'A must-read!' FINLAY GAMES This essential survival guide gives autistic trans and/or non-binary adults all the tools and strategies they need to live as their very best self. Blending personal accounts with evidence-based insights and up-to-date information, and written from a perspective of empowerment and self-acceptance, the book promotes pride, strength and authenticity, covering topics including self-advocacy, mental health and camouflaging and masking as well as key moments in life such as coming out or transitioning socially and/or physically. Written by two leading autistic trans activists, this book honestly charts what life is like as an autistic trans person and is vital, life-affirming reading.

First published in 1984, this book focuses on the support and reassurance needed by parents of children with handicaps. It provides a practical guide in relation to daily care and is equally as relevant to professionals, therapists, teachers, doctors and psychologists who must advise parents. Written by an Occupational Therapist, the book highlights the need to make such children as independent as possible and gives advice on care of a special baby, modifications to the home environment, the needs of a child with a physical handicap, problems of educational handicap, and the place of a child in the family and community.

This informative and very practical book is intended to help parents and teachers equip children with dyspraxia, or developmental coordination disorder, with the strategies that will enable them to live as normal a life as possible with this hidden handicap. Examining the developmental path of the child through the early years at home, at nursery school, grade school, high school, and into adulthood, it offers special tips on how to encourage children with dyspraxia to improve their social skills and develop a strong self-esteem. Included is information about the causes and symptoms of dyspraxia, characteristics of the condition, diagnostic procedures, and a glossary of terms.

An inspiring true story of a life devoted to helping Downs children. Alex Bell is a 53 year old woman who lives in Swinton, on the outskirts of Manchester. She is feisty, funny with a real firecracker of a personality. She has needed that strength of character for Alex is the adoptive mother of 8 children with Downs Syndrome or other disabilities, children who some parts of society would perhaps prefer to forget. Age 28 and unmarried, Alex adopted her first Downs child, Matthew - and became one of the first people in the UK to be approved for adoption as a single woman. Amazingly, she went on to take eight more children under her wing, Simon, Adrian, Nathan, Andrew, Chloe, Tom, Emily and Callum. Some had been through a frustratingly bureaucratic care system, or moved from one foster parent to another. It sometimes seemed an impossible challenge, but Alex was determined to give these children stability, love and the best life possible. With her down-to-earth charm, Alex also brings together the families often torn apart by Downs. She encourages the birth families to get together - some of whom have sadly turned their backs on their son or daughter, but others have now long been happily involved in their children's lives. The nine children each have unique, sometimes heartbreaking stories, but they are also the most joyful, compelling and fascinating children you're ever likely to meet: Happy-to-lucky Matthew, 24, who takes people on tours of Man. Utd - the only Downs child to be given such a privileged position, and testament to Alex's care Adrian, the family timekeeper and numbers wiz, as if born with a clock inside his brain Chloe, the lovable, mischievous scamp known as Little Miss Dynamite Prepare to be amazed, moved and entranced by this powerful true story that will change the way we all look at disabilities. Alex believes special needs children are 'gifts', and spending any time with her it becomes obvious that she also has a very special gift of her own.

Effective use of ICT can enhance many dyslexic pupils' access to the curriculum, but it has to be used appropriately. This book will be useful to all teachers, teaching assistants, SENCOs and parents who are keen to have practical advice on how to help a child in this way. Full of strategies and suggestions that are based on the author's extensive classroom experience, this accessible book is suitable for the ICT novice and more advanced user alike. The book has been fully updated to guide the user through the maze of hardware and software currently available, identifying those most suitable for different Key Stages and curriculum subjects as well as providing ICT solutions to the problems of assessing and screening for dyslexia.

