No Parent Left Behind by Susan M. Brefach, Ed.D.

No Parent Left Behind guides parents of children with any type of special learning need through the Special Education universe. Written by a clinical psychologist with over 32 years' experience in evaluating and advocating for children, it tells parents exactly how they can help their child succeed in school. In this comprehensive, easy to read book, parents will learn how to monitor their child's early development for signs of possible difficulty; identify their child's needs within an academic setting; choose a skilled independent evaluator and get the necessary testing to document a child's current performance and needs; understand test results and testing reports; advocate for appropriate services and help craft an effective Individualized Education Program; get the most help from outside professionals, and monitor their child's progress over time.

Legacy of the Blue Heron: Living with Learning Disabilities by Harry Sylvester.

This book is a story of persistence in the face of misunderstanding, a story of survival by patient perseverance through years of puzzlement and frustration, and much more. Harry Sylvester shares with us many lessons he learned the hard way, during the years in which our society was discovering what learning disabilities are.

1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 by Tom Phelan

The 1-2-3 Magic technique is easy to learn and implement - and it works. If you are an ineffective disciplinarian, this book will change your life.

You will learn that "Too Much Talking" and "Too Much Emotion" leads to failure. Dr. Phelan gives you a simple, kid-understandable, quick-to-implement, & quick to explain method and strategies.

1-2-3 Magic is also appropriate for child care workers, teachers, coaches and others who work with kids.

The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness: Five Steps to Help Kids Create and Sustain Lifelong Joy by Edward M. Hallowell, MD.

"Dr. Hallowell outlines a five-step plan that all parents can use to give their children the gift of happiness that will last a lifetime. Connection, play, practice, mastery, and recognition: as fundamental as these five concepts are, they hold the key to raising children with healthy self-esteem, moral awareness, and sp ritual values. Dr. Hallowell explores each step in depth and shows how the work together to foster trust, respect, and joy."

"A wonderful and thought-provoking book. Dr. Hallowell cuts to the heart of what parents most care about for their children. Better, he gives concrete answers to help parents focus on what really matter in child raising." -Anthony E. Wolf, PH.D

Not just another resource on parenting. More than a book on autism. This important book is a must-have guide for any parent of a child with a disability as well as anyone who works with or cares for those families.

Special Children, Challenged Parents shares the unique perspective of a father of a son with autism, with additional reflection from his perspective as a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with families of children with disabilities.  

Uncommon Fathers: Reflections on Raising a Child with a Disability. 

Edited by Donald J. Meyer

Fathers talk about how they coped with having a special child.

They express how the birth and life of a child with special needs changes your life. Stories about obstacles overcome and quiet courage. More info.

The Parents' Complete Special Education Guide: Tips, Techniques and Materials for Helping Your Child Succeed in School and Life by Roger Pierangelo and Robert Jacoby 

This practical guide provides parents with information to survive and deal with special education procedures, rules and regulations. Explains the phases of the child's special education, from early intervention, working with special education teams, placement, and individual education plans. Includes forms, letters and checklists to familiarize parents with paperwork they may encounter. 

Includes several appendices of helpful information - a glossary of special education terms, forms used by the Committee on Special Education, organizations for special children, types of special education tests. 

One reviewer wrote: "The Parents' Complete Special Education Guide gives you a comprehensive hands-on resource filled with practical information, tools, and advice to help ensure that your child receives an appropriate education in the least restrictive environment." 

CLASSIC!

No Easy Answers: The Learning Disabled Child at Home and School. (Bantam Books, 1995)

Parents and teachers of children with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder want  practical answers to tough questions. 
Sally Smith, parent of a learning disabled child and founder of The Lab School, guides parents through the process of evaluations and securing an appropriate education. Smith offers helpful strategies to teachers who are working with learning disabled students. 

The Dyslexic Scholar: Helping Your Child Succeed in the School System by Kathleen Nosek. 

We asked parent attorneys, advocates, and experts to recommend books for the new Advocate's Bookstore.  

Alaska attorney Sonja Kerr says, "Nosek clearly explains dyslexia, the steps to take for a student's evaluation, and, most valuable of all, how to cut through the disbelievers and bureaucrats who stand in the way of a child's education. 

Educator Nosek tells parents how to successfully navigate today's school system and ensure that dyslexic children receive the special education they are entitled to by law. 

Includes scenarios to help tongue-tied parents cut through red tape and find necessary answers." 

Life After High School: A Guide for Students with Disabilities and Their Families by Susan Yellin.

