also includes essays and interviews from parents with intellectual disabilities, a frequently missing discourse in disability spaces … As a disabled parent, this was such an affirming and moving read for me, though I think all parents will benefit from reading it.’ -- Margaret Kingsbury * Book Riot *‘[M]uch-needed … [W]onderfully intersectional … Eliza Hull has done a fantastic job of curating this book. The essays themselves are brilliant, written from the heart and are very informative … The wealth of experiences, knowledge and sense of community that We’ve Got This offers is invaluable … [A] necessary read.’ -- Heather T. * Just Geeking By *‘Beautiful.’ * PosAbility Magazine *

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Book Synopsis''A book that''ll change your perspective on life. You''ll not be able to put it down.'' Fearne Cotton''Everyone should read this book. Sophie Morgan is the epitome of grit and determination. Her writing is thought provoking, honest and in parts hilarious.'' Katie Piper OBE''Wrenchingly honest...eye-opening and deeply moving. *****'' Mail on SundayAs seen on ''Living Wild; How to Change your Life'' a two-part prime-time series on Channel 4, Loose Women and The Great Celebrity Bake Off for SU2COn the precipice of starting her adult life, aged eighteen, Sophie, a rebellious and incorrigible wild child, crashed her car and was instantly paralysed from the chest down. Rushed to hospital, everything she had dreamed for her life was instantly forgotten and her journey to rediscover herself and build a different life began. But being told she would never walk again would come to be the least of her concerns.Over the next eighteen years, as she strived to come to terms with the change in her body, her relationships were put to the test; she has had to learn to cope with the many unexpected and unpredictable setbacks of living with paralysis; she has had to overcome her own and other people''s perceptions of disability and explore the limits of her abilities, all whilst searching for love, acceptance, meaning, identity, and purpose.Driving Forwards is a remarkable and powerful memoir, detailing Sophie''s life-changing injury, her recovery, and her life since. Strikingly honest, her story is unusual and yet relatable, inspiring us to see how adversity can be channelled into opportunity and how ongoing resilience can ultimately lead to empowerment.''Raw, life affirming and gorgeously written - this book is filled with extraordinary honesty, courage and warmth. Sophie''s words will make us all braver and more hopeful.'' Daisy Buchanan''A truly astonishing read about the power of never giving up.'' Sun''F***king hell!! This book is absolutely brilliant . . . One of the best memoirs I''ve ever read. Honest and so blooming human, it''s fantastic.'' Kathy BurkeTrade ReviewA book that'll change your perspective on life. You'll not be able to put it down. * Fearne Cotton *What I love about this book is it's not about "overcoming disability". Instead, it's about learning how to live a good disabled life - one full of friends, love, opportunities and fun. Disabled joy is so rarely seen, but Sophie Morgan has it in spades. * Lucy Webster, Political journalist, writer and disability advocate *Wrenchingly honest...inspirational, eye-opening and deeply moving * Mail on Sunday *A searing read * The Guardian *

