Reviews (6)

A book about love
Ms. Anand tells a wonderful tale of true love.Love of a husband and wife faced with unexpected challenges so early in their marriage, and how they struggled to keep that love alive under both sad and horrific conditions.Love of children for their parents and each other.Love of family, both immediate and extended.And love for each and every person touched by the fight for the cure. I was swept away by the human drama and just when I thought I knew what was going to happen next, the story look another unforeseen turn.It's amazing to realize that this is a true story.Life and love doesn't get any better than this.

It makes you think and it makes you care
This wonderful book has a lot of emotional depth and complexity.John Crowley, the young father, is brash, brilliant, arrogant, and ignorant.He makes personal mistakes and business mistakes, yet you remain drawn to his story by empathy for his desperation as he fears that his small children will suffer a slow painful death.It's an honest and interesting portrait of a real human being, not a one-dimensional hero.
Interesting - Read it non-stop!
Very good book - Interesting story.Highlights are the lengths a family goes through to help their children, and the inspirational message.I think the title is ironic, since there is not actually a "cure" for Pompe Disease, merely a treatment to help stabilize and possibly restore some muscle function.Also misleading a bit, because while Crowley without a doubt worked very hard on a cure, the actual treatment approved by the fda was not the main one he was involved with researching/funding.Nonetheless, still a very admirable man and good story. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Children with Special Needs    3. Crowley, John    4. Diseases - General    5. Glycogen storage disease type II    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health Care    8. Health Care Issues    9. Health/Fitness    10. Nutritional Diseases    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Research    13. Treatment    14. Business & Economics / General   

Reviews (11)

Mother fines answers after almost 14 years
I read the book to clarify some suspicions that my daughter might have this syndrome. It gave me answers to questions that have puzzled me about my daughter for a long time.
Your first stop!
If you or someone you know has just been dx with Asperger's then this should be your first book!It is the basics of everything.It is very inclusive and goes into great detail.It is writen for a parent of AS children and included issues such as special education and medication.It is a bit of a read - but well worth it.There is one issue I would like to bring up.It is deffinatly writen with the assumption that the parent of the AS child does not have AS themselves.Althought this is not a major issue it is daunting to be told that you understand everything that your child has issues with.How do you teach social skills to a child when you don't have a good grasp of them yourselves.It is not a major part of the book but it would be a nice section to be added to a future addition expecially since most people with AS have family that also has AS.

Excellent Resource
This book was INVALUABLE for comforting my fears and holding my hand through the IEP process, understanding all the different "titles" of people you will be interfacing with. I highly recommend it!
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Subjects:  1. Asperger's syndrome    2. Autism in children    3. Children with Special Needs    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. General    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health/Fitness    8. Parenting - General    9. Health & Fitness / General   

Reviews (7)

From a parent!
This book is what I've been looking for: a book that teaches you HOW to teach social skills and organization skills for kids that just don't pick it up from interactions in everyday life. It's made a big difference in our everyday family and school life for my 2 ADHD/LD kids. My thanks to Rick Lavoie!

Read this book!
Writing as someone who has lived with learning disabilities for nearly 50 years now, I cannot say strongly enough that I sincerely wish all of my teachers and parents had read this book.I will go a little further than that---I wish the pastoral counselor, psychologist, and psychiatrists that I have dealt with as an adult would read this book.
Good as far as it goes
This book provides what sound like good tips for helping a child struggling with social skills.Whether they work, I really can't say, as applying everything here would be the work of a lifetime.
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Subjects:  1. Children with Special Needs    2. Education Of Students With Learning Disabilities    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Family/Marriage    6. International Relations (Specific Aspects)    7. Interpersonal Relations    8. Learning Disabilities    9. Child care & upbringing    10. Coping with disability    11. Family & Relationships / General   

Reviews (4)

Disappointing
I have a 19 year old son that has been on stimulants since age 5.The stimulants work but we're always searching for a better, easier and cheaper solution.We've tried all types of naturals treatments and biofeedback but they did not work.I was hoping that Lawlis' book offered some new insights into ADD and it's causes and treatment.However, I was disappointed to read the same old suggestions about nutrition, diet, biofeedback, etc.I don't disagree that some people benefit from these treatments but Dr. Lawlis didn't present any new ideas.

