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CONNECTING WITH KIDS THROUGH STORIES
Denise Lacher and colleagues, Jessica Kingsley
ISBN: 184310797X, £12.95

STAR RATING: 4/5

Many adopted children have experienced early trauma and loss which affects their attachment patterns and causes long-term difficulties with behaviour and relationships, writes Clea Barry.

So Lacher and colleagues' positive approach to working and living with damaged children is welcome.

They identify the meanings of children's behaviour in the context of the child's inner working model of relationships. For instance, the child who steals may have learned that he cannot trust adults to meet his needs.


The therapy involves parents using this understanding to tell daily stories, which reflect the child's experiences and model more positive and loving futures.

A story about a baby elephant which survives a famine alone by stealing food but then meets a big elephant who teaches her to share is maybe a better than a more direct approach, but the child will relate to the hero's feelings and want to emulate her eventual success.

It is a simple and child-friendly approach which builds on parents' strengths without placing impossibly high demands on them.

Therapy is not reserved for experts; parents just need ordinary skills, albeit with extra thought and imagination. Apart from the gratingly American tone, the book should inspire and empower adoptive parents.

Clea Barry is an adoption social worker in London


PROFESSIONALISM, PARTNERSHIP AND JOINED-UP THINKING
Nick Frost, Research in Practice
ISBN 0904984045, £10

STAR RATING: 2/5

Normally a fan of Research in Practice reviews and Nick Frost's writing, I was doubly disappointed by this review of front-line working with children and families, writes Lynn Baxter.

It claims to focus on the shape and outcomes of "what happens on a day-to-day basis when professionals work together" with children and families. Yet the first two chapters of the four dragged me screaming into the "conceptual undergrowth" of joint-working and Wenger's theories on "communities of practice", rather than offering me valuable insights of good practice models.

Frost's review does highlight the paucity of research on the outcomes for service users, but otherwise it tells us little more than we already know about "joined-up working" - it is difficult, complex and we have to develop new and better ways of doing it.

More emphasis on positive examples and experiences of partnership working would have been helpful - especially for those who have already been propelled into joint- or multi-agency working without the training, support and reflection the review advocates.

Lynn Baxter is a senior lecturer in health and social care, University of Greenwich


SUCCEEDING WITH AUTISM: HEAR MY VOICE
Judith H Cohen, Jessica Kingsley
ISBN 1843107934, £12.95

STAR RATING: 3/5

"I can live with the fact that Michael may never want to have anything to do with me for the rest of his life, because I know that what I had to do was necessary to get him where he is today."

This poignant testimony from Michael's mother Shari reveals the profundity of her wisdom and love, as well as the enormous personal cost of her struggle to raise her autistic son, writes Michael Fitzpatrick.

Now 24, Michael teaches high school maths in New York. Yet 20 years ago, when he was diagnosed, he presented the typical features of "infantile autism".

Judith Cohen, Michael's college professor, makes clear that the major credit for this remarkable transition goes to Shari.

Yet she also bore the brunt of Michael's aggressive and violent outbursts - which continued through his college years - and she remains the target of his resentment over her decision to have another child (and over her subsequent divorce). But the "author's reflections" - appended to each chapter of Michael's life - add little to a very human story.


Michael Fitzpatrick is a GP and has an autistic son


THE SIMPLICITY OF DEMENTIA: A GUIDE FOR FAMILY AND CARERS
Huub Buijssen, Jessica Kingsley
ISBN: 1843103214, £13.95

STAR RATING: 4/5

When the father of Huub Buijssen - a clinical psychologist and psychogerontologist - exhibited signs of dementia, the family looked to the author of this work for answers, writes Les Bright.

He admits freely that his knowledge and understanding at that time was insufficient to deal with their expectations.

Now, writing with non-professionals in mind, he provides information and guidance to enable readers to understand more and perform better.

Summaries at the end of most chapters are admirably simple, and a helpful reminder of the insights provided in the text, though I wondered why this structure was not consistent.

Tips on responding to aggression are concise and practical, as are those on dealing with suspicion and nocturnal restlessness. The focus is on trying to prevent situations occurring, and relatives and care staff will find plenty here to help.

In little more than 12 pages he addresses "the hidden victims" - the family, and provides another checklist, which concludes with: "Read these tips regularly...choose one....and make a serious attempt to apply it." Sound advice from a sound book.

Les Bright is an independent consultant and professional adviser to the Relatives and Residents Association


UNDERSTANDING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES
Alice Bradley, Bild
ISBN: 1904082947, £20

STAR RATING: 3/5

Where support services for people with learning difficulties are now and the direction in which they should be heading are covered with authority in this book, writes Matt Dore.

Areas including advocacy, person-centred planning and approaches, service development and networking, are all detailed. In line with the current learning routes, such as the learning disability framework, this book is aimed at senior practitioners and students.

The book uses a range of approaches, from reading text to looking at media coverage and developing analytical skills through a number of activities. This encourages readers' practical application and creativity.

There is a concerted effort to make the information accessible and clear. However, I found myself struggling with the small print and lack of imagery.

Yet, with the author's extensive knowledge and experience, the material will make the reader reflect on their own practice.

Matt Dore works with people who have learning difficulties