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Book SynopsisFINALIST FOR THE 2023 PULITZER PRIZE FOR MEMOIR''An exquisite exploration of disability, identity and the human capacity to do (and be) more than we''ve ever dreamed'' Time''Gorgeously, vividly alive'' New York Times''Challenges the unspoken social taboos about the disabled body, unpacking myths of beauty and our complicity in upholding those myths'' Lit HubBorn with sacral agenesis, a visible congenital disability that affects her stature and gait, Chloé Cooper Jones had always found solace in what she thought of as ''the neutral room'' - a dissociative space in her mind that offered her solace and self-protection, but also kept her isolated. When she became pregnant (disproving her doctor, who had assumed it impossible), something necessary in her started to crack, forcing her to reckon with her defensive positionality to the world and the people in it. This prompted an odyssey across time andTrade ReviewEasy Beauty is bold, honest, and superbly well-written. Chloé Cooper Jones is ruthless in probing our weakest and darkest areas, and does so with grace, humor, and ultimately, with something one seldom finds: kindness and humanity. * André Aciman, author of Call Me By Your Name *Graceful, soul-baring * Melanie Reid, The Times *Gorgeous, vividly alive... In rejecting the dismissive gaze of others, Jones stands in the light of her own extremely able self -- Books of the Year * New York Times *What a gift of a book ... Easy Beauty has the rigor and precision of Joan Didion and Maggie Nelson and a forthright humor and naked truth all its own. * Sarah Ruhl, author of Smile *Perceptive, stylish, and darkly funny, Easy Beauty is an act of grace, and a reckoning. Chloé Cooper Jones is a remarkable writer - I would follow her mind anywhere. * Anna Wiener, author of Uncanny Valley *Chloé Cooper Jones is a writer whose work I don't read, but enter: she weaves her brainy, crackling interior into the sinews of a reality that is forever reminding its participants of the difficulty of living inside a body. Easy Beauty is the most humane book I have read in a long time: in her insistence that we bear witness to each other, Jones calls forth a better, and indeed more beautiful world. I loved this book. * Kristen Radtke, author of Seek You: A Journey Through American Loneliness *I recommend Easy Beauty to anyone who has wanted beauty badly, even without knowing quite what it is, but who could never seem to access it. At least, I'm that sort of anyone, and I could feel and recognize parts of myself in every moment of this book. Chloé Cooper Jones' writing pierces right through and lets a light in. * Mitski, singer-songwriter *In this ambitious and elegant book about seeing and being seen, Chloé Cooper Jones invokes thorny, theoretical material about identity, the social order, and how we measure human value, but her clarity and compassion invite all readers in. She has created a forceful and fresh point of view from which to anatomize power, access, and perception in her precise, unsparing prose. A necessary, relentlessly honest book that feels both of the moment and timeless. * Whiting Foundation Judges citation *Jones is a magnificent guide, fiercely sharp and fiercely human. This book is for anyone who wants to immerse into a world of beauty, who wants to get real about the roots of their desire, and who can't quite kick the habit of admiring the structures-and humans-who harm them. The questions she raises will resound in your head for a long time to come. * Lulu Fisher, author of Why Fish Don't Exist and host of Radiolab *This book is utterly remarkable. I was spellbound by the style, the ideas, the vulnerability, the talent. * Lydia Kiesling, author of The Golden State *Dazzling . . . Chloe Cooper Jones challenges society's rules of attraction with razor-sharp wit and intellect . . .[and) makes a brilliant case for the beauty of complexity * Starred Publishers Weekly *Exquisite. Here Pulitzer finalist Jones reflects on our standards of beauty from the perspective of a disabled woman whose rare congenital condition affects her stature and gait, and leaves her in constant pain. But it's ultimately motherhood that liberates her, and prompts her to re-examine the limitations she has accepted as givens. * O Magazine *Jones challenges the unspoken social taboos about the disabled body, unpacking myths of beauty and our complicity in upholding those myths. Blending journalism, philosophy, and memoir, it's a book that everyone will be talking about. * Lit Hub *A memoir full of insight as the author tries to wrestle understanding and ownership of herself from a world still eager to assert its sovereignty over the female body. * Jarred McGinnis, author of The Coward *A soul-stretching, breathtaking existential memoir chronicles her reclaiming of body, mind, and self . . . Superlative writing, rendering complex emotion and unparalleled insight in skilfully precise language. Her debut is a game-changing gift to readers. * Booklist, starred review *Despite doctors' dire predictions that she wouldn't live, walk or have children, she has done these things and more. Here, she probes the ways a culture determines a person's value and embarks on a journey to understand the myth of beauty and her own unintentional complicity in it. * Washington Post *The multiple depths that Jones plumbs in Easy Beauty results in a memoir that can't easily be classified. The same can be said for the book's author. Jones is a Pulitzer Prize finalist, a philosophy professor and a writer, who delves into her journey as a daughter, mother, wife and her search for a new way of seeing the world. In other words, her story is about the complexity of the human experience and the questions of identity and belonging that plague us all. * People Magazine *Inspired in part by the shift Jones saw in others' perceptions of her during her pregnancy, Easy Beauty challenges deep-seated assumptions about who gets to be capable, trustworthy, and desirable. * Bustle Magazine *Candid and truth-seeking, this memoir charts the act of refocusing and realigning the ways we view and interpret ourselves * NB Magazine *Achingly felt, Jones's writing is a revelation * Publishers Weekly, Best Books of 2022 *Easy Beauty is an exquisite exploration of disability, identity, and the human capacity to do (and be) more than we've ever dreamed * Time *Touching and often humorous... explores life from the perspective of those who don't conform to conventional beauty standards -- Charlotte Heathcote * Daily Record *Genius... Shifted my understanding of a world I've only experienced while able-bodied -- Best Memoirs of 2022 * Vulture *Moving, incisive... Jones resists sentimentality and is as unsparing of herself as she is of other people, and yet she writes with such graciousness. A wonderful debut -- Tomi Obaro * Buzzfeed News *Gorgeous, concise and often very funny... a gripping memoir about parenting, disabilities and figuring out what to do next... a philosophical masterpiece, written in the tradition of those who see philosophy not as a dry academic subject but as a way of life * Coachella Review *A masterpiece ... Cooper Jones uses the particulars of her own experience to formulate ideas that are at once universally applicable and genuinely profound * Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisPersonal Hygiene? What's that Got to Do with Me? is a curriculum developed for students with autism, Asperger's Syndrome, learning and developmental disabilities, designed to help them understand how others perceive their appearance and the social implications of neglecting personal hygiene. Simple factual information is accompanied by humorous cartoons that emphasize how others view someone with poor hygiene. Step-by-step cartoons explain exactly what the student needs to do to ensure good hygiene. Quizzes and activity pages provide numerous opportunities for repetition and reinforcement of the key points. There are also hands-on activities to demonstrate why and how to perform various hygiene tasks. Several social stories are also provided, along with a set of worksheets that help students set up a daily schedule to allow time for completing necessary hygiene tasks.Trade ReviewThis small paperback book is really an excellent tool, not just with people on the spectrum, but with school-aged children in general. The points are clear, simple and comprehensive. The illustrations are priceless. The suggestions for demonstrations of hygiene topics are excellent. -- The MAAPPersonal Hygiene? What's that Got to Do with Me? can be used by educators, therapists and parents. This interactive curriculum involves the child and makes the concept of personal hygiene understandable and meaningful. The book teaches essential hygiene skills and creates habits and routines for a lifetime of good health. -- Autism Awareness Centre Inc.Table of ContentsIntroduction: What is Personal Hygiene? 1. Looking Clean, Smelling Clean. 2. Changing Bad Hair Days into Good Hair Days. 3. Clean Teeth, Great Smiles. 4. Taming Dragon Breath. 5. Having a hand People Want to Shake. 6. There's Hair Everywhere! 7. Putting Your Best Foot Forward. 8. Face Up to Teenage Skin.9. Good Bathroom Hygiene. Supplementary Material: Final Quiz, Activity Pages1-10, See For Yourself Activities, Personal Stories, Personal Hygiene Worksheets and Checklist, Having a Plan.

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Book SynopsisA vivid history of the 100-year battle for British disability rights, spotlighting enraging injustices and inspiring campaigns, past and present: this fight isn't over.

