This area provides a comprehensive list of books that we feel are of interest to the TelAbility community. Use the search interface below to search by keyword or category for books related to your area of interest. If you find books that interest you click on [buy me] for online ordering. We are constantly reviewing and adding new books so please check back often.

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A Difference in the Family: Living With a Disabled Child, Helen Featherstone [Buy Me]

A Parent's Guide to Down Syndrome: Toward a Brighter Future, Siegfried M. Pueschel This guide, written by Dr. Pueschel and a group of expert parents, doctors, and educators, covers everything you need to know about raising your child with Down syndrome. [Buy Me]

A Toss of the Dice: Child Development from a Pediatrician's Perspective, Natasha T. Hays MD This book was written to educate, interest, and inspire doctors, teachers, parents, and health professionals who work with children with developmental disabilities. The book is written in anecdotal style, using patients from the author's developmental pediatric practice to illustrate the various challenges that children with different types of special needs face. Each chapter discusses a different developmental issue; for example, autism, mental retardation, genetic syndromes, cerebral palsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, mood disorders, and giftedness. Medical information and treatment options are also included, as are references and footnotes for the reader who wishes to delve further into a particular topic discussed. The book is intended to be written in a style comprehensible to the general public but also of interest to the more medically sophisticated reader. The book also has a section of books and movies that are relevant to a variety of disabilities, so that parents and their children can learn more about a disability in an enjoyable way. [Buy Me]

After the Tears : Parents Talk About Raising a Child With a Disability, Robin Simons In this deeply sensitive book, parents of disabled children describe with affecting candor how they first confronted their shattering experience--and then recovered to emerge stronger, healthier, and abler to cope and help their children. Black-and-white photographs. [Buy Me]

Aidan's Way: The Story of a Boy's Life and a Father's Journey, Sam Crane Sam Crane was unprepared to be the father of Aidan, a boy with profound developemtal disabilities. The is his story of endless love, parental devotion, the lessons of eastern philosophy, and what it truly means to be human. [Buy Me]

All About My Brother, Sarah Peralta In this picture book, the eight year old author gives insights into the world of her younger brother, who has autism and is nonverbal. Through her simple depictions of Evan's everyday behavior, Sarah demystifies autism and encourages others to approach it without pity or fear. Sarah invites her young readers to share their ideas for how to live with siblings or classmates who have autism spectrum disorders. [Buy Me]

Big Brother Dustin, Alden R. Carter Photos by Dan Young A photo-story about Dustin, a young boy with Down syndrome, and the arrival of a new baby sister. [Buy Me]

Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs, Judy Winter Written by the mother of a boy with cerebral palsy, this book is full of information about special needs parenting that focuses on positive parenting, while addressing everyday practical matters using a proven, motivational, how-to approach. [Buy Me]

Brothers and Sisters--A Special Part of Exceptional Families; Special Part of Exceptional, Thomas Powell and Peggy Ogle [Buy Me]

Caring for Children With Cerebral Palsy : A Team Approach, John P. Dormans and Louis Pellegrino (Editors) Provides detailed information on a multitude of issues, including: definitions, diagnosis, prognosis, health maintenance, preventive care, orthopedics, feeding and nutrition, daily living skills, family, school, and community roles and much more. [Buy Me]

Caring for Your Child with Severe Food Allergies, Lisa Cipriano Collins Subtitled "Emotional Support and Practical Advice from a Parent Who's Been There" this book is designed to help parents deal with their child's food allergy. [Buy Me]

Changed by a Child : Companion Notes for Parents of a Child With a Disability, Barbara Gill Traces the stages of the family experience of disability, covering more than 200 topics with inspirational quotations and meditations that tackle a host of personal, practical, and psychological issues, and more. [Buy Me]

Changed by a Child: Companion Notes for Parents of a Child with a Disability, Barbara Gill Parenting is always tough, but parenting a child with disabilities, serious injuries, or chronic illness can be a life-changing, profoundly disrupting experience. In Changed by a Child, Barbara Gill provides brief meditations and passages about the challenges, grief, faith, hope, and other feelings and experiences of parents who have a disabled child. Gill's son has Down syndrome, and she writes with the authority and credibility of a parent who has been through it herself. The brief pieces in this small, handsome book are divided into three sections: "In the Beginning," "Rounding the Curves," and "Transformed." It's a credit to Gill's experienced wisdom and her skills as a writer that this material never becomes sentimental or sugary. For those parents who feel alone, this book may serve as a kind and compassionate companion. [Buy Me]

