Caregiver Resources
Skip to: Special Needs: General • Fun and Relaxation • Legal Information • Special Education: General • Special Education: Early Childhood • Special Education: Higher Education • Behavior • Developmental Disabilities • Emotional and Mental Health • Learning Disabilities, Learning Differences, Learning Difficulties • Reading Difficulties • Speech and Language Impairments • ADD, ADHD, and Hyperactivity • Asperger Syndrome • Autism • Blindness and Visual Impairment • Cerebral Palsy • Deafness and Hearing Impairment • Down Syndrome • Dyslexia • Fragile X syndrome • Muscular Dystrophy • Obsessive-compulsive Disorder • Oppositional Defiant Disorder • Sensory Integration Dysfunction • Spina Bifida • Tourette Syndrome • Personal and Family Perspectives • Suspected Risk Factors
Children’s Health and Development: General Topics
- Brazleton, T. Berry. The Children’s Hospital Guide to Your Child’s Health and Development, 2001.
- Kimball, Chad T., editor. Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook, 2003. (Health Reference Series)
- Massimini, Kathy. Genetic Disorders Source Book: Basic Consumer Health Information about Hereditary Diseases and Disorders, 2000.
- Rapp, Doris J. Is This Your Child?: Discovering and Treating Unrecognized Allergies, 1991.
Special Needs: General
- Albrecht, Donna G. Raising a Child Who Has a Physical Disability, 1995.
- Brinkerhoff, Shirley. Why Can’t I Learn Like Everyone Else? Youth with Learning Disabilities, 2004.
- Feinberg, Sandra. Including Families of Children with Special Needs: A How-to-do-it Manual for Librarians, 1999.
- Hale, Natalie. Oh, Brother! Growing up with a Special Needs Sibling, 2004.
- James, Sheryl. Take My Hand: Inspirational Messages for Parents of a Special Needs Child, 2004.
- Newman, Sarah. Stepping Out: Using Games and Activities to Help Your Child with Special Needs, 2004.
- Sweeney, Wilma, K. The Special-Needs Reading List: An Annotated Guide to the Best Publications for Parents and Professionals, 1998.
Fun and Relaxation
- Kranowitz, Carol Stock. The Out-of-sync Child Has Fun: Activities for Kids with Sensory Integration Dysfunction, 2003.
- Marsh, Valerie. Beyond Words: Great Stories for Hand and Voice, 1995.
- Oppenheim, Joanne. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio: The Best Toys, Books, Videos, Music & Software for Kids, 2005. Includes a chapter on the best items for kids with special needs (plus additional resources for their parents).
- Programs for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities, 1999. Includes a directory of agencies and organizations providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities in Illinois.
Legal Information
- Daugherty, Richard F. Special Education: A Summary of Legal Requirements, Terms, and Trends, 2001.
- Esherick, Joan. Guaranteed Rights: The Legislation That Protects Youth with Special Needs, 2004 (Youth With Special Needs Series)
Special Education: General
- Anderson, Winifred. Negotiating the Special Education Maze: A Guide for Parents & Teachers, 1997.
- Mayerson, Gary. How to Compromise with Your School District Without Compromising Your Child, 2004. Minskoff, Esther H. Academic Success Strategies for Adolescents with Learning Disabilities and ADHD, 2003.
- Pierangelo, Roger. Parents’ Complete Special Education Guide: Tips, Techniques, and Materials for Helping Your Child Succeed in School and Life, 1996.
- Siegel, Lawrence M. The Complete IEP Guide: How to Advocate for your Special Ed Child, 2000.
- Unger, Harlow G. The Learning Disabilities Trap: How to Save Your Child From the Perils of Special Education, 1998.
Special Education: Early Childhood
- Bell, Susan H. Challenging Behaviors in Early Childhood Settings: Creating a Place for All Children, 2004.
Special Education: Higher Education
- Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities and ADD, 2003.
- Kravets, Marybeth. The K & W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities or Attention Deficit Disorder, 2003.
- Mooney, Jonathan. Learning Outside the Lines: Two Ivy League Students with Learning Disabilities and ADHD Give You the Tools for Academic Success and Educational Revolution, 2000.