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Book SynopsisAutism in women and girls is still not widely understood, and is often misrepresented or even overlooked. This graphic novel offers an engaging and accessible insight into the lives and minds of autistic women, using real-life case studies. The charming illustrations lead readers on a visual journey of how women on the spectrum experience everyday life, from metaphors and masking in social situations, to friendships and relationships and the role of special interests.Fun, sensitive and informative, this is a fantastic resource for anyone who wishes to understand how gender affects autism, and how to create safer supportive and more accessible environments for women on the spectrum.Trade ReviewAs a medical comic, an educational comic, it's really well done, imparting knowledge with ease, simple, clear, effective. Using comics for this (and make no mistake, this is, definitely, a comic), is a perfect fit, getting factual information through to many who simply either wouldn't be able to, or more likely, wouldn't wish to, access it through plain text... When it comes to autism, no matter how aware we think we are, there's always more to discover. Which is just what Camouflage does very well, breaking down the subject with a clarity and simplicity, yet without sparing any factual details or the personal experiences of women with autism. I guarantee that you'll finish Camouflage with a better understanding of an important issue. And in that sense, Camouflage is a hugely successful thing... Hopefully, this will be something that will be embraced by schools, libraries, medical practices, and should be an essential read for anyone with autism, or anyone affected by autism.And frankly, given that we're all on the spectrum somewhere, you will, definitely, know someone affected by autism. Isn't it time you knew a little more? -- Richard Bruton * Comicon *Using a combination of intriguing science facts and moving personal accounts, psychologist Bargiela explains why doctors more rarely identify autism in women than in men. Beginning with the history of autism research, Bargiela shows that studies don't focus enough on the differences between men's and women's brains and skills, such as women's greater talent for 'social mimicry,' and therefore miss the ways autism manifests in women. Bargiela ensures that the medical information is understandable, and when potentially confusing terms arise, quick and concise footnotes are provided. She includes interviews with three autistic women, in which she asked each the same four questions about her life experiences. The responses are revealing; one woman says her assumption that her romantic partners are truthful makes her vulnerable to those who want to take advantage of her. Standing's art is subtle, enhancing the information being shared without distracting from the subject matter. The artwork is reminiscent of art deco, with distinct illustrations and a calming color palette. This informative work has insights for those familiar with or new to autism studies, and readers will feel the interviews add an important perspective. -- Publishers WeeklyA fantastic, easy-to-digest book for anyone hoping to understand how we can create a safer, more accommodating environment for women on the spectrum. -- Bonnie Gifford * Happiful *Table of Contents1. Introducing Autism and Gender 2. 'You're not autistic' 3. Pretending to be Normal 4. From Passive to Assertive 5. Identity and Interests 6. Future Research

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Book SynopsisElizabeth Barnes argues compellingly that disability is primarily a social phenomenona way of being a minority, a way of facing social oppression, but not a way of being inherently or intrinsically worse off. This is how disability is understood in the Disability Rights and Disability Pride movements; but there is a massive disconnect with the way disability is typically viewed within analytic philosophy. The idea that disability is not inherently bad or sub-optimal is one that many philosophers treat with open skepticism, and sometimes even with scorn. The goal of this book is to articulate and defend a version of the view of disability that is common in the Disability Rights movement. Elizabeth Barnes argues that to be physically disabled is not to have a defective body, but simply to have a minority body.Trade ReviewI am happy to unequivocally say that this text makes a fascinating and groundbreaking contribution to feminist and disability philosophy. I would enthusiastically recommend this text to anyone interested in disability and philosophy, and especially to those new to philosophy. * Tessa-May Zirnsak, Metapsychology Online Reviews *Elizabeth Barnes' new book offers a much-needed philosophical discussion of disability capitalizing on relevant research in bioethics, feminist philosophy and disability studies. * Elena Fell and Natalia Lukianova, The Philosophical Quarterly *Elizabeth Barnes has written an interesting and important book about disability . . . Barnes has brought a new level of precision to a popular slogan and has then set about defending it with all the familiar tools of contemporary analytic philosophy . . . it remains to be seen where the debate goes next, but wherever it goes, future discussion will need to engage with the work of Elizabeth Barnes. * Jennifer Hawkins, Ethics *It is a thoughtful, thorough, and rigorous argument that nevertheless has an accessible style. It is not a book for a generalist audience, but could work quite readily in both undergraduate and graduate courses. Her attempt to moderate a path between the physical body and social constructivism, and to combat a generalized skepticism in the field of philosophy about the possibility that disability might be a good thing for some people, or at least a neutral thing, that lives of disabled persons are generally as rich, valuable, and worth living as those of nondisabled persons, and that such skepticism is "rooted in--often knee-jerk unreflective--stereotypes about what disabled lives are like" is an unapologetic and strong case for disability positivity. It is a valuable contribution to disability philosophy in particular, and philosophy in general. * Nancy J. Hirschmann, Hypatia Reviews *The Minority Body is a fascinating and compelling study of the concept of disability. Barnes redefines disability as a social phenomenon in a fresh way. Her revolutionary ideas compel us to look at the minority body without making value-judgments. * The Washington Book Review *In her engaging, powerfully argued, and good-humored book, Barnes seeks to illuminate the nature of physical disability, challenge the view that it has a negative impact on well-being, and defend a mere-difference view of disability . . . it is a wildly creative, rigorous, and ground-breaking work that represents a significant contribution to the on-going inquiry into the nature and value of disability. It would not be an exaggeration to claim that it is the most important single-authored book in philosophy of disability to come out of the analytic tradition in a generation. * Stephen M. Campbell & Joseph A. Stramondo, Notre Dame Philosophical Review *Table of ContentsPreface Introduction 1: Constructing Disability 2: Bad-difference/Mere-difference 3: The Value-Neutral Model 4: Taking Their Word for It 5: Causing Disability 6: Disability Pride