Children With Cerebral Palsy : A Parents' Guide, Elaine Geralis (Editor) Considered to be the first book that families should read, now completely updated. Provides comprehensive coverage of the concerns and issues central to giving children a head start on achieving independence as they strive to lead rewarding lives. [Buy Me]

Children With Visual Impairments : A Parents' Guide (The Special-Needs Collection), M. Cay Holbrook (Editor) Designed to help parents get a handle on common types of concerns. Written by a team of professional and parents, each of whom is an expert on a different aspect of caring for children with visual impairments. [Buy Me]

Children with Acquired Brain Injury, George H. S. Singer, et al. (Editors) The authors use real-life examples to show you how to help families: find appropriate educational, vocational, and rehabilitation programs for their children; equip their children for a smooth transition form high school to college or the work world; meet the needs of siblings; and ensure more successful school experiences. [Buy Me]

Children with Facial Difference, Hope Charkins, M.S.W This accessible book discusses conditions such as cleft lip, cleft palate, and Treacher Collins, Apert, and Crouzon syndromes, and more. Parents learn about the diagnostic process, interdisciplinary treatment approach, education, speech and language issues, and how to help their child and family adjust emotionally. [Buy Me]

Coping with a Physically Challenged Brother or Sister, Linda Lee Ratto Young people talk about how they feel as siblings of the physically handicapped. [Buy Me]

Dancing in the Rain: Stories of Exceptional Progress by Parents of Children with Special Needs, Annabel Stehli [Buy Me]

Disability is Natural, Kathie Snow In this user-friendly book, parents learn revolutionary common sense techniques for raising successful children with disabilities. When we recognize that disability is a natural part of the human experience, new attitudes lead to new actions for successful lives at home, in school and in communities. Readers will learn how to define a child by his or her assets -instead of a disability-related "problem," and how to create new and improved partnerships with educators, health care professionals, family and friends. [Buy Me]

Enhancing Early Emotional Development : Guiding Parents of Young Children, Jean Wixson, Phd Gowen, and Judith Brennan Nebrig Psychologist Wixson and social worker Nebrig offer a guide to colleagues in their fields and other helping professions to advising parents on how to enhance the emotional development of their children, especially parents whose parenting is challenged by various personal and family difficulties. [Buy Me]

Fatherneed: Why Father Care is as Essential as Mother Care for Your Child, Kyle D. Pruett Told through real-life stories from a long-term study of intact families, tihs book makes ther strong case that not onlyh do children like their father's attention but they need the specific care and nuturing only a father can give in order to develop socially, emotionally, behaviorally and intellectually. [Buy Me]

Fathers of Children with Special Needs: New Horizons, James May [Buy Me]

From the Heart : On Being the Mother of a Child With Special Needs, Martha Grady and Jayne D. Marsh Nine mothers explore the intense, sometimes painful, emotional terrain of raising children with special needs in eye-opening narratives developed from their parent support group meetings. The children who shape these women's lives have disabilities that include autism, Down syndrome, Tourette syndrome, ADD, and multiple disabilities. From the Heart is organized around several themes: relationships with professionals; family life and school issues; and issues about the "self" and closest friends and family. [Buy Me]

Getting Services for Your Child on the Autism Spectrum, Matthew Foley, DeAnn Hyatt-Foley Written by two parents of a child diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Decribes their experiences in accessing educational services and information. Gives practical advice. [Buy Me]

I Wish: Dreams and Realities of Parenting a Special Needs Child, Kate Divine McAnaney [Buy Me]

I'm the Big Sister Now, Michelle Emmert Illustrated by Gail Owen How the loving care of family and friends can influence and benefit the quality of life for children with mental retardation and/or physical disabilities. [Buy Me]