From a Parent's Perspective
I have a 14 yo son with ADHD and I've read too many books on the subject. I took my son off all meds a year ago because the cure was becoming worse than the diagnosis and realized that the meds were masking his emotional problems even though he went to Psychciatrists and Psycologists, Pediatric Neurological Behavioralists-the list seemed eternal.
Worthless Drivel !!!
I have been in practice for over 25 years, treating adults and children alike, I have read many books on the subject of ADD and ADHD and frankly I found this book to be full of the same old sham treatments that don't work any better than snake oil.
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Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Child Psychology    3. Children with Special Needs    4. Education Of Neurologically Impaired Students    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. General    8. Learning Disabilities    9. Parenting - General    10. Parenting - Hyperactivity    11. Psychology / Psychopathology / Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD-ADHD)   

Reviews (8)

Overly generalized
When I bought this book, I was expecting helpful solutions, but all I got were general facts that most parents of autistic children already know.The book definitely needed more specific information on how to handle problems.

Engaging Autism:Helping Children Relate, Communicate & Think with the DIR Floortime Approach
This book is a must read for parents with an autistic child. This book is easy to read and understand. Dr. Greenspan has made me feel I will be able to help my son fully recover.This is the 1st time in 3 years I have hope!My son is moderate to severly autistic. We have been doing Floortime & have seen much success. What a natural way of helping him & having fun doing it.Thank you Dr. Greenspan.

Too Much Engaging and Too Little Information
I have been a Learning Specialist for nearly twenty years at the high school and community college levels.When I read "Engaging Autism" by Stanley I. Greenspan, I was anticipating a book filled with fresh information, scientific validity, and ideas that could be realistically applied in a variety of classroom settings.Instead, I read page after page of disappointment.DIR/Floortime is an interesting/innovative approach for helping individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities.However, this book was extremely weak in the following areas:repetition of the same ideas/concepts throughout the work, reliance on anecdotal information, no scientific validation of information, absence of an in-depth bibliography, frequent reference to products written by Greenspan and his team, and lack of organization throughout the text.DIR/Floortime is presented as too simplistic when in actuality it appears to be extremely time consuming and labor instensive which is impractical in contemporary public education settings.The author recommends homeschooling and intense family involvement as though this was a simple solution.However, parents uusually do not have the extensive time or expertise to devote to the DIR/Floortime approach.If you are interested in learning what DIR/Floortime entails, I recommend researching Internet sources or consulting works by other authors.This book is largely a waste of time for professionals in the field of special education.Unless you want to read a rehash of ideas over and over again, I would not waste my time with this book.I was going to order another book by Dr. Greenspan entitled "The Child With Special Needs:Encouraging Intellectual and Emotional Growth" but will not be doing it at this time.
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Subjects:  1. Autism    2. Autistic children    3. Behavior modification    4. Child Development And Rearing    5. Children with Special Needs    6. Education    7. Family & Relationships    8. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    9. Family/Marriage    10. Parenting - General    11. Psychology    12. Psychopathology - Autism    13. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    14. Rehabilitation    15. Advice on parenting    16. Clinical psychology    17. Coping with disability    18. Paediatric medicine   

Reviews (14)

out of syn child
I got the book in great condition, and I can't really review it higher because I haven't gotten through the whole book yet. It seems very helpful so far, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

At last!!!!
I was told about this book by a doctor andfinally I feel better knowing there is a name for what our child was experiencing.We thought it was odd he never cuddled and did not like to walk on certain textures, etc. As i read this book,I could picture exactly how our child would react to situations and it all clicked. Now he is getting a therapist trained in sensory development.