This useful book provides a complete overview of the issues such students and their families will need to consider, and outlines the key skills they will need in order to succeed after graduating high school and moving on to further education or the workplace. The authors describe the legal landscape as it applies to students with disabilities in the USA, and how to obtain the proper disability documentation to ensure that the student receives the right support and accommodations in college. Focussing specifically on the issues that affect students with disabilities, they offer advice on everything from dealing with college entrance exams and the college application process, to selecting the right college, visiting the campus, and achieving medical and financial independence away from home..

The Pretenders: Gifted People Who Have Difficulty Learning by Barbara P. Guyer and Sally E. Shaywitz. 

"With insight, sensitivity, and the wisdom gathered through unusually thorough training and years of classroom experience, Dr. Guyer explains why some educational practices perpetuate the very problems they are intended to solve."

In the Mind's Eye: Visual Thinkers, Gifted People With Dyslexia and Other Learning Difficulties, Computer Images and the Ironies of Creativity by Thomas West. 

"This is probably the most definitive and best-researched book on the topic of dyslexic cognition available . . . I found Tom West's accounts of notable dyslexics fascinating and invaluable. In the Mind's Eye is a masterful job of research and insight. 

Learning Outside the Lines: Two Ivy League Students with LD & ADHD Give You to Tools for Academic Success. (Mooney, Cole) 

This is an inspiring, practical book by 2 college students: Jonathon has dyslexia, David has ADHD. This book gives hope to parents and adolescents who are often demoralized by public school staff. Includes many practical strategies that students can use: notebook organization, note taking, test taking, cramming, reading, and more. More information about Learning Outside the Lines. 

"Parents must know, understand and advocate for 'good instruction'. Teaches parents about reading research -- a 'reader friendly' way to get acquainted with proven research based methods of reading instruction." 

"Best practices" in education, as in other fields, should not only be reasonable but mandatory."  Read reviews of Straight Talk About Reading

Eating an Artichoke is about a child's struggle with Asperger's Syndrome as seen by his mother, author Echo Fling. The title reflects the process of understanding her son's disability, that it was like eating an artichoke, requiring years of peeling off each thorny layer to get to the "heart" of things. 

This book includes practical advice for parents of children with Asperger's Syndrome. Includes practical advice for parents of children with Asperger's Syndrome.

More information and reviews of Eating an Artichoke.

"I was looking for positive books on ADD to boost my 11-yr old son's self-esteem after we recently both began treatment for this "disorder." 

ADD: A Different Perception (revised) by Thom Hartmann gives examples of successful, creative, and dynamic individuals throughout history who were undoubtedly affected by ADD. 

"Innovative and fresh . . .  Rather than portraying the syndrome as a crippling disease, Thom Hartmann demonstrates that ADD can be associated with creativity, high achievement, and a most successful adaptive style." (Edward Hallowell, MD and John Ratey, MD, authors of Driven to Distraction) 

Thinking in Pictures by Temple Grandin with Oliver Sacks. 

 In this unprecedented book, Temple Grandin, gifted animal scientist who is also autistic, writes about autism from her unique personal perspective. 

"Without guile or pretentions Temple Grandin shares with the reader the workings of her mind and the life she has built." Thinking in Pictures is a good reference to the types autism and treatments being used successfully today. 

50 Ways to Support Your Child's Special Education: From IEPs to Assorted Therapies, an Empowering Guide to Taking Action, Every Day by Terri Mauro.

This book looks at the many ways that parents can advocate for their children. including how to: Communicate with teachers, Get homework done, Become involved at school, Ensure their children are well rested, Start a school day on the right foot.

Advocacy comes in all forms, and sometimes it's as simple as helping people get to know their child and family in a positive way. This useful book will serve as an invaluable tool for parents looking to establish the best educational plan for their children.

The Everything Parent's Guide To Sensory Integration Disorder by Terri Mauro.

Get the Right Diagnosis, Understand Treatments, And Advocate for Your Child.

In this parent guide you'll find the answers you need as you search for ways to help your child. This reassuring handbook examines various forms of treatment and therapy, and provides professional advice for helping children with SID succeed in school, at home, and with friends.

How to talk to Anybody!
"A therapist recommended this book when my son was 4 - I read the book and actually photocopied the ideas of each chapter and taped them to the refrigerator for easy reference." 

"The ideas are simple and effective. They keep communication open between parent and child. My son is now almost 18, and we have a terrific relationship." 

How to Talk so Kids Will Listen says the same things high-priced consultants say -- treat people with respect, do not deny their emotions, state facts (only), and shut up and listen. Give praise and recognition. Use it in real life, inside the family AND outside in the "real" world."