If You've Ever Wanted to Crawl in the Closet With an Oreo: Tips for Parenting a Child With Special Needs, Martha Kate Downey Martha Kate Downey, the mother of a child who has been given a laundry list of neurological diagnoses, has written a soothing, gentle and helpful volume for parents and caregivers who are just learning about and adjusting to life with a special needs child. The book's focus is on special needs kids who have been diagnosed with neurological or autistic spectrum disorders such as Asperger Syndrome, HFA or Tourette Syndrome, but certainly not exclusive to that cluster of differences (or "flavors" as Downey would say). While not a scholarly or research-oriented work, those who are struggling to help a special needs child and communicate with teachers, doctors, counselors, social workers, etc., will find Downey's work full of practical, take-a-deep-breath advice from someone who has been through the process from discovery to diagnoses to problem solving. Even a parent who has been coping with a child's special needs diagnosis for several years will find valuable reminders about the importance of taking care of his or her own needs, as well as strategies for coping with the changing needs of a growing, special needs child. [Buy Me]

In Our Own Words: Stories of Brothers and Sisters of Children with Autism and P.D.D., [Buy Me]

It Isn't Fair!: Siblings of Children with Disabilities, [Buy Me]

Just This Side of Normal : Glimpses into Life With Autism, Elizabeth K. Gerlach In this collection of vignettes about raising a child with autism, Elizabeth King Gerlach writes with tenderness, humor, grace, honesty and a calm good sense. She is able to convey the confusions, distress, and yearnings of a parent deeply worried about her son, but also the moments of sheer joyfulness at watching this engagingly 'different' child grow and learn. [Buy Me]

Learing to Live with High Functioning Autism: A Parent's Guide for Professionals, Mike Stanton Written by the father of a son with Asperger Syndrome for professionals, family and friends of people with autism. [Buy Me]

Life As We Know It : A Father, a Family, and an Exceptional Child, Michael Berube An engaging personal account of raising a son with Down syndrome, by a loving father for whom the experience raises serious questions about the nature of social justice, natural rights, and our obligations to one another. [Buy Me]

Living With a Brother or Sister With Special Needs : A Book for Sibs, Patricia Vadasy [Buy Me]

My Brother's a World Class Pain: A Sibling's Guide to ADHD/Hyperactivity, [Buy Me]

My Brother, Matthew, Mary Thompson When a child with disabilities is born into a family, life typically shifts of focus on this child's special needs. Siblings often have difficulty adjusting and feel left out. This realistic and compassionate tale tells what happens and what it is like. [Buy Me]

My Buddy, Audrey Osofsky Buddy is the best dog a boy could have. Fully illustrated, this book demonstrates the desire of people with disabilities to be independent. [Buy Me]

My Journey with Jake, Miriam Edelson This book follows the author's son through birth, diagnosis and each illness and decision that accompanied each day. [Buy Me]

My Sister is Special, Larry Jansen A young boy explains how his sister is different and special because she has Down syndrome. Includes information to help parents discuss this topic from a Christian perspective. [Buy Me]

Nobody's Perfect : Living and Growing With Children Who Have Special Needs, Nancy B. Miller, Ph. D et al. Practical and nonjudgmental, this book guides parents through the process of adapting to the challenges of children with special needs. Candid, inspiring, and often humorous reflections of four mothers who are raising children with disabilities are included throughout. [Buy Me]

One Small Starfish: A Mother's Everyday Advice, Survival Tactics and Wisdom for Raising a Special Needs Child, Anne Addison The story of one mother's struggle and triumph to raise a child with ADD, SI and Asperger's Syndrome. [Buy Me]

Preemies: The Essential Guide for Parents of Premature Babies, Dana Wechsler Linden, Emma Trenti-Paroli, and Mia Wechsler Doron Preemies is the only resource of its kind -- a comprehensive "Dr. Spock"-like reference that is both reassuring and realistic, delivering up-to-the-minute information on medical care in a warm, caring, and engaging voice. Authors Dana Wechsler Linden and Emma Trenti Paroli are parents who have "been there." Together with neonatologist Mia Wechsler Doron, they answer the dozens of questions that parents will have at every stage -- from high-risk pregnancy through preemie's hospitalization, to homecoming and the preschool years -- imparting a vast, detailed store of knowledge in clear language that all readers can understand. [Buy Me]

Princess Pooh, Kathleen M. Muldoon Illustrated by Linda Shute A sibling secretly dubs her sister "Princess Pooh" because she sits on her "throne with wheels" and gives orders. An honest look at some universal feelings. [Buy Me]

Raising a Child Who Has a Physical Disability, Donna G. Albrecht [Buy Me]

Raising a Handicapped Child: A Helpful Guide for Parents of the Physically Disabled, Charlotte E. Thompson [Buy Me]