A Must Read for ANY parent
This book is the must-read for every parent, whether their children suffer from sensory integration or not.It is an eye opening look into the way we interpret our surroundings, and has given me information, tools, and hope for my daughter, who suffers severe developmental delays from this disorder.I would highly reccommend this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children with Special Needs    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family/Marriage    5. Minimal brain dysfunction in children    6. Parenting - General    7. Perceptual-motor learning    8. Sensorimotor integration    9. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (56)

Start Here
This is the first book I read on Asperger's, and I am glad that it was.Tony Attwood is one of the leading experts on Asperger's.He really gets it and doesn't try to fit an Asperger child into a nt understanding of the world, but goes to the Asperger world.It has really helped me understand myself and my children better.Well done!I can't wait to see more from him.

At the very top of my list
My son was found with some type of High Functioning Autism about two months ago. I'm a physician and behavioral researcher, though not in the area of autism or anything related to children or developmental disorders. I've read many books, scientific texts, online publications... you name it, in the past weeks. I've obtained very valuable information from all of them. This book does not go into the details of genetics or the neurological issues around Autism, in which I'm deeply interested, but I got that from other sources. However, it was from this book that I could draw a clear plan of action for my son and my family. Mr. Atwood must be a very smart and practical person. So far, of all that I've read, I'd put this book at the top, with the much more academic though less practical textbook on AS by Klin, Volkmar and Sparrow.

Aperger's Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals
This is a good book to help you better understand asperger's syndrome and high functioning autism.It defines the basic symptoms and discusses areas that are problematic.Goes through some great social skills techniques and career ideas too. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asperger's syndrome    2. Autism    3. Children with Special Needs    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Learning Disabilities    6. Mental Disorders    7. Mental Illness    8. Psychology    9. Clinical psychology    10. Disability: social aspects    11. Paediatric medicine    12. Psychiatry   

Reviews (22)

Psychologist highly recommends
I highly recommend this comprehensive and detailed guide to helping children with sensory issues.With authorship shared by an occupational therapist and the mother of son with sensory issues, it is chock full of helpful insights and tips from both a therapeutic and a parental perspective.
Wonderful Help for working with my SID Child!
I really have enjoyed this book and keep it close by to refer to often. It is written very clear and gave me an even better understanding of where my daughter is coming from with her sensory intake and needs.
Best book going.
I am also an Occupational Therapist.I bought this book and now recommend it to all of my parents who come to me for help with thier children's sensory problems.It is a wonderful resource for parents and people who want to know what sensory processing is, what to do about it and what to do about all of the other problems the kids have because of their sensory issues.It is a must buy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child rearing    2. Children with Special Needs    3. Children with disabilities    4. Family & Relationships    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Family/Marriage    7. Learning Disabilities    8. Parenting - General    9. Sensorimotor integration    10. Family & Relationships / Children with Special Needs   

Reviews (13)

Awesome!!!
I'm a teacher and this book gave me a ton of new ideas to use with my class of students with autism.It makes you think of things you never would have and has helped me to remember some things I may have forgotten.It is definetely worth the money!I think it would be great for anyone who has been affected by autism.

Must Have
I have shelves filled with books with 'how to' and I have tried them all. My son, Brian now 14, has severe mental retardation, there are very few books for 'teaching' children like him.I took a chance on this one, and worth it.Thanx to the notes in the book I no longer try and stop him from bitting his hands, but understadning why, all of us at home started to take notes of when and what happened before and now we focus on the what happens before.This is just one excellent example.
Excellent!!!
This is the best books for me and my son, with this book, I havelearned, everything about of my son tofocus his life.
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Subjects:  1. Children with Special Needs    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Special Education - Learning Disabled    5. Autism    6. Autistic children    7. Autistic youth    8. Coping with disability    9. Education / Special Education / Learning Disabled    10. Family & Relationships/Children with Special Needs    11. Teaching of those with special educational needs    12. United States   