- Scheiber, Barbara. Unlocking Potential: College and Other Choices for Learning Disabled People: A Step-by-step Guide, 1987.
Behavior
- Bell, Susan H. Challenging Behaviors in Early Childhood Settings: Creating a Place for All Children, 2004.
- Challenging Behaviors in Young Children: Technique and Solutions, 2004. DVD
- Couris, Dianne. Who’s Running Things Around Here Anyway?! A Parent-to-Parent Guide to Changing Your Child’s Behavior, 2004.
- Greene, Ross W. The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children, 1998.
- Greenspan, Stanley I. The Challenging Child: Understanding, Raising, and Enjoying the Five “Difficult” Types of Children, 1995.
- Heininger, Janet E. From Chaos to Calm: Effective Parenting of Challenging Children with ADHD and Other Behavioral Problems, 2001.
- Smith, Karen A. The Sensory Sensitive Child: Practical Solutions for Out-of-Bounds Behavior, 2004.
- Sommers-Flanagan, Rita. Problem Child or Quirky Kid?: A Commonsense Guide; How to Help Kids Who Don’t Fit In, Can’t Get Along, Are Too Fearful, Sad, Anxious, or Angry, and More…, 2002.
- Turecki, Stanley. The Difficult Child, 2000.
Developmental Disabilities
- Programs for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities, 1999. Includes a directory of agencies and organizations providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities in Illinois.
Emotional and Mental Health
- Brooks, Barbara. The Scared Child: Helping Kids Overcome Traumatic Events, 1998.
- Dacey, John S. Your Anxious Child: How Parents and Teachers Can Relieve Anxiety in Children, 2000.
- Fristad, Mary A. Raising a Moody Child: How to Cope with Depression and Bipolar Disorder, 2004.
- Papolos, Demitri F. The Bipolar Child: The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood’s Most Misunderstood Disorder, 1999.
- Wilens, Timothy E. Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids, 2004.
Learning Disabilities, Learning Differences, Learning Difficulties
- Brinkerhoff, Shirley. Why Can’t I Learn Like Everyone Else? Youth with Learning Disabilities, 2004.
- Fisher, Gary L. The Survival Guide for Kids with LD: Learning Differences (Revised and Updated), 2002.
- Ford, Anne. Laughing Allegra: The Inspiring Story of a Mother’s Struggle and Triumph Raising a Daughter with Learning Disabilities, 2003.
- Lovecky, Deirdre V. Different Minds: Gifted Children with AD/HD, Asperger Syndrome, and Other Learning Deficits, 2004.
- Orenstein, Myrna. Smart but Stuck: Emotional Aspects of Learning Disabilities and Imprisoned Intelligence (Revised Edition), 2001.
- Smith, Corinne Roth. Learning Disabilities A to Z: A Parent’s Complete Guide to Learning Disabilities from Preschool to Adulthood, 1997.
- Smith, Sally Liberman. Succeeding against the Odds: Strategies and Insights from the Learning Disabled, 1991.
- Stevens, Suzanne H. The LD Child and the ADHD Child: Ways Parents and Professionals Can Help, 1996.
- Webb, James T. Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children and Adults: ADHD, Bipolar, OCD, Asperger’s, Depression and Other Disorders, 2005.
Reading Difficulties
- Bridges to Reading: What to do When You Suspect Your Child Has a Reading Problem, 1995. Cassette
- Hall, Susan L. Parenting a Struggling Reader, 2002.
- Hall, Susan L. Straight Talk about Reading: How Parents Can Make a Difference During the Early Years, 1999.
- LiBretto, Ellen V. High/Low Handbook: Encouraging Literacy in the 1990s, 1990.
- Lyman, Donald E. Making the Words Stand Still, 1986.
- Snow, Catherine E. Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children, 1998.
Speech and Language Impairments
- Libal, Joyce. Finding My Voice; Youth With Speech Impairments. 2004. (Youth With Special Needs Series)
- Dougherty, Dorothy P. Teach Me How to Say it Right: Helping Your Child with Articulation Problems. 2005.