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Book Synopsis''Highly informative, told with warmth and humour'' - Adam Kay, author of This is Going to Hurt''Heartfelt and hilarious - deaf awareness beautifully told through Sam''s unique voice'' - Laura Whitmore''This book is important'' - Mark Atkinson, CEO of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People''Samantha is a strong and powerful woman who talks so openly about her life and about being a part of the deaf community. To have someone who wants to help and wants to make a difference is so important and Sam is that person.'' - Gaby RoslinThis is an all-you-need-to-know book about hearing loss and deafness, including facts, experiences and words of wisdom from experts at the RNID, audiologists, deaf activists and people who use and teach sign language. Having been on her own deaf journey, Samantha Baines has met wonderful, interesting, courageous people of all ages who also happen to be deaf. In this book, alongside the experts, she weaves together their insights and advice and, importantly, teaches those of us who aren''t deaf, what it is like for those who are. Along the way, she looks at:* The first signs of hearing loss* What is tinnitus?* What to expect at a hearing test* Will I lose my job?* Am I disabled?* What are hearing aids and why do you need them?* Deaf dating* Lipreading* What is sign language?* What not to say to someone with hearing loss* And much more...''This is the book I wish I could have bought when the audiologist told me I needed a hearing aid, and I hope it can help you understand this new world you are stepping into. Welcome to the deaf club.'' Samantha Baines

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Book SynopsisThe devolution of social care policy has led to key differences emerging between the UK's four care systems. This book presents research on the perspectives of social care policy makers within the UK's four care systems, concluding that when given equal capacity to reform, the systems in each nation may take radically different shapes.Table of Contents1. Comparing Adult Social Care Systems in the UK 2. What Is Social Care Policy For? 3. What Is in Crisis? The Context of Care Policy in the Four Nations 4. The Mechanisms of Social Care Reform 5. The Outcomes of Social Care Reform 6. Territorial Policy Communities: Scale, Style and Scope 7. The Limits of Social Care Reform 8. Conclusion: Between Care Paradigms

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Book Synopsis"To think of PDA as merely involving demand avoidance is to me akin to thinking of tigers as merely having stripes."This book is a unique window into adult Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), exploring the diversity of distinct PDA traits through the voices of over 70 people living with and affected by the condition.Sally Cat, an adult with PDA, has successfully captured the essence of a popular online support group in book form, making the valuable insights available to a wider audience, and creating a much-needed resource for individuals and professionals. Candid discussions cover issues ranging from overload and meltdowns, to work, relationships and parenting. This is a fascinating and sometimes very moving read.Trade ReviewWith good humour and banter, this book demonstrates "the positive power of self-awareness" and understanding. Everyone should read it to appreciate what life is like for PDAers. Skilful Sally Cat enables PDAers to realise that other people feel the same. Shared experiences and coping strategies open the door to the realisation that they are not alone and feeling "different is ok". -- Anne Waterhouse, lifelong educationalist, self-identified as relating to PDA in her 70s after reading Sally Cat’s memesUnlike usual factual guides, this book brings a 'human touch' with moving tales, experiences and support from Sally Cat and her fellow PDAers. Alongside this are easy to follow and simple to understand graphs, memes and insights into the world of PDA. A wonderfully relatable book, full of humour and hope. -- Victoria Power, mother of two special needs children, self-diagnosed with PDAI think this is a great resource for understanding adult PDA. The NAS's website is all good, but it's only relevant to children. This book lifts the curtain. There are nuances to this condition! It itself is a spectrum I think. The parts of this book I've read have helped me to better understand some of my past behaviours. It was like looking in a mirror! -- Josh Bremner, 23-year-old sound engineering student exploring PDA through the Facebook Adult DA Support NetworkTable of ContentsIntroduction. 1: Demand Avoidance. 2: What sort of things are we driven to avoid?. 3: Anxiety and PDA. 4: PDA and Masking. 5: Intolerance of Uncertainty. 6: Control. 7: Meltdowns. 8: Overload. 9: PDA and People. 10: Hierarchy and Rules. 11: Fantasy and Role Play. 12: Wordplay. 13: Impulsiveness. 14: Routine. 15: School. 16: Work. 17: Coping Strategies. 18: Reasonable Accommodations. 19: Parenting. 20: Our Achievements

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Book SynopsisThis is not an inspirational memoir. This is not trauma porn. This is a memoir about the forces that impact our lives, both good and bad.Athena Stevens has never learned the name of the doctor whose lack of intervention at her birth lead to her cerebral palsy, but she feels the consequences of his actions and inaction every day. The factor observed first and foremost in her life will forever be the effects of what other people have done to her, rather than her accomplishments. And yet, she was groomed to believe that she would overcome any force that stood in her way.A memoir like no other, What's Done Cannot be Undone takes readers on a whirlwind journey through Athena's life, providing a profound insight into the realities of moving through the world as a disabled woman. From being born dead' to co-founding the Women's Equality Party; from not being picked to play the back of a cow to an Olivier Award nomination, this complex, lyrical, gut-punch of a memoir is laugh-out-loud funny, unrelentingly furious, and a powerful reminder that changing the world singlehandedly is as impossible as defying the laws of physics.

