Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations [Paperback]

Judy Winter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 10, 2006

Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs challenges families and professionals to help children with special needs to reach their full potential by using a proven motivational, how-to approach. This groundbreaking and inspiring book provides detailed information on how to let go of the “perfect-baby” dream, face and resolve grief, avoid the no-false-hope syndrome, access early intervention services, and avoid the use of limiting and outdated labels. Also included are specific guidelines for working with professionals, understanding the law and inclusion, planning for the future, and insightful interviews with Dana Reeve of the Christopher Reeve Foundation, Tim Shriver of Special Olympics, and Diane Bubel of the Bubel/Aiken Foundation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is the only special needs book I’ve ever read completely in one sitting. I literally couldn’t put it down! Judy Winter’s refreshing style – at once both loving and no-nonsense – makes you feel like you're with a friend you've known for years.…I love practical, and this book is packed full of tips and information you can USE."
-Joan Celebi, Ed.M, CLC; Founder, SpecialNeedsParentCoach.com

"Winter combines her talents for journalism and parenting in a book that is part inspiration, part how-to, and wholly optimistic about your family's survival as you take on the challenge of raising a child with special needs."
– Terri Mauro, About.com

"In Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs (out last month from Jossey Bass), award-winning writer Judy Winter helps parents 'raise the bar of expectations' for their challenged children. Winter fought for a normal life for her son, Eric, before losing him to cerebral palsy. "The demands of special needs challenged me to the limits of human endurance and helped me realize my most heartfelt life dreams, too," she writes. From getting over the myth of the perfect baby, to dealing with staring, to maneuvering the school system, her wisdom is both practical and inspiring."
- Parenting Magazine, 2006

Review

"The essential companion for parents and professionals who care for individuals with special needs."
--From the Foreword by Gail Williamson, executive director, Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles

"Judy Winter’s book is a wonderful story filled not only with practical insights but also with inspirational ideas for how parents can imagine a future filled with high hopes for every child."
--Timothy P. Shriver, Ph.D., chairman of the board, Special Olympics

"This wonderful book is a tribute to the power of faith, optimism, and possibility thinking. Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs will provide hope and inspiration to all families challenged by special needs."
--Dr. Robert H. Schuller, founding pastor, Crystal Cathedral Ministries/Hour of Power, and author, Don’t Throw Away Tomorrow

"It’s about ability, not disability! I believe Ms. Winter will influence many parents and give them a positive outlook in raising their children."
--Chris Burke, actor, aka Corky from Life Goes On

"In this exceptional book, author Judy Winter delivers inspiring success stories, specific resources, parent-tested strategies, and validating words that readers can use to help their children achieve better lives. Highly recommended."
--Sam Horn, author, Tongue Fu! and emcee, Maui Writers Conference

"I commend Judy Winter for expressing so honestly the gifts that can be brought about by a commitment to love and defiance against all odds. Her work is one that ought to be taken to heart, regardless of personal situations, as it stands as a tribute to what all people can achieve and what lies at the heart of the human spirit.”--Brooke Ellison, M.A., John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, author, Miracles Happen: One Mother, One Daughter, One Journey

"Inspires the reader to rethink, reframe, and reevaluate their expectations and parenting style. Judy Winter’s style is empowering, inspiring, and will help children with special needs everywhere."
--Cherie Carter-Scott, Ph.D., author, If Life Is a Game, These Are the Rules: Ten Rules for Being Human 

"Judy Winter challenges families and professionals to help children with special needs to reach their full potential through a motivational, how-to approach that works. The book states the importance of focusing on ability, not disability, and provides encouragement through inspiring success stories of parents and caregivers who have been there."
--Susan Titus Osborn, author, A Special Kind of Love: For Those Who Love Children with Special Needs

"Judy Winter’s book requires me to alter my beliefs and academic content in my instruction to special education teachers and adds another dimension to the preparation of teachers working with special need students."
--Edna Felmlee, instructor, Special Education Coordinator/Special Education Internship, Michigan State University

"Vignettes are carefully woven with medical information to make a readable book that every parent of a child with special needs should read. Judy Winter’s knowledge and enthusiasm for the topic clearly come through. I strongly recommend this book to all--parents and professionals who work with children with special needs."
--Virginia Simson Nelson, M.D., M.P.H., professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan Medical School

"This book will be a welcomed addition to the libraries of all parents, whether or not they have a child with a disability."
--Linda Wacyk, communications manager, Michigan Association of School Administrators

"A rare combination of a well-researched, compassionate and no-nonsense, how-to parenting guide for all children."
--Clare Leach, licensed professional counselor, Aspen Colorado

"Ann Frank once said, ‘How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.’ Judy Winter is doing it eloquently."
--Ronna Robbins, special educator, Detroit Public Schools 

"As the mother of two children with special needs I have been inspired by Judy Winter’s strength and compassion during a time of great challenges for her family. As a reader, I have been impressed by her ability to tell a story in a way that touches the heart."
--Annie Lewis, Michigan mom of two sons with Asperger’s Syndrome

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (March 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787980811
• ISBN-13: 978-0787980818
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Parents and Professionals, April 17, 2006

By 

Jennifer Graffagnino, RN (Olympia, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations (Paperback)

I read this book from cover to cover in one night! It is so refreshing for me to read a book for special needs parenting that focuses on positive parenting, but also addresses the real life daily needs. Seeing our children as a unique, talented, treasure! I found every chapter to have useful, realistic information for parents and professionals. I am the parent of two sons with special needs and two daughters without, and Ms. Winter includes wonderful encouragement on raising the siblings of special needs. The end of each chapter includes resource info to save time in searching yourself! I am a nurse as a profession and will also recommend this book to patients. Highly Recommend!!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strongly Recommended--And Not Just for Parents, March 31, 2006

By 

J. Croope - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations (Paperback)

Full disclosure: I know Judy Winter, author of "Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs." If I didn't find this an exceptional book, I would simply wish her congratulations. But it is a book that is well worth your reading time - and not just for parents, I might add. If I have any quibble, it's that the title may appear to limit this book to parents. But every professional - teacher, social worker, medical professional, school counselor or principal - who works with children of special needs should read this book, as should family members and those who work with children as volunteers. While targeted to empowering parents, it also shifts the paradigm to focus on the ability and not the disability of the child, and when you have that shift, it makes working together much easier. Judy writes as though she's sitting down with you and sharing experiences - her own, and those of many who have walked the special needs path. The book is highly motivating, and while some strategies and stories will resonate more with than others, based on your own experiences, there is much for anyone to pull from this book. The resource list of websites, organizations and tips alone is more than worth the purchase of "Breakthrough Parenting."

20 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Something is definately missing, March 21, 2006

By 

Marc N. Schrader "S Schrader" (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations (Paperback)

I guess maybe it depends what and where you are at on that journey but I felt untouched by the book. It wasn't a bad book and it has a great section on the grieving process and a great section on resources but I was hoping to be inspired in how to be a positive parent and help my child reach their fullest potential while maintaining my own sanity, but it seemed to be more into pushing fad/popular ideas and therapy rather than what I as a mom could do. One of the greatest downfalls of today's society is we have become so big on putting labels on children and getting them in 'therapy'. In my own experience and with other children I have worked with while therapy can be a nice accent its the parenting that plays a central role in a child reaching their fullest potential. This book didn't really talk much about actually parenting the child and that is what I had expected to read about instead of the usual. I can find resources on my own I wanted help learning to work with my child without feeling like giving up and getting frustrated at every turn.