ADD, ADHD, and Hyperactivity
- Amen, Daniel G. Healing ADD: The Breakthrough Program that Allows You to See and Heal the Six Types of Attention Deficit Disorder, 2001.
- Armstrong, Thomas. The Myth of the ADD Child: 50 Ways to Improve Your Child’s Behavior and Attention Span without Labels, Drugs, or Coercion, 1995.
- Barkley, Russell A. Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents, 2000. (618.928589 Bar)
- Brinkerhoff, Shirley. Stuck on Fast Forward: Youth with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, 2004.
- Haber, Julian Stuart. ADHD: The Great Misdiagnosis, 2000.
- Hartmann, Thom. The Edison Gene: ADHD and the Gift of the Hunter Child, 2003.
- Jensen, Peter S. Making the System Work for Your Child with ADHD, 2004.
- Lougy, Richard A. ADHD: A Survival Guide for Parents and Teachers, 2002.
- Rief, Sandra F. The ADHD Book of Lists: A Practical Guide for Helping Children and Teens with Attention Deficit Disorders, 2003.
- Reiff, Michael I. ADHD: A Complete and Authoritative Guide, 2004.
- Sears, William, M.D. The A.D.D. Book: New Understandings, New Approaches to Parenting Your Child, 1998.
- Silver, Larry B. Dr. Larry Silvers Advice to Parents on Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, 1999.
- Stevens, Suzanne H. The LD Child and the ADHD Child: Ways Parents and Professionals Can Help, 1996.
- Stevens, Laura J. 12 Effective Ways to Help Your ADD/ADHD Child: Drug-free Alternatives for Attention Deficit Disorders, 2000.
Asperger Syndrome
- Attwood, Tony. Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals, 1998.
- Boyd, Brenda. Parenting a Child with Asperger Syndrome: 200 Tips and Strategies, 2003.
- Gutstein, Steven E. and Rachelle K. Sheely. Relationship Development Intervention with Young Children: Social and Emotional Development Activities for Asperger Syndrome, Autism, PDD, and NLD, 2002.
- Jackson, Luke. Freaks, Geeks, and Asperger Syndrome. A User Guide to Adolescence. 2002.
- Ozonoff, Sally. A Parent’s Guide to Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism: How to Meet the Challenges and Help Your Child Thrive, 2002.
- Sohn, Alan T. Parenting Your Asperger Child: Individualized Solutions for Teaching Your Child Practical Skills, 2005.
- Szatmari, Peter. A Mind Apart: Understanding Children with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, 2004.
Autism
- Bonnice, Sherry. The Hidden Child: Youth with Autism, 2004.
- Buten, Howard. Through the Glass Wall: Journeys into the Closed-Off Worlds of the Autistic, 2004.
- Frith, Uta. Autism: Explaining the Enigma, 2003.
- Gutstein, Steven E. Relationship Development Intervention with Young Children: Social and Emotional Development Activities for Asperger Syndrome, Autism, PDD, and NDL, 2002.
- Ozonoff, Sally. A Parent’s Guide to Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism: How to Meet the Challenges and Help Your Child Thrive, 2002.
- Powers, Michael D. Children with Autism; A Parent’s Guide. Second Edition. 2000.
- Richman, Shira. Raising a Child with Autism: A Guide to Applied Behavior Analysis for Parents, 2001.
- Stacey, Patricia. The Boy Who Loved Windows: Opening the Heart and Mind of a Child Threatened with Autism, 2003.
- Szatmari, Peter. A Mind Apart: Understanding Children with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, 2004.
Blindness and Visual Impairment
- Holbrook, M. Cay. Children with Visual Impairments: A Parents’ Guide, 1996.
- Souder, Patti. A Different Way of Seeing: Youth with Visual Impairments and Blindness, 2004.
Cerebral Palsy
- Geralis, Elaine, editor. Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Parent’s Guide, (Second Edition) 1998.
Deafness and Hearing Impairment
- Libal, Autumn. Ocean Inside: Youth Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 2004.
- Marsh, Valerie. Beyond Words: Great Stories for Hand and Voice, 1995.
