A story told from the point of view of a child wanting to know more about how dyspraxia and SPD affects her sister

A story told from the point of view of a child wanting to know more about how dyspraxia and SPD affects her sister

Book Summary

Description

A story told from the point of view of a child wanting to know more about how Dyspraxia and SPD affects her sister. Whilst the text is suitable for a confident reader aged 7-9, the intention of this book is for an adult to share with a child in the family, a group of children at school, or even an entire class if appropriate, to help other children better understand what it is like for one of their peers to live with Dyspraxia and/or Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).

Format

Paperback ISBN 9781909320635
13.3 x 0.4 x 20.3 cm
66 pages
Black and white illustrations throughout
Published Jan 2017

RRP

6.99 GBP
7.99 EUR
8.99 USD

Audience

Aimed at 7-9 year olds
Years 3 to 4 in Key Stage 2 in the UK
Grades 2 to 3 in the US

The Blurb

Emily’s sister is different from other children she knows. She seems to struggle with things most of us just do naturally.

In this delightfully illustrated story, based upon real family experiences, Emily discovers how to understand and help her sister live a happier life.

Extract from Emily's Sister

Extract from Emily's Sister

Book Objectives

This story, written by the parent of a child with Dyspraxia and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), paves the way for parents, teachers and medical professionals to discuss these specific learning difficulties with children (aged around 7-9).

Unlike most other books on the subject, this book has been written from a child's perspective: enabling young people to ask questions of the story in a non-threatening way and encouraging them to discover how it relates to them.

Book Background

Michele Gianetti is a registered nurse, who previously worked as a school nurse before becoming a stay-at-home mom and eventually an advocate for her second child, who has special needs. She and her husband, an Internal Medicine physician, make their home in Ohio. They are also parents to their older daughter Emily and son Michael.

Seeing the love between her children, through it all, was the motivation for Michele writing this children’s book. The hope is that by helping siblings understand their special brother or sister, it will help draw them closer as friends.

Book Reviews

The reviews below were kindly received prior to publication. But if you would like to leave a review, that would be amazing! The following are great places to leave book reviews (with direct links to the book!): Goodreads, amazon.co.uk, amazon.com and Google Books

The questions Emily poses to her mom about her sister with special needs are most likely the same any child in the same situation has. Adults sharing this book with a child will find many conversation starters to help siblings, friends, and classmates understand the needs and behaviors of children with special needs.
— Lorna d'Entremont on SpecialNeedsBookReview.com
… a very realistic and hopeful book, very much acknowledging what it would be like to grow up with a sister who presents some challenges at home, but also is very loving and interesting to be around … it is a positive book that I would definitely recommend … The people who would benefit from reading it are, parents children with developmental difference and siblings of children with developmental difference.
— Dr Linda Buchan, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Director, Axia ASD Ltd
I think that it provides a gentle and positive introduction to SPD and dyspraxia for children. I anticipate that it will help a lot of children to understand one another better.
— Jasmine Grimsley, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University
Often times the best stories are not about made-up people, events, and places, but are instead about the real life challenges of ordinary people. Emily’s Sister illustrates this point by delicately exploring Emily’s initial learning of Sensory Processing Disorder and Dyspraxia. This book is so poignant and enlightening as it focuses on Emily’s emotional journey as the sibling of an individual with a disability and her emotional growth. Emily and her family learn from Occupational Therapists how to implement strategies into their daily lives that improve all of their lives. This book is offering inspiration and hope to anyone who has a sibling with a disability. This book comes highly recommended.
— Dr. Lynne A. Oberle, Ph.D., MSOL, OTR/L
… the emotions started pouring out of me ... Emily is so anxious to learn why Elizabeth is not like other kids her age ... The ending will bring you to tears ... I have had the privilege of working with Elizabeth for 9 years. Her coordination skills have improved from not being able to stand on one foot to independently riding a bike.
— Elizabeth O’Hara, Dynamic Health Corporation, Dba Gymsters

 

Book Resources

Currently under development

Book Availability

Most bookshops throughout the English-speaking world and of course Amazon. Contact us for a discount if you are an educational or support organisation wishing to purchase in bulk for resale or otherwise.

Paul Johnson

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