A wonderful resource for anyone who knows or works with teens who suffer from executive functioning disorder (EFD)―including parents, teachers, counselors, or clinicians. From handling frustration to taking notes in class, this book will help teens hone the skills they need to succeed.Do you know a teen who is disorganized, chronically late, forgetful, or impulsive? Do they struggle to get homework done, but never manage to turn it in on time? Perhaps it’s your son or daughter, a student you work with, or even a client. It’s likely that this teen suffers from executive functioning disorder (EFD), an attention disorder marked by an inability to stay on task that is common in people with learning disabilities. If this teen has tried to manage his or her time and meet deadlines with little success, he or she may feel like giving up. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, however. You just need to show them the way.In The Executive Functioning Workbook for Teens  a licensed school counselor provides an evidence-based, easy-to-use, and practical workbook written directly for a teen audience. The book is designed to provide teens with the skills needed to get organized, retain information, communicate effectively, and perform well in school and in everyday life. Based in proven-effective cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the book offers activities that will help teens better understand their disorder and cope with it effectively.With one chapter for each of the ten main areas of EFD, the book also includes tips for initiating positive action and change, improving flexibility in thinking, sustaining attention, organizing, planning, enhancing memory, managing emotions, and building self-awareness. Written in a fun, engaging format, this book is designed to motivate and inspire teens to carry out and complete tasks with ease. Read more

This book explores what it feels like to be a young person on the autism spectrum and looks at all the brilliant things people on the autism spectrum can do. Full of insights about being awesome and autistic, this book celebrates the strengths of understanding the world in a different way. It looks at all the reasons being you and thinking differently can be totally awesome! It also has tips for managing tricky situations such as meltdowns, sensory differences and anxiety. It includes fun activities and diary pages where you can write your thoughts and feelings to help you concentrate on your strengths and work on your challenges. This book helps you develop the confidence to be who you are and help you live life with as little stress and anxiety as possible. Read more

Like many others on the autism spectrum, 20-something stand-up comic Michael McCreary has been told by more than a few well-meaning folks that he doesn’t “look” autistic. But, as he’s quick to point out in this memoir, autism “looks” different for just about everyone with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Diagnosed with ASD at age five, McCreary got hit with the performance bug not much later. During a difficult time in junior high, he started journaling, eventually turning his pain into something empowering - and funny. He scored his first stand-up gig at age 14 and hasn't looked back. This unique and hilarious #OwnVoices memoir breaks down what it’s like to live with autism for readers on and off the spectrum. Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic is an invaluable and compelling listen for young readers with ASD looking for voices to relate to as well as for listeners hoping to broaden their understanding of ASD. Read more

Connect with friends and care for your emotions—for teens on the spectrum Social situations can feel mysterious or tricky to navigate—and if you are on the autism spectrum, they can feel overwhelming. The Social Survival Guide for Teens on the Autism Spectrum unlocks socialization secrets and helps you understand your feelings. Autism books for kids don't always address teenagers' needs, but the practical tips and step-by-step guides in this handbook are perfect for ages 12-16. Learn how to handle situations like managing anxiety, starting a conversation, understanding sarcasm, and dealing with conflict. Build stronger social skills and take care of your emotional health at the same time. This guide can help you feel more confident—and more connected to people you care about. Build new social interaction skills with: Friend fundamentals—Understand what makes a good friend, and learn about informal conversation, nonverbal communication, online etiquette, and more.Social essentials—Discover strategies for joining a group activity, staying flexible, saying no when you need to, and other topics essential to autism books for kids.Insight into you—You are your friend, too! Learn to recognize and express emotions, boost your mood with positive self-talk, and more. Feel more confident and build valued friendships with this helpful handbook. Read more

Worry has a way of growing, shifting from not-a-big-deal to a VERY BIG DEAL in the blink of an eye. This big-deal Worry is tricky, luring children into behaviours that keep the anxiety cycle going. Children often find it hard to fight back against Worry, but not anymore. Outsmarting Worry teaches 9-13 year olds and the adults who care about them a specific set of skills that makes it easier to face - and overcome - worries and fears. Smart, practical, proven techniques are presented in language immediately accessible to children with an emphasis on shifting from knowing to doing, from worried to happy and free. Read more

