get help
reading
There is a wide selection of books, reports and other literature on illnesses and embarrassing conditions. We list just a few below.
The 'get help' directory has details of organisations, many of which produce books or booklets that may be free or available on their websites. It is often worth contacting an organisation as a first port of call to see if it has any relevant publications.
You can find other titles by visiting your local library or bookshop or by looking at bookshop websites, such as Amazon.
ADHD
for parents:
Taking Charge of ADHD by A Barkley Russell (Guilford Press, 2000)
Offers information on advances in research, diagnosis and treatment, and strategies for helping children in social situations and at school.
Understanding ADHD by Christopher Green and Kit Chee (Vermilion, 1997)
Takes parents through the causes and affects of ADHD, how to recognise it, and provides well-tried strategies to deal with it. Questions are answered and there are detailed appendices to help parents understand diagnostic procedures as well as information on diet and medication.
for children:
I Would If I Could: A teenager's guide to ADHD and hyperactivity by Michael Gordon (Atlantic Books, 1991)
Written specifically for teenagers to help them understand ADHD.
Learning to Slow Down and Pay Attention by KG Nadeau, EB Dixon and J Rose (Magination Press, 1997)
For children aged 8-12 years. Uses cartoons, games and activities to offer children a variety of coping strategies.
Eukee the Jumpy Jumpy Elephant by Clifford L Corman, Esther Trevino (Specialty Press, 1995)
The tale of Eukee, a young elephant who has trouble paying attention. A book for children trying to come to terms with their diagnoses of ADHD.
autism
Raising a Child with Autism by Shira Richman (Kingsley Publishers, 2000)
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is recognised as an effective way of helping children with autistic spectrum disorders. This book offers parents a practical and effective way to help autistic children interact more successfully with family and friends, and at school.
The Autistic Spectrum: A parents' guide to understanding and helping your child by Lorna Wing, Ami Klin, Fred Volkmar (Ulysses Press, 2001)
Discusses how parents can better understand their child and teach basic concepts, improve communication and learning abilities, and develop social skills.
The Handbook of Autism by Maureen Aarons and Tessa Gittens (Routledge, 1999)
Recognised by the National Autistic Society as a text source for parents of autistic children and for all professionals involved in their education and welfare.
bullying
Coping with Bullying in Schools by Brendan Byrne (Cassell, 1994)
This book focuses on the premise that bullying can be difficult to detect. Offers practical advice for parents and teachers to help deal with the problem.
How to Handle Bullies, Teasers and Other Meanies: A book that takes the nuisance out of name calling and other nonsense by Kate Cohen-Posey (Rainbow Books, 1995)
This straight-talking book provides practical ways for children to cope with bullying and bullies, in a clear and concise way.
101 Ways to Deal with Bullying by Michele Elliott (Hodder and Stoughton General, 1997)
This guide for parents gives practical solutions for coping with both verbal and physical abuse. It includes ways to identify signs of bullying and provides advice on seeking help.
The Anti-Bullying Handbook by Keith Sullivan (OUP Australia and New Zealand, 2000)
A resource accessible to anyone, parents and teachers included. Practical information to help understand bullying and how to prevent and stop it from happening.
communication
Childhood Speech, Language and Listening Problems by Patricia McAleer Hamaguchi (John Wiley & Sons, 2001)
This invaluable book provides guidance for parents of children with communication difficulties. It endeavours to offer answers to families questioning the root of a speech or learning problem, in an informative and sensitive manner.
Refusal to Speak: Treatment of selective mutism in children (Child Therapy Series) by Sheila Spasaro (editor) and Charles E Schaefer (editor) (Jason Aronson, 1999)
Selective mutism in children is characterised by persistent refusal to speak in one or more social situations (eg, at school or among strangers). This book encourages awareness of the range of treatment options.
Speech and Language Impairments in Children by Bishop/Leo (Psychology Press, 2001)
Delayed development of speech and/or language is one of the commonest reasons for parents of preschool children seeking the advice of a paediatrician. This publication provides an overview of recent research developments and is accessible to all.
Understanding Children with Language Problems by Shula Chiat (Cambridge University Press, 2000)
This book is an approachable introduction to understanding language difficulties in children. Using case studies, it explores the root of obstacles that many children face in the development of language.
education
Education in the UK: Facts & Figures by Donald Mackinnon and June Statham (Hodder & Stoughton Educational, 1999)
This book contains information and data on education in the UK, and explores issues such as legislation, official reports and social background to give a complete picture.