1.6 seconds. That's how long it takes to fall two stories. That's how long it takes for life to change. When Michael Murphy was 21, he fell off a roof at college and landed flat on his back, severing his spine. They say that nobody understands their own traumatic injury just after it happens-but Michael did. Every person falls. They fall short in school, in life, in work, and in love. Their lives sometimes feel punctuated by those downfalls-the rejection letters, the unrequited love, the missed promotions, the life altering traumas. Everyone falls. But then what? When I Fell is a true tale of going from abled, to disabled, to empowered. It combines the story surrounding Michael's recovery with the science of resiliency and thriving-what psychologists are now calling Posttraumatic Growth (PTG)-to teach readers how to hit home runs when life throws them curves. Befitting new mainstream acceptance for disabilities, When I Fell is as much a memoir as it is a message. It features the five principles established by Drs. Tedeschi and Calhoun-the pioneers who coined the phrase in the 1990's-for scientific validation to bring PTG further into the public eye.

Are you living away from home for the first time, graduating from school or perhaps getting a new job? These transitions can be especially overwhelming to deal with as a young autistic adult. This survival guide is bursting with neurodivergent-friendly advice from autistic people themselves (and a few neurotypicals too) for young adults embarking on their own journeys of self-discovery and independence. From guidance on organising your own money, looking after your home and organising your social life to tips on self-advocacy and important life skills such as driving, voting and volunteering, Haley Moss has you covered. Using personal stories, interviews with experts and tips from other young people, this book gives you tips and tools to boost your confidence, ready to make your mark on the world!

Parenting an autistic child as a neurotypical adult can be challenging but it doesn't need to feel impossible! This essential guide will help you reshape your approaches to parenting. Packed with lived-experience insight and easy-to-follow advice this transformative guide will change how you view the behaviour of your autistic child and challenge you to rewire your thinking to see the world through the autistic lens. This guide challenges the common misunderstandings surrounding autistic behaviour, such as emotional dysregulation in public settings or meltdowns at mealtimes. Parents and carers will be given a deeper understanding of why your child behaves the way they do and how a change in your parenting approach is key to relax and resolve difficult situations. This book gives you all the tools you need to not only parent your autistic child, but also to understand them. With tips on how to support and interpret emotional dysregulation, meltdowns, food aversions and much more, you will learn how to see the world through your child's eyes, using communication techniques that will help you and your child thrive.

Advocacy skills must be taught because they are essential to life success. Learn from people with ASD on how to teach these skills! Edited by Stephen Shore, Ask and Tell: Self-Advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum helps people with autism effectively self-advocate in their pursuit of independent, productive, and fulfilling lives. Ask and Tell is unique in that it'ss the first book to speak to the twin issues of self-advocacy and disclosure for people with autism. This book also discusses how advocacy begins in preschool and extends throughout the lifespan with meaningful examples, such as showing how people with autism have great value to society. It is written and illustrated entirely by individuals with ASD, including a preface by Temple Grandin. Overall, successful self-advocacy involves a degree of disclosure about oneself that often carries some degree of risk in an effort to reach the goal of better mutual understanding. Ask and Tell offers countless practical ideas and advice adjusted for different personalities and personal preferences, and always backed by the real life experiences.

Covering the period from Antiquity to Early Modernity, A Historical Sociology of Disability argues that disabled people have been treated in Western society as good to mistreat and - with the rise of Christianity - good to be good to. It examines the place and role of disabled people in the moral economy of the successive cultures that have constituted 'Western civilisation'. This book is the story of disability as it is imagined and re-imagined through the cultural lens of ableism. It is a story of invalidation; of the material habituations of culture and moral sentiment that paint pictures of disability as 'what not to be'. The author examines the forces of moral regulation that fall violently in behind the dehumanising, ontological fait accompli of disability invalidation, and explores the ways in which the normate community conceived of, narrated and acted in relation to disability. A Historical Sociology of Disability will be of interest to all scholars, students and activists working in the field of Disability Studies, as well as sociology, education, philosophy, theology and history. It will appeal to anyone who is interested in the past, present and future of the 'last civil rights movement'.