Reviews (25)

Not for all special needs situations, but helpful
The methods in this book detail considerable sacrifice of parents time and resources devoted to one child; in a multiple child or two-working parent household, this would not be as beneficial and produce results as claimed from Floor Time program.Also, there are many types of special needs children with needs not addressed in this book.While overall helpful and a must-read for involved parents, continue seeking assistance from local programs and teachers/therapists, and use this as one small part of your reading list.This book does not address all the needs of all special needs children, but it is helpful and gives detailed explanations and plans to begin with.We have four special needs children with four separate diagnoses, so we are not first time parents, nor is this book the definitive program or resource for any of the four.Read it, try it, then continue researching and resourcing!

An Absolute Must-Read for Parents with Autistic Children
Our 20-month old son was diagnosed by two separate agencies (one was South Carolina's Department of Disabilities and Special Needs) in August of 2005. We had fought for some sort of diagnosis since he was about one year old, due to SO many issues we saw that were not present with our first children.
Great book!
It's hard to really review a book on Floortime because you're not discussing the book so much as the techniques behind it. As a speech therapist, I got into this method because it mirrored my basic instinctive approach to and ideas about therapy.
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Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Child Development    3. Children with Special Needs    4. Developmentally disabled child    5. Developmentally disabled children    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Life skills guides    8. Mental health    9. Parenting - General    10. Psychology    11. Social Science    12. Sociology - General    13. United States    14. Child & developmental psychology    15. Teaching of those with special educational needs   

Editorial Review

Hard, visual data make a compelling case for the existence of attention deficit disorder (ADD) in this pioneering work by Daniel G. Amen, M.D. Using a nuclear medicine technique called "single photon emission computed tomography" (SPECT)--a controversial step, according to some of his peers--Dr. Amen scans patients' brains to identify various abnormalities. From more than 8,000 such studies and more than 12,000 patient evaluations, Dr. Amen concludes that six--not the formerly presumed two--different types of ADD exist. This book encompasses the full spectrum of Dr. Amen's work: from symptom identification to clinical evaluation, to diet and medication recommendations, to everyday strategies for living with ADD (whether the reader is a parent of an ADD child, or has been diagnosed with the disease.)Read more

Reviews (78)

Effective diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit disorders, based on data, not dogma
Healing ADD is a very readable presentation of the scientific evidence for Attention Deficit Disorders.It contains effective treatment recommendations, based on real world clinical experience. Insightful case histories accompany SPECT brain scans of actual patients, illuminating the physical reality of the disorders and the impact of various pharmaceutical, nutritional, psychotherapy and herbal treatments.
Safe, is it really?
In page xvii of the introduction, Dr. Amen writes "Stimulant medications such as Adderall, Ritalin, or Dexedrine are among the safest and most effective medications in psychiatry". That sounds reassuring until you read the article in Medical News Today (August 22, 2006) mentioning that "Dexedrine and Ritalin are drugs used to treat ADHD. The FDA announced changes to their labels, and possibly those of some other ADHD drugs, to include a warning of a risk of heart problems and psychotic behavior". That is not reassuring at all. This book is writing in an authoritative style - sort of the bible of ADHD, the book that tells you what it is, and how to go about it. The only problem is that it is flawed.
Very informative
Dr. Amen did an excellant job of explaining ADHD and the brain based research that he's done in a way that's easy to read and understand.It's a great resourse for those looking to understand how the brain is affected by this disorder and the way a variety of treatments can be effective. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Attention-deficit disorder in adults    2. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder    3. Children with Special Needs    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Healthy Living    8. Learning Disabilities    9. Parenting - Hyperactivity    10. Treatment    11. Diseases & disorders    12. Health & Fitness / General    13. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    14. Popular medicine   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (16)

