Don't Call Me Special by Pat Thomas

This book explores questions and concerns about physical disabilities in a simple and reassuring way. Younger children can find out about individual disabilities, special equipment that is available to help the disabled, and how people of all ages can deal with disabilities and live happy and full lives. Written by psychotherapist and counselor Pat Thomas, the book promotes positive interaction among children, parents, and teachers, and encourages kids to ask questions and confront social and emotional questions that sometimes present problems. Books feature appealing full-color illustrations on every page plus a page of advice to parents and teachers. A great lesson for students who make assumptions based on disabilities.

Knowing Yourself, Knowing Others by Barbara Cooper & Nancy Widdows

Asperger's disorder is a common neuropsychiatric condition that affects children's abilities to understand and become involved in social interaction. When a child in your life struggles with Asperger's or Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD), developing social skills will be a particular challenge for him or her. This illustrated workbook--written by the founders of SuperKids, an innovative program that treats hundreds of children with Asperger's disorder each year--offers simple exercises you can use to facilitate this important process.
Knowing Yourself, Knowing Others includes activities that will help kids with Asperger's disorder and related conditions learn how to read social cues, avoid meltdowns, understand others' needs and intentions, resolve conflicts with friends, build basic nonverbal skills, and more.

I Bet I Won't Fret by Timothy Sisemore

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one of the most common anxiety disorders in children. It causes intense worry and anxiety that can disrupt emotional, academic, and social development. The good news is that GAD is highly treatable and children can be taught to manage and even overcome it. Child psychologist, Timothy A. Sisemore specializes in helping anxious children and in "I Bet I Won't Fret" he gives kids fun and engaging exercises to help them relieve anxiety and worry symptoms, change anxiety-inducing self-talk, and communicate about their feelings. These activities can be done on their own or as part of a therapy program. Recommended for Special Education teachers, Social Workers, School Counselors or any one working with children living with anxiety.

Helping Hands: How monkeys assist people who are disabled by Suzane Haldane

Since 1977, ``Helping Hands'' has been training capuchin monkeys as assistants to quadriplegics. Briefly summarizing the program's genesis as the idea of psychologist Dr. Mary Joan Willard, Haldane describes the monkeys' upbringing (they spend four years in a foster home before formal training begins), their education, and their capabilities (they can not only fetch small objects but perform more complex tasks like inserting computer discs). Much of the book is devoted to the monkey Willie and her introduction to Greg, a teenager whose quadriplegia is the result of a diving accident. In addition to detailing the ways Willie aids Greg, Haldane points out how great the emotional support of such animal friends can be, and how their presence can also lead to approaches by people who might otherwise hesitate to speak to someone in a wheelchair. The many b&w photos effectively convey the range of Willie's help and the appeal of the intelligent, mischievous, hard-working capuchins. An excellent report on a relatively new program. (Nonfiction. Ages 8-12) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP.

We'll Paint the Octupus Red by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen

Emma isn't happy to learn that she will soon be a big sister. After talking with her father, however, she thinks of "at least a million things my new brother or sister could do with me," and she eagerly awaits her sibling's arrival. When Isaac is born, the family is confronted with the fact that he has Down syndrome. Emma's father explains that Isaac will still be able to do all of the things that Emma has thought of; he will just do them at a slower pace. The story ends on a high note with an excited Emma and her father visiting Isaac and her mother in the hospital. A well-thought-out question-and-answer section to use with students is found at the back.

The Best Worst Brother by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen

The sequel to "We'll Paint the Octopus Red" (Woodbine, 1998) follows the relationship between three-year-old Isaac, who has Down syndrome, and his older sister, Emma, who is frustrated by his slow language and motor development. His family tries to teach him sign language because he does not yet have the skills required for speech. It is a sibling story of acceptance, understanding and celebrating success.

Do You Remember The Color Blue? by Sally Hobart Alexander

Sally Hobart Alexander lost her sight to disease at the age of 26. A writer, she also speaks to groups, and especially to young people, about her blindness. One of her goals is to help her audience feel comfortable around disabled people by being respectfully curious. After acknowledging that not everyone is willing to share experiences, she responds to some of the fairly personal questions children and teens have asked her. Her answers reveal what daily life is like for a blind person. The book also includes tools that help people who are blind, family photos, several activities to illustrate the experience of being blind. A concluding note by a physician briefly (and reassuringly) discusses Sally's personal experience of going blind and her degrees of vision loss. The information is less objective than students may need for reports; however, this book is sure to interest young people curious about how the blind interact with their world.

