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Treehab: Tales from My Natural, Wild Life
by Bob SmithIn this bitingly funny and often surprising memoir, award-winning author and groundbreaking comedian Bob Smith offers a meditation on the vitality of the natural world--and an intimate portrait of his own darkly humorous and profoundly authentic response to a life-changing illness. In Treehab--named after a retreat cabin in rural Ontario--Smith muses how he has "always sought the path less traveled." He rebuffs his diagnosis of ALS as only an unflappable stand-up comic could ("Lou Gehrig's Disease? But I don't even like baseball!") and explores his complex, fulfilling experience of fatherhood, both before and after the onset of the disease. Stories of his writing and performing life--punctuated by hilariously cutting jokes that comedians tell only to each other--are interspersed with tales of Smith's enduring relationship with nature: boyhood sojourns in the woods of upstate New York and adult explorations of the remote Alaskan wilderness; snakes and turtles, rocks and minerals; open sky and forest canopy; God and friendship--all recurring touchstones that inspire him to fight for his survival and for the future of his two children. Aiming his potent, unflinching wit at global warming, equal rights, sex, dogs, Thoreau, and more, Smith demonstrates here the inimitable insight that has made him a beloved voice of a generation. He reminds us that life is perplexing, beautiful, strange, and entirely worth celebrating.
Turbulence: A True Story of Survival
by Annette HerfkensA riveting, inspirational true story of an incredibly resilient woman who broke professional barriers as a Dutch banker, was the sole survivor of Vietnam Airlines Flight 474, found love after the loss of her fiance, and continues to raise her autistic son, never wavering in her optimism.On the morning of November 14, 1992, Annette Herfkens, a top Dutch banker (and one of the few female international bond traders on Wall Street), packed her luggage for a romantic getaway with her longtime fiance, Willem. At 6:25 that morning, Annette and Willem boarded the plane out of Ho Chi Minh City, with twenty-three other passengers and six crew members, excited to finally have a vacation together. Six minutes before landing, flying at speed of 300 miles per hour, the plane lost altitude and crashed along a mountain ridge in the jungle of Vietnam. At first Annette heard the voices of other passengers, but soon they went quiet. Annette was the only survivor. For eight days she lay injured and alone, with only rainwater to sustain her. Presumed dead, her obituary made it into local newspapers. What followed is an incredible story of survival, mystery, and the endurance of spirit. Even after surviving and learning to cope with her harrowing experience, Annette's biggest life challenge began years later, when her son Maxi was diagnosed with autism. As she weathered the joys and challenges of raising Maxi, Annette often called upon the profound insights she learned during those eight days, viewing every turbulent event in her life with the unflinching optimism of a true survivor. This is an inspiring account of one woman's journey and perseverance, as a plane-crash survivor and even more so as a devoted mother to her autistic son, but also of discovering strength and beauty in unexpected places.
The Turing Machinists
by M. E. ReidAt seventeen, Del’s world seems to be falling apart. He’s managed his Asperger’s well, has a solid group of friends in his special needs class at school, and even manages to get by among people who don’t understand his brand of communication. But his parents are splitting up, and Del is certain he can save his family. To do it, he decides he needs to live out his father’s dream of musical stardom. He gets together with some of his friends and they form The Turing Machinists, an all-Asperger’s rock band. But they’ll need help – and Del seeks that help in the form of his neighbour, a reclusive rock legend who would rather have nothing to do with the music scene.
Ugly
by Robert HogeA funny, moving, and true story of an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face that's perfect for fans of Wonder—now available in the U.S. <P><P>When Robert Hoge was born, he had a tumor the size of a tennis ball in the middle of his face and short, twisted legs. Surgeons removed the tumor and made him a new nose from one of his toes. Amazingly, he survived—with a face that would never be the same. <P><P>Strangers stared at him. Kids called him names, and adults could be cruel, too. Everybody seemed to agree that he was “ugly.” But Robert refused to let his face define him. He played pranks, got into trouble, had adventures with his big family, and finally found a sport that was perfect for him to play. And Robert came face to face with the biggest decision of his life, he followed his heart. <P><P>This poignant memoir about overcoming bullying and thriving with disabilities shows that what makes us “ugly” also makes us who we are. It features a reflective foil cover and black-and-white illustrations throughout.From the Hardcover edition.