** Winner of 2023 Teen Readers' Choice Award **Nearly 1 in 3 teens has significant anxiety, and that number keeps growing.Are you looking for proven ways to calm and manage your anxiety?Tired of battling powerful emotions that have been negatively controlling your life?Or do you work with teens and are looking for a new, fresh and attractive resource to help your teen clients address their anxiety?Anxiety can be a lonely and frightening experience if you don’t know what is happening.And unfortunately it’s too common that teens feel pressure to either be involved in tons of activities, do well at everything, get into a “good” college, be the best in a sport, or to be constantly connected and available to everyone, but to never say or do the wrong thing.It’s no wonder why teens have high anxiety and stress anymore! Too much pressure!The good news is, there ARE answers, with proven ways so you don’t become another statistic or so you can get to the bottom of your anxiety to finally take back control–for good.Learning about anxiety is the first step you can take to address it.Having the ability to be fully aware in the present moment to reduce everyday stress is key to managing powerful emotions.“THE ANXIETY TOOLKIT FOR TEENS” is one of the most teen-friendly anxiety books you will ever come across that will give you the tools, practices, and strategies to address it head on.This indispensable guide is loaded with useful information that’s easy-to-read, fun, and engaging while providing exactly what it says it will – a toolkit to understand and manage stress, anxiety, worry and panic.Inside you’re going to learn and discover:The different ways anxiety creeps up and how it takes control;How to get to the root causes of your stress and anxiety;Proven tools to help you deal with stress and anxiety in healthy ways;Everything you need know about the different types of anxiety disorders;Exactly how to address anxiety instantly in order to gain control; The 4 categories of anxiety and tools for each; Physical, Thought, Emotion, Behavior;Why you might feel like something is wrong with you and exactly how to overcome that;Why trying to be superhuman and pushing through doesn’t work;How to use mindfulness to reduce everyday stress;And more!Whether you’re a teen who wants to learn ways to handle anxiety on your own or one who works with a therapist and wants to add more to what you’re learning in sessions, a parent who wants to understand your teen’s anxiety better, or a therapist looking for resources to recommend to teens that they’ll actually enjoy using, this toolkit is for you.- - - “One of the things I love about this book is how useful it can be to every teen -- even if you don’t have a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder. It provides instructions for many different tools that have been proven to help manage anxiety and are easy to try.” – Ehrin Weiss, Ph.D.If you’re ready to develop the most powerful skills to manage and cope in your everyday life so you can take back control and fully enjoy your life … Then look no further, scroll up and grab your copy now! Read more

Being a teen or tween is tough for anyone. And if you're on the Autism Spectrum, life can feel like a game you're playing without knowing the rules. Jennifer Cook knows - she's been there! Her internationally bestselling handbook is the key to unlocking those unwritten, often confusing, not-so-obvious social guidelines and bolstering confidence, all at once. Finally, teens can play the game of life with instructions. The 10th Anniversary Edition of The (Secret) Book of Social Rules reveals the essential secrets behind the baffling social codes surrounding making and keeping friends, dating, and catastrophic conversation pitfalls, with all-new content on social media and talking about neurodiversity. It's no wonder Jennifer's is the navigation tool tens of thousands of fans have come to love! Full of brand-new funny illustrations, take-it-from-me explanations, and comic strip examples, this Book of the Year award winner is real, positive, and speaks from the heart (without ever sounding like your mother's guide to manners). It's confidence, humor, and smarts. For the Human Spectrum. Read more

A brave teen recounts her debilitating struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder—and brings readers through every painful step as she finds her way to the other side—in this powerful and inspiring memoir.Until sophomore year of high school, fifteen-year-old Allison Britz lived a comfortable life in an idyllic town. She was a dedicated student with tons of extracurricular activities, friends, and loving parents at home. But after awakening from a vivid nightmare in which she was diagnosed with brain cancer, she was convinced the dream had been a warning. Allison believed that she must do something to stop the cancer in her dream from becoming a reality. It started with avoiding sidewalk cracks and quickly grew to counting steps as loudly as possible. Over the following weeks, her brain listed more dangers and fixes. She had to avoid hair dryers, calculators, cell phones, computers, anything green, bananas, oatmeal, and most of her own clothing. Unable to act “normal,” the once-popular Allison became an outcast. Her parents questioned her behavior, leading to explosive fights. When notebook paper, pencils, and most schoolbooks were declared dangerous to her health, her GPA imploded, along with her plans for the future. Finally, she allowed herself to ask for help and was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. This brave memoir tracks Allison’s descent and ultimately hopeful climb out of the depths. Read more