- Olsen, Wayne. Mayo Clinic on Hearing, 2003.
- Pope, Anne. Hear: Solutions, Skills, and Sources for People with Hearing Loss, 1997.
Down Syndrome
- Kumin, Libby. Early Communication Skills for Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals, 2003.
- Pueschel, Siegfried M. A Parent’s Guide to Down’s Syndrome; Toward a Brighter Future (Revised Edition), 2001.
- Winders, Patricia C. Gross Motor Skills in Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals, 1997.
Dyslexia
- Baumer, Bernice H. How to Teach Your Dyslexic Child to Read: A Proven Method for Parents and Teachers, 1998. (J P/T 371.9144 Bau)
- Donnelly, Karen. Coping With Dyslexia, 2000.
- Frank, Robert. The Secret Life of the Dyslexic Child, 2002.
- Reid, Gavin. Dyslexia: A Complete Guide for Parents, 2004.
- Robb, Diane Burton. The Alphabet War: A Story about Dyslexia, 2004. Picture book.
- Shaywitz, Sally E. Overcoming Dyslexia: A New and Complete Science-based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level, 2003.
Fragile X syndrome
- Weber, Jayne Dixon, editor. Children with Fragile X Syndrome: A Parents’ Guide
Muscular Dystrophy
- Siegel, Irwin M. Muscular Dystrophy in Children: A Guide for Families, 1999.
- Wolfson, Penny. Moonrise: One Family, Genetic Identity, and Muscular Dystrophy, 2003.
Obsessive-compulsive Disorder
- Nathan, Peter E. A Guide to Treatments that Work, 2002.
- Niner, Holly L. Mr. Worry: A Story About OCD, 2004.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Barkley, Russell A. Your Defiant Child: 8 Steps to Better Behavior, 1998.
- Hendren, Robert L., editor. Disruptive Behavior Disorders in Children and Adolescents, 1999.
Sensory Integration Dysfunction
- Kranowitz, Carol Stock. The Out-of-sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Integration Dysfunction, 1998.
- Kranowitz, Carol Stock. The Out-of-sync Child Has Fun: Activities for Kids with Sensory Integration Dysfunction, 2003.
Spina Bifida
- Lutkenhoff, Marlene, editor. Children with Spina Bifida: A Parent’s Guide, 1999.
Tourette Syndrome
- Brill, Marlene Targ. Tourette Syndrome, 2002.
- Landau, Elaine. Tourette Syndrome. 1998. (J 616.83 Lan)
- Moe, Barbara A. Coping with Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders, 2004.
Personal and Family Perspectives
- Ball, Marshall Stewart. Kiss of God: The Wisdom of a Silent Child, 1999. Religious poetry.
- Ford, Anne. Laughing Allegra: The Inspiring Story of a Mother’s Struggle and Triumph Raising a Daughter with Learning Disabilities, 2003.
- Raeburn, Paul. Acquainted with the Night: A Parent’s Quest to Understand Depression and Bipolar Disorder in his Children, 2004.
- Roseman, Bruce. A Kid Just Like Me: A Father and Son Overcome the Challenges of ADD and Learning Disabilities, 2001.
- Smith, Bob. Hamlet’s Dresser: A Memoir, 2002. Memoir of a man who spent his boyhood caring for his mentally disabled sister and his adulthood working in the theater.
- Sylvester, Harry. Legacy of the Blue Heron: Living with Learning Disabilities, 2002.
- Weinstein, Lissa. Reading David: A Mother and Son’s Journey through the Labyrinth of Dyslexia, 2003. As a clinical psychologist, Lissa Weinstein counseled the parents of kids with learning disabilities. This book describes her experiences after her own son was diagnosed with dyslexia.
- Wolfson, Penny. Moonrise: One Family, Genetic Identity, and Muscular Dystrophy, 2003.
- Zuckoff, Mitchell. Choosing Naia: A Family’s Journey, 2002. A family faces difficult ethical decisions together when their unborn daughter is diagnosed with down syndrome.
Suspected Risk Factors
- Huggins, Hal A. Uninformed Consent: The Hidden Dangers in Dental Care, 1999.