DSACK Lending Library

Our library offers a variety of books and DVD’s that are available, at no charge, to help our families better understand, educate, and support our loved ones with Down Syndrome.

Contact: lendinglibrary@dsack.org

• All items are available to check out for a one month period
• Items can be shipped to your home & returned the same way
• Multiple copies of most books are available
• Please let us know if there is something you would like to see added to the DSACK collection

Book Titles

Ability Development from Age Zero by S. Suzuki

Recommended for parents of Suzuki method students. In this sequel to NURTURED BY LOVE, Dr. Suzuki states that, the fate of the child is in the hands of his parents. With this book he shows how to create a warm environment which will encourage any child to become a happy, loving and talented human being. Written by Shinichi Suzuki, translated by Mary Louise Nagata.

America According to Connor Gifford By C. Gifford and V. Harris

Just when 81% of Americans are dissatisfied with America’s direction, along comes Conner Giffor, an amazing young man from Nantucket who has Down Syndrome, to make sense of our past. Illustrated with 58 of Connor’s drawings, the 53 insightful profiles span 400 years of America’s journey to “”get it right.”" The key themes include: civil rights, women’s rights, why wars begin, religious freedom, individual responsibility. The book changes stereotypes and perception about those with Down Syndrome, Autism, and other special needs. The book is ideal for educators and libraries for its innovative ways it teaches American History.

Angel Behind the Rocking Chair By P.W. Vredevelt

After the loss of her first baby and the birth of a fourth child with Down Syndrome, Pam Vredevelt felt that she had fallen from God’s grasp. As she was soon to discover, however, God was just beginning to hold her tight and lead the way out of her endless pit of despair. With humor and touching insight, Pam unveils her struggle to emerge from darkness into the light in this paperback release of her popular work. Many have been touched by the same anguish; Pam shares their stories and how the supernatural touch of God sustained them through the darkest days of life.

Babies with DS, A New Parents’ Guide  by Susan J. Skallerup

This book has helped tens of thousands of new parents with information and guidance.  Covering medical care, daily care, family life, development, early intervention, learning, legal rights, and much more, this new edition is a complete roadmap to every aspect of your child’s health and well being from birth to age five.

Building a Joyful Life with your Child who has Special Needs by Nancy J. Whitman and Linda Roan-Yager

This book considers the challenges of caring for children with physical, developmental and mental health disorders and proposes methods such as learning to see events through your child’s own eyes, celebrating their strengths and achievements and recognizing how others can help your child. Chapters deal with key topics such as coping with a diagnosis, discussing support needs with a child’s teachers and explaining a child’s differences to their peers. The authors stress the importance of parents building support systems for themselves and their children. Real stories from parents and example scenarios illustrate the common difficulties faced by parents of children with special needs, and the authors explain how painful thoughts may be identified and reframed through techniques grounded in cognitive behavior therapy. Crucially, Building a Joyful Life warns against parents neglecting their own needs, and a exercises will help them to find ways of regaining balance in their lives.

Classroom Language Skills for Children with Down syndrome By Libby Kumin

Emphasizing the crucial role teachers and speech-language therapists play in the classroom, Kumin explains how to make adaptations to curriculum, verbal instruction, classroom routines, and written assignments to enhance communications between children with Down syndrome and other students. Includes forms and checklists for parents to use in planning.

Communication Skills in Children with DS By Libby Kumin

An expert shares her knowledge of speech and language development in children with Down syndrome from birth through approximately age seven. A wealth of accessible information and advice, plus practical home activities.

Count Us In Growing Up with DS By Jason Kingsley, Mitchell Levitz

At ages nineteen and twenty-two, respectively, Jason Kingsley and Mitchell Levitz shared their innermost thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams, their lifelong friendship—and their experiences growing up with Down syndrome. Their frank discussion of what mattered most in their lives—careers, friendships, school, sex, marriage, finances, politics, and independence—earned Count Us In numerous national awards, including the EDI Award from the National Easter Seal Society. More important, their wit, intelligence, candor, and charm made a powerful and inspirational statement about the full potential of people with developmental disabilities, challenging prevailing stereotypes. Now, thirteen years later, the authors discuss their lives since then—milestones and challenges, developments expected and unexpected—in a new afterword.

