The Survival Guide for Kids in Special Education (And Their Parents): Understanding What Special Ed Is & How It Can Help You

by Wendy L. Moss, Party Abusers

Overview

When kids learn they might receive special education, they often have questions and worries. This book gives kids lots of tools and strategies they can use to deal with their concerns, whether they are in the process of being evaluated for special ed or already receiving special ed services. Readers will learn to cope with their challenges, understand reasons for testing, and see the benefits of accepting special education supports.

The book includes special features such as:

• Stories about kids’ experiences with special education drawn from the authors’ conversations with hundreds of students
• Approachable and relatable explanations of individual education plans (IEPs) and 504 plans for both parents and kids
• Reproducible forms to help kids think about their strengths, challenges, goals, worries, and more
• A section just for parents addressing common questions

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781631981678
Publisher:	Free Spirit Publishing, Inc.
Publication date:	02/09/2017
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	770L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 14 Years

About the Author

Wendy L. Moss, Ph.D., ABPP, FAASP, has over thirty years’ experience working with children and families as a psychologist in schools, clinics, hospitals, and private practice. She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology, is a certified school psychologist, and has been appointed as a fellow in the American Academy of School Psychology. She has also been awarded the status of a “Diplomate in School Psychology” by the American Board of Professional Psychology. Dr. Moss is the author of several books, including Being Me: A Kid’s Guide to Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem. She lives in New York State.

Denise M. Campbell, M.S., SLP, SDA, has enjoyed a dynamic career as a speech pathologist and later as a school district administrator. Over the years, she has conducted evaluations and provided instructional services to hundreds of children and developed positive relationships with families. She has worked with children affected by a myriad of disabilities. She is the proud parent of five wonderful children, and in her spare time she enjoys reading, cooking, and camping. She lives in New York State.    
 

Editorial Reviews

2017 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award, Gold Medal

“This manual for navigating special education is a must-have.”—School Library Journal

“Affordable, relatable, and interactive, this title is recommended for both school and public libraries.”—School Library Connection

“The Survival Guide for Kids in Special Education (And Their Parents) deserves to be in every middle grade, high school, and public library collection, and it is a ‘must-have’ for children with special education needs and their families. Highly recommended!”—Children’s Bookwatch

“This book is a much-needed resource for students with special needs and their families. It provides a wealth of information that covers every possible experience they may encounter as they go through this process. It is engaging, easy to read, and kid friendly. It is full of useful strategies and checklists and gives students excellent ways to utilize the information presented by the authors. Parents will finally have a way to provide crucial information to their child in a nonthreatening and reassuring manner.”—Dr. Barry E. McNamara, assistant dean and professor of education at Concordia College

“As a mother of three children who have learning disabilities, I wish I would have had a resource like this from the beginning. One of the biggest obstacles my children have faced is the low self-esteem that results from their disabilities. This book offers suggestions for how students can gain a better understanding of their learning differences, how they can advocate for themselves, and how they can put a plan into place that will benefit them. When students feel they have some control over their learning and are an important part of the process, they will succeed. This book is an excellent source for educating students with learning disabilities about the process and how it works. It gives them permission to be frustrated with their situation but also gives them the tools to thrive.”—Tara Belfi, president of the Special Education Parent Teacher Association for Cold Spring Harbor School District

“The Survival Guide for Kids in Special Education (And Their Parents) by Wendy Moss and Denise Campbell offers a unique tool for students and their families. The authors’ combined experience working in the field of special education has given us a valuable resource. Intended for student use, this distinct guide provides the reader with a compassionate understanding of student experiences and a window for support. It serves as a practical tool for families and children involved in the special education process. Helpful suggestions, recipes for student success, and reproducible student self-assessment activities create a reader-friendly comprehensive coach for all.”—Gary LaFemina, assistant director of Elementary & Preschool Special Education Manhasset School District

From the Publisher

06/01/2017
Gr 3–8—Addressing common concerns, this resource is intended to guide students and their families through the special education experience. Moss and Campbell cover a wide range of subjects, including testing, learning styles, and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans. Each chapter features a self-assessment form that is meant to be completed before reading to help kids consider their feelings. Readers will be able to relate to the stories about real students sprinkled throughout. Each chapter ends with a list of quick, helpful hints and a special overview section for parents. The language is kid-friendly, and the pages feature an engaging blue and white design, with illustrations accompanying the text. The emphasis on students' abilities and self-advocacy and the tips for success will leave readers with a positive outlook and bolster confidence. With a broad approach to the topic of special education, the book will appeal to a wide range of ages. VERDICT This manual for navigating special education is a must-have for elementary and middle school libraries as well as for public libraries.—Kathryn Justus, Renbrook School, West Hartford, CT

School Library Journal

Children with special needs and their parents have a lot to think about and deal with, not only personally, but also with the educational process. Everything can be overwhelming, unless they have help. This guidebook is an excellent resource with each chapter explaining concepts and details that are needed to assist them. For example, there are precise details about how the children can get help, how their Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) team can assist them with learning, and how to succeed with the plans that are put in place for them to learn. For instance, on the team, everyone has a role. The children can be part of the team and have input for the classroom, homework, testing, and their goals they will try to reach. Furthermore, children are taught skills to be their own advocate. Another chapter encourages children to focus on their abilities, not their disability. Six steps to being positive and confident are given, including focus on the positive, be kind to themselves, and keep trying when things are hard. Another chapter suggests eight ingredients for success, such as perseverance, speaking up for yourself, and self-confidence. Each chapter gives scenarios of children with special needs and what they can do. Also included is a section for parents for getting help, support available, parents’ rights, and how to help their child. In addition, this informative book has reproducible forms throughout the pages to assist children and parents. This outstanding resource will be a great asset to children with special needs and their parents. Reviewer: Cathi I. White; Ages 8 to 14.

Children's Literature - Cathi I. White