A difficult task made easier!
I am so thankful that I chose this book over others that deal with toilet training.I did not realize how teaching someone on the spectrum how to use the potty is very different in many ways, than someone who's not.This book deals with those issues.It brings to light some very important routines and activities to follow.Especially for someone who is new to the world of Autism, this is a book that I highly recommend that you include in your library.

great ideas!
If you ever thought that toilet training was no big deal, try training a child with special needs...a whole different story.This book gives some great tips on how to go about it when the odds are against you.Determining readiness, common problems and solutions and developing a routine, are just some of the topics covered in this book.It is a must have for special ed. teachers as well as parents of individuals with autism and related disorders.Great book!

Very Useful - explains what 's going on from your child's perspective
While we successfully opted to use a different training method to train our 4 year-old dughter- this book was very good at making sense out of our daughter's behavior.An autistic child can really be a challange to understand under normal curcumstances- the volume goes waaaaaay up when potty training.We would highly recommend this book to anyone getting ready to take on this very big job.Take what you can from this book and choose the method that feels most likely to work.Be committed.Chin up.You can do it.Good luck. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Children with Special Needs    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Family/Marriage    6. Special Education - Mentally Handicapped    7. Toilet Training    8. Coping with disability    9. Education/Special Education - Mentally Handicapped    10. Family & Relationships / Children with Special Needs    11. Family & Relationships/Toilet Training   

Reviews (2)

You need not be Dummies to benefit from this book
Finally! A book that gives a clear overview of pretty much every aspect related to autism spectrum disorder: from "classic autism" to Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism. It covers diagnosis, medical and biochemical interventions, sensory issues, learning environments, education, social skills and relationships from pre-school through adulthood. And much more! How can one book address so many topics on one book? Even I'm dumbfounded it can be done...and I guess that's the point. It's Autism for Dummies, which means it gives the briefest most concise explanation. It is written in a clear and understandable manner than ANYONE can simply pick it up, scan through it and get a good handle on what autism is. This is an excellent reference book that every school and parent should have in their library to quickly thumb through for a quick explanation. I, as a parent of three children with ASD, have purchased SEVEN copies (so far!); one for myself to use a continual quick reference book, and 6 others for the professionals who work with my kids.
A very complete and helpful guide...
Over the past three years since we began to suspect my grandson was autistic, I have accumulated a large library on the subject.Many of the books covered or advocated specific types of treatment, or information on school special education, or finances and autism, or possible causes, or personal success stories or even stories of acceptance when success didn't happen.This book covers them all, and more, and does it well.I'm getting another copy for my son and daughter-in-law, although by now they are experts, not dummies.. This is a really EXCELLENT contribution to the available literature on this increasingly common developmental condition.Don't miss it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Autism    2. Children with Special Needs    3. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Mental Illness    6. Psychology    7. Reference    8. Abnormal psychology    9. Health & Fitness / General    10. Popular medicine    11. Psychiatry   

Reviews (9)

Great for Older kids
I think this would be a highly useful book for parents of children 8 and older.There are activities for your child to do like rating their worry on a number scale that I felt were too abstract/advanced for my 4 year old.The general information about anxieties would be good for parents of children of any age.

Excellent Ideas For Desperate Parents
My 8 year old daughter has a lot of issues with anxiety. Fortunately it hasn't gotten to the point where it's extreme but we want to give her tools so that it doesn't get that way. I myself have had issues with anxiety my whole life so I'm sure much of the problems stem from hereditary.
It helped me understand my child better.
After reading this, I gained more compassion for my child, and I was better equipped to handle his anxiousness. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anxiety in children    2. Children with Special Needs    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Family/Marriage    6. General    7. Parenting    8. Parenting - General    9. Parenting - Hyperactivity    10. Personality    11. Child & developmental psychology    12. Child care & upbringing   

