Journey to Empowerment: A Roadmap for "Special Children", by Kavita Shanbhag (98202-56731, Res: (22)2437-7457
A resource guide for care-givers

Publisher & distributor: English Edition (2524-3531, 2527-4464, 5595- 2261/62) 

Price: Rs.195 /- 
 

• Foreword by Dr. Dr.Dharmishta Mehta - Reader, Special Education Dept. SNDT University, Mumbai.
• Review by Dr. Surekha Rajadhyaksha (MD, DCH), Consultant in Pediatrics & Pediatric Epilepsy
  Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Pune.

Tornado - A parent manual to manage the ADHD child
By Mrs. Samindara Hardikar - Sawant, Illustrated by Ms. Kuntal Doshi by Disha Publication

• Readable and compelling stories showing the human side of the upsurge in diagnoses of autism
• Up-to-date information and analysis of relevant biochemical and medical research.
• Exploration of popular theories that only explain a small part of the upsurge, plus a realistic critical assessment of widely promoted message by key interest groups and stakeholders.
• Documented solutions and remedies for individuals, parents, grandparents, and caregivers.
• A DVD including an interactive table of contents, weblinks, review questions and more

From Darkness to Light,
By Dheera Kitchlu
Stories of uncommon courage of Blind Women Achievers. Published by National Association of Bild (NAB) and Committee for Achievement of the Status of Blind Women (CASBW) 
Note : Braille and audio versions available with NAB.

For a Secure Tomorrow,  Damodar Tilak
Help for Middle Income Group (MIG) families to adopt the small savings route to provide for the future financial needs of a child with disability.
(For the entire book, click on 'Financial Planning' on home page)
Read More

Conquering Epilepsy,  Carol D'Souza
Personal stories of people conquering Epilepsy: Finding the Rainbow after the storm
Read More

Autobiography of Susan Hampshire
Account by an actress with learning disabilities

Expect the Unexpected: My Dreams and How I Got There.
Autobiography by Larry Espling,  a person with cerebral palsy

Raymond's Room 
by Dale Dileo www.raymondsroom.com
Dale calls people with disabilities as society's 'hidden citizens'.

Children and Learning Difficulties,    Onita Nakra  

No One's Perfect
by Hirotada Ototake, disabled author with tetra amelia, a condition where almost no arms or legs, wrote 'No One's Perfect' - an instant bestseller in Japan. He was appointed as a full time elementary teacher in Tokyo.

Children with Learning Difficulties - How to Help 
: A Guide for Parents & Teachers 
by Bela Raja, Published by Vakils, Rs. 295/- 
 

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Andhlyache Dole
Writer - Ved Mehta , Translation - Shanta Shelke.
This is a translation of a book by Autobiography –face to Face of Ved Mehta. This is a very inspiring tale of a very determined Ved who has tremendous confidence, his intense search for knowledge & passion to live life to the fullest.

Ek Purna - Apurna by Neela Satyanarayan
Engaging travails of a high placed official who is a mother of Chaitanya - boy with Downs Syndrome. The book portrays stages from denial to acceptance.
Granthali Prakashan , Mumbai, Rs 125/- 

Jhunj Niyatishi by Pratibha Hampras 
Struggle of a Aurangabad based mother to raise a son with Cerebral Palsy 
Saket Prakashan, Rs 140/-

Aapli Mule Ka Bighadtat? by Dr. Anuradha Sovni & Madhuri Bhide.
Unmesh Prakashan, Rs 60/- 

Phite Andharache Jale by Bhalchandra Karmarkar
Struggle of Parents with their daughter Vallary- a girl with cerebral palsy, her progress and challenges.
Published by Mehta Publishing House Price- Rs. 120/- 

Shishir Palvi
Heart rendering experiences narrated by parents of special children.

Apwadatmak Mulanche Manas-shastra,   Prema Kale     

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Marathi & English Cookery Books
Available in Braille by cookery expert Amar Rane, a person with disability himself. Audio cassettes are also available.