The purpose of special needs planning is to create the best possible life for an adult with a disability. This book provides comprehensive guidance on creating a life plan to transition a special needs child to independence or to ensure they are well cared for in the future. Beginning with a vision of a meaningful life for the child, Hal Wright explains how to form a practical plan to reach these goals, how to mentor personal empowerment and task skills, and how to create circles of support to sustain a life plan. He next looks at employment and residential options, and government programs available in the United States. Finally he talks the reader through important financial and legal considerations, including how to fund and manage a special needs trust. This book will be essential reading for all parents or guardians of a child with a cognitive, mental or physical impairment. It will also be of interest to attorneys, financial planners, insurance agents, trust officers and other professionals looking to better serve the special needs community.

'All I wanted to do was go to sleep. And I was certain that if I did drift off, it would be for the last time.' In 1998, Paul Pritchard was struck on the head by a falling rock as he climbed a sea stack in Tasmania called the Totem Pole. Close to death, waiting for hours for rescue, Pritchard kept himself going with a promise that given the chance, he would 'at least attempt to live'. Left hemiplegic by his injury, Pritchard has spent the last two decades attempting to live, taking on adventures that seemed impossible for someone so badly injured while plumbing the depths of a mind almost snuffed out by his passion for climbing. Not content to simply survive, Pritchard finds ways to return to his old life, cycling across Tibet and expanding his mind on gruelling meditation courses, revisiting the past and understanding his compulsion for risk. Finally, he returns to climb the Totem Pole, the place where his life was almost extinguished. The Mountain Path is an adventure book like no other, an exploration of a healing brain, a journey into philosophy and psychology, a test of will and a triumph of hope.

Have you ever been told you are chatty or fidgety at school? Do you have a constantly whirring mind? Do you 'tune out' and daydream or find it hard to pay attention? ADHD can impact your life in many ways. This positive, self-affirming guide will increase your knowledge about ADHD and empower you in your daily life. The chapters are full of tips, tricks and life hacks so you can better manage your time, harness your creativity, energy and enthusiasm, and make more time for fun! Reflection activities and quizzes will help you better understand yourself and learn strategies on how to manage the intense emotions of rejection sensitivity. You'll learn the fundamentals of great self-care and how to look forward to life beyond school. Learn how ADHD brains work, and tricky concepts like executive functioning. Quick chapter summaries let you pick which sections are most relevant to you right now, and the strategies and visuals are designed for ADHD brains and can be used with support from parents, mentors or teachers. The Teenage Girl's Guide to Living Well with ADHD gives you all you need to build on your strengths and overcome challenges to fully embrace who you are and live your best life.

When it comes to parenting a child with a hidden disability, everyone seems to have an opinion. Here, Naomi Simmons writes from experience, offering new solutions for when conventional parenting strategies just don't work. Whether it be autism, ADHD, OCD, a mood or anxiety disorder with or without a diagnosis, if you have a child with any hidden disability, this is the book for you. Naomi Simmons is a parent of children with a range of hidden disabilities. She provides candid guidance on how best to support children in this situation - dealing with meltdowns, school avoidance, self-harm, anxiety and depression - and shares the experiences of others who really do 'get it'. Addressing common concerns and hurdles, this book helps you respond to your child's needs and challenges while developing their unique strengths and talents.

Meet Creatia, Persisto and Willforce. They are strong, determined and creative, and they represent the strengths that dyslexia can bring to your life. Together they encourage you to use your skills and talents to be confident in what you do - and shrink the villain Mr Dyspicibilia! This is a fun and interactive resource for grown-ups and children to work through together, with drawing and writing activities and examples to open up helpful discussions and find practical solutions that put the dyslexic child's self-esteem and self-understanding at the fore. The strategies in the book are brought to life through the three superheroes who help you develop a child's unique strengths to tackle the everyday challenges they may experience with reading, writing, staying organised or keeping track of the time. The colourful illustrations, cartoons and dialogue encourage children to name their feelings, identify challenges and recognise their own strengths in any situation.