The New Putting on the Breaks by Patricia Quinn and Judith Sterm

All you need to know about attention deficit disorder is included in this updated edition of the bestselling classic, "Putting on the Brakes". This resource for young people, their parents, and professionals is now revised and expanded, covering the newest techniques in diagnosing and treating ADHD, including updated information about medication; organization and time management strategies; the most current techniques in relaxation including yoga, progressive relaxation, and meditation; and tips on how to ask for help, guidance, and support in managing ADHD and its symptoms. It is written in a language that children can understand and provides realistic infomation about ADHD. Recommend children read in sections as it covers a lot.

Reach for the Moon by Samantha Abeel

Samantha Abeel is learning disabled and gifted. She does not understand mathematical concepts, but she is an extremely talented writer. Samantha was on the edge of despair when a caring English teacher who recognized her hidden talents intervened, offering Samantha an opportunity to interpret in words the hauntingly beautiful paintings of artist Charles R. Murphy. The result is a visual and verbal masterpiece, a gift of inspiration for parents, teachers, and children. Samantha brings affirmation and hope to everyone who has ever struggled with a disability.

Celebrate Through Heartsongs by Mattie J.T. Stepanek

Mattie J.T. Stepanek is an award-winning poet whose struggle with a rare form of muscular dystrophy has touched the lives of people nationwide. Celebrate Through Heartsongs, his fourth inspiring collection of poetry, features works written between the ages of three and eleven, and continues to spread Mattie's message of universal hope, peace, courage, and love. Fully illustrated by the poet, the collection will appeal to people of all ages, religions, and beliefs.

Mattie J.T. Stepanek

Learn more about Mattie and his work by visiting his website.

ABC Video - check it out.

All Dogs Have ADHD and All Cats have Asperger Syndrome by Kath Hoopman

All Dogs Have ADHD takes an inspiring and affectionate look at Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), using images and ideas from the canine world to explore a variety of traits that will be instantly recognizable to those who are familiar with ADHD.
All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome takes a playful look at Asperger Syndrome (AS), drawing inspiration from the feline world. Color photographs of cats bring to life familiar characteristics such as sensitive hearing, scampering at the first sign of being stroked and particular eating habits.

The books may be helpful for some children and parents to relate to and focus on what some would call both positive and negative aspects of the disability. Each book focuses strictly on the specific disability traits and seem to generalize that individuals with either ADHD or Asperger's all share the same characteristics, which is not true. While there may be similarities between individuals, they are all very different in their own way.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children with Special Needs by Jack Canfield, Mark Hansen, Heather McNamara, and Karen Simmons

"These powerful heart-rending stories are filled with honesty, humor, and hope and offer inspiration to parents, teachers, and anyone else who cares for children with special needs." -- Gerald G. Jampolsky, M.D.

Some favorites: See Me by Melissa Riggio, Something About Benny by Kimberly Jensen, Silent Grace by Ashley Carroll, Independence Day by Daniel Wray

Knots on a Counting Rope by Bill Martin Jr., John Archambault and Ted Rand

Gathered near a campfire under a canopy of stars, a Navaho Indian boy hears the tale of his birth from his grandfather. Named Boy-Strength-of-Blue-Horses, the child learns to use his strength to deal with the fact that he is blind. Every time the boy hears his grandfather retell the story he makes a knot on the counting rope. Pretty soon he will be able to tell the story from memory, no longer needing the assistance of his grandfather. It is a tale of intergenerational love and respect, that can bring a family closer. Recommended for read aloud.

Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus and Jose Aruego

Leo the tiger cub isn’t reading, or writing, or drawing, or even speaking, and his father is concerned that something is wrong with his son. But Leo’s mother isn’t. She knows her son will do all those things, and more, when he’s ready. The book is an easy read and can be used to help reassure children who find themselves behind developmentally compared to their same-age peers. It also touches upon family acceptance and support. Every child wants and needs encouragement from their parents and this story conveys the message to both children and parents that it is "okay" to be different.

The Autism Acceptance Book: Being a Friend to Someone with Autism by Ellen Sabin

The Autism Acceptance Book is an interactive, educational, and character-building book that introduces children to the challenges faced by people with autism while also supporting their personal journey toward appreciating and respecting people's differences. This book offers educational information, conversation-starters, and engaging exercises that invite children to "walk in someone else's shoes" as they learn to treat others the same ways they would like to be treated themselves.

Since We're Friends: An Autism Picture Book by Celeste Shally and David Harrington

Children with autism struggle to make friends and navigate social situations. However, one child can make a significant difference in the life of a child with autism by offering compassion, understanding and friendship. This book is about two boys. One has autism, the other does not. The story of their relationship provides practical examples of how to make such a friendship work. It will help children see that their peers with autism can make a fun, genuine contribution to friendship.

