Books are a great way for parents to introduce or explain certain disabilities to their children. Here are 15 of our favorite children’s books that involve individuals with disabilities:
1. We’ll Paint the Octopus Red
By Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen
Stuve-Bodeen’s picture book is about little Emma, who learns that her new baby brother has Down syndrome. She wonders if he will be able to play with her the same way other siblings can. Her father explains that her baby brother can do pretty much everything other babies can do, he just might need a little help along the way.
2. Hansel and Gretel: A Fairy Tale with a Down Syndrome Twist
By Jewel Kats
An adaptation of the famous Grimm’s fairy tale with five-year-old Hansel having Down syndrome. A fun and captivating way to introduce Down syndrome to a child.
3. Out of My Mind
By Sharon M. Draper
A novel for teens and adults that tells the story of Melody, a brilliant girl with cerebral palsy who cannot speak, move, or communicate. In the novel, she fights to earn the recognition she deserves at home and at school.
4. My Friend Suhana: A Story of Friendship and Cerebral Palsy
By Shaila Abdullah
The story of a little girl who develops a close friendship with Suhana, a girl who has cerebral palsy. Filled with compassion and fun!
5. Emily’s Sister
By Michele Gianetti
An illustrated story written by the parent of a child with dyspraxia and sensory processing disorder. It tells of Emily’s sister, who is a little bit different from other kids. The tale helps to introduce these types of conditions to children.
6. I’m Not Weird, I Have Sensory Processing Disorder
By Chynna T. Laird
An illustrated story about a girl who has sensory processing disorder. The book validates the feelings of children with SPD and helps them to better understand the condition and explain it to others.
7. The Goodenoughs Get in Sync: 5 Family Members Overcome their Special Sensory Issues
By Carol Kranowitz
A chapter book about five family members, each of whom has a different sensory processing challenge. It is filled with useful information on sensory processing issues and helpful tips for those who have them.
8. My Belly Has Two Buttons
By Meikele Lee
A children’s book that addresses the use of feeding tubes and explains them in a fun and easy way.
9. Prince Preemie: A Tale of a Tiny Puppy Who Arrives Early
By Jewel Kats
A picture book about a king and queen dog who are expecting a prince puppy. The puppy is born prematurely, before his crown is finished being made. This story helps discuss the idea of premature birth.
10. Melvin Goes to the Dentist
By Sara Cremeno
A story about a child’s first trip to the dentist, which is especially helpful for children with disabilities and anxiety.
11. Delightfully Different
By D.S. Walker
A novel about Mia, who has Asperger’s syndrome and deals with sensory sensitivity issues, such as not liking to walk barefoot on the grass and not liking to talk on the phone. She is bullied at school and learns, over many years, to embrace what makes her unique.
12. My Little Brother is a Little Different – An Autism Story
By Tammy Parker Cox
A picture book in which a girl introduces readers to her little brother who has autism. She talks about all the things they do together, how they interact, and how much she loves him.
13. Taking Seizure Disorders to School: A Story About Epilepsy
By Kim Gosselin
A story that explains epilepsy and seizures in a fun and easy way for children to understand.
14. My Brother Sammy
By Becky Edwards
A captivating picture book about a boy with autism, as told by his older brother. It reveals that all children are unique.
15. Mommy, I Feel Funny! A Child’s Experience with Epilepsy
By Danielle Rocheford
A picture book about a girl named Nel who has been diagnosed with epilepsy. Her family learns about the condition and everyone grows to understand what Nel has experienced.
About the HIE Help Center and ABC Law Centers
The HIE Help Center is run by ABC Law Centers, a medical malpractice firm exclusively handling cases involving HIE and other birth injuries. Our lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience with this type of law, and have been advocating for children with HIE and related disabilities since the firm’s inception in 1997.
We are passionate about helping families obtain the compensation necessary to cover their extensive medical bills, loss of wages (if one or both parents have to miss work in order to care for their child), assistive technology, and other necessities.
If you suspect your child’s HIE may have been caused by medical negligence, please contact us today to learn more about pursuing a case. We provide free legal consultations, during which we will inform you of your legal options and answer any questions you have. Moreover, you would pay nothing throughout the entire legal process unless we obtain a favorable settlement.
You are also welcome to reach out to us with inquiries that are not related to malpractice. We cannot provide individualized medical advice, but we’re happy to track down informational resources for you.
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