The Un-Prescription for Autism: A Natural Approach for a Calmer, Happier, and More Focused Child
by Janet LintalaEach year, more than 50,000 U. S. families receive an autism diagnosis. On top of turmoil and worry, they share the same urgent question: What can we do to help our child? The answers parents find can be contradictory. . . even dangerous. The conventional approach (employed by too many pediatricians) is to medicate difficult behaviors into submission--suppressing symptoms while leaving underlying health challenges untouched. Surfing the Internet for alternatives just leads to confusion. Now, Dr. Janet Lintala, founder of the Autism Health center and an autism mom herself, shares the natural protocols used in her practice to dramatically improve the function and well-being of children on the spectrum. Drawing on the latest research developments, as well as personal and clinical experience, she targets the underlying issues (chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, gastrointestinal dysfunction, immune dysregulation) associated with the behavior, bowel, and sleep problems so common to autism. Correcting these overlooked conditions with digestive enzymes, probiotics, antifungals, and other nonpsychiatric treatments brings transformative results: less pain, less aggression, and a child who is more receptive to behavioral and educational interventions. While the medical profession is slow to change, autistic kids need help immediately. The Un-Prescription for Autism provides clear explanations, detailed protocols, and examples to help parents act quickly to restore their child's health, self-control, and language--paving the way for reaching their full potential.
The Underdogs: Children, Dogs, and the Power of Unconditional Love
by Melissa Fay GreeneFrom two-time National Book Award nominee Melissa Fay Greene comes a profound and surprising account of dogs on the front lines of rescuing both children and adults from the trenches of grief, emotional, physical, and cognitive disability, and post-traumatic stress disorder.The Underdogs tells the story of Karen Shirk, felled at age twenty-four by a neuromuscular disease and facing life as a ventilator-dependent, immobile patient, who was turned down by every service dog agency in the country because she was "too disabled." Her nurse encouraged her to tone down the suicidal thoughts, find a puppy, and raise her own service dog. Karen did this, and Ben, a German shepherd, dragged her back into life. "How many people are stranded like I was," she wondered, "who would lead productive lives if only they had a dog?"A thousand state-of-the-art dogs later, Karen Shirk's service dog academy, 4 Paws for Ability, is restoring broken children and their families to life. Long shunned by scientists as a manmade, synthetic species, and oft- referred to as "Man's Best Friend" almost patronizingly, dogs are finally paid respectful attention by a new generation of neuroscientists and animal behaviorists. Melissa Fay Greene weaves the latest scientific discoveries about our co-evolution with dogs with Karen's story and a few exquisitely rendered stories of suffering children and their heartbroken families.Written with characteristic insight, humanity, humor, and irrepressible joy, what could have been merely touching is a penetrating, compassionate exploration of larger questions: about our attachment to dogs, what constitutes a productive life, and what can be accomplished with unconditional love.
Understanding and Supporting Pupils with Moderate Learning Difficulties in the Secondary School: A practical guide (nasen spotlight)
by Rachael Hayes Pippa WhittakerAre you working with students who have Moderate Learning Difficulties? Do you want to know how best to help them? Are you confused about what helps and what hinders? Learners with MLD form one of the largest categories of special educational need in mainstream secondary schools. In most schools, the vast majority of learners with MLD will be taught in mainstream classes much of the time. This book outlines a range of strategies and approaches for supporting these learners. It includes all the vital information practitioners need to know about Moderate Learning Difficulties. Key points covered include: Definitions and identification of moderate learning difficulties Teaching strategies and approaches Developing key conceptual, literacy and social skills Effective support from TAs Theoretical perspectives on learning Understanding and Supporting Pupils with Moderate Learning Difficulties in the Secondary School provides an introduction to a wide range of ideas, arguments and perspectives about ways of understanding and supporting learners who are considered to have MLD. This is a much-needed source of knowledge for teachers, TAs, SENCos, Learning Mentors and anyone who supports children and young people with moderate learning difficulties and provides an honest and accessible approach.