Panda - A Guide Horse for Ann by Rosanna Hansen

A nonfiction photo-essay about a guide horse. Only a few such horses have been trained and are working. The book describes how Panda was first trained and now helps her owner. The oversize book features many glossy, well-structured photographs that bring children right into the life of a blind woman, Ann Edie, and it explains the many ways that Panda helps Ann--crossing streets, going shopping, riding on trains. The book moves back in time, chronicling Panda's training. Ann and her friend Alex, a horse trainer, heard about the first minihorse trained as a guide; since Ann's longtime guide dog had recently died, the women decided to see if they could train a guide horse, whose life span would be years longer than a dog's. The heartwarming, informative book shows the happy results. Several Web sites and a short bibliography are appended.

I'm Special, I'm Me! by Ann Meek

Milo is upset. At playtime, he wants to be a pirate captain, but the other children say he's too short, he must be a deck hand. He's too small to be a lion, and not handsome enough to be the prince. But Milo's mum helps him to realize that the other roles can be even more fun. After all, knights get to fight dragons, and monkeys have far more fun than lions, swinging through the trees! Winner of the Little Tiger Press New Author Prize 2003, this is an empowering story of how, with imagination and his mum's help, one boy turns rejection into triumph. Recommended to build self-confidence among students who tend to be outcasts with their peers.

Ian's Walk by Laurie Lears

A young girl realizes how much she cares for her autistic brother Ian when he gets lost at the park. Julie describes how Ian acts differently from most people yet her close observations of her brother serve her well when Ian wanders away. By thinking of what Ian likes to do, Julie finds her brother and ushers him home again. Through its simple plot, the story conveys a complex family relationship and demonstrates the ambivalent emotions Julie feels about her autistic brother. This natural mix of resentment, anger, isolation, loyalty, and love is explained in preliminary notes written by professional pediatric caregivers.

Becky the Brave by Laurie Lears

In Sarah's eyes, her older sister is very brave. Becky is not afraid of the new school or of the barking dog that they meet on the way. She's not even afraid of the convulsive epileptic seizures that she sometimes has. But after a seizure at home, she confides to Sarah that, although the teacher and the nurse know about her condition, she has not told her new classmates and she worries that she will have a seizure in school. One day her fears are realized, and her classmates stare and some laugh. The next day, Becky refuses to go back to school and Sarah has to conquer her own trepidation, walking there alone and going into her sister's classroom to explain what happened. The text reads easily with just enough information about epilepsy to help readers understand Becky's feelings. The soft pastel drawings emphasize the loving relationship between the girls. Epilepsy is tough on children and their families, and this story will help to explain the misconceptions.

Norma Jean, Jumping Bean by Joanna Cole

Norma Jean, the kangaroo loves to jump. The problem is that her jumping gets out of hand, causing accidents and some hurt feelings among her friends, and Norma stops her jumping entirely. But when the school's field-day games come up, Norma Jean is talked back into action for her team to win. Unfortunately the book tends to focus solely on her jumping around, instead of her as a person, or should I say kangaroo. The title itself defines Norma by her disability. I would caution using this book as it implies a more negative perspective than a positive one.

Small Steps by Louis Sachar

The sequel to Holes, focuses on Armpit, an African-American former resident of Tent D at Camp Green Lake. It's two years after his release, and the 16-year-old is still digging holes, although now getting paid for it, working for a landscaper in his hometown of Austin, TX. He's trying to turn his life around, knowing that everyone expects the worst of him and that he must take small steps to keep moving forward. When X-Ray, his friend and fellow former detainee at the juvenile detention center, comes up with a get-rich-quick scheme involving scalping tickets to a concert by teenage pop star Kaira DeLeon, Armpit fronts X-Ray the money. He takes his best friend and neighbor, Ginny, a 10-year-old with cerebral palsy, to the concert and ends up meeting Kaira, getting romantically involved, and finally becoming a hero... I won't say much being I don't want to give the story away... except that I was disappointed by the ending. It seemed a little far-fetched and unrealistic making it hard for kids to relate. However, Armpit's relationship with Ginny, the first person to care for him, look up to him, and give his life meaning, is a compassionate one. Like Holes, Small Steps is a story about redemption, friendship, self-sacrifice, and doing the right thing. Recommend reading various parts of the book as a read aloud (Ch. 3, Ch. 7) which focus on Armpit and Ginny's friendship.

Little Smudge by Lionel Le Neouanic

The story of a little black smudge who searches for friends. He finds some colorful shapes, but they reject him. Encouraged by his parents to show them what he can do, he displays his remarkable shape-changing abilities. And then he teaches the other shapes how they can do the same. It is a great book about acceptance and friendship. Little Smudge is a perfect example of why you should never judge a person based on first impressions (or ability) because you never know what they can do once you get to know them. We can always learn from others that appear different than us.