Help autistic kids understand their unique gifts and needs and learn strategies for daily living in a neurotypical world. This positive, straightforward reference book offers kids with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) their own comprehensive resource for both understanding their condition and finding tools to cope with the challenges they face every day. Freshly updated, the content reflects changes in the understanding of ASD since the book was first released, including clarification that Asperger's syndrome is no longer a specific diagnosis and what this means for readers. The book also features new stories of young people with autism and an added chapter, "Tech Talk." Some children with ASD are gifted; others struggle academically. Some are more introverted, while others want to be social. Some get “stuck” on things, have intense interests, or experience repeated motor movements like flapping or pacing (“stims”). The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder covers all of these areas, with an emphasis on helping children gain new self-understanding and self-acceptance. Meant to be read with a parent, the book addresses questions (“What is ASD?” “Why me?”) and provides strategies for communicating, staying safe and smart online, making and keeping friends, and succeeding in school. Body and brain basics highlight symptom management, exercise, diet, hygiene, relaxation, sleep, and toileting. Emphasis is placed on helping kids handle intense emotions and behaviors and get support from family and their team of helpers when needed. The book includes stories from real kids, fact boxes, helpful checklists, and resources. Sections for parents offer additional information.Survival Guides for Kids Helping Kids Help Themselves® Straightforward, friendly, and loaded with practical advice, the Free Spirit Survival Guides for Kids give kids the tools they need to not only survive, but thrive. With plenty of realistic examples and bright illustrations, they are accessible, encouraging, kid-friendly, and even life-changing.   Read more

As featured in the Oscar-nominated documentary Crip Camp, and for readers of I Am Malala, one of the most influential disability rights activists in US history tells her story of fighting to belong.“If I didn’t fight, who would?”Judy Heumann was only 5 years old when she was first denied her right to attend school. Paralyzed from polio and raised by her Holocaust-surviving parents in New York City, Judy had a drive for equality that was instilled early in life.In this young readers’ edition of her acclaimed memoir, Being Heumann, Judy shares her journey of battling for equal access in an unequal world—from fighting to attend grade school after being described as a “fire hazard” because of her wheelchair, to suing the New York City school system for denying her a teacher’s license because of her disability. Judy went on to lead 150 disabled people in the longest sit-in protest in US history at the San Francisco Federal Building. Cut off from the outside world, the group slept on office floors, faced down bomb threats, and risked their lives to win the world’s attention and the first civil rights legislation for disabled people.Judy’s bravery, persistence, and signature rebellious streak will speak to every person fighting to belong and fighting for social justice. Read more

"Never be ashamed of being different: it is this difference that makes you extraordinary and unique." This essential go-to guide gives you all the advice and tools you'll need to help you flourish and achieve what you want in life. From the answers to everyday questions such as 'Am I using appropriate body language?' and 'Did I say the wrong thing?', through to discussing the importance of understanding your emotions, looking after your physical and mental health and coping with anxiety and sensory overloads, award-winning neurodiversity campaigner Siena Castellon uses her own experiences to provide you with the skills to overcome any challenge. With practical tips on friendships, dating, body image, consent and appearance, as well as how to survive school and bullying, The Spectrum Girl's Survival Guide gives you the power to embrace who you are, reminding you that even during the toughest of teen moments, you are never alone. Read more

This book is a resource for parents to help and guide their Special Needs Teen to transition and develop skills.Life becomes increasingly challenging for you once your child enters their teenage years. It's never easy to manage a teen, not to mention handling your teen who has Autism or other forms of special needs.Life and Social Skills are extremely important for Tweens and Teenagers with Special Needs. These life skills help to improve the self-esteem of your child and their sense of belonging. They also help your child to manage emotions and ways to react to the feelings of others. Besides, they also help to improve your child's negotiation and problem-solving skills.It doesn’t matter if your child prefers to be alone or has one or many friends. Life skills can help them know how to act in social situations. Situations as simple as chatting with a shopping mall assistant or being part of a family get-together or just enjoying themselves at a teenage party.This workbook will help you to guide your teenage child to develop:Social SkillsFriendship SkillsSelf AdvocacyExecutive Functional SkillsPractical Living SkillsDeveloping a Career PathJob SkillsPeople SkillsAnd much moreClick the "BUY NOW" button now and get this book today to help your teen live a better quality of life. Read more