In Disability Alliances and Allies: Opportunities and Challenges, Allison Carey, Joan Ostrove and Tara Fannon have gathered an interdisciplinary team of leading experts, to offer nuanced analyses of the meaning and practice of being an ally and of building effective alliances that account for the structural, individual, and interpersonal challenges involved in amplifying disabled voices and centering the disability lived experience. The first section of this volume addresses cooperation and conflict in advocacy and activism across social movements, organizations, and institutions. It examines the formation of new alliances, what happens when interests collide, and the social and economic challenges of forming coherent unions. The second section engages issues of agency, autonomy, and identity in interpersonal relationships, highlighting the role of power and status, focusing on alliance dynamics between disabled and non-disabled people. For its breadth and depth of research, this volume of Research in Social Science and Disability is essential reading for researchers and students across the social sciences interested in disability, social movements, activism, and identity.

Covering everything from recognising symptoms and obtaining initial diagnosis to living with the condition on a daily basis, this complete guide to living with and managing Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (Hypermobility Type - formerly known as Type III) has been revised and fully-updated in this accessible new edition. The author, who has the condition, looks at how it affects children and adolescents and explores pain management, pregnancy, physical and psychological aspects, and how it widely affects dancers and other performance artists. New material includes: changes in terminology information on how osteopathy and nutrition can help psychological approaches beyond CBT how to deal with professionals what to expect from support groups and rehabilitation programmes This new edition will be a must for anybody who suffers, or suspects they might be suffering from, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (Hypermobility Type) and provides everything needed to enjoy a fulfilling life with this complex condition. It will also be of interest to their families and friends, and professionals working with Hypermobility Type EDS.

Written by expert professionals, this book provides comprehensive information about available support for women and girls with ADHD and tips for clinicians and professionals who work with them. The symptoms of ADHD are no less impairing in females than males, but can be missed or misunderstood. This book arms professionals, parents, and women themselves as it maps out where to go for information, who can help and how to understand ADHD better. It explains routes to assessment and diagnosis for girls and young women, how to access support in education, available treatments, and the impact of living with ADHD on overall mental health. It explores the benefits of ADHD coaching for girls to help develop their unique strengths and talents. There is also a focus on ADHD diagnosis for women in adulthood and specific advice about treatment and medication for later in life. Central to the book are the personal experiences of ADHD from women and girls from a variety of backgrounds. These tell of late diagnosis, missed opportunities, a lifetime of adaptations and the power of recognition and treatment and are powerful stories for professionals and individuals with ADHD alike.

Learn how smart people with learning gaps struggle, survive, and achieve
Smart But Stuck, Second Edition is an updated look at how smart people with learning gaps can not only overcome them, but become successful in learning and life. The new edition of this classic explores the emotional aspects of learning disabilities and imprisoned intelligence, showing how and why smart people with learning disabilities are resilient in getting help in order to struggle, survive, and achieve. The book also includes new material on the relationship between learning disabilities and neuroscience and a new foreword by Joseph Palombo, Founding Dean of the Institute for Clinical Social Work in Chicago.
This unique and compelling new version takes into account that the reader may have a learning disability, so it's easy to read and understand. Topics build on each other so the reader's knowledge becomes cumulative without dramatic effect and so emotional, biological, and social issues are easily integrated as the reader learns to turn a learning disability into an advantage.
From the author:
Resilience is the capacity to bounce back; in individuals with LD it's a powerful tool. When people hit the chasm, shame is the outcome. People can withdraw and give up. (Some people take solace in substance abuse to ease the emotional pain.) Others keep trying. In the process of not giving up, people learn to keep hope alive because eventually new opportunities for learning become possible.
Smart But Stuck, Second Edition examines:
* imprisoned intelligence and resilience how does it happen?
* shame and resilience
* discovery and diagnosis
* learning to live with the diagnosis
* new reflections
* resilience and fulfilling potential
* neurocognitive foundations of learning disorders
* self-psychology and imprisoned intelligence
* psychotherapy
* fortitude and flexibility in people with learning disabilities
* and much more

