Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents, clinical psychologists, teachers, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and more, Mr. Incredible is the fictional story of Adam, a boy diagnosed with autistic disorder. On Adam’s first birthday, his mother recognizes that something is different about him: he recoils from the touch of his family, preferring to accept physical contact only in the cool water of the family’s pool. As Adam gets older, he avoids eye contact, is largely nonverbal, and has very specific ways of getting through the day; when those habits are disrupted, intense meltdowns and self-harmful behavior follow. From seeking a diagnosis to advocating for special education services, from keeping Adam safe to discovering his strengths, his family becomes his biggest champion. The journey to realizing Adam’s potential isn’t easy, but with hope, love, and the right tools and teammates—they find that Adam truly is Mr. Incredible. This book is part of the ORP Library series of books.

Mr. Incredible: A Story About Autism, Overcoming Challenging Behavior, and a Family’s Fight for Special Education Rights (The ORP Library)

McCutchin, Chelsea

Krukar, Jeff

Balestrieri, James

Teen & Young Adult

RTC Publishing

Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents, clinical psychologists, teachers, therapists, and more, An Unlikely Trust is the fictional story of Alina, a young girl adopted from Russia. After a lengthy adoption process, Alina’s parents are confounded by their daughter’s behavior upon arriving in America. They were aware that she did not speak English and expected some developmental delay, but they did not foresee that the tiny four-year-old would hoard her food, deeply mistrust affection from others, and fail to initiate or respond to most social situations. Most concerning, though, are Alina’s rages. When she is frightened, overwhelmed, or confused, Alina lashes out with the strength and stamina of a person many times her size, leading to injury, property destruction, and eventually police intervention and hospitalization. Alina’s parents know that their daughter needs help—more than they can provide—and work endlessly on her behalf. From seeking a diagnosis to advocating for special education services, from keeping Alina safe to discovering her strengths, her parents become her biggest champions. They know there is hope for Alina—and their family—and will not stop their quest until that hope is realized. This book is part of the ORP Library series of disabilities books.

An Unlikely Trust: Alina's Story of Adoption, Complex Trauma, Healing, and Hope (The ORP Library)

Politics & Social Sciences

Gutiérrez, Katie

Balestrieri, James G.

Social Sciences

Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents, clinical psychologists, teachers, therapists, and more, Alina's Story shows the journey of Alina, a little girl adopted from Russia. After living in an orphanage during her early life, Alina is confused and scared by the outside world. There are so many people, so much noise . . . Her new family loves her, but Alina finds it hard to trust them. What if they hurt her? Or go away and leave her alone? It is hard for Alina to talk about her feelings, so when she is upset or worried, she throws big tantrums that scare her family. Luckily, her mama and papa won't give up on helping Alina. They take her to nice doctors and finally a special school so that Alina can learn new skills.  Slowly, Alina begins to trust other people and gets better at expressing her feelings and solving problems. For the first time in her life, she realizes she is truly safe and loved . . . and she loves her new family in return. This book is part of the ORP Library series of disabilities books.

Alina's Story: Learning How to Trust, Heal, and Hope (The ORP Library)

Parenting & Relationships

Adoption

Writers of the Round Table Press

Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents, clinical psychologists, teachers, and more, Melting Down is the illustrated fictional story of Benjamin, a boy diagnosed with Asperger's disorder and additional challenging behavior. From the time Benjamin is a toddler, he knows he is different: he doesn't understand social and emotional cues, does not know how to play with his sister or other children, and dislikes making eye contact. And his tantrums are not like normal tantrums; they're meltdowns that will eventually make regular schooling-and day-to-day life-impossible. Told from Benjamin's perspective, Melting Down gives a unique glimpse into the journey taken by children with Asperger's disorder and additional challenging behavior, demonstrating that the path toward hope isn't simple—but with the right tools and teammates, it's possible.

Melting Down: A Comic for Kids with Asperger's Disorder and Challenging Behavior (The ORP Library)

Comics & Graphic Novels

Graphic Novels

Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents, clinical psychologists, teachers, and speech and occupational therapists, Incredible Adam is the illustrated fictional story of Adam, a boy diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The story follows a social narrative format to depict a typical day in Adam's life within his therapeutic residential school. From the time Adam wakes to the hour he sleeps again, his day presents him with successes to experience and challenges to overcome. With the support of his caregivers and family, he is able to use tools he's learned to help with attention, engagement, and regulation of his behavior. Offering unique insight and understanding into the journey taken by lower skilled children with autism spectrum disorder, Incredible Adam offers parents, caregivers, teachers, and therapists a special tool to help the children in their lives. This book is part of the ORP Library series of disabilities books.

Incredible Adam and a Day with Autism: An Illustrated Story Inspired by Social Narratives (The ORP Library)

Disabilities & Hyperactivity

Nearly one third of all school children are bullied each year. That's more than thirteen million kids who face physical, verbal, cyber, and social bullying on a regular basis. For years, educators and parents have searched for ways to end bullying, but as that behavior becomes more sophisticated, it's harder to recognize and to stop. In Classroom Heroes, Jason is a quiet, socially awkward seventh grade boy who has long suffered bullying in silence. Zaria is a teacher who understands that in order to effectively stop bullying, we have to change the mindset. We have to enlist not just the educators and parents, but also the children to create a community that does not tolerate bullying. Classroom Heroes is a heartbreaking but ultimately heartening story of how one class changes its environment to end bullying, one student at a time.

Classroom Heroes: One Child's Struggle with Bullying and a Teacher's Mission to Change School Culture (The ORP Library)

DeLoatch, Pamela

When Max was four, he was diagnosed with PDD-NOS—pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified. Diana and Aaron, his parents, thought the news couldn’t get any worse. But six years later, Max was re-diagnosed with autism. He is low functioning, barely verbal, and when he becomes frustrated or overwhelmed—which happens often—he hurts himself or others. Now, at twelve, Max is nearly Diana’s size, and much larger than his two younger brothers. Diana and Aaron have a difficult choice to make: do they continue treating Max with vitamins, supplements, and diet, avoiding the potential side effects of psychotropic medication, or do they admit that Max is not improving and try something new? The decision is fraught with complexities, each side rife with potential to both help and harm Max. Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents and clinicians, Connecting with Max is the story of a modern struggle with a universal theme: a mother and father’s love for their children.

Connecting with Max: How Medication Closed the Gap between a Family and Their Son with Autism (The ORP Library)

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Weisensel, Nicolette

Mental Health

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Books by Krukar, Jeff