Text Set on

disabilities
7 childrens books
3 supplementary resources
2 resources for adults

Danny and the Merry-Go-Round

By: Nan Holcomb
Age range: 4-8
Summary: Playgrounds are
not always user friendly for
children with disabilities.
This day on the playground
brings new friends and new
fun for Danny. Great for
encouraging other parents
and children to reach out in
friendship. Neat for working
on the concepts of self and
social acceptance (Barnes
and Nobles).
Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Dan
ny-Merry-Go-Round-Nan-Hol
comb/dp/
0944727115

Way To Go, Alex

By: Robin Pulver
Age range: 6 and up
Summary: Carly loves her older brother
Alex, just like her friend, Annie, loves her
older brother. But sometimes Carly wishes
Alex were more like Annie's brother. The
problem is that Alex's brain doesn't work
right.One day Carly's mother tells her that
Alex is going to compete in the Special
Olympics. Carly works hard to get Alex ready
for his events. Then the big day arrives and
Carly cheers her brother on. But when it's
time for the standing long jump, Alex turns
to Carly for help. In the end, Carly gains a
new understanding for and appreciation of
her brother (Goodreads.com).
Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Concept-BooksAlbert-Whitman/dp/
0807515833

Leo the Late Bloomer

By: Robert Kraus
Age range: 4-8
Summary: Leo isn't
reading, or writing, or
drawing, or even speaking,
and his father is concerned.
But Leo's mother isn't. She
knows her son will do all
those things, and more,
when he's ready.
'Reassuring for other late
bloomers, this book is
illustrated with beguiling
pictures (Amazon.com).
Link:
http://www.amazon.com/LeoLate-Bloomer-Robert-Kraus/
dp/
006443348X

Dustins Big School Day

By: Alden Carter
Age range: 5 and up
Summary: Dustin, the popular
hero of "Big Brother Dustin", is in
the second grade now. The
excitement of a school day builds
as Dustin, who has Downs
Syndrome, and his classmates
follow their regular day. Teachers
use Dave and Skippy as examples
in math problems and language
arts activities. Who are Dave and
Skippy? Readers will find out
when Dustin finally gets called
out of class to help greet the
special visitors (Amazon.com).
Link:
http://www.amazon.com/DustinsSchool-Concept-AlbertWhitman/dp/0807517410

Andy and His Yellow Frisbee

By: Mary Thompson
Age range: 5 and up
Summary: An illustrated
children's book about Andy,
a boy with autism. Rosie,
the watchful and protective
sister, supplies background
on Andy and autism, as well
as a sibling's perspective.
(Goodreads.com).
Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Yell
ow-Frisbee-Woodbine-Specia
l-Needs-Collection/dp/
0933149832

Special People Special Ways

By: Arlene Maguire
Age range: 4-7
Summary: Special People
Special Ways is a book that
uses rhymes to talk about the
differences and disabilities
some children have. The book
infroms readers of various
disabilities that are seen in
the classroom and how to
respond to them.
(http://edg625childrensliterat
ure.blogspot.com/2011/04/spe
cial-people-specialways.html).
Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Specia
l-People-Ways-Arlene-Maguire
/dp/
1885477651

Be Good to Eddie Lee

By: Virginia Fleming
Age range: 4-8
Summary: Mama has
always told Christy to be
good to Eddie Lee because
he was "different". But did
that mean she had to let
him follow her around all
summer? This sensitive
portrayal of a young Down's
Syndrome child shows
young readers the joy of
unconditional friendship
(Goodreads.com).
Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Good
-Eddie-Lee-Virginia-Flemin
g/dp/
0698115821

Radio
Movie written by Mike Rich,
and directed by Michael Tollin
Summary: Football coach
Harold Jones befriends Radio,
a mentally-challenged man
who becomes a student at
T.L. Hanna High School in
Anderson, South Carolina.
Their friendship extends over
several decades, where Radio
transforms from a shy,
tormented man into an
inspiration to his community
(imdb.com).
Link:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt
0316465
/

Normal
By: Colleen Dunn
Poem
Summary: This short poem is about a girl who has
autism. She knows that she is different, but she
will not let others bring her down. She talks about
how through her difference, there is beauty inside
of her brain that nobody else can understand.
Link:
http://allpoetry.com/poem/11687095-Normal-by-Co
lleenDunn

 Song by country music artist Mark Wills

Summary: This is a song about even through our
differences we should not laugh at the expense of
others differences. We should not make fun of
others who are different than we are. No matter if
that is someone who has to wear glasses, or
someone who has Down syndrome, they are still
people and we should not treat them any differently.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=FVjbo8dW9c8

Will My Kid Grow Out Of It? A Child

Psychologists Guide to Understanding
Worrisome Behavior
By Bonny J. Forrest
Summary: Dr. Forrests practical guide will appeal to
parents who are worried their children may be
depressed, autistic, ADHD, schizophrenic, or have an
eating or learning disorder. While she is clear that Will
My Kid Grow Out Of It? is not meant to be a substitute for
professional advice, her advice is plentiful. She believes
there is no downside to screening a child because a
parent will either get reassurance or get early access to
the resources a child needs. Forrest reminds us that,
Although one in seven children has some form of
developmental disability, fewer than half the
pediatricians in the country screen children for these
disorders. On top of that there are few gold standard
research studies in child psychology and lots of cures
in the popular media; she discusses these and suggests
questions parents should ask when choosing professional
to help children. Note this book offers a useful
bibliography divided into sections like scientific journal
articles, books, and websites (brainchildmag.com).

Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Will-Kid-Grow-Psychologists-Unde
rstanding/dp/
1613747624

The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing

and Coping with Sensory Processing
Disorder by Carol Stock Kranowitz
Summary: Sensory processing disorder is seen as a new
definition of an old problem. Until recently it was often
overlooked, except by occupational therapists who are most
effective in helping children with a range of sensory processing
issues. Like other authors on this list, Kranowitz is a strong
advocate for early interventioneven recognizing that
insurance doesnt always cover the cost of therapy, mainly
because the disorder still isnt included in the latest DSM.
Regardless of whether your child has sensory issues, or other
medical needs, you should read the section in Chapter 8 on
how to build a relationship between a therapist and child (hint:
emphasize that its fun). Kranowitz presents many checklists
and questionnaires throughout the comprehensive book, but
her images are also useful, like saying we should think of
sensory processing disorder like indigestion of the brain and
just like an antacid soothes, kids need occupational therapy to
smooth their neural pathways (brainchildmag.com).
Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Out-Sync-Child-Carol-Kranowitz/dp/
0399531653