This month’s 30th anniversary giveaway will provide five lucky winners with our most popular survival guides, relaunched this fall as a special line:
- The Survival Guide for Kids with Behavior Challenges
- The Survival Guide for Kids with ADHD
- The Survival Guide for Gifted Kids
- The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders
How to Enter: Leave a comment below telling us how you help kids navigate life’s challenges. This giveaway is now closed.
For additional entries, complete the following tasks and leave a separate comment below for each:
Each comment counts as a separate entry! Entries must be received by midnight September 16, 2013. This giveaway is now closed.
The winner will be contacted via email by September 18, 2013, and will need to respond within 72 hours to claim his or her prize or another winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way affiliated, administered, or endorsed by Facebook or Twitter. Winner must be a U.S. resident, 18 years of age or older.
We welcome your comments and suggestions. Share your comments, stories, and ideas below, or contact us. All comments will be approved before posting, and are subject to our comment and privacy policies.
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I am most excited about The Survival Guide for Gifted Children. These children are often overlooked because educators and legislators believe that they will be okay because they are already blessed by being smart.
I try to help kids with the language they need to solve their problems.
I work at a Montessori school so we assist kids to resolve issues peacefully by using a peace rose.
I am the mom of 3 adhd boys. I try to deal with issues on an individual basis as each child is different. Our youngest child also has Explosive Syndrome and is gifted. I make sure I am an advocate for them in all they face daily and have always taught them that the on y difference is how they learn and deal with daily things. They are special in their own ways and have to work hard to get what they want and need.
The first thing I do to help my students navigate life’s challenges is to let them know that they can trust me with their struggles. I listen and acknowledge how they are feeling. I then help them solve the problem myself, if possible. If the problem is too big for the student and I to handle alone, I help them find other adults in the building who can provide more assistance. Above all, I make sure that my students know that it is ok to ask for help when you need it!
Oh no – I’m not a US citizen. 🙁 Oh well, I shared on facebook and Twitter anyway. I love Free Spirit books!
As an elementary teacher, I try to help kids recognize their own behaviour, see how it affects what happens to them, and make choices to get the outcome they want.
I try to listen to the kids then help find a solution as to what is causing a disruption in their learning.
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I am a first year teacher that has been handed an especially challenging class. From social-emotional problems, Autism, ESL, ADHD, behavior problems and a range of students from below grade level to gifted- I have no outside help. I am doing my best to manage these situations with love and respect- but I am sure the survival guides would make a huge difference in my life!
We have ADHD, Dyslexia, and Giftedness in our little family and we try to adapt to each one’s individual personality and needs. Homeschooling has helped us tremendously as well. 🙂
The Survival Guide series is an integral part of my interventions for students of all ages. The Survival Guide for Kids with ADHD has made so many of my students feel they are not alone, and given student group members common language with which to express their challenges and successes. The Survival Guide for Kids with ASD was a wonderful addition to my classroom library, and my students have found it significantly helpful. Thank you for re-releasing the Survival Guide for Kids with Behavior Challenges – I’m looking forward to new language that will allow the materials to be used with an even wider audience of children. Please continue to create these wonderful materials for my students to enjoy!
I am a school social worker working with kindergarten students where 70% of our students have had no prior school experience. My students are dealing with a lot of situations that they don’t understand or know how to express themselves. It is my job to help them by breaking things down with them and showing them ways to better handle themselves in situations.
I try to listen to the kids and help find a solution to what is causing a disruption in their learning.
My name is Sheila Dumford and I am one of ten school counselors at Catholic Charities Diocese of Covington. We currently serve 14 schools and work very hard to reach as many students as possible. We don’t always have a lot of time and money so these survival guides would be a great addition to our shared library. They would help reduce preparation time while still providing quality services!
I am a middle school special education teacher. I think it is important to listen to kids, to let them know that you care about them and that you want them to succeed.
Living in the Raleigh, North Carolina, I am so thankful for the local TEACCH workshops that I have attended a few years ago. One of the best strategies that I learned is utilizing “Calming” cards to help redirect autistic children when they are on the verge of having a meltdown. Basically, I make 3 calming cards for each student (usually it’s decorated with that student’s favorite character/colors), and when the student feels overwhelmed, and is becoming stressed about performing a task, the child puts out a calming card, walk over to a designated area, and take a “calming” break for 1 minute. I use an hourglass timer. Once time runs out, the student comes back to his/her desk to perform their activity. Just to clarify, this is not a time-out as a punishment, This is a technique used to redirect the student. Another technique that I learned through TEACCH is a First…Then…chart. I choose 3 icons. One is for work, and the other two icons depict the student’s favorite activities i.e., reading, drawing, etc. I laminate a notecard, add Velcro, and place it on the student’s desk. I also laminate and add Velcro to the activity cards. I explain to my student, “First work, then _____.” The student places his/her activity cards on the notecard, and is a simple reminder of what is expected. It is amazing how effective First…Then…statements are with children with disabilities. Both the calming cards and the First…Then..cards were extremely effective with a student who had Down Syndrome.