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Book Synopsis''Incredible insight with a transgressive, witty, spirit.'' COURTNEY LOVE''The most sensational read of 2022!'' GEMMA COLLINS''A breath of fresh air... I want so many people to read this!'' TRAVIS ALABANZA''Visionary'' VIV ALBERTINEA STYLIST MUST-READ FOR 2022Wellness is oppressive, self-love is a trap, hustling is a health risk and it''s all the patriarchy''s fault. Poor Little Sick Girls is THE book for femmes who are online and want more from activism and life.Ione Gamble never imagined that entering adulthood would mean being diagnosed with an incurable illness. Watching identity politics become social media fodder from the confines of her sickbed Ione began to pick apart our obsession with self-care, personal branding, productivity and #LivingYourBestLife. Using her experience with disability to cast a fresh gaze on the particularly peculiar cultural moment in which young women find Trade ReviewA crystal-clear mirror held up to contemporary feminism . . . Ione Gamble examines feminism's fourth wave and its intersections with the internet and capitalism, to brilliant effect . . .Gamble inventively and accessibly explores the roots of feminism as it exists materially today. * i News *A clear-sighted, critically needed skewering of hustle culture, wellness and modern feminism's blind spots, Ione pulls no punches in Poor Little Sick Girls. Everyone - and I mean everyone - should read this book. -- Yomi AdegokeA sizzling insight into how tropes about sick women and unacceptable bodies have been constructed throughout history through a cultural and personal lens. Ione writes with warmth, honesty and nuance, inviting the reader into a conversation that has, up until now, been afforded little space for exploration. -- Liv LittleI inhaled Poor Little Sick Girls in one sitting. This book is smart, addictive, wry and insightful. At a time when online discourse feels so muddled, Ione manages to pick through the weeds with characteristic humour and nuance. This is the anti-girlboss Bible and I love it. -- Daisy JonesA thrilling exploration of the relationships between bodies, abstract forces like language and stereotypes, and the material conditions that shape young adults' lives. Ione Gamble's incisive analysis of the last 15 years of social media, pop culture, and online feminism both illuminate the sources of present-day challenges and model a more liberatory way forward. By tracing the pieces of her self to facets of her environment, she demonstrates how much of a responsibility we have to one another - and that, for all the cynical powers that make our world, we also have the power to remake ourselves. -- Tavi GevinsonWhere so much online is generic and conformist, Ione Gamble's aesthetic and vision is anything but. A style icon and writer who seamlessly blends the esoteric and the obscure with popular culture as well as a commitment to many forms of social justice, her forthcoming book Poor Little Sick Girls is bound to be a treat! -- Emma DabiriOne of the sharpest, wittiest and most incisive thinkers of her generation. I always want to hear Ione's perspective on feminism, culture, and art - or just about anything -- Sirin KaleIone is fiercely unapologetic and a defining voice of our generation. It's especially powerful to see how her own experiences of living as a sick person intersect with her discussions on feminism. This will resonate with anyone who has ever been seen as "unacceptable" and decided to think critically about that. -- Cat White

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Book SynopsisA manifesto exploding what we think we know about disability, and arguing that disabled people are the real experts when it comes to technology and disabilityTrade Review"In this series of short, wonderfully lucid essays, [Shew] argues that technoableism—the popular depiction of tech as a wholesale cure for disability—does real damage by positioning the disabled body as fundamentally broken. " -- Andrew LeLand - The New York Times Book Review"Against Technoableism reveals design justice not only for those with disabilities but for everyone who labors and lives with technology. It's an outstanding book." -- Stephen Kuusisto, author of Have Dog, Will Travel: A Poet’s Journey"This is a crucial book. Authorative, witty, thoughtful, and unafraid to throw a punch, Ashley Shew pushes us headlong toward a much-needed world in which disabled people are seen as experts in their lives, curators of their stories, and vibrant, essential, generative parts of our collective future." -- Ed Yong, author of An Immense World"This book is a really big deal. This is the kind of book that—decades from now—people will still talk about. This book marks a before and after. Before the word 'technoableism' and after the word 'technoableism.' People will say: We did not know what to call it. And then Ashley Shew named it. And then we understood the profound effects of technoableism on our lives. And when I write 'people,' I do not mean disabled people only. I mean all people who have anything to do with technology. This book is for us." -- The Cyborg Jillian Weise, author of The Colony

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Book Synopsis“A powerful, game-changing book. Tom''s approach is changing lives.”— Seth Godin, Author of This is MarketingDiscover how supporting employment for people with autism unlocked new ways of running a business—and revealed transformative lessons for all of us.Rising Tide Car Wash in Parkland, Florida, isn’t average in any way. When Tom D’Eri and his father John bought the location in 2013, they wanted to create employment opportunities for workers with autism. Like 1 in 54 Americans, Tom’s brother Andrew has autism, and he was facing lifelong unemployment. So the family set out on a mission to provide professional opportunities for people like Andrew, starting with one car wash. Now it’s one of the highest-volume washes in Florida. Its employee retention rate is five times that of its competitors. It has spun off into two additional locations that have been iTrade Review'Everybody who is interested in getting people with autism employed in a job that gives them a sense of purpose should read this book.' * Temple Grandin, Author of The Autistic Brain and Thinking in Pictures *'One of the top ten businesses books of 2023. The book goes way beyond a story of one business that is so exhilarating and stimulating you'll want to tell it to friends and colleagues. It ultimately provides essential advice for every manager in business, nonprofits, and government. The advice on hiring alone will have you hiring art teachers to engineers and nurses--in half the time with double your success.' * Chip Heath, Professor at Stanford Business School and coauthor of four NYT bestsellers including Switch and The Power of Moments *'This is a powerful, game-changing book, a book for anyone who has ever built a hiring process or managed a team. Tom's approach is changing lives.' * Seth Godin, Author of This is Marketing *'This provocative, informative, and engaging book contains the seeds of a revolution--an inclusive future in which businesses unlock the hidden potential of employees with autism and other neurodivergent conditions by redesigning onboarding processes and creating opportunities for them to shine. It's a template for a society in which everyone is given the best chance of success.' * Steve Silberman, author of NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity *'Tom's account of how he built Rising Tide Car Wash and the lessons he learned from hiring and managing a non-traditional workforce is riveting. Read it and learn how to overcome some of the most entrenched problems that hold companies back from scaling.' * Chris Yeh, Author of Blitzscaling *