Understanding your feelings and emotions is an incredibly important part of learning to become your most awesome autistic self!Yenn, Tanya and a tiny meerkat called Min are here to help you find out everything you need to know about your feelings and emotions, using tips and tricks they have picked up along the way to help you calm your brain down when it feels overloaded.From anger and worry to sadness and joy, emotions can come in all shapes and sizes with some feeling really big and others feeling much smaller (or even feeling like nothing), this book explores why we experience certain emotions, what they mean and how we can find the ultimate autistic comfort zone! Read more

Focus on Your Strengths and Overcome ADHDSymptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, can strike at any time-during class, when you're listening to a friend's story, while doing homework, and did we mention during class? You might find it difficult to pay attention and sit still when your impulses are constantly tempting you to do the opposite. In The ADHD Workbook for Teens, you'll learn simple skills you can use to confidently handle school, make and keep friends, and organize and finish every project you start.This workbook helps you find out who you really are through a series of exercises and worksheets that focus on identifying your strengths and interests. Then, you'll begin using those strengths to create strategies for overcoming the ADHD-related issues you struggle with. •Learn how to calm yourself down when you feel hyperactive or impulsive •Develop plans for meeting the goals that matter to you most •Get your life under control and organize your schedule •Improve your social life by becoming a better listener and friend Read more

Meet the social, emotional, and educational needs of gifted students with the fifth edition of this classic bestseller.Support the social, emotional, and educational needs of gifted students with the fifth edition of The Gifted Teen Survival Guide, a one-of-a-kind book full of sage advice to help teens understand themselves, relate well with others, and reach their potential in life. The fifth edition continues to be the ultimate teen guide to thriving in a world that doesn’t always support or understand high ability. Based on surveys from more than 1,400 teens, The Gifted Teen Survival Guide covers the topics that gifted teens want and need to know about. Full of surprising facts, cutting-edge research, revealing quizzes and survey results, step-by-step strategies, inspiring quotes and stories, and insightful expert essays, the guide gives readers the tools they need to appreciate their giftedness as an asset and use it to make the most of who they are. The fifth edition has been revised to meet the needs of gifted students today, including:Updated information about changes in education and in society, such as:the thinking about twice-exceptionality and multiple intelligencesterminology of autism spectrum disorderequity in gifted programs and underserved gifted studentshomeschoolinggender and sexualitymental healthNew research findings about brain development in gifted teensA wealth of additional resources including books, publications, associations, programs, websites, and much moreSections on concepts such as mindfulness, meditation, introversion, and intensitiesExploration into school-related topics, such as online schooling, taking a gap year after high school, going to college, and finding scholarshipsUp-to-date guidelines for socializing online and using social mediaWith more than a quarter million copies in print, The Gifted Teen Survival Guide is essential reading for gifted teens, their parents, teachers, counselors, and anyone who cares about smart, talented, curious young people. Part of Self-Help for Teens®Free Spirit is the leading publisher of learning tools that support teens’ social and emotional health.  Read more

Boost confidence and reading skills with dyslexia tools for teens Reading comprehension is a crucial skill for students to practice, especially students with dyslexia. The Dyslexia Workbook for Teens provides practice and encouragement for kids ages 12 to 16, with 125 activities that focus on learning big words, prefixes and suffixes, word recognition, language fluency, and more. The dyslexia tools in this book support teens as they: Learn independently—Teens can comfortably practice whenever and however they prefer with this collection of dyslexia tools they can work on by themselves.Explore a range of exercises—Keep students interested with word charts, puzzles, fill-in-the-blanks, and other fun activities.Build self-assurance—As teens get better and faster at these exercises, they'll see for themselves how much they're capable of and feel more confident in their reading and language skills. Help middle and high school students in overcoming dyslexia with this book of skill-boosting activities. Read more

