If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. When I was doing my undergraduate, I was required to read a book called "A Child Called It". It was actually required for all teacher candidates at SUNY Geneseo because the book was that impactful. This book rates as high as that one, in my opinion. Every person who has contact with a person with disabilities should read this book. It is a reminder that physical disabilities do not equal mental disabilities, and that the people who are not fortunate enought to be 'normal' are probably more 'normal' than we give them credit for. This book is about remembering how human beings should treat each other, and it is about understanding.
The book centers around a young girl who is diagnosed with cerebral palsy. At a young age, she is given an intelligence test that she fails, because the test is reliant on her ability to physical move objects and to speak, she can do neither. Doctors tell her parents that she should be sent to a home where she can be cared for and out of their way. Instead, her parents are fiercely protective of her, insisting that she lead as normal a life as possible. She is enrolled at her local elementary school. At first, she is placed in a segregated special population class. She feels tormented by the simple topics that are repeated to her over and over again, because she is much more intelligent than anyone gives her credit for. After watching television specials about history, science, and business and listening to books on tape, she is able to retain information better than 'normal' kids. She can't vocalize her frustration, and it hurts her not to be able to say what is on her mind. Although she has a board that she can point to that has words on it to enable her to communicate simple concepts and phrases, more than anything, she wants to speak like a regular person. Thankfully, she is able to do so with the use of a special computer. Once she is given the gift of communication through technology, she shows her school just how smart she is. People start to recognize her as someone who is witty and loving. She even gets chosen to represent the school in a national quiz competition, something that she is immensely proud to be part of. However, the end shows that sometimes things don't work out like we hope. There isn't always a happy ending, but at least there's a lesson learned.
A quiet indictment of the way schools treat special needs kids, this book should be on the required books list for all teacher candidates. Not only that, but any person who has contact with someone with physical disabilities should read this book. My point is- READ THIS BOOK!
The book centers around a young girl who is diagnosed with cerebral palsy. At a young age, she is given an intelligence test that she fails, because the test is reliant on her ability to physical move objects and to speak, she can do neither. Doctors tell her parents that she should be sent to a home where she can be cared for and out of their way. Instead, her parents are fiercely protective of her, insisting that she lead as normal a life as possible. She is enrolled at her local elementary school. At first, she is placed in a segregated special population class. She feels tormented by the simple topics that are repeated to her over and over again, because she is much more intelligent than anyone gives her credit for. After watching television specials about history, science, and business and listening to books on tape, she is able to retain information better than 'normal' kids. She can't vocalize her frustration, and it hurts her not to be able to say what is on her mind. Although she has a board that she can point to that has words on it to enable her to communicate simple concepts and phrases, more than anything, she wants to speak like a regular person. Thankfully, she is able to do so with the use of a special computer. Once she is given the gift of communication through technology, she shows her school just how smart she is. People start to recognize her as someone who is witty and loving. She even gets chosen to represent the school in a national quiz competition, something that she is immensely proud to be part of. However, the end shows that sometimes things don't work out like we hope. There isn't always a happy ending, but at least there's a lesson learned.
A quiet indictment of the way schools treat special needs kids, this book should be on the required books list for all teacher candidates. Not only that, but any person who has contact with someone with physical disabilities should read this book. My point is- READ THIS BOOK!
Check out her author webpage at: http://sharondraper.com/
If you want to read more about cerebral palsy, this is a great resource:
Want to know more about the history of inclusion in schools? Check out : brighthubeducation.com
More about the limitations of IQ tests can be found at: http://www.unc.edu/~rooney/iq.htm
For more about "A Child Called It" go to: Dave Pelzer's Author Page
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