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Book SynopsisThe Power of Different is an illuminating and uplifting examination of the link between brain differences and aptitude. Psychologist and bestselling author Gail Saltz presents the latest scientific research and profiles famous geniuses and lay individuals who have been diagnosed with all manner of brain ''problems'' - including learning disabilities, ADD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and autism. Saltz shows that the source of our struggles can be the origin of our greatest strengths. Rooted in her experience as a professor and practicing psychiatrist, and based on the latest neurological research, Saltz demonstrates how specific deficits in certain areas of the brain are directly associated with the potential for great talent. She also shows how the very conditions that can cause difficulty at school, in social situations, at home or at work, are bound to creative, disciplinary, artistic, empathetic and cognitive abilities.In this pioneering woTrade ReviewSaltz's careful research bolsters her argument that every brain is different, and that achievement has to do with harnessing what's there more than with trying to reshape it ... insightful -- Andrew Solomon, bestselling author of Far From the TreeGail Saltz strikes gold. For centuries, stigma, fear and, above all, ignorance have prevented us from seeing what Dr. Saltz presents so clearly, concisely and convincingly: that embedded in our so-called disabilities, disorders and mental illnesses we find treasures of enormous value, gems that have illuminated and changed the world -- Ned Hallowell, author of Driven to DistractionA nuanced exploration of the contribution that being a little - but not too - crazy can make to creativity ... An exceptionally interesting and thoughtful book -- Sylvia Nasar, author of A Beautiful MindA book such as The Power of Different is much needed. It signals to society that people with learning disabilities, neurological disorders and mental health difficulties are human and have social value. They are not a burden. They are just different * Schools Week *

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Book SynopsisDisability and the Victorians brings together in one collection a range of topics, perspectives and experiences from the Victorian era that present a unique overview of the development and impact of attitudes and interventions towards those with impairments during this time. The collection also considers how the legacies of these actions can be seen to have continued throughout the twentieth century right up to the present day. Subjects addressed include deafness, blindness, language delay, substance dependency, imperialism and the representation of disabled characters in popular fiction. These varied topics illustrate how common themes can be found in how Victorian philanthropists and administrators responded to those under their care. Often character, morality and the chance to be restored to productivity and usefulness overrode medical need and this both influenced and reflected wider societal views of impairment and inability.Trade Review'Disability and the Victorians: Attitudes, Interventions, Legacies is a very timely work. In the midst of a global pandemic that has left many people newly impaired, there is an increased need for scholarship that provides frameworks for coming to terms with disability as a sociocultural phenomenon and a lived identity. [...] Disability and the Victorians makes an important contribution to the history of medicine and attitudes toward disability in Victorian Britain and beyond and provides a useful resource for scholars of nineteenth-century Britain.'Joyce L. Huff, Journal of British Studies Disability and the Victorians certainly fulfils its editors’ desire to generate debate and spur further research: its contents encourage critical reflection on disabled people’s experiences in the present day, thus enabling us to see how monumentally important the task of exploring the history of disability is.Caitlin Doley (University of York), British Association for Victorian Studies -- .Table of ContentsForeword – Karen Sayer Introduction – Iain Hutchison, Martin Atherton and Jaipreet VirdiPart I: Attitudes1 Restoration to usefulness: Victorian middle-class attitudes towards the healthcare of the working poor – Amy W Farnbach Pearson2 Imperial lives – confronting the legacies of empire, disability and the Victorians – Esme Cleall3 Disabling the author in Mid-Victorian realist fiction: case studies of George Eliot and Harriet Martineau – Deborah M FratzPart II: Interventions4 Medicalising deafness in Victorian London: the Royal Ear Hospital, 1816-1916 – Jaipreet Virdi5 Drunkenness, degeneration, and disability in England – Joanne Woiak6 Victorian medical awareness of childhood language disabilities – Paula Hellal and Marjorie Lorch7 ‘Happiness and usefulness increased”: Consuming ability in the antebellum artificial limb market – Caroline LieffersPart III: Legacies8 The disabled child in an industrial metropolis: Glasgow’s children’s hospital, Scottish convalescent homes ‘in the country’, and east park home for infirm children – Iain Hutchison9 The panopticon: Towards an intimate history of special schools for the blind – Fred Reid10 Allowed to be idle: Perpetuating Victorian attitudes to deafness and employability in United Kingdom social policy – Martin AthertonIndex

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Book SynopsisThe relationship between metal and disability isdistinctive. Persisting across metal's sub-genres isa preoccupation with exploring and questioning theboundary that divides the body that has agencyfrom the body that has none. This boundary is onethat is familiar to those for whom the agency of thebody is an everyday matter of survival. Metal'spreoccupation with unleashing and controllingsensorial overload acts both as an analogue ofneurodiversity and as a space in which those whoare neurodivergent find ways to understand andleverage their sensory capacities.Metal offers potent resources for the self-understanding of people with disabilities. It doesnot necessarily mean that this potential is alwaysexplored or that metal scenes are hospitable tothose with disabilities. This collection is disability-positive, validating people with disabilities asdifferent but not damaged. While metal scholarswho contribute to this collection see metal as aspace of possibility, in which dis/ability and otherintersectional identities can be validated andunderstood, the collection does not imply that thepossibilities that metal affords are alwaysactualised. This collection situates itself in a widerstruggle to open up metal, challenging its powerstructures; a struggle in which metal studies hasplayed a significant part.

