Breakthrough Parenting For Children With Special Needs: Raising The Bar Of Expectations

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resolve grief, avoid the no-false-hope syndrome, access early intervention services, and avoid the use of limiting and outdated labels.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.

Judy Winter is an award wining journalist on special needs parenting issues, and recipient of the 2002 Exceptional Parent Award. Ms Winter has had extensive experience on TV, radio, in print media, and maintains a rigorous schedule of speaking, workshops, conferences, and ongoing public appearances on the subject. Her work, in articles either about or by her, has appeared in People, Child, Writer's Digest, the Toys 'R' Us newsletter, and she has worked for PBS in Michigan for eight years. Her first son Eric had cerebral palsy and died at 12. She and her husband have one daughter, Jenna, and live in Michigan.

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
"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

Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Raising the Bar of Expectations for Children with Special Needs
PART ONE: WELCOME TO BREAKTHROUGH PARENTING FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
1. The Perfect-Baby Dream
2. First You Cry
3. No Labels, Yes Hope
PART TWO: GUIDELINES FOR THE PRESCHOOL THROUGH COLLEGE YEARS
4. The Pre-K and Elementary Years
5. Middle School, Junior High, and High School
6. Advocating for Techniques and Programs That Work
PART THREE: FOCUSING ON THE FAMILY
7. Embracing a New Definition of Family and Planning for the Future
8. Preserving Your Marriage, Caring for Yourself, and Surviving the Death of a Child
9. Meeting the Needs of Siblings
PART FOUR: HONORING SPECIAL NEEDS EXCELLENCE
10. Honoring Special Needs Excellence
About the Author.