The Disability is Natural

Book and DVD

About Kathie Snow Click here to see Table of Contents Click here to Order

"There is so much emphasis on 'fixing' our children, instead of appreciating and enjoying them. But now, your work has changed my life and my daughter's life. I hope other people can experience the same transformation. I have great respect for your work---thank you!"

Susan (Elayna's Mom)

Multitudes of books have been written about parenting children with disabilities, but this book is like no other! Out with the old---in with the new! Disability is Natural: Revolutionary Common Sense for Raising Successful Children with Disabilities, 2nd Edition is a wonderfully positive manual on ways to ensure children who have been labeled lead real lives---the lives they would lead if they did not have disability labels . . . the lives of their dreams (and their parents' dreams)! The strategies Kathie recommends are making this hope a reality for thousands of families. This is not the usual parenting advice about children's "problems" and how to "fix them." Kathie believes---and demonstrates---that the presence of a disability is not a barrier to success!

When we focus on children's strengths and gifts; identify their real needs; provide the appropriate assistive technology, supports, and accommodations; listen to them with our ears, our eyes, and our hearts; and believe that children with disabilities are more like children without disabilities than different, the world will change before our eyes! This provocative, one-of-a-kind book can help parents (and anyone else who cares about children) make big changes, today!

"Our History" details how we got to where we are today. A self-test in "Yesterday's Influence on Your Child Today" helps parents recognize the antiquated mentalities that may be having a negative affect on their children and families. The "Disability World" chapter examines today's conventional wisdom and explodes the myths that have led to the isolation and segregation of too many children with disabilities. You'll learn how today's services, programs, and treatments that are intended to help, may actually cause harm. "New Attitudes and Actions" explores new ways of thinking and talking about disability, and includes strategies to move beyond traditional assessments that focus on a child's perceived "deficits." When we recognize, celebrate, and value a child's strengths, abilities, interests, hopes, and dreams, the significance of the disability label pales in comparison.

"A New Therapeutic Landscape and Tools for Success" details a revolutionary and common sense approach to meeting children's needs, without "therapizing" their lives! Learn from therapists (college professors) who don't believe in "therapizing" children's lives! Learn from a thoughtful behavior specialist who takes us beyond traditional "positive behavior supports." Ensuring children have the right tools--- assistive technology devices, accommodations, and supports---will ensure their success in inclusive environments and can help them move beyond the label. "Real Lives at Home and in the Community" provides strategies to ensure children with disabilities enjoy the benefits and responsibilities that are part of a natural childhood, and which lead to self-reliance and success as an adult. Can we continue to let children learn helplessness and become dependent? It's time for children with disabilities to take their rightful place in the family, at school, and in the community!

"Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers" takes a look at the stress that's often generated by "early interference" and questions the morality of "placing" very young children with disabilities in segregated special ed preschools. Positive, life-changing alternatives are presented, to ensure children begiin their lives in inclusive environments---and stay that way! "Inclusive Education and Beyond" examines the status of students with disabilities today (the statistics are dismal---read 'em and weep), and presents strategies to help parents and educators move toward inclusive education---including techniques from a caring and innovative principal of an inclusive school! And the ideas for teens and young adults pave the way for a Real Life in the workforce or post-secondary education---not as a client in the Adult Services World!

Real-life stories illustrate creative solutions to the usual barriers facing children of all ages and with all types of disabilities. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll learn what it takes to ensure children with disabilities live successful lives!

Disability is Natural, 1st Edition and 2nd Editions are being used at several colleges and universities, in classes for emerging teachers, therapists, and others! Also, Dr. Laura Schlessinger has featured Disability is Natural on her national radio show.

Change is possible: a quiet revolution is at hand! Aren't you ready for new ways of thinking? Isn't it time for children with disabilities to live happy, fulfilled, successful lives, as first-class citizens, included in their homes, schools, and communities?

Disability is Natural: Revolutionary Common Sense for Raising Successful Children with Disabilities, 2nd Edition; Softcover, 8 1/2 x 11, 324 pages, spiral-bound, $30.00.

The Disability is Natural book clearly demonstrates that the future is bright for babies, children, and young adults with disability labels. The presence of disability does not need to be a barrier to success. Let's dream big dreams for our kids and turn those dreams into realities, starting now!

About the companion Disability is Natural DVD   (click here to order)

The Disability is Natural DVD is a potent tool to influence change, and it's being used by parents, people with disabilities, educators, and a wide variety of professionals in the field. It packs a powerful, emotional punch as it describes what will happen when we realize disability is natural.

This audio-visual presentation was produced using the popular format of text frames (white letters on a black background) set to music. The messages in the DVD pose provocative questions about today's conventional wisdom, and describe positive scenarios that can occur when we realize disability is natural. The combination of these revolutionary ideas coupled with the inspirational music create an unforgettable experience.

Parents are showing the DVD at their children's IEP meetings and to others who are involved in their children's lives. Adults with disabilities are sharing it with peer groups, as well as with employers, service providers and others. Educators are using the DVD in public schools, colleges, and universities. Professionals are sharing it with co-workers and the people they serve. Everyone can learn from this audio-visual experience! Some show it in its entirety, and then engage in lively discussion. Others show it in parts, pausing to discuss pertinent themes. The Disability is Natural DVD is a superb tool to stimulate discussion and encourage new possibilities, and promote new ways of thinking!

What Others are Saying About Kathie's 1st Edition of the Disability is Natural Book and the companion Disability is Natural DVD (and see Rave Reviews for more comments):

Hallelujah! I just received your book and I love, love, love it. I have a beautiful, wonderful daughter who happens to deal with Rett Syndrome. I'm so excited about making choices and thinking outside the box -- like disability is natural. I agree! Thank you!
Penny

Your words have been a real eye opener. For years I had big dreams for my daughter, Crystal, and professionals kept taking them away. Now her dreams can come true. Thanks so much for your honesty.
Jody Dodd, Idaho

I admire Kathie's courage in tackling some emotionally-charged issues. She must take a lot of heat for her views, but many of us know that what she says is true -- specifically the notion that we need to free ourselves from the service system in favor of generic services and natural supports. She helps us think about a whole new way to become a true part of the community, and I think she's got the right idea. What's being done now is not working! Relying on cash-strapped government agencies is a slippery slope to nowhere. Natural supports are lifelong, more appropriate, and less costly. My daughter is thirteen and I know she will be part of her community. Although she has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, she has much to offer her neighbors, her city, her state, and her country.
Dr. Jerry Oveson, Alabama

Thanks, Kathie, for saying things that are difficult to hear. I love your book. It is a manual for living. My life has changed because you dared to teach that things could be different if we only changed our minds.
Kathy Kitrel, parent of a two-year-old son with disabilities, Missouri

I'll be sharing your video with my audiences when I present in Asia next month. It's excellent and I show it every chance I get!
Barbara, Trainer on Disability Issues

I'm only on page 31 of your book but I can tell this is THE BOOK I've been looking for for 5 years! I'm realizing I need to listen to my son who is telling me "no therapy, Mom!" He hasn't made any progress in two years at therapy, but is gaining by leaps and bounds in his regular class placement and playing in the neighborhood. So why am I taking him away from friends to be one-on-one with a boring adult who wants him to do monkey tricks? Thanks for writing this book!
Sandra

Kathie Snow asks us to stop living in history and start living in our imaginations, and she successfully shows us how to bridge the gap.
Colleen Wieck, Executive Director,
Minnesota Council on Developmental Disabilities