Differences in Common: straight talk on mental retardation, Down syndrome  By Marilyn Trainer

These fifty essays span more than 20 years of Trainer’s experiences raising a son with Down syndrome. She explores issues such as family adjustment, public attitudes, education, and independence.

Early Communication Skills for Children with DS By Libby Kumin

Children with Down syndrome have a wide range of speech and language abilities, and most need the help of a speech-language pathologist (SLP) beginning at birth to maximise communication development. Early Communication Skills for Children with Down Syndrome explains the role of a SLP, the stages of communication development, and how certain characteristics of Down syndrome, such as low muscle tone, hearing loss, and cognitive delays, can slow progression of those skills. Delays can lead to frustration and other problems for children who do not have intelligible speech until age 2 or later. This new book is the updated, expanded edition of Communication Skills in Children with Down Syndrome. It focuses on speech and language development from birth through the stage of making 3-word phrases, which is often around kindergarten age, but can occur later. This book offers parents a wealth of information on intelligibility issues, hearing loss, apraxia (difficulty planning oral-motor movements), and other factors that affect communication for children with Down syndrome. It explains how to prepare for and understand the results of a speech-language assessment, and goes on to describe what to expect in the years ahead when a child enters elementary school. Throughout the new edition, the author incorporates the latest research on Down Syndrome and communication development. She has added new chapters on augmentative and alternative communication and other high- and low-tech supplemental communication options, as well as articulation, and literacy (how reading aids in the learning of language, speech, and auditory skills). New checklists on evaluating and treating speech problems, and numerous home activities designed to help children master each stage of communication development have also been added

Final Gifts  Understanding the special awareness, needs and communications of the dying By Maggie Callanan, Patricia Kelley

Five years after its first publication, with more than 150,000 copies in print, Final Gifts has become a classic. In this moving and compassionate book, hospice nurses Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley share their intimate experiences with patients at the end of life, drawn from more than twenty years experience tending the terminally ill. Through their stories we come to appreciate the near-miraculous ways in which the dying communicate their needs, reveal their feelings, and even choreograph their own final moments; we also discover the gifts—of wisdom, faith, and love—that the dying leave for the living to share. Filled with practical advice on responding to the requests of the dying and helping them prepare emotionally and spiritually for death, Final Gifts shows how we can help the dying person live fully to the very end.

Fine Motor Skills for Children with DS By Maryanne Bruni

This practical guide shows parents and professionals how they can help children with Down syndrome from infancy to twelve years improve fine motor functioning. Many age-appropriate activities that can be practiced at home or school are described with step-by-step instructions and photographs.

From the Heart

Gifts, Mothers Reflect on How Children w/DS Enrich Their Lives  by Kathryn Lynard Soper

The purpose of Gifts is to show the world that the life of a child with Down syndrome is something to celebrate. This book will touch hearts and change lives.  This book contains several excerpts from many different parents sharing their story.

Gross Mother Skills in Children with DS By Patricia C. Winders

Children with Down syndrome master basic gross motor skills everything from rolling over to running–just as their peers do, but may need additional help. This guide illustrates more than 100 important activities for parents and professionals to practice with children from birth through age six years.

How to Give Your Baby Encyclopedic Knowledge By Glenn Doman, Janet Doman

Learning and absorbing information, say the authors, is a brain function. Very young children can absorb information, without effort and find enormous pleasure in doing so.

How to Teach Your Baby Math By Glenn Doman, Janet Doman

This book provides parents with a simple and clear daily program for teaching small children mathematics. At the same time, the essential and close contact of learning together enriches the love and respect between parents and baby.

Incredible Edible Gluten Free Food for Kids By Sheri L. Sanderson

disease or because of other conditions, this cookbook presents recipes for dishes that every child will savor–from Sesame Chicken Salad and Pineapple Upside-Down Cake to Quick Lunch Pizza and Broccoli with Cheese Sauce.

Infinity Walk, Preparing Your Mind to Learn By Deborah Sunbeck

This revised edition of Infinity Walk is packed with useful information, new theories, and practical, common sense methods to develop greater brain power and find peace of mind. It gives simple instructions on:  How to assess your present neurological pattern for eye, ear, and hand dominance, so you can maximize your talents,  how to overcome learning difficulties creatively and painlessly, how to develop your own superlearning program that will create measurable neurological, improvements in your brain, how to use your program to overcome personal fears, lack of confidence, and occasional depression or inertia and how to develop neurological brain wave patterns similar to those of creative artists, scientific geniuses, and advanced meditators. The book also includes a complete sensory and motor training program organized by Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences for easy reference. Adults, counselors, grades K-12.