Understanding and Treating Self-Injurious Behavior in Autism: A Multi-Disciplinary Perspective
by Caitlin E. Walsh Alexis B. Ritter Manuel F. Casanova Jamie D. Bleiweiss Nancy O'Hara Lauren J. Moskowitz Margaret L. Bauman June Groden Jane Botsford Johnson V. Mark Durand Stephen M. Edelson Leslie Weidenman Karen Misher Emily L. Casanova Paul Millard Hardy Temple Grandin John Green Lucy Jane Miller Harumi Jyonouchi Cooper R. Woodard Mary Coleman Kelly Mccracken BarnhillSelf-injurious behavior occurs in almost half of those with autism and is one of the most devastating and challenging-to-treat behaviors. There are many different forms of self-injury, such as head banging, hand biting, hair pulling, excessive scratching, and much more. With contributions from the leading experts in research and treatment, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or related developmental disabilities, and the different methods available to treat them. Medical and behavioral researchers have studied SIB for over 50 years, but many practitioners and parents are still unfamiliar with the wide range of contributing causes and treatment options. Beginning with an explanation of SIB and its various forms, the contributors outline the many possible underlying causes of self-injury, such as seizures, hormonal imbalance in teenagers, gastrointestinal conditions, allergies, and stress, and show how a multi-disciplinary approach when uncovering the causes of self-injury can lead to successful treatment strategies. They explain the treatment options available for SIB, including nutritional, medical, psychiatric, sensory, and behavioral approaches, and show how an integrative approach to treating self-injury may be effective for many individuals. The book will be an invaluable addition to the bookshelves of any practitioner working with people with an ASD or related condition, as well as parents and direct care providers.
Understanding Girls with ADHD: How They Feel and Why They Do What They Do (2nd Edition)
by Kathleen Nadeau Ellen Littman Patricia QuinnA comprehensive, up-to-date, and readable book that illuminates the complexity of ADHD in girls and women, both across the lifespan and across multiple domains of life (e.g. home, school, the workplace, close relationships). Blending clinical examples, case material, and a masterful synthesis of research findings around the world, the authors reveal the roots of ADHD in females during the preschool years, also summarizing relevant causal factors, and display the highly individualized journeys through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood that these girls and women face.
Unreasonable Hope: Finding Faith in the God Who Brings Purpose to Your Pain
by Judah Smith Chad Veach"Where was God when ____? How could God allow ____? Why?" These are the questions that flood our hearts and minds when the unimaginable happens. When things go horribly wrong and the world seems to be unraveling, how do you believe in God's goodness? How do you cling to hope? Chad Veach directs readers away from clichéd Sunday school answers that fail to offer real comfort or provide faith-building insights. Instead, he draws from God's promises in the Bible and from the story of his own daughter's diagnosis of a devastating and debilitating disease to reveal simple, purposeful steps for dealing with pain. Resting in God's love, remembering his past faithfulness, and realizing the distinction between having faith and clinging to hope are just some of these steps. Veach reminds us that because we know who God is, we know there is hope.
Using Technology to Engage Students With Learning Disabilities (Corwin Connected Educators Series)
by William A. Krakower Sharon LePage PlanteLeverage technology to engage students with learning disabilities! Harness the power of today’s technology to improve learning and engagement for students with learning disabilities. By engaging students with learning disabilities using the technology already at your fingertips, you’ll see your students begin to thrive and grow in exciting new ways. In this volume in the Connected Educators Series, you’ll discover: New ideas for using assistive technology to teach core subjects and study skills How to build positive opportunities for students to show what they know Tools to provide better content accessibility How to help students connect and share through technology tools
Using Technology to Engage Students With Learning Disabilities (Corwin Connected Educators Series)
by William A. Krakower Sharon LePage PlanteLeverage technology to engage students with learning disabilities! Harness the power of today’s technology to improve learning and engagement for students with learning disabilities. By engaging students with learning disabilities using the technology already at your fingertips, you’ll see your students begin to thrive and grow in exciting new ways. In this volume in the Connected Educators Series, you’ll discover: New ideas for using assistive technology to teach core subjects and study skills How to build positive opportunities for students to show what they know Tools to provide better content accessibility How to help students connect and share through technology tools
Vital Questions Facing Disability Studies in Education
by Susan L. Gabel; Scot DanforthVital Questions Facing Disability Studies in Education provides an overview and introduction to the growing field of disability studies in education, including the application of the interdisciplinary field of disability studies to inclusive education, teacher education, educational research, and educational policy development.
Walk In My Shoes
by ed. Charlotte J. DewittUsher Syndrome is a rare genetic disease that causes deafblindness. This anthology includes 27 authors writing about their experiences.