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‘Shabd Deepotsav 2006’ Diwali Ank, edited by Meghana Pethe 
‘Aaglya Veglya Mulanna Wadhavtana’:  Section on Raising Different children having Special Needs. Articles by Pratima Joshi, Anil Joshi, Kavita Shanbhag, Smita Paranjpe and others.
 
Sadhana Saptahik June 10th 2006 issue
 Mulinche Ani Apanganche Shikshan Visheshank, Editor-Narendra Dabholkar
 
Lalana Diwaali Ank 2004: Adhunik Mother - Kavita Shanbhag: articles on epilepsy
 
Sakal Diwali Ank 2004 : Maitri Epilepsy shi by Yashoda Wakankar-articles on epilepsy 

Parivaar
Quarterly newsletter by National Federation of Parent’s Association (NFPA) for Person’s with Mental Retardation, Autism, C.P. & Multiple Disabilities.

Sparsh Magazine
Sparsh is produced twice year by
Sense International(India),
2nd floor, Admin block,
opp. Indian Institute of Management (IIM),
Vastrapur, Ahmedabad-380015
Phone- 91-79-26301282,
Fax- 91-79-26301590

Disability World - www.disabilityworld.org
A bi-monthly web-zine of International Disability news & views.

Good Housekeeping Jan 2005: article on Merry Barua on rearing her son with Autism and her struggle to spread awareness about Autism. and Mrs. Billimmoria on juvenile Diabetics and how she coped with a loss of her daughter who succumbed to diabetes.

Autism Network is published by Action For Autism.It's aim is to provide information on education,therapy,& care for people with autism.

Barrier Break Technologies have introduced a quarterly magazine named A3-Ability, Adaptability & Accessibility. It endeavours to provide information,tips & news.
Details - www.barrierbreak.com

Deaf Way-Monthly publication by Arun Rao & Christina Rao Parents of a deaf girl. Details log on to www.thedeafway.org. Ezine is available.

Karavalamban - NIMH newsletter. Their objective is to reach out to professionals,parents,NGOs with information on disability.

Neworld-Voice of Paraplegics newsletter towards an attempt to create a network & support to all SCI (Spinal Cord Injury),therapists,doctors,caregivers.ezine available.
Details - www.ninafoundation.org

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Newspapers / Newsletters

This resource guide "Journey to Empowerment" serves as a light house 'amidst the unclear waters of ignorance, feeling of being lost, confused or unguided. Dissemination of information regarding certain handicapping conditions in simple words is effective in enabling people to understand the condition from all perspectives.

I wish all the best to the author in her endeavors and to the parents in their "special journey".

Review by Dr. Surekha Rajadhyaksha, (MD, DCH), 
Consultant in Pediatrics & Pediatric Epilepsy, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Pune.

We, as young newly married couples are totally unprepared to bring up a normal baby. Through errors of commissions and omissions we manage to bring up our children to the best of our abilities. The challenge really arises in bringing up a special child. It teaches you patience, tolerance, empathy and draws us towards the Almighty.

Parents run from pillar to post to seek the right advice, follow it and wonder ‘are we doing the best for our child’. There are many who offer advise, sometimes wanted and often unwarranted. One wishes to have more authentic information. “ Journey to empowerment” is a resource guide compiled by Ms Kavita Shanbhag which provides the approach to the right track for help.

This is a book written from the heart of a mother, a special educator, a versatile creative mind who gives us enormous information. Some of the phrases used by Kavita are very apt. ‘Children are not disabled but differently abled’. As mentioned in the book, there are no short cuts. One has to seek advice from the right person and follow it to enable your child to be as independent as possible and try to make him a contributory member of society. The directory for education in integrated schools, special schools, slow learner schools, for children with motor disability, visual and the hearing impaired, NOS schools, vocational training centers, sheltered workshops etc may look exhaustive but such information is really essential as one should be practical and seek admission to a centre suitably situated near one’s residence. The book can be utilized by the health professionals also to guide the patient to a nearby center.

There are many aspects of legislation one is unaware of, such as monetary benefits, traveling concessions, tax benefits which one should honestly and rightfully utilize.

