Children with Disabilities

Rating:
Summary: Solid Introductory Book
Review: Batshaw's Children with Disabilities is a "must have" book for anyone who works with children with disabilities...almost. Written by doctors for those in the medical professional most of the recommended interventions come from a decidedly medical model. It is, on the other hand, fairly comprehensive with sections dealing with genetics, development, developmental disabilities, and interventions with the bulk of the book dealing with specific disabilities from the obscure (Fragile X Syndrome) to the more common (AD/HD). I have not found Appendix A or B particularly useful (Glossary and Syndromes of Inborn Errors of Metabolism) but turn to Appendix C and D frequently (Commonly Used Medication and Resources for Children with Disabilities) Finally, while the book offers a nice mix of theory and application, I would like to see (maybe in a 5th Edition?) the incorporation of some of the so-called "new brain research." Nevertheless, I still turn to this book several times each month.

Rating:
Summary: Solid Introductory Book
Review: Batshaw's Children with Disabilities is a "must have" book for anyone who works with children with disabilities...almost. Written by doctors for those in the medical professional most of the recommended interventions come from a decidedly medical model. It is, on the other hand, fairly comprehensive with sections dealing with genetics, development, developmental disabilities, and interventions with the bulk of the book dealing with specific disabilities from the obscure (Fragile X Syndrome) to the more common (AD/HD). I have not found Appendix A or B particularly useful (Glossary and Syndromes of Inborn Errors of Metabolism) but turn to Appendix C and D frequently (Commonly Used Medication and Resources for Children with Disabilities) Finally, while the book offers a nice mix of theory and application, I would like to see (maybe in a 5th Edition?) the incorporation of some of the so-called "new brain research." Nevertheless, I still turn to this book several times each month.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource
Review: This reference book covers developmental, clinical, educational, family, and intervention issues of concern to teachers working with children with disabilities. Written by doctors, it thoroughly explores issues than impact child development starting from conception through adulthood. Factors that can cause disabilities, current methods of treatment, commonly used medications, and guidelines for intervention are addressed.

This comprehensive reference book will be invaluable tool to access when teaching children with disabilities and parents. Appendixes provide a through list of resources, and glossary of terms so non-experts, like myself, can avoid getting lost in a morass of acronyms. Brookes Publishing provides a companion website which I expect to consult for the most current information and up-to-the-minute research.