Elite wheelchair racer, wrestler, and America’s Got Talent contestant Zion Clark joins with New York Times best-selling author James S. Hirsch for a stunning memoir—recounting childhood adversity, awe-inspiring perseverance, and self-invention.When a baby named Zion was born in 1997 to an imprisoned, drug-addicted mother, his future seemed bleak. Born without legs due to a rare condition called caudal regression syndrome, Zion was abandoned and shunted to a foster-care system ill-equipped to care for him. In this stirring memoir, readers will follow as he is bounced from home to home, subjected to abuse, neglect, and inconceivable hardship. Somehow, Zion finds supportive angels along the way: his first two foster families, who offer a haven; the wrestling coach who senses his “warrior spirit” and nurtures it; the woman of fierce faith who adopts a seventeen-year-old and cheers his every match. From play-by-play narration of how Zion adapts wrestling moves to defeat able-bodied opponents, wielding phenomenal arm and hand strength, to accounts of his extraordinary work ethic, unflagging optimism, and motivational speaking, this is an inspirational story of courage that will appeal to any athlete who respects determination, any young person facing adversity, and any reader who wants to believe in the human spirit. Read more

Part of the Reading Well scheme. 35 books selected by young people and health professionals to provide young people with high-quality support, information and advice about common mental health issues and related conditions.As many as 2 in every 100 people suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and 16-year-old Joe Wells is one of them. In Touch and Go Joe, he tells the story of his battle with OCD from its insidious beginnings at age 9 and increasingly intrusive symptoms, to diagnosis at age 12. Having struggled to keep the condition a secret for years, he is now able to talk and write openly about OCD and how he battled to overcome it.This book is packed with advice and coping strategies, as well as first-hand accounts of available treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy and medication. Written in an informal and accessible style, and including his own humorous illustrations, Touch and Go Joe gives an upbeat yet realistic look at the effect of OCD on adolescent life.This honest and amusing account will raise awareness of this all-too-common, yet frequently misdiagnosed disorder and will be of interest to anyone who has suffered from or knows someone who has suffered from OCD, including children and adolescents, teachers, psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health professionals, parents and carers. Read more

2018 Colorado Book Awards finalist in the Creative Nonfiction and National Bestseller and Honorable Mention Award Winner in the Outdoor Literature category of the 2017 National Outdoor Book Awards (NOBA) ― “A beautiful book about family and finding a way to achieve more than you ever thought possible.” ―Brad Meltzer, New York Times bestselling authorErik Weihenmayer has a long history of turning obstacles into adventures. Born with a rare condition that blinded him as a teenager, he never let his diagnosis hold him back from a full life. As an athlete, explorer, speaker and activist, he has opened the eyes of people around the world to what's possible. In 2001, he became the first blind man to climb Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. In 2005, he co-founded his nonprofit organization, No Barriers, to empower others to overcome adversity and achieve their biggest goals. This special edition of No Barriers introduces kids to the incredible true story of Erik's most terrifying journey: solo kayaking the thunderous whitewater of the Grand Canyon. Erik and his friends form a courageous crew to do battle with some of the harshest elements nature has to offer. Along the course of Erik's journey, he meets other trailblazers: adventurers, scientists, artists, and activists who show Erik the way forward and teach him the meaning of No Barriers―“What’s Within You is Stronger Than What’s in Your Way.” Read more

A searing debut YA poetry and essay collection about a Black cancer patient who faces medical racism after being diagnosed with leukemia in their early twenties, for fans of Audre Lorde's The Cancer Journals and Laurie Halse Anderson's Shout.When Walela is diagnosed at twenty-three with advanced stage blood cancer, they're suddenly thrust into the unsympathetic world of tubes and pills, doctors who don’t use their correct pronouns, and hordes of "well-meaning" but patronizing people offering unsolicited advice as they navigate rocky personal relationships and share their story online.But this experience also deepens their relationship to their ancestors, providing added support from another realm. Walela's diagnosis becomes a catalyst for their self-realization. As they fill out forms in the insurance office in downtown Los Angeles or travel to therapy in wealthier neighborhoods, they begin to understand that cancer is where all forms of their oppression intersect: Disabled. Fat. Black. Queer. Nonbinary.In Bless the Blood: A Cancer Memoir, the author details a galvanizing account of their survival despite the U.S. medical system, and of the struggle to face death unafraid. Read more