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Child Development And Rearing    4. Children with Special Needs    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Games    8. Handicapped    9. Parenting - Child Rearing    10. Perceptual-motor learning    11. Sensory integration dysfunction in children    12. Family & Relationships / Children with Special Needs   

Reviews (9)

Tools and information based on the latest research
THE MISLABELED CHILD: HOW UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHILD'S UNIQUE LEARNING STYLE CAN OPEN THE DOOR TO SUCCESS provides parents, teachers and educators a fine, clear guide to children who are different, how diagnoses often fail, and how to look beyond labels to find the basics of a child's problems. Flaws in current methods of evaluation and diagnosis, especially by non-specialists, accompany tools and information based on the latest research along with first-hand accounts by the children themselves.
The Eide's empower and inspire - A must own!
Brock and Fernette Eide are knowledgable, compassionate, experienced and speak to their audience in an authentic and easily understood voice. After years of doctor's, therapies, tests, etc - one conversation with them opened up a world of understanding that no other phd or professional could provide. More importantly - they can relate with the children in a positive manner. I've had to educate our school about learning differences. Every educator must read this book. There are so many children going through years of frustration in school that is unnecessary. This book will empower and inspire you.

An absolute must read!
In today's world of ADHD escapism, learning disability over-diagnosis and medication-happy classroom environments, The Mislabeled Child is a much needed and called for resource for frazzled and frustrated parents.
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Subjects:  1. Children with Special Needs    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Learning Disabilities    4. Learning Styles    5. Learning disabled children    6. Medical    7. Popular works    8. Psychiatry - Child & Adolescent    9. Child care & upbringing    10. Family & Relationships / Learning Disabilities   

Reviews (2)

Great for kids
My granddaughter loved the explanations about autism in this book. She is 9, and it is written where she can understand more about the behaviors of her brother with autism. She was even going to take it to school for her teacher to read, and some of her classmates.Many adults would benefit from reading it also.

MARCHING TO YOUR OWN DRUMMER
This is an excellent teaching tool that paves the way towards acceptance of persons who display autistic behavior.Autism and its related neurobiological condition, Asperger's are spectrum conditions.Common spectrum behaviors include a myriad of sensory issues such as strong aversions for loud noises; strong reactions to certain smells and tastes and distinctive speaking styles.Many spectrum behaviors overlap and Asperger's, while considered at the higher end of the autism spectrum does indeed share common neuro-sensory ground with autism.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Diet    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Family & Relationships / Children with Special Needs    5. Family & Relationships / Siblings    6. Family - Siblings    7. Health & Daily Living - Physical Impairments    8. Health - Physical Impairments    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Asperger's syndrome    11. Children with Special Needs    12. Family & Relationships    13. Mentally handicapped children    14. Relationships    15. Siblings   

Subjects:  1. Asperger Syndrome    2. Asperger's syndrome    3. Children with Special Needs    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Psychiatry - General    6. Psychology    7. Psychopathology - Autism    8. Coping with disability    9. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    10. Teaching of those with special educational needs   

Reviews (15)

Very useful book
As a teacher I found that this book had many fun and functional activities.I do wish this book had more activities for older (teenage) students with moderate to severe disabilities; but, a great book overall.

Best Book for Sensory Integration out there!!
I *LOVED* this book.It was such a quick read that I got through it in two days, *with* two kids underfoot, but there certainly was no lack in valuable content to read.This has transformed the way that I understand and work with my daughter, and she has had a diagnosis for sensory integration disorder for years!I reccommend this to *any* parent, even those without sensory kids....

