Dif’rɘnt but not Dumb Website

Dif’rɘnt but not Dumb

Children books about students with disabilities for kids, parents, and teachers.

Autism

Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Attention-Decicit

Hyperactivity Disorder

Emotional Disturbance

Specific Learning Disability

Visually

Impaired

Changing the lives of children

one day at a time.

About the Author

Growing up "hard of hearing" in a mainstream school environment was bittersweet. Although the school provided services, one teacher was unwilling to change her lessons to accommodate me. She often commented, "That child doesn't belong in my class; she is deaf and dumb; I am not a special education teacher, and I cannot help her." I became convinced that I was "dumb" because I heard the term so often. It was not until I met a counselor at an upward bound program that I was informed, "Yes, you are different, but you are definitely not dumb." It was at that moment when I realized that my disability did not define my capacity for success. Also, if I put in the necessary effort, I could become anything I desired.

In my roles as a parent, teacher, and student, I have encountered—and continue to encounter—the attitudes, misconceptions, symptoms of depression, lack of initiative and motivation, and the desire to be taught and to teach students with disabilities. My goal in writing the "Dif'rɘnt but not Dumb" series is to educate and encourage society, that being different does not equate to being dumb. All children are talented and capable of greatness! Time, patience, and an open mind is the key.

BOOK series

The book series Dif'rɘnt but not Dumb demonstrates that despite behavioral, mental, physical or cultural differences, children with disabilities are gifted and capable of excelling. These publications aim to debunk falsehoods while imparting values and an openness to accept the uniqueness of others.

The series of Dif’rɘnt but Not Dumb are stories about diverse youngsters who have been identified as having six of the 13 categories under the individualized Disability Education Act (IDEA). They are Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH), Emotional Disturbance (ED), Specific Learning Disability (SLD), and Visual Impairment (VI).