Walker Finds a Way: Running into the Adult World with Autism
by Robert HughesMost people would describe Walker Hughes as warm, enthusiastic and charismatic - even if he doesn't say very much. But after several happy years living in a group home, Walker descended into a deep unhappiness, and his parents were told that their son with low-functioning autism was 'unmanageable' and a danger to others. Where did it all go wrong? From the author of Running with Walker, this witty and touching memoir tells a story of crisis and recovery of a young man with low-functioning autism. Battling miscommunication, misinterpreted behaviour and a lack of appropriate services, Walker and his parents' resilience shines through, providing a much-needed portrayal about what life is like for adults with low-functioning autism, and how we can understand the complex personalities of people with communication difficulties.
The Weighted Blanket Guide: Everything You Need to Know about Weighted Blankets and Deep Pressure for Autism, Chronic Pain, and Other Conditions
by Cara Koscinski Eileen ParkerProviding everything you need to know about the use of weighted blankets to help with sensory integration, improve sleep, ease chronic pain and more, this book includes: · What a weighted blanket is and how it works · An exploration of deep pressure and how weight on the body affects the mind · Guidelines for using weighted blankets at home and in professional environments · Studies into the effectiveness of weighted blankets · Advice on how to select an appropriate weighted blanket or sew your own. Based on the latest research, this book dispels the online myths surrounding weighted blankets. It delivers clear information for occupational therapists and anyone considering using a weighted blanket to help with sensory processing disorder, autism, sleep disorders, fibromyalgia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and more.
Welcome to the Show: A Mickey Tussler Novel, Book 3 (Mickey Tussler Series #3)
by Frank NappiIt’s 1950 and Mickey Tussler-the now-famous pitching prodigy with autism and a golden arm-is back for another baseball season in this third installment of Frank Nappi’s critically acclaimed Legend of Mickey Tussler series. Talk of Mickey’s legendary exploits on the field has grown since his improbable debut two years prior, as have the fortunes of Murph and the rest of the lovable ragtag Brew Crew. Now Mickey, Murph, and Lester find themselves heading to Bean Town to play for the Boston Braves.The call up is sweet, for all of them have overcome insurmountable odds to get where they are. But life in the major leagues is filled with fast-paced action both on and off the field. The bright lights of Boston hold a new series of challenges, hardships, and life lessons-especially for Mickey, who finds himself a long way from throwing apples into a barrel back on the farm. The three newest Braves have each other to lean on, as well as a new group of fans who are swept away by pennant fever, but balancing everything this new world has to offer may prove to be the greatest challenge of all.Sky Pony Press, with our Good Books, Racehorse and Arcade imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of books for young readers-picture books for small children, chapter books, books for middle grade readers, and novels for young adults. Our list includes bestsellers for children who love to play Minecraft; stories told with LEGO bricks; books that teach lessons about tolerance, patience, and the environment, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
We're Lost! A Story of Autism
by Margaret Leah McCall Wood Gianni PapaA unique story of autism, where the autistic child is not only the central character but also the narrator and the witness to a harrowing sequence of events. In WE'RE LOST an autistic child tells the story of his difficult birth, the "very good" and terribly optimistic neuropsychiatrist, the diagnosis by a specialist Catholic clinic, the broken dreams of rehabilitation, the clash with reality, the disappointment. The most authentic novel ever written about the plight of families with autism.
When Herscue Met Jomphrey and Other Tales from an Aspie Marriage
by Herscue Bergenstreiml"I knew this guy was out of the square. He was so far out, he was in the hexagonal prism that was past the triangle next to the square." When the author met her future husband, she was instantly charmed by his intensity, wacky conversation choices, and innate desire to create peculiar names. Seventeen years, one wedding, one baby and several adopted names later, it began to dawn on 'Herscue' that family jokes about her husband having Asperger's Syndrome may be closer to the truth than she had first imagined. Filled with moving and hilarious tales, one of which provides the origins of the author and her husband's adopted names, Herscue and Jomphrey, and their even stranger pronunciations, this personal account grapples with the highs and lows of a 25 year marriage to an Aspie husband.
When Young People with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Hit Puberty: A Parents’ Q&A Guide to Health, Sexuality and Relationships
by Professor Richard Hastings Sarah Brown Freddy Jackson BrownPuberty, 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.
