Childhood hearing loss is more common than most people assume, and yet this invisible condition can rob a child of the ability to develop close emotional relationships with family and friends. This book demystifies this condition and offers emotionally-supportive approaches to caring for the child and the whole family. It is written from the perspective of a pediatric audiologist who has diagnosed hearing loss in hundreds of newborns and young children, and who has shaped clinical best-practices during his career. Hearing loss is not an "all or nothing" condition, but a range from very subtle, slight challenges, to very little ability to hear. The impact that hearing loss can have on a child's language, intellectual, social and emotional development is enormous. But when the team of healthcare providers, developmental specialists, and parents are all working together, the hearing loss can become just another trait of this wonderful, unique child, rather than the single condition that defines the child and the family's experience raising that child. This book offers an explanation of "what is hearing loss" for parents, describes who is on the team working with the child (and team members' roles), and practical guidance for navigating what can be an uncertain path for families. Any family living with a child with hearing loss will benefit from the gentle guidance and hopeful stories found in this work.

If you grow up in a world where wrinkles are practically illegal, going bald is cause for a mental breakdown, and women over size zero are encouraged to shoot themselves (immediately), what the hell do you do if you're, gasp ... DISABLED? Whatever body you're born into, the pressure to be normal is everywhere. But have you ever met a normal person? What do they look like? Where do they live? What do they eat for breakfast? And what the **** does normal mean anyway? This is the award-winning wobbly comedian Francesca Martinez's funny, personal, and universal story of how she learned to stick two shaky fingers up to the crazy expectations of a world obsessed with being 'normal'.

Her business burnt to the ground, her home flooded, family bankruptcy a harsh reality, and yet, these events paled into insignificance for what was to come. Mala was diagnosed with four complex and debilitating, incurable diseases. She became riddled with inflammation and excruciating symptoms. The medical prognosis – no hope and wheelchair bound for the rest of her life. Her relationships and life were falling apart.

But, Mala defied the limited beliefs of medical science and today is walking, dancing, driving and thriving again. How? She used her adverse situation to conduct intensive research resulting in a unique Take-Charge Wellness formula that works! This non-fiction, self-help book is a success story that is both gripping and empowering for those caught up in the stress of everyday life or battling a chronic illness.

This, is Mala’s story, scientifically researched and referenced.

Children enter the school doors today with many diverse needs: mental health problems, ADHD, anxiety, victims of physical or sexual abuse, homelessness, or facing some other type of trauma. Teachers in today's classrooms are struggling to understand the needs of their students and to provide a supportive and nurturing environment, while maintaining structure and routine. In whatever setting students are, teachers must understand the challenges that students come to school facing, know how to assess the needs of the children, build positive relationships with them, collaborate with others, and take care of themselves. The first book in this two book volume explored the needed components in setting the stage for meeting the needs of the students. This second volume provides the specific interventions that teachers will need to implement. Included in this volume are evidence-based academic interventions and behavioral interventions. Other chapters provide interventions to incorporate wellness and the creative arts. Strategies to teach social skills and to prepare students for independent living and the world of work are also an integral part of this volume.