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Book SynopsisThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound and potentially ever-lasting impact on our economy, society, and the way that we live. In response to this pandemic there has been a plethora of research published about COVID-19. However, within this fast-growing body of literature there are only scant references made to the impact that this pandemic has had on autistics, their families, and the healthcare professionals who support autistics. Autism and COVID-19 is a concise summary of the research, bridging the gaps in our knowledge about autism and the COVID-19 pandemic. Bennett and Goodall address vaccine hesitancy among autistics and parents raising autistic children, the experiences of autistics living with COVID-19 disease and parenting an autistic child during the COVID-19 pandemic, synthesising the data about the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of autistic, their families, and those that provide autistics with medical assistance. Autism and COVID-19 both reviews the existing literature and presents new findings from a survey distributed to autistics and parents of autistics during the pandemic, all of which offer a unique and timely contribution to researchers, academics, practitioners, and those working with autistics and their families.Table of ContentsChapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. Methodology Chapter 3. Results Chapter 4. New perspectives about the COVID-19 pandemic for autistics

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Book SynopsisWhy do people sometimes say the opposite of what they mean? Why do they pretend to like terrible gifts? And...perhaps the oddest thing of all, why use a weird phrase to describe something instead of basic words? I'm pretty sure I'd rather be in trouble than 'in hot soup', as they say!Welcome to the ultimate confusion-busting guide to the use of slang, sarcasm and the confusing conversations that hurt our heads! Over seven stories, we uncover what you can do when the people around you insist on being super-hard to understand (and what they should do to help)!Packed with humour and brilliant illustrations by Tim Stringer, this book is the perfect companion for autistic children trying to navigate non-literal conversational customs.

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Book SynopsisIn Blind Spot, Maud Rowell challenges readers to think differently about what they may take for granted, carrying them on a whirlwind tour through time and space - from Japanese tube stations to the 18th century museum - to showcase what the world looks like for someone who does not see. She offers practical insights based on her own experiences, as well as spotlighting incredible blind pioneers - explorers, artists, scientists, and more - through history and the current day, unearthed through her own research and interviews. In educating us about the realities of sight loss, Maud shows us how to be aware of our own blind spots, offering the knowledge needed to become better, more tolerant members of diverse communities. Society needs to support everyone - it's time we caught up.

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Book Synopsis''Uncompromising... A masterful writer poised for even more great success'' - Forest Whitaker, Academy award-winning actorA memoir, penned with one good finger, about being profoundly disabled and profoundly successful.Global humanitarian Eddie Ndopu was born with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare degenerative motor neuron disease affecting his mobility. He was told that he wouldn''t live beyond age five and yet, Ndopu thrived. He grew up loving pop music and haute couture, lip syncing to the latest hits, and was the only wheelchair user at his school, where he flourished academically. By his late teens, he had become a sought-after speaker, travelling the world to give talks on disability justice. When he is later accepted on a full scholarship into Oxford University, he soon learns that it''s not just the medical community he must defy - it''s the educational one too. In Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw, we follow Ndopu, sporting his Trade ReviewSipping Dom Perignon Through a Straw is essential reading for anyone who's ever wondered how they can do right and do better by disabled people. Eddie has provided a template for allyship while remaining uncompromising in his self-worth. He is a masterful writer poised for even more great successAs an author, Eddie brings us into his reality - one filled fun and love yet oversaturated with barriers and challenges. Nestled in these expressive pages is a crucial lesson on the importance of humanity, the need for radical, comprehensive person-first careWith unflinching honesty and vulnerability, Ndopu's jaw-dropping story serves as a clarion call for a more inclusive and compassionate world. Prepare to be moved, enlightened, and profoundly touched by the extraordinary life and wisdom of Eddie Ndopu