I help students navigate life’s challenges in a small charter school where students are given the opportunity to stay after and before school. Unfortunately this year those funds were cut but students still come after and stay before. I am a counselor by trade and use the opportunity to maximize the success of the program by talking to the students and letting them know they have every opportunity in the world!
I am a k-5th grade emotional support teacher. I teach daily social skills lessons to help my students learn to appropriately cope with their emotions, social situations, and non-preferred tasks. I am on my own to create these lessons, so these books would be especially beneficial. I currently have a student in mind for each one, as my class is such a big mixture of needs. Knowing the needs of my students and how I can help them be successful is my number one priority!
And a side note: I own a few different free spirit books in my social skills library and LOVE them! Thank you for helping me teach my children in the areas they struggle most.
I work as an instructional coach for gifted in a large district. These titles would certainly help me with delivering Professional Development to teachers of gifted students.
As a school counselor, I am always looking for new resources to guide my work in helping kids with challenges to cope with school and every day life. Working for a nonprofit, it is often hard to get everything you want to be creative and up-to-date in providing materials that kids will respond to and think are fun! I would love to win this set and share them with our school counseling team!
I am a school-based counselor through Catholic Charities, Diocese of Covington. Our agency contracts with many schools throughout the northern Kentucky area. These books would be very helpful to the school-counseling team due to our limited funding and access to the most up to date resources. Our students face a lot of mental health issues and these books would be an amazing resource!
I use play with children to help them navigate through their issues with a little humor indirectly.
I’m a Program Manager for Youth Education at the Diversity Council in Rochester, MN. I work with the school district and the entire community with anti-bias lessons and workshops. We address issues that face youth pre-K – 12th grade, on topics like race, religion, gender, abilities, age, sexuality, bullying, mental health/mental illness and any other identities that children may struggle with, get teased/bullied for, or don’t know how to ask questions about. We address behavioral issues with students with our anti-bullying program. These books would greatly benefit the 17,000 students we reach every year in SE Minnesota. Thanks so much, for the work you all do at Free Spirit Publishing.
I am a school counselor. I can use these books with the kids in my school. I deal with all ages K-12.
I am a Victim Advocate and Prevention Educator in a domestic and sexual violence resource center. I have used your products when working directly with survivors and in my prevention programs. Always happy with your products.
As a school social worker my goal is to provide students a safe place to talk about their feelings and frustrations. I also work to teach them the coping strategies and life skills necessary for dealing with everyday problems and feelings.
I bought several Free Spirit publications to give to students who needed them last year. I’m sure I have new students who would benefit!
I am a Speech Therapist at an Elementary School. A majority of my caseload are children who have the diagnosis of ADHD and Autism. It is my goal to teach my students strategies. Or coping skills when in the classroom or out in the environment when interacting with peers.
I would like to win these books to donate to my niece’s public school in Hawaii. Over the past 8 years, I have worked with a lot of students, including twice-exceptional students, which is an area of special interest to me.
I’m a parent of a super special kiddo that struggles with many of these challenges. I volunteer in his classroom and as a spec ed advocate for other parents. Thank you for the chance to share more resources.
Talking with students and helping them to embrace the power they have to help themselves. Providing resources to kids and staff – these resources would be greatly appreciated!
Speak quietly and listen loudly; eyes and mind open.
I also shared this giveaway on facebook. 🙂
Some of our students have behavior plans. As I help to escort a student, I try to dialogue with them in a friendly and helpful manner. If I win this giveaway, I will donate the books to my school!
I let my students know that I am here for them day or night and what they tell me stays with me and no one else because children need to know that the is someone that they can say anything to and know that that person is there for them unless it is something that I have to report. My students could really benefit from these resources. Susan
I am a special education teacher in a self-contained classroom in a public school. My students have been called “the worst in the district”. Reaching them is the key to getting them back into the general education classroom. Sometimes, I am running out of tools in my toolkit for this with the really challenging ones. Access to books like these can add to my toolbox and help me help my kiddos. They really deserve all the help I can give them. I have students who are classified as emotionally disturbed and/or on the autism spectrum.