Entertaining and Educating Your Preschool Child by R Gee and S Meredith (Usborne Publishing Ltd, 1992)
Aimed at parents, teachers or anyone involved in looking after young children, this book is full of practical and educational play ideas.
Free Range Education — How home education works by Terri Dowty (editor) (Hawthorn Press, 2000)
For parents considering home education, or those getting started. Featuring the stories of home educating families, this text contains answers to frequently asked questions, and is full of information, resources and practical advice.
Help Your Child to Learn at Primary School by Polly Bird (How To Books, 2000)
Features practical ideas and activities for parents to help reinforce what children learn at primary school.
How to Teach Your Dyslexic Child to Read : A Proven Method for Parents and Teachers by Bernice Baumer (Citadel Press, 1998)
Discusses how to discover the child's learning pace and suggests teaching methods for dyslexic children, up to third grade.
Ten Steps to Help Your Child Read: Ages 3-4 by Jenni Taverner (Scholastic, 1999)
Highlights ten steps that parents can follow to help their child's early language development.
This Book Doesn't Make Sense by Jean Augur (Whurr, 1995)
Based on the author's experience in the home and classroom. Includes practical advice on how to help and encourage people who are dyslexic.
The "e;Which?"e; Guide to Choosing a School by Christina Raffles (Which? Books, 1999)
AN informative guide for parents on how to choose a suitable school for their child. Addresses issues such as teaching standards, discipline, atmosphere, facilities, school league tables and catchment areas.
Education and the Under-Eights (ACE, 2000)
A useful A-Z reference book produced jointly by ACE and the National Early Years Network.
SEN Tribunal: How to appeal (DfES Publications, 2001) free
Available in English, Bengali, Chinese, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese and Welsh, from DfES Publications, PO Box 5050, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6ZQ. Tel: 0845 60 222 60. Textphone: 0845 60 555 60.
Special Education Handbook (ACE, 2002)
Gives practical advice to parents on meetings with schools, understanding statements, choosing a school, appeals and making a complaint.
Children Act and Education (ACE, 1997)
Introduction to how the 1989 Children Act impacts on education. Explains who has the right to be consulted over important decisions about a child.
Order these and other publications and leaflets online at the ACE website http://www.ace-ed.org.uk/publications.html. Or phone 020 7354 8318 for a copy of the publications list.
food refusal
Healthy Food for Healthy Kids by Bridget Swinney (Meadowbrook Press, 1999)
A resource for parents wanting to give their children a healthy attitude towards food.
The Food Our Children Eat: How to get children to like good food by Joanna Blythman (Fourth Estate, 2000)
This informative guide outlines ways that parents can ensure children eat more nutritious foods. The author is critical of society's increasing consumption of junk food, and considers the effect this has on health.
Coping With a Picky Eater: A guide for the perplexed parent by William G Wilkoff (Fireside Books, 1998)
Practical suggestions for parents on how to establish healthy eating habits for children, and avoid mealtime battles.
Roald Dahl's Revolting Recipes by Roald Dahl et al (Red Fox, 1996)
A collection of recipes based on the food and drink featured in Roald Dahl's books. They include mudburgers, hot frogs, lickable wallpaper, stinkbugs' eggs and crispy wasp stings.
general/medical
First Aid for Children Fast by The British Red Cross (Dorling Kindersley, 1999)
Covers first aid treatment for everything from minor cuts and grazes to resuscitation. There are sections on what action to take in an emergency, with advice on which bandages and dressings to use.
The Difficult Child by Stanley Turecki and Leslie Tonner (Bantam Books, 2000)
Offers advice to parents with a challenging child, from getting support from schools and medical practitioners to managing conflicts at home.
NCT Book of Child Health by Morag Martindale and National Childbirth Trust (HarperCollins, 2000)
A reference book for parents, including a quick reference section to help identify possible symptoms straight away. Also has an easy to use first aid section.
NSPCC Helping Hand by NSPCC (Bloomsbury, 1995)
How to cope with every sort of emergency. How to cope with the aftermath of a fire, domestic violence or being the victim of a violent crime. Includes information on a person's legal rights. Includes lots of contacts for providing practical help when it is needed.
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about Children's Vaccinations by Stephanie Cave and Deborah Mitchell (Warner Trade Paperback, 2001)
A family practitioner discusses the pros and cons of vaccinations.