Reflections from a Different Journey : What Adults with Disabilities Wish All Parents Knew, Stanley Klein, John Kemp Offers parents of children with disabilities inspiration and advice from those who've been there. Reflections from a Different Journey presents 40 stories by successful adults who grew up with disabilities. They provide insights into what it is like to persevere in the face of community prejudices, and what it takes for families and children with disabilities to work together toward fulfillment. [Buy Me]

Running a Team for Disabled Children & Their Families, Martin F. Robards Describes ways of providing all the necessary specialist care while at the same time increasing the family's participation and understanding to its optimum level. Illustrated with a variety of case histories, the author demonstrates that a rigid structure can never meet these children's needs. Offers recommendations about record keeping, integrating voluntary support groups into the professionals' work, the location and layout of premises used by the professionals, and many other factors collectively critical to the efficient and humane delivery of this element of community care. [Buy Me]

Siblings of Children with Autism, Sandra L. Harris, Ph.D. An invaluable guide to understanding sibling relationships, how autism affects these relationships, and what families can do to support their children as they cope with the intensive needs of a child with autism. [Buy Me]

Sibshops : Workshops for Siblings of Children With Special Needs, Donald J. Meyer et al. Workshops for siblings of children with special needs. A practical resource that details Sibshops, the award-winning program that brings together 8-13 year-olds to express their feelings about having a brother or sister with disabilities. [Buy Me]

Since Owen: A Parent-to-Parent Guide for Care of the Disabled Child, Charles R. Callanan [Buy Me]

Sisters, Brothers, and Disability: A Family Album, Lydia Gans Depicts 26 families raising childen with special needs, with an emphasis on the interactions with other siblings. [Buy Me]

Special Children, Challenged Parents : The Struggles and Rewards of Raising a Child With a Disability, Robert A., Ph.D. Naseef Naseef, a psychologist in Philadelphia and the father of an autistic child, has written a guide to help the parents and siblings of disabled children learn what to expect and how to cope with the challenge, particularly its emotional aspects. Naseef supplements the text with his own first-hand experiences and the stories of others he has interviewed in his research of parenting, with all the emotions these evoke. As a result, this volume is not cold and scientific--though it contains much useful advice--but strongly emotional and personal. [Buy Me]

Special Siblings: Growing up with Someone with a Disability, Mary McHugh [Buy Me]

Strengthening Relationships When Our Children Have Special Needs: Growing Through the Challenge, Nick Martin A book designed to help parents of children with special needs cope, communicate, and conquer problems as a couple. Includes a 6-week program to help couples strengthen their relationship. [Buy Me]

Taking Seizure Disorders to School, Kim Gosselin Written for ages 4-8 this book is designed to teach children about seizures. [Buy Me]

Teaching Young Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders to Learn: A Practical Guide for Parents and Staff in Mainstream Schools and Nurseries, Liz Hannah Targeted at those who live and work with children ages three to seven who have autistic spectrum disorders. Accompanied by cartoon drawings, the content includes key information and a range of strategies. [Buy Me]

That's My Child : Strategies for Parents of Children With Disabilities, Lizanne Capper and Lizanne Copper Strategies for parents of children with disabilities. Required reading to help parents successfully navigate the maze of resources and services available for children with special needs. [Buy Me]

The ABC's of Special Needs Planning Made Easy, Bart Stevens, ChLAP A simple step by step comprehensive guide designed to help families and professionals plan for the future care, supervision, security, and quality of life for a person with special needs. The eight chapters address issues such as lifestyle, legal, financial needs, and government entitlements. Additional resource information available is also provided. [Buy Me]

The Dragons of Autism: Autism as a Source of Wisdom, Olga Holland Full of advice and strategies, this is a positive and inspirational book written by a parent of a son with autism. Since Billy's diagnosis, his mother has developed strategies, and she and her family have come to view autism as a blessing, instead of a curse. [Buy Me]

The Grandparent's and Other Relative Caregiver's Guides, Children's Defense Fund The Children's Defense Fund has created four helpful guides, written specifically for kinship caregivers. The booklets are written in question and answer format and include information on important issues affecting the children in their care, federal programs, eligibility requirements, and how to enroll the children they are raising. There are four booklets: * Grandparent's and Other Relative Caregiver's Guide to Raising Children with Disabilities * Grandparent's and Other Relative Caregiver's Guide to Child Care and Early Education Programs * Grandparent's and Other Relative Caregiver's Guide to Food and Nutrition Programs for Children * Grandparent's and Other Relative Caregiver's Guide to Health Insurance for Children There is no charge for single copies of each guide. To order please contact the Children's Defense Fund at (202) 662-3568 or childwelfare@childrensdefense.org [Buy Me]