The book offers information which one should use to rise to the situation and find a path which will make a difference in upbringing your special child. The book is suitably complemented by the website which would be updated to provide the latest information in the field. The book is a must for all caretakers looking after the challenged child.

After the Tears
By Robin Simons

Reviewer: Allison Martin

After the Tears : Parents Talk About Raising a Child With a Disability by Robin Simons is wonderful booklet about parenting a child with special needs. Personal stories and insights accompany the thoughtful discussions of all aspects of special needs parenting. Even the illustrations are touching and insightful.

Topics include: New problems, new adjustments; isolation, relatives; working with the school system; is this the best for my child; chronic sorrow; and personal growth. I highly recommend this small jewel to every parent of a special needs child and to all who wish to support a family with special needs children - teachers, professionals, friends and family. Good advice and heartfelt encouragement for parents of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Tested over time and still a great read.

Quote from the foreword:
In parenting a child with a disability you face a major choice. You can believe that your child's condition is a death blow to everything you've dreamed and worked toward until now. Or you can decide that you will continue to lead the life you'd planned - and incorporate your child into it. Parents who choose the latter course find they do a tremendous amount of growing. They find inner strengths they didn't know they had. They develop a greater sense of self-esteem. They develop an openness about their feelings and an ability to share those feelings with each other.

Quote from the book:
"The speech therapist says, 'Do half an hour of therapy after dinner.' The physical therapist says, 'Do 0 minutes of therapy in your spare time.' What spare time? I have two other kids and a husband! I finally said 'no' to all that therapy. I had to choose between being my child's extension therapist and being his mother. And I chose being his mother." There are time when even an acceptable amount of therapy becomes too much - when your child needs time just to be a child, or when you need time to be with the rest of the family. It's O.K. to say "no" at those times, for a while. Your instinct will tell you when.

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Learning Disabilities A to Z
By Corrine Smith and Lisa Strick

Reviewer: Allison Martin

Learning Disabilities: A to Z by Corinne Smith and Lisa Strick is subtitled "A Parent's Complete Guide to Learning Disabilities From Preschool to Adulthood." This book provides a comprehensive discussion of learning disabilities in children. Parents will find this book almost essential for the education of their child who has learning disabilities. Learning Disabilities: A to Z covers the ramifications of coping with learning disabilities at home and in the classroom, along excellent suggestions on how to manage both situations. One of the most valuable aspects of the book is the emphasis on the "whole child" and suggestions for raising children with their self esteem and self control intact.

While parents will want to supplement this book with information on the specific learning disabilities (reading, math, etc.), tit is wonderful for your day to day struggles with school and at home. While much of the discussion and guidance in the LD is cautionary, the overall tone is very optimistic and uplifting. One third of this lengthy book is devoted to quality of life.

Topics include: identification of learning disabilities and testing, record keeping, social and emotional growth, and strategies for promoting personal success. The ages covered are elementary school and through high school, although some parents of preschoolers may find it useful to start implementing these strategies for life long success early on.

Two example quotes from the book

Elementary school-aged youngsters do test the rules. Since most do not yet reason logically, concrete rewards and consequences remain the best means of modifying their behavior. When it is necessary to discipline children, an explanation of the punishment is appropriate (even if they do not fully understand your judgment, children need to know that you have a reason for what you are doing and are not acting on a whim). You can spare them lengthy analyses and philosophical observations, however - short and to the point works best. At any state of development, it is important to distinguish between criticizing a child's behavior and criticizing the child. Criticizing behavior ("Hitting is not all right. Hitting hurts people!") establishes boundaries, but criticizing or shaming the child ("You bad boy! Why are you so mean?") is a form of character assassination that
can leave lasting scars.

Reward direction, not perfection. Children with learning disabilities are often frustrated by their own inability to achieve perfect results. Help them see that progress - not perfection - is the point. When children do a job partly right, praise what was done well before showing them what was overlooked. Children who understand that they are getting somewhere are far less likely to get fed up and quit..

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