DDR Shopping List
Recommended Reading and Purchase Information
Below is a list of books we recommend as providing useful information for those interested in developmental issues. The list includes the title, author, and includes a brief explanation about each publication. Follow the link given to order a book directly from its publisher or from Amazon.
[NOTE: DDR is a member of the Amazon Associates program, and if you purchase a book by following the link to Amazon directly from the DDR website, Amazon gives DDR a referral fee.]
Books are organized into the following categories:
- Health
- Sensory Integration, Cognitive, Language and Motor Development
- Vision
- Cookbooks
- School and Academics
- Vaccines
- Autism Recovery Stories
Health
Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child
Sensory Integration, Cognitive, Language and Motor Development
The Fabric of Autism: Weaving Threads Into a Cogent Theory by Judith Bluestone. ($17.95 from the publisher.) A sensory approach to autism, which includes chapters on anxiety, sleep, nutrition and more. A unique appendix of exercises for Sensory Integration.
Physical Activities for Improving Children's Learning and Behavior
Sensory Tools for Pets: Animals and People Helping Each Other by Diana Henry and Deanna Sava. ($12.95) Stories and photos highlight techniques that use pets to help children and adults with sensory processing disorders.
Tools for Tots: Sensory Strategies for Toddlers and Preschoolers by Diana Henry et al. ($16.95) Beautifully illustrated guide for therapists and parents. Includes chapters on teeth brushing, nail clipping, hair cutting, potty training and dressing.
No Worries (CD and Booklet) by Genevieve Jereb. ($24.95) Delightful CD brings rhythmic melody to promote sensory integration at home and in the classroom and clinic. Booklet provides insight and lyrics.
Say G'Day (CD) by Genevieve Jereb. ($20.00) CD provides calming, fun and rhythmic songs for children to strengthen sensory-motor skills and improve attention, body awareness and learning.
O'Hara Movement and Learning CDs and Booklets by Brendan O'Hara. Especially recommended are Beanbag Ditties, the Wombat and His Mate, and Children's Songbook. These are a series of safe and simple movements to enhance brain development, integrate primitive reflexes and to help children age 3-8 learn efficiently. Activities are synthesized from Brain Gym, NLP and vision therapy.
The Alert Program tapes, booklets, and CDs by Mary Sue Williams and Sherry Shellenberger. In the "How Does Your Engine Run©?" series the authors provide the underlying theory and key concepts of their self-regulation program for use in the home, school and therapy settings. These materials are full of practical ideas and songs to support children's self-regulation.
Vision
Vision: Its Development in Infant and Child by Arnold Gesell and Glenna Bullis. ($25) Originally published over 50 years ago, this classic is a must read for anyone interested in child development. Beautifully illustrated and documented.
How to Develop Your Child's Intelligence by G. N. Getman. ($11.00) Text helps parents and teachers understand the critical relationship between vision and intelligence. Essential for anyone considering vision therapy.
Seeing is Achieving by Donald Getz and Laura McGraw. ($15.95) How children's problems in school, sports and social activities can be corrected by developing good communication between the eyes and the brain.
Seeing Clearly by Lois Hickman and Rebecca Hutchins. ($9.95) An OT (Occupational Therapist) and OD (Doctor of Optometry) suggest 40 fun visual perceptive activities for children and adults to use at home, at work, in school and in the clinic.
Seeing Through New Eyes by Melvin Kaplan. ($19.95) The only book about vision therapy for children with autism, Asperger syndrome and other developmental delays by an optometrist who has worked with this population for many years.
Your Child's Vision by Richard Kavner. ($15.95) The guide to understanding vision from a behavioral standpoint. Everything you need to know age by age about children's vision development.
Developing Your Child for Success by Kenneth A. Lane. ($35.00) A year's worth of activities to develop perceptual-motor, visual and cognitive skills. A must for OTs (Occupational Therapists), educators and parents.
Vision Development: Birth - 3 by Kathy Nurek and Donna Wendelburg. ($19.95 ) An introduction to how vision develops between birth and age three, this workbook encourages parents and professionals to enhance visual skills through play.