Kids with Celiac Disease By Danna Korn

This is the first practical guide for the families of children and teenagers with celiac disease, a chronic, life-long digestive disorder. As many as one out of 150 to 250 Americans is born with this genetic auto-immune condition, which is characterized by intolerance of gluten — a substance in wheat, oats, barley, malt, and other food additives — and often goes undiagnosed. In a supportive conversational style, Danna Korn shows that it’s possible for kids with celiac disease and their families to lead happy and healthy lives. Parents find advice on how to deal with the diagnosis, cope with the emotional turmoil, and help their child develop a positive and constructive attitude. Especially important is the guidance on menu planning, grocery shopping, strategies for proper food preparation, and deciding whether or not the entire family should be gluten-free. There’s even a section on junk food! What about the child who has difficulty sticking with the prescribed diet? Parents find tips on conditioning behavior and how and when to give kids some control over what they eat. Also covered is the challenge of controlling meals outside of the home — at birthday parties, restaurants, camp, and on vacation. There’s also information about how federal regulations and tax laws apply to children with celiac disease. As the only comprehensive book of its kind, This book will be the bible for the thousands of families coping with this condition. Physicians and nutritionists too, will want to refer new families to this complete resource.

Married with Special-Needs Children By Laura E. Marshak, Fran Prezant

At last, a guide that speaks to parents about how to work on marital issues while juggling the demands of raising a child with a developmental disability, serious medical condition, or mental illness. In writing this practical, empathetic guide, the authors draw on their combined professional experience in marital counseling and parent training, as well as on the experience and advice of hundreds of parents of children with special needs. MARRIED WITH SPECIAL-NEEDS CHILDREN looks at the ways in which having a child with special needs can make it more difficult for a marriage to thrive and how a child’s intensive needs can change the structure of a marriage. The authors examine many of the underlying stresses and common pitfalls a couples differing coping mechanisms and expectations of a child, communication breakdowns and difficulties resolving conflicts, for example. They then present a wide range of strategies for handling or preventing these problems. Marshak and Prezant also describe what makes a marriage strong, such as continuing to share connections outside of parenting roles, keeping a sense of autonomy, and sharing childcare responsibilities. Parents get advice about the importance of romance and intimacy and the benefits of finding time for each other even when they feel too tired or overwhelmed. In addition, the book deals with serious marital troubles and divorce considerations. Throughout are quotes from husbands and wives, offering special insight into what was especially difficult for them, what solutions they’ve discovered, and what they wished they’d done differently. For parents looking for ways to strengthen their marriage, prevent future strife, or resolve or move on from significant relationship difficulties, this guide offers guidance and expertise for taking the next step. MARRIED WITH SPECIAL-NEEDS CHILDREN is also invaluable to mental health professionals, giving them a realistic view of what many of their clients

Medical & Surgical Care for Children with Down syndrome: a guide for parents By Don C. Van Dyke, Philip Mattheis, Md

This guide eliminates the need for parents to scour medical texts and journals in search of information they can understand about their child’s medical condition. It covers medical treatments and conditions–from heart disease to skin conditions–more common among children with Down syndrome.

More Than a Mom: Living a Full and Balanced Life When Your Child Has Special Needs By Amy Baskin, Heather Fawcett

Solid, practical advice on how to cope with the many personal challenges mothers of children with disabilities face at home, at work, and within themselves. A how to guide for living a balanced, fulfilling life with advice from moms who have been there this includes the authors experiences and insights, and tips from dozens of other moms of kids with special needs who filled out the authors questionnaire. Jam-packed with useful steps you can take to make your life more manageable, and ultimately more fulfilling. Book addresses 2 main concerns: Taking Care of Yourself (at home) o physically–realistic ways to fit in exercise (and why that’s essential), eating to stay healthy (as opposed to dieting), tackling sleep deprivation, etc. emotionally–finding time for friends (and how to make/keep friends, when your life is revolving around your child’s special needs), recognizing depression/stress/anger and what to do about it, etc. practically speaking–organizing/balancing all the demands on your time, facing financial challenges, spiritually/ psychically reevaluating your goals, dreams, what you want out of life Taking Care of Business  juggling work and home and finding child care for a special needs child, etc, your legal rights at work (family leave, etc.)  different types of flexible work option or accommodations (flex time, telecommuting, job share, extended leave, etc.) and how to ask for them o getting support from your boss and coworkers; if you have to stop working, how to keep a foot in the workplace by volunteering, consulting, etc.; re-joining the workforce, changing careers or starting your own business.