The Parent to Parent Handbook : Connecting Families of Children With Special Needs, Betsy Santelli, Florence Stewart Poyadue, and Jane Leora Young In communities around the world, Parent to Parent programs are matching parents seeking information and emotional support in one-to-one relationships with experienced parents whose children have similar disabilities. In this book two moms join forces with one of the leading experts on Parent to Parent programs to show you how these valuable programs work and can help you. [Buy Me]

The People in a Girl's Life: How to Find Them, Better Understand Them and Keep Them (Dear Daughter), Martha Kate Downey, Kate Noelle Downey Written for girls and young women who have difficulty understanding people around them, this book will help them to better comprehend family, friends, employers and many others they face every day. [Buy Me]

The Premature Baby Book : A Parent's Guide to Coping and Caring in the First Years, Helen Harrison and Ann Kositsky This supportive and comprehensive guide helps parents of premature babies deal with the emotional, medical and practical issues they face. Includes medical information, practical advice and personal accounts. [Buy Me]

The Special-Needs Reading List : An Annotated Guide to the Best, Wilma K. Sweeney This ambitious sourcebook, a successor to the publisher's Reader's Guide for Parents of Children with Mental, Physical, or Emotional Disabilities [RBB S 1 90], seeks to carve out a niche for itself as a "where to look first" guide. Because of what the author calls "an information explosion in the sabilities field," the guide is selective rather than comprehensive. The books, newsletters, journals, and other information sources that are included were chosen because they are up to date, accurate, written for parents, and affordable. [Buy Me]

The Wonderful Life of a Fly Who Couldn't Fly, Bo Lozoff This book tells the story of a young fly born without wings. It is a sweet story about learning to live with and triumph over our shortcomings. Though the fly never flies, she learns that mother nature never makes a mistake and she has the ability to enjoy all the beautiful things that surround her. It is written in rhyming verse that is easy for children to follow, and it is illustrated with pictures full of detail. [Buy Me]

Uncommon Fathers : Reflections on Raising a Child With a Disability, Donald J. Meyer (Editor) Reflections on raising a child with a disability. A compelling collection by fathers who were asked to reflect and write about the life-altering experiences of having a child with a disability. [Buy Me]

Views from Our Shoes : Growing Up With a Brother or Sister With Special Needs, Donald J. Meyer (Editor) A useful book that normalizes the experience for siblings of children with disabilities. [Buy Me]

What About Me?: Growing up with a Developmentally Disabled Sibling, Bryna Siegel, Stuart Silverstein [Buy Me]

When Your Child is Technology Assisted- A Home Guide for Families, Paul Kahn This booklet helps parents prepare for home care of a child with complex medical needs by describing how to set up the home and coordinate community services. [Buy Me]

You Will Dream New Dreams: Inspiring Personal Stories by Parents of Children With Disabilities, Stanley D. Klein, Kim Schive Knowing that "parents' strongest allies will always be other parents," Klein and Schive have collected from all over the country stories by parents of children with special needs. You Will Dream New Dreams is a remarkable parent's support group in print, including pieces like "Hard Choices," on the painful decision to place a brain-damaged child in a group home, and "Getting to Know My Son," on a mother's struggle to accept and love a child with Down's syndrome. Compiled by clinical psychologist Stanley D. Klein and Kim Schive, a former editor of Exceptional Parent magazine, the book offers emotional support to disabled children's families and should help educators and health-care professionals better understand these parents' perspectives. [Buy Me]

You and Your Deaf Child : A Self-Help Guide for Parents of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, John W. Adams A self-help guide for parents of deaf and hard-of-hearing children. A resource book that parents can use when dealing with feelings about hearing loss and the implications it may have on family life. Includes reference materials covering language systems, family communications behavior and educational placement, plus more. [Buy Me]

Zipper, The Kid with ADHD, Carolina Janover A novel for children age 8-11 which captures the high energy, impulsive nature of a typical ten year old with ADHD. Zipper is a lovable, bright, motivated boy. To realize his goal, he must come up with a plan and stick with it...Appendix includes ADHD facts and a source list for support. [Buy Me]