The Hallo-Wiener by Dav Pilkey

Oscar the dachshund is a dog with a problem: it's hard to win doggy respect when your mother calls you "my little Vienna Sausage." Mom's idea of a Halloween costume is a bun with mustard, but Oscar makes the most of the outfit, defeating a monstrous pair of masquerading cats to get his nickname changed from Wiener Dog to Hero Sandwich. Dav Pilkey's wacky humor comes out in both story and pictures--a recalcitrant pupil at school writes on the chalkboard, "I will not sniff my neighbor." Set against a series of vivid, clearly painted skies, the pictures promise a world in which menace is only artificial and underdogs can become wonderdogs. - Mary Harris Veeder - Booklist

The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson

I felt that the story was very real, however, I wished it addressed more than a few paragraphs about the character's disabilities… specifically, Dolphin’s dyslexia. It seemed like it was mentioned very briefly once or twice and then that was it. Given my teaching project is about books that address disabilities, I feel that this book should be added to the list because both Doiphin and Marigold's disability is only one characteristic of who they are as indivduals. And with what I have learned from the readings, characters should not be defined by his or her disability, but portrayed with the same human traits as others. A character's disability is merely one characteristic, thus there is not a need for it to be the entire focus of the book.

Crow Boy by Taro Yahima

Chibi is a young boy who displays characteristics of autism. He is different from the other children and is often left alone while his classmates study and play. After five years of school, a friendly new teacher discovers that Chibi can imitate the sounds of crows and lets Chibi participate in the talent show. His classmates realize they have misjudged Chibi. Since being published in 1955, the views regarding Special Education inclusion and Autism have changed. Such information should be discussed with children if you choose to read this book to your class.

Mama Zooms by Jane Cowen-Fletcher

A young boy describes his mama's "zooming machine" as he rides on her lap and pretends she is his racehorse, ship, car, airplane, train, buckboard wagon, wave, and spaceship. The boy has fanciful experiences and sees no limitations in his mother, who uses a wheelchair.

Hooway For Wodney Wat by Helen Lester

Rodney Rat cannot say his name properly because he can't pronounce his r's. When a new student bullies Rodney's classmates, Rodney becomes the hero because of his speech impediment. Unfortunately, the story ends with the new student walking west never to be seen again. The book is great for teaching acceptance of communication disorders, just not solving issues regarding bullying. If you plan to use this book in your classroom, it is recommended that you discuss alternatives to addressing bullying at school.

Rules by Cynthia Lord

"No toys in the fish tank" is one of many rules that 12-year-old Catherine shares with her autistic younger brother, David, to help him understand his world. Lots of the rules are practical. Others are more subtle and shed light on issues in Catherine's own life. Torn between love for her brother and impatience with the responsibilities and embarrassment he brings, she strives to be on her parents' radar and to establish an identity of her own. At her brother's clinic, Catherine befriends a wheelchair-bound boy, Jason, who talks by pointing at word cards in a communication notebook. Her drawing skills and additional vocabulary cards--including "whatever" (which prompts Jason to roll his eyes at his mother)--enliven his speech. The details of autistic behavior are handled well, as are depictions of relationships: Catherine experiences some of the same unease with Jason that others do in the presence of her brother. In the end, Jason helps Catherine see that her rules may really be excuses, opening the way for her to look at things differently. A heartwarming first novel. - Cindy Dobrez - Copyright © American Library Association

Leo the Lop by Stephen Cosgrove

Leo the rabbit whose ears are different from all the other rabbits learns that "normal is whatever you are." Each Serendipity series book teaches children a different social skill. Written on the front of every new cover is the moral of the story. One thing I really like about these books is that they can also be used to teach more than just acceptance and social skills. They are also great for teaching mini-lessons during writing. This particular book uses great word choice and imagery to to describe the setting beginning with the very first sentence. "Beyond the horizon, farther than far, in the middle of the Crystal Sea, was a beautiful island called Serendipity."

Teaching About Disabilities Through Children's Literature by Mary Anne Prater & Tina Taylor Dyches

This book is written to provide teachers, social workers, school psychologists, counselors, and other professionals who work with children a comprehensive guide to selecting and using children's books to teach about disabilities. With the support of this book readers will be able to: * Select appropriate children's literature that includes characters with disabilities; *Use children's books to teach awareness, knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of individuals with disabilities; * Follow unit and lesson plans for recommended books that include characters with disabilities; * Implement standard lesson plans and discussion guides for self-selected books that include characters with disabilities; and Recognize what books are available and recommended in this genre. The book includes reproducible lesson and unit plans and extensive annotated bibliographies of over 100 books. Grades K-12

The Special-Needs Reading List by Wilma K. Sweeney

An annotated guide to the best publications for parents and professionals. The book provides short reviews and recommendations of the best books, journals, newsletters, organizations, and other information sources about children with disabilities. Part two of the book focuses on specific disabilities and has a section of books just for children.