Special Children Challenged Parents : The Struggles and Rewards of Raising a Child With a Disability By Robert A. Naseef

When a child is born, family life changes forever. If that child has special needs, the changes can seem overwhelming. What are the daily blessings and challenges that await parents when their child is not who they expected? How can they deal with their complex emotions, build a relationship with their special child, and maintain family unity? Dr. Robert A. Naseef, a psychologist and father of a son with autism, answers these critical questions with keen insight and honesty. Parents will get his perspective on acknowledging and managing difficult emotions like grief, fear, anger, and shame, recognizing differences in the way fathers and mothers deal with a child’s disability, tuning in to a child’s individual traits and temperament, coping with challenging behavior through positive methods, understanding the ongoing impact of a child’s disability on siblings and parents and communicating effectively with professionals; Special Children, Challenged Parents is both a father’s intensely personal journey and an invaluable professional guide for parents of children with disabilities.

Teaching by Design: Using Your Computer to Create Materials for Students With Learning Differences By Kimberly S. Voss

TEACHING BY DESIGN grew out of the authors personal need. Her daughter, Ashley, has multiple disabilities that affect her visual, language, and motor skills. Kim shares her excitement for using the computer to solve the puzzle of Ashleys disabilities, enabling readers to learn to do the same. She stresses the importance of presentation and demystifies for the reader how design variables images, type style, and layout — can affect learning.This innovative, practical book teaches how to use computer graphics programs (Microsoft PowerPoint, FreeHand, Illustrator, AppleWorks and CorelDraw ) to create, design, and adapt educational materials for people with profound to moderate developmental disabilities of all ages. A companion CD-rom included in the book provides dozens of timesaving graphic templates that give designers a head start in the process. More than 30 recipes provide easy, step-by-step instructions for creating dynamic, customizable materials, such as a Game Spinner, Telling-Time Worksheet, and Flash Cards. Creating materials requires basic computer skills that many readers may already have or can easily learn. The book is organized into the following sections: Graphic design considerations: How presentation variables (images, layout, type-style) affect learning. Graphic skills, programs, and resources: Tips on using specific graphics programs; where to find images and buy art supplies and materials. Recipes: step-by-step instructions. Each recipe indicates: o What Materials Youll Need (Arts & Craft Supplies; Software; Hardware) o Level of Difficulty (Most are Simple) o The Skills to Teach: What areas of learning can be addressed with the finished product — visual perception, math, language, communication, reading, handwriting, or self-help. CD-Rom: Includes ready-to-use graphics templates to use in the projects described or to adapt into something new

Teaching Children with DS about Their Bodies, Boundaries and Sexuality By Terri Couwenhoven

Drawing on her unique background as both a sexual educator and mother of a child with Down syndrome, author Terri Couwenhoven blends factual information and practical ideas for teaching children with Down syndrome about their bodies, puberty, and sexuality. This book gives parents the confidence to speak comfortably about these sometimes difficult subjects. It also explains why it’s so important to begin early in the life of a child to deal with issues such as hygiene, emotional and physical boundaries, privacy, and what makes for healthy relationships. In a friendly conversational style, the author covers relevant issues and concerns for children of all ages, such as: Labeling & explaining private body parts, identifying & expressing emotions, respecting personal space, teaching self-care & hygiene, understanding norms of privacy, understanding gender identity, and showing appropriate levels of affection. She also covers later issues that affect teenagers and young adults, including:  Anticipating and understanding puberty, dealing with periods, bras for girls, experiencing erections, wet dreams for boys, relating to the opposite sex, sharing parental values about sexuality, explaining sexual relationships, preventing sexual abuse and understanding how Down syndrome affects puberty & fertility rates.