Smart But Stuck, Second Edition is a must-read for people with learning disabilities and their families, psychotherapists, social workers, educators, parents, vocational counselors, and college counselors. Please visit www.smartbutstuck.com for more information.
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Murphys Don't Quit is a story of hope and resilience as one family rallies together during a tragedy. Colleen Murphys' daughter, Lauren, suffered severe brain damage after a tragic accident. Lauren remained in the hospital unidentified for several hours, she was not expected to survive. This story is a raw, honest account of the pitfalls and challenges a family faces while navigating life through brain injury. Murphys Don't Quit shows how one family combined a never-give-up attitude with faith, hope, and love. Throughout the chapters, readers see not just the highs, but the heartbreaking lows. Due to the family's Irish wit, humor often diffuses the devastating subject matter. Through the many grueling hours of therapy and by visiting specialists all over the country, Lauren was able to find her way back to a life filled with purpose and is now a highly sought after inspirational public speaker.

The idea that some people think differently, though no less humanly, is explored in this inspiring book. Temple Grandin is a gifted and successful animal scientist, and she is autistic. Here she tells us what it was like to grow up perceiving the world in an entirely concrete and visual way - somewhat akin to how animals think, she believes - and how it feels now. Through her finely observed understanding of the workings of her mind, she gives us an invaluable insight into autism and its challenges.

The first book that explains how to use Social Stories (TM) to support younger adults with autism focuses on some of the most common issues that arise as they enter the adult world. Siobhan Timmins explores the thinking that can lead to particularly problematic situations, and shows how to construct effective stories that can enlarge understanding and reshape thinking to help young adults with autism approach the work in a confident and constructive way. The stories engage with the various stages of applying for a job, adjusting to a work environment, maintaining physical and mental health, and staying safe. Along with the sample stories are explanations of how to create your own story to develop further understanding and draw connections between each story and the issues they explore. From practical skills such as dressing for an interview, to identifying emotions and recognising symptoms of depression, this book takes Social Stories (TM) a major step further and adapts them to the realities of adult life.

Participatory Case Study Work shows academic co-researchers how to adapt and implement their methods so that data collection and analysis is authentically participatory. At the heart of this text is advocating a participatory approach to case study work, with co-construction as a catalyst for shared understanding and action in advancing ageing studies. Whilst case study research has a relatively long tradition in the canon of research methodologies, little attention has so far been paid to the importance and value of participatory case study work. This is surprising as its egalitarian and democratic value-base naturally lends itself to the co-production and co-creation of personal and collective theory drawn directly from lived experience. The book brings together over 15 years' worth of participatory case study work in ageing studies in which the editors have been actively involved as either front-line researchers or as supervisors to PhD and MPhil studies adopting the methodology, and from where each of the contributors is selected. Real-life case examples are shared in the main chapters of the book and they provide direction as to how learning can be applied to other settings. The chapters also contain key references and recommended reading. This volume will appeal to undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as postdoctoral researchers interested in fields such as research methods, qualitative methods, ageing studies and mental health studies.

Roxy lives in the forest with her three best friends, who she loves to visit and play games with. Roxy is in a wheelchair, so sometimes it is harder for her to go to the same places and play the same games as the other animals. Roxy and her friends realise that by making a few small changes and working together, they can make the forest a better place for everyone. Roxy teaches us that there are bunches of ways to be more inclusive of those who have a disability so that everyone can join in. Part of the Truth & Tails series, which aims to eliminate prejudices and encourage acceptance in young children aged 4-8, the story of Roxy and her friends is accompanied by hand-drawn, watercolour illustrations.