Why Do English Learners Struggle With Reading?: Distinguishing Language Acquisition From Learning Disabilities
by John J. Hoover Leonard M. Baca Janette Kettmann KlingnerMake the right instructional and eligibility decisions to help your English Learners! Do your students' reading difficulties reflect language acquisition issues or a learning disability? Now in an updated second edition, this essential guide helps educators make informed choices about strategies and services to support English Learners, and includes: Nine common misconceptions that can lead to wrongful placement of students in Special Education A new chapter on evidence-based practices for success in teaching reading to students learning English Appropriate techniques to use when assessing students for special education Expanded coverage of Response to Intervention to include a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS)
Why Do English Learners Struggle With Reading?: Distinguishing Language Acquisition From Learning Disabilities
by John J. Hoover Leonard M. Baca Janette Kettmann KlingnerMake the right instructional and eligibility decisions to help your English Learners! Do your students' reading difficulties reflect language acquisition issues or a learning disability? Now in an updated second edition, this essential guide helps educators make informed choices about strategies and services to support English Learners, and includes: Nine common misconceptions that can lead to wrongful placement of students in Special Education A new chapter on evidence-based practices for success in teaching reading to students learning English Appropriate techniques to use when assessing students for special education Expanded coverage of Response to Intervention to include a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS)
Why Do English Learners Struggle With Reading?: Distinguishing Language Acquisition From Learning Disabilities
by John J. Hoover Leonard M. Baca Janette Kettmann KlingnerMake the right instructional and eligibility decisions to help your English Learners! Do your students' reading difficulties reflect language acquisition issues or a learning disability? Now in an updated second edition, this essential guide helps educators make informed choices about strategies and services to support English Learners, and includes: Nine common misconceptions that can lead to wrongful placement of students in Special Education A new chapter on evidence-based practices for success in teaching reading to students learning English Appropriate techniques to use when assessing students for special education Expanded coverage of Response to Intervention to include a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS)
Will & I: A Memoir
by Clay ByarsClay Byars was recovering at home from a near-fatal car crash when he suffered a massive stroke. He was just eighteen years old. He awoke, back in the hospital, and was told he would be paralyzed from the eyes down for the rest of his life. Determined to defy the odds, Clay quickly and miraculously began to recover his mobility but discovered just how different his life would be—a disparity embodied by his identical twin brother, Will. As Will went on to graduate from college, marry, and start a family, Clay carved out a unique existence, doing the seemingly impossible by living on his own on a remote farm in Alabama.With haunting clarity and heartrending honesty, Will & I tells the unlikely story of Clay’s life and his coping mechanisms, including weekly singing lessons that not only teach him to use his voice but remind him of his will to exist. In this singular and striking meditation on vulnerability and vitality, we’re invited to see how Clay sees the world—and how the world sees him—as he bravely challenges himself and his abilities at every turn.
The World in Flames: A Black Boyhood in a White Supremacist Doomsday Cult
by Jerald Walker<P>A memoir of growing up with blind, African-American parents in a segregated cult preaching the imminent end of the world. <P>When The World in Flames begins, in 1970, Jerry Walker is six years old. His consciousness revolves around being a member of a church whose beliefs he finds not only confusing but terrifying. Composed of a hodgepodge of requirements and restrictions (including a prohibition against doctors and hospitals), the underpinning tenet of Herbert W. Armstrong's Worldwide Church of God was that its members were divinely chosen and all others would soon perish in rivers of flames. <P>The substantial membership was ruled by fear, intimidation, and threats. Anyone who dared leave the church would endure hardship for the remainder of this life and eternal suffering in the next. The next life, according to Armstrong, would arrive in 1975, three years after the start of the Great Tribulation. Jerry would be eleven years old. <P>Jerry's parents were particularly vulnerable to the promise of relief from the world's hardships. When they joined the church, in 1960, they were living in a two-room apartment in a dangerous Chicago housing project with the first four of their seven children, and, most significantly, they both were blind, having lost their sight to childhood accidents. They took comfort in the belief that they had been chosen for a special afterlife, even if it meant following a religion with a white supremacist ideology and dutifully sending tithes to Armstrong, whose church boasted more than 100,000 members and more than $80 million in annual revenues at its height. <P>When the prophecy of the 1972 Great Tribulation does not materialize, Jerry is considerably less disappointed than relieved. When the 1975 end-time prophecy also fails, he finally begins to question his faith and imagine the possibility of choosing a destiny of his own.