Best resource for activities I've found!
I found this book very helpful for use in my field as a social worker who works with children and adolescents, not just with sensory issues, but across a wide spectrum of issues.This book offers MANY activities targeting children of all ages and with diverse interests, and I have also found it helpful to recommend to parents as options for activities to entertain their kids with! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Children with Special Needs    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Family/Marriage    6. Games    7. Learning Disabilities    8. Minimal brain dysfunction in c    9. Parenting - Child Rearing    10. Perceptual-motor learning    11. Sensorimotor integration    12. Sensory integration dysfunction in children    13. Family & Relationships / Child Care    14. Teaching of children / adults with specific learning difficulties   

Editorial Review

Flexibility and tolerance are learned skills, as any parent knows if they've seen an irascible 2-year-old grow into a pleasant, thoughtful, and considerate older child. Unfortunately, for reasons that are poorly understood, a few children don't "get" this part of socialization. Years after toddler tantrums should have become an unpleasant memory, a few unlucky parents find themselves battling with sudden, inexplicable, disturbingly violent rages--along with crushing guilt about what they "did wrong." Medical experts haven't helped much: the flurry of acronyms and labels (Tourette's, ADHD, ADD, etc.) seems to proffer new discoveries about the causes of such explosions, when in fact the only new development isalternative vocabulary to describe the effects. Ross Greene, a pediatricpsychologist who also teaches at Harvard Medical School, makes a bold and humane attempt in this book to cut through the blather and speak directly to the (usually desperate) parents of explosive children. His text is long and serious, and has the advantage of covering an enormous amount of ground with nuance, detail, and sympathy, but also perhaps the disadvantage that only those parents who are not chronically tired and time-deprived are likely to get through the entire book. Quoted dialogue from actual sessions with parents and children is interspersed with analysis that is always oriented toward understanding the origins of "meltdowns" and developing workable strategies for avoidance. Although pharmacological treatment is not the book's focus, there is a chapter on drug therapies. Read more

Reviews (110)

Must read if you work w/ a difficult child
This well-organized, brilliantly thought-out book gives educators and parents a completely different way of thinking about how we lead all children but particularly difficult, abused, angry children.In short order it provides specific tools together with examples of what we can do to create a more peaceful, flexible child who can function successfully in the world and get along with others.The corresponding web site is extremely valuable in conjunction w/ this book.

Real Results-when nothing else has worked!
Thank you Dr. Greene, as reading this book has been more helpful to helping me understand my daughter, and has given us more tangible results than any other medication or therapy that we have tried. Things are not completely normal, but after instituting the behavior plan, they are MUCH BETTER. Every child is different, but in our specific case, the information that Dr. Greene presents makes so much sense, and his basket approach has really helped us avoid rages. This is a must read for parents of children diagnosed with Reactive Attachment disorder, Bipolar, ODD, or ADHD. I highly recommend it.

Explosive Child? The Real Solution May Surprise You!
Frustrated by my son's age-inappropriate temper tantrums, I desperately searched for solutions. [He'd be set off by little things like making a mistake coloring and would rage for 1/2 hour or more ... still at age 6! Maybe this is understandable for a 2 year old, but there was something wrong here...] I approached it psychologically, certain that I somehow wasn't handling him properly. However, he just seemed out of control. No matter how I approached his anger, I couldn't make any significant changes. I purchased this book, but it didn't help me much, as I'd already tried so many behavioral approaches. I finally researched the Feingold Program (you can Google it) after observing that his biggest tantrums came immediately after eating foods with red food coloring. The Feingold Program primarily removes artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives from children's food and environment (yes, even those hand-stamps after gym class can have an effect!), and it's been around since the '70s. A family friend used it successfully for her 2 boys during that time, so I knew at least one success story. I bought the materials and dove in. Guess what -- no more tantrums! My boy is a changed person, and I couldn't be happier. Please give this diet a try -- you may be amazed! It's a bit more work for me when shopping or cooking, but my life is so much easier in every other way because I'm not dealing with a raging kid all the time. He and his little sister (who's 3 and is also on the diet now; she doesn't seem as sensitive as he is, but she definitely benefits also) now play nicely most of the time, freeing up hours of my day. I truly believe that the question is NOT "Will this help my child?" ... the question is "How much will this help my child?" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Behavior disorders in children    2. C