Teaching Math to People with DS and Other Hands-On Learners By DeAnna Horstmeier

TEACHING MATH TO PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME, BK 2, continues with Deanna Horstmeier’s proven, practical hands-on activities–with the help of games, manipulatives, props, and worksheets–to make learning concrete and more tangible to hands-on learners, including those with Down syndrome, autism, or other cognitive disabilities. All the visual supports and worksheets that make DeAnna’s teaching technique so effective are included in the book. Just like Book 1, the follow-up book focuses on survival math–computations and concepts that relate to everyday life and being as independent as possible.Book 2 reviews some of the basics but mostly focuses on more challenging skills that are usually taught in upper elementary, middle school and beyond, such as: Multiplication & Division: Using manipulatives and a calculator; solving word problems; memorizing multiplication facts. Fractions: Practicing fractions through cooking, especially measuring for baking; reading and writing mixed numbers (5 1/4); learning fraction equivalents. Measurement: Measuring to the nearest 1/4 inch; understanding how long a mile is and measurements for temperature, weather, food and units of capacity (cup, pint, quart, gallon). Money: Adding up mixed coins and bills; banking basics (depositing money, writing and cashing checks); tracking spending; budgeting (understanding the difference between discretionary and necessary purchases). Decimals: Writing and reading dollar amounts to the 10ths and 100ths; memorizing percentage and fraction equivalents.

Teaching Reading to Children with DS  By Patricia L. Oelwein

For parents of children with Down syndrome comes this nationally recognized, proven method to teach reading skills through flashcards, games, charts, and books. From introducing the alphabet to writing and spelling, these lesson are easy to follow. The reproducible pictures and flashcards that are included will appeal to visual learners

The DS Nutrition Handbook: A guide for promoting a healthy lifestyle By Joan E. Guthrie Medlen, Timothy P. Shriver

This one-of-a-kind book is the first to provide information, strategies, and tools to promote healthy living for people with Down syndrome, their families, and those who support them. Using her knowledge and expertise as a registered dietitian and experiences as a mother of a son with Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and celiac disease, Joan Guthrie Medlen has blended intricate science with practical use to create a book that is indispensable. Medlen encourages parents and professionals to start teaching healthy habits early, yet stresses it is never too late to make changes. The Down Syndrome Nutrition Handbook describes the connection between healthy lifestyles and nutrition for people with Down syndrome and hands-on strategies for nutrition education. Chapters cover: .Introducing food textures and new foods. .Creating successful mealtimes. .Strategies for weight management. .Ideas for fitness and exercise. .Cooking and menu planning. .Activities for nutrition education that with accommodations for all students. Using visual cues and tools to teach and create healthy, independent lifestyles. The Down Syndrome Nutrition Handbook is the perfect tool for parents, teachers, and professionals to create general nutrition education and wellness activities for anyone. The nutrition concepts described and offered in activities meet or exceed learning standards for nutrition in most states for general education.

Uncommon Fathers: Reflection on raising a child with disability By Donald Joseph Meyer

A compelling collection of essays by fathers who were asked to reflect and write about the life-altering experience of having a child with a disability. Nineteen fathers have taken an introspective and honest look at this deeply emotional subject, offering a seldom-heard perspective on raising children with special needs. This is the first book written for fathers by fathers. Uncommon Fathers should also be helpful to partners, family, friends, and service providers who will appreciate this rare forum and perhaps, learn from what these fathers have to say.

Wings to Fly , Bringing Theatre Arts to Students with Special Needs By Sally D. Bailey

Outlines the therapeutic and education benefits students with disabilities gain from involvement in drama

Views from Our Shoes: growing up with a brother or sister with special needs‎ By Donald Joseph Meyer

In Views From Our Shoes, 45 siblings share their experiences as the brother or sister of someone with a disability. The children whose essays are featured here range from four to eighteen and are the siblings of youngsters with a variety of special needs, including autism, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, ADD, hydrocephalus, visual and hearing impairments, Down and Tourette syndromes. Their personal tales introduce young siblings to others like them, perhaps for the first time, and allow them to compare experiences. A glossary of disabilities provides easy-to-understand definitions of many of the conditions mentioned.

DVDs/VCR
Discovery ~ Pathways to Better Speech for Children with DS
What Did You Say? A Guide to Speech Intelligibility in People with

DS
Guide to Child Management, Parent Education Series
Guide to the Parent Teacher, Parent Education Series
Guide to Learning Disabilities, Parent Education Series
DVD and Compendium for NDSC 2008 Conference