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Book SynopsisDiagnosed with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in his teenage years, Harry Thompson looks back with wit and humour at the ups and downs of family and romantic relationships, school, work and mental health, as well as his teenage struggle with drugs and alcohol.By embracing neurodiversity and emphasising that autistic people are not flawed human beings, Thompson demonstrates that some merely need to take the "scenic route" in order to flourish and reach their full potential. The memoir brings to life Harry's past experiences and feelings, from his torrid time at school to the peaceful and meaningful moments when he is alone with a book, writing or creating YouTube videos.Eloquent and insightful, The PDA Paradox will bring readers to shock, laughter and tears through its overwhelming honesty. It is a turbulent memoir, but it ends with hope and a positive outlook to the future.Trade ReviewBeing a mum to a teenage PDA son is life-changing, and at times, utterly heart-wrenching experience. Seeing Harry through his own candid, entertaining and diplomatic lens, fills me with hope, quiet optimism, and (most importantly) confidence for my own son's future. Thank you Harry for your insight. -- Natasha, PDA mumAs a clinician who has worked with complex young people and adults with Autism throughout my working life, I was delighted to be asked to review this book. I read it in one sitting. It is the most articulate, honest, entertaining (and sometimes funny) book about PDA I have read. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to gain an insight into how this profile impacts upon individuals, their families and those who work with or are involved in their education. -- Dr Judy Eaton, Consultant Clinical PsychologistIn this book Harry has told the fascinating story of his interesting and inspiring life. With great use of humour, grace, and emotion he gives brilliant insight into his Pathological Demand Avoidance, which I'm sure reading it would be helpful to many people. -- Liam Ragless, Autism Support Advisor, Assert Brighton and HoveTable of Contents1. Gratitude? I Think Not! 2. So What the Devil is this PDA Malarkey Anyway? 3. Mother & The Beast. 4a. "School". 4b. A Brief, Yet Necessary, Digression. 4c. (Resumed). 5. "Pretending to be Something I'm Not in Pursuit of Green, Rectangular Pieces of Paper". 6. Coexisting with Other Living Things on a Blue and Green Speck of Dust Hurtling Through Space. 7. Inhale and Exhale. Denouement. End: A Final Note from the Author's Mother.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewI don’t have Deaf Gain, but I am one of the fortunate hearing people who has been able to witness it, so I know something of what I’m missing. I believe that I am made richer by the simple fact of having witnessed the merit present in what most people still presume to be a deficit. This book elucidates that argument elegantly.—Andrew Solomon, from the Foreword"Bauman and Murray. . . remind us that deafness is a part of, not apart from humanity."—Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education"The overwhelming approach is positive, optimistic, and even heroic. The concept of Deaf Gain turns on its head the usual idea that deafness should be defined through narratives of suffering and isolation. . . an excellent addition to the understanding of deafness and to the promotion of Deaf culture."—Medical HumanitiesTable of ContentsContentsForeword: Deaf LossAndrew SolomonDeaf Gain: An IntroductionH-Dirksen L. Bauman and Joseph J. MurrayEditors’ Note on TerminologyI. Philosophical Gains 1. Armchairs and Stares: On the Privation of Deafness Teresa Blankmeyer Burke2. Identifying the “Able” in a Vari-able World: Two LessonsJames Tabery3. The Case for Deaf Legal Theory through the Lens of Deaf GainAlison Bryan and Steve EmeryII. Language Gains4. Three Revolutions: Language, Culture, and BiologyLaura-Ann Petitto5. Deaf Gain in Evolutionary PerspectiveDavid Armstrong6. Deaf Gains in the Study of Bilingualism and Bilingual EducationOfelia García and Debra Cole7. What We Learned from Sign Languages When We Stopped Having to Defend ThemCindee CaltonIII. Language Gains in Action8. Advantages of Learning a Signed LanguagePeter C. Hauser and Geo Kartheiser9. Baby Sign as Deaf GainKristin Snoddon10. Manual Signs and Gestures of the Inuit of Baffin Island: Observations during the Three Voyages Led by Martin FrobisherClara Sherley-Appel and John D. Bonvillian11. Bulwer’s Speaking Hands: Deafness and RhetoricJennifer NelsonIV. Sensory Gains12. Seeing the World through Deaf EyesMatthew Dye13. A Magic Touch: Deaf Gain and the Benefits of Tactile SensationDonna Jo Napoli14. Senses and Culture: Exploring Sensory OrientationsBenjamin Bahan15. The Deaf Gain of Wladislav Zeitlin, Jewish Scientist and InventorMark Zaurov16. The Hidden Gain: A New Lens of Research with d/Deaf Children and AdultsKatherine D. Rogers and Hilary SutherlandV. Social Gains17. Deaf Gain and Shared Signing CommunitiesAnnelies Kusters18. Gainful Employment: Historical Examples from Akron, OhioKati Morton19. Effective Deaf Action in the Deaf Community in UruguayElizabeth M. Lockwood20. Deaf Gains in Brazil: Linguistic Policies and Network EstablishmentRonice Müller de Quadros, Karin Strobel, and Mara Lúcia Masutti21. Deaf Gain: Beyond Deaf CultureIrene W. Leigh, Donna A. Morere, and Caroline Kobek PezzarossiVI. Creative Gains22. DeafSpace: An Architecture toward a More Livable and Sustainable WorldHansel Bauman23. Co-Design from Divergent ThinkingAntti Raike, Suvi Pylvänen, and Päivi Rainò24. The Hearing Line: How Literature Gains from Deaf PeopleChristopher Krentz25. Deaf Music: Embodying Language and RhythmSummer Loeffler26. Deaf Gain and Creativity in Signed LiteratureRachel Sutton-Spence27. Deaf Gain and the Creative Arts: Interviews with Deaf ArtistsJennifer Grinder WitteborgAfterword. Implications of Deaf Gain: Linguistic Human Rights for Deaf CitizensTove Skutnabb-KangasAcknowledgmentsContributorsIndex

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Book SynopsisEstimates suggest that up to 20% of employees, customers and clients might have a neurodivergent condition - such as dyslexia, autism, Asperger's, ADHD or dyspraxia - yet these individuals often struggle to gain and maintain employment, despite being very capable. This practical, authoritative business guide will help managers and employers support neurodiverse staff, and gives advice on how to ensure workplaces are neuro-friendly. The book demonstrates that neurodiversity is a natural aspect of human variation to be expected and accepted, rather than a deficit to be accommodated. Employer responsibilities are highlighted, including the 2010 Equality Act, and a range of strategies and policies are provided, including recruitment advice and the benefits of neurodiverse employees, along with advice on physical environments, interaction and communication, and working with clients and customers. This book is an ideal resource for all employers wanting to support and empower people with specific needs to help create a more inclusive workplace, benefiting both neurodiverse individuals and the companies employing them.Trade ReviewAs an HR Adviser in a University, I have become more aware of neurodiverse colleagues and students and consideration of reasonable adjustments. This book provides practical guidance on developing policies and processes which support neurodiverse employees by making simple adjustments to facilitate participation in a variety of tasks and situations. -- Anne Spence, HR AdviserThis is an excellent and very informative book celebrating and supporting diversity of people in one of our adult lives' most visited places, the workplace. It includes everything professionals, managers and neurodiverse people need to know about how to survive the demands of the workplace. It is a great follow up to The Neurodiverse Classroom and it is easy to read and follow the information. A must-read for all the professions who support and accept neurodiversity. -- Ioannis Voskopoulos, Psychologist, Social And Organisational Psychologist, SF practitioner TNA Space CliniqueTable of Contents1. Introduction2. Understanding neurodiversity3. Neurodivergent individuals4. Employer responsibilities5. Inclusive recruitment6. Communicating for neurodiversity7. Policies and practice for neurodiversity8. Neurodiverse-friendly environments9. Working with neurodivergent customers and clients10. Further resources11. References

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