Have you ever read a book that changed your life? Perhaps it made the solution to a difficult challenge suddenly click into focus … or it inspired you to make a change ... or maybe it provided you with a completely new point of view.
Whatever it was, we all have those books that have somehow broken through our daily life distractions and deep-rooted preconceived notions to make a lasting impact. And what do we want to do when such an event occurs?
We want to share those books with the world.
As a parent of a child with special needs, the head of the nation’s premier school for children with complex challenges, an author, and a bibliophile, I often come across such books -- resources that I know can help families support their children, and that can help children become self-advocates.
Because I am often asked for these book recommendations from friends, families, and colleagues, I’m excited to announce the start of the TQS Book Club: a series of blog posts that will introduce books, authors, and resources aimed at helping families of children with complex challenges shine.
First up, we’ll explore executive functioning. Here are my favorite three books to help your child with self-awareness, working memory, self-control, planning, problem-solving, organization, and more.
#1: Ross Greene’s Lost at School: Why Our Kids with Behavioral Challenges are Falling Through the Cracks and How We Can Help Them
Dr. Ross Greene is a renowned clinical psychologist that has worked with children and families for more than 30 years on Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) to behavior challenges.
Through a mountain of research, Greene’s work is teaching the world that when a child does not meet behavioral expectations, it is not because they lack motivation but because they do not have the cognitive skills to do what they are being asked.
If your child is struggling with anything from completing homework to controlling violent meltdowns, this book will help you change the way you consider your child’s behavior and reveal the lagging skills that are causing unsolved problems. Greene also explains how to work with your child in collaboration to solve these problems, rather than imposing unreliable adult solutions. This book is a wonderful resource for learning how to use CPS with your child.
#2: Mike Fogel’s The Social-Emotional Guidebook: Motivate Children With Social Challenges to Master Social & Emotional Coping Skills
If you are wondering how to help your child improve their social skills, boost their self-esteem, and increase their motivation while decreasing conflict -- all while deepening your own connection with your child -- Mike Fogel’s book is for you.
Fogel has more than 20 years of experience working with children with autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities and has been training the faculty and parents at The Quaker School at Horsham for the past five years. In this easily accessible book, Fogel presents strategies that are easy to implement for any parent, using scripts, visuals, and clear instruction.
Fogel’s strategies have made a significant impact on TQS students, and we are excited to partner with him to present his life-changing tips in an upcoming FREE online lecture that I invite any family to attend.
#3: Peg Dawson’s Smart But Scattered
If you have ever reached into your child’s school bag and had your hand come out covered in something gross … you need to read this book.
Dr. Peg Dawson specializes in the assessment of children and adults with learning and attention disorders, and Smart But Scattered is the definitive book on executive functioning. (We were lucky enough to have her speak on the topic at our 1st Annual Children with Complex Challenges Conference.)
This book is full of carefully researched, easily implemented strategies for time management, task initiation, organization, note-taking, timeliness, and so much more. It’s like handing your child over to Marie Kondo and getting them back fully trained. (Ok maybe it isn’t that good, but it will help.)
Those are my three picks for books to help your child’s behavior and executive functioning -- but I’d love to hear from you. What books or resources have you found that have made an impact on your child with complex challenges?
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