Vision Development: Age 4 - 5: Kindergarten Readiness by Kathy Nurek and Donna Wendelburg. ($19.95) Workbook for parents and professionals. Continuation of the stages of vision development occurring between ages four and five.
Vision in the Classroom by Kathy Nurek and Donna Wendelburg. ($19.95) Workbook for parents and teachers. An introduction to the role of vision development in learning. Designed to help understand, develop and improve students' visual skills in the classroom.
Vision and Sensory Integration. ($20.00) A multi-authored volume of articles highlighting new brain and rehabilitation research, sensory integration, vision correction in child development, the OT (Occupational Therapist) role and more. Over 30 pages of activities included.
Beanbags and Fun by Donna Wendelburg. ($19.95) Develop visual and visual-perception skills with this kit of beanbags and scarves. A booklet with ideas for activities is included.
A Different Approach to Academics by Donna Wendelburg. ($12.95 ) A handbook offering innovative ways to teach math, spelling and reading by enhancing visual foundation.
Open Your Eyes and Listen by Deborah Zelinsky. ($19.95) A parent and teacher's guide to visual processing written by an optometrist. Explains central and peripheral vision, the importance of neck muscles and the relationship between them.
Cookbooks
The Body Ecology Diet - 9th Edition by Donna Gates. ($24.95) Want to restore and maintain the important "inner ecology" of your gut, and at the same time prepare quick, delicious, nutritionally dense foods for your family? Try the BED!
The Kid-Friendly ADHD and Autism Cookbook
School and Academics
Hands On: Brain Gym in the Classroom by Isabel Cohen and Marcelle Goldsmith. ($39.95) A practical manual providing teachers, parents and therapists with step-by-step ideas to support reading, handwriting, spelling and mathematical skills.
Brain Gym Teacher's Edition by Paul and Gail Dennison. ($19.95) THE guide of exercises and explanation to increase learning through movement and educational kinesiology.
Thinking Goes to School by Hans G. Furth and Harry Wachs. ($21.95) Hundreds of games and activities for parents and educators to develop academic readiness and enhance visual thinking through play.
Tools for Teachers and Tools for Students from Henry OT. ($24.95 each) DVD or Videos with fabulous activities for kids of all ages designed by a seasoned occupational therapist. Videos and handbooks (see next listing) combine to provide innovative strategies for promoting efficient sensory processing at home and school.
Tools for Parents Handbook, the Tool Chest for Teachers, Parents and Students, and Tools for Teens. All from Henry OT. ($15.95) These three handbooks accompany videos or DVDs (see previous listing) to provide innovative strategies for promoting efficient sensory processing at home and school.
Bullies to Buddies: How to Turn Your Enemies into Friends (for kids of all ages.) A Revolutionary Guide to Reducing Aggression between Children (for parents and teachers.) And Stop Being Teased Without Trying (CD for victims.) All products by Izzy Kalman. ($15.00 each) All of these teach unique, simple solutions devised by a school psychologist and therapist.
Classroom Visual Activities by Regina Richards and Kristy Remick. ($15.00) A manual of practical visual activities providing educators with tools to help children improve the critical vision skills needed for learning.
Minute Moves for the Classroom ($35. Easy to follow movement routines set to music are warm-ups for vision, writing, reading fluency and attention. Includes "Rainbow Planet" CD.
S'cool Moves by Debra Heilberger and Margot Heiniger-White. ($35) Brain Gym meets Sensory Integration. Learn practical ways to support struggling learners of all ages. Great activities and pictures.
Poster PE (Pre-K to Grade 3) and Poster PE (Grade 3 up). ($69 each) Activities to bridge OT (occupational therapy) techniques with the classroom to improve motor planning, timing, posture and sensory-motor processing. Includes 10 18" by 20" posters, a DVD and a booklet.
Vaccines
Evidence of Harm: Mercury in Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic
Vaccinations: A Thoughtful Parent's Guide
Autism Recovery Stories
Recovering Autistic Children edited by Stephen Edelson and Bernard Rimland. ($24.00) Personal stories of families who are recovering their children with autism spectrum disorders using the Defeat Autism Now model.