Compassion of heart. Meeting kids at their level and providing access in a mouthwatering way to learn. Patience. Recognizing and celebrating the differences an value of each idivisual. Turning inappropriate behaviors into positive learning moments.
I help students learn problem solving skills and how to look out for themselves.
Engaged in non-formal education, I’m always looking for resources that help me give volunteers ideas on how to meet kids where they are. We strive to simply be caring adults who cheer kids on as they are learning and practicing new life skills.
I have two children that have ADD. These resources are very helpful
As a school counselor in three schools in a rural area, the needs facing our students are tremendous. Stressors affecting our students include family changes, economic challenges, emotional, behavioral and academic needs. Because our district is so rural, it is difficult for our students and their families to access support. As the school counselor, I appreciate resources to help students with these needs. When students have good support with excellent resources like yours, they are much more likely to have happy, successful futures.
Stephanie says – I facilitate the children helping each other adjust to transitions between schools and grades. I have the older and younger students meet to discuss transitions. The younger students can ask the older students questions and the older ones share their experiences. The “older” 8th grade students realize their accomplishments, are able to help another, and without realizing it prepare themselves for the transition to a high school setting. This strategy can be used in a variety of circumstances and has seemed to work well with my fragile struggling students in boosting their level of comfort and self-esteem – unlikely friendships have blossomed.
I have 12 copies of both The Gifted Kids’ Survival Guide and the Gifted Kids’ Survival Guide Teen Handbook. As gifted program facilitator, these books serve as the textbook for the gifted learners in the Bayless School District. My gifted groups refer to them frequently and the students have meaningful conversations about the books’ topics. I would love to have the complete set since I serve gifted learners with dual exceptionalities.
I like to remind kids that they are their number one priority and they need to think about what is the best decision they can make for themselves. I also like to ask, “what do you think?” instead of just giving my opinion right away. I want them to always be thinking!
As an elementary school counselor, I try to find resources in which students and their parents can relate. These resources seem extremely beneficial. Since there isn’t a cookie cutter answer for each situation, it is helpful to have several resources on hand. These resources would be shared among staff, used in small group and one-on-one situations, and the ideas and strategies will be passed along to parents as well.
Small groups give me the best opportunity to reach out to students in a variety of life’s circumstances. Elementary kids love knowing they are not the only one going through a hard patch and often give each other wonderful ideas to try to make things better.
I work with adults and students to understand the function of behavior, triggers, and precipitating factors and to develop alternative, replacement behaviors.
During my years as a middle school counselor, I used the “Kids with ADD or ADHD Survival Guide” during some of my small group counseling sessions. It helped the students to learn coping strategies and to take ownership for their decision-making. We also celebrated their success.
Now I’m back in the classroom, and I’d love to have all of the survival guides to help my diverse group of students and to give parents tips for helping at home.
I am a SpED teacher who works with Pre-K to 8th grade. We make “Tool Boxes.” I teach MANY strategies that they can pick and choose from to cope with life’s challenges. We use different tools for different jobs. Kids learn that they can use different tools for a variety of challenges they face. They will find their favorites but they must learn and try them all. Some of the the tools they come with just aren’t working for them.
In my 27 years or so of teaching, I have been a teacher of the gifted(12 years), a teacher in RTI interventions , and have taught students with ADD, and students on the autism spectrum. I have often found the books like the ones in this series have the practical ideas we need as teachers to work successfully with our students.
Great resources for parents and kids. Up-to-date & upbeat.
I work with students grades 4-6 who can relate to each of these subjects. I also work closely with our EBD teacher so we could share these resources with all of the students we meet with.
I loan these books to parents and teachers so often that I need to replace “falling apart” copies every few years.
As a media specialist in a K-5 school, I take time to confer with special teachers and homeroom teachers of students with ASD and come up with helpful, differentiated strategies to use when their students visit the library to check out books.
I am a school library media specialist. I teach all grades and abilities K-5. I emphasize team work and set high expectations for all of my students. I tell them that when used correctly, information can be knowledge and knowledge is power. I tell my students to use all of the library resources from books to periodicals to databases and teacher approved web sites to be the best person and citizen he/she can be. In addition to teaching library and information literacy skills to all of my students, I am the gifted and talented teacher for my school. During the humanities modules we often have discussions where students are asked to argue a point of view even if they do not agree with it. I tell them if they can form an argument and back it up with examples, it will help prepare them not only for persuasive writing but for life.
I am a parent of a child with Tourette Syndrome, ADHD, and OCD. I also am active in my district’s PTA Council, Special Education Parent Advisory Committee, and African American Network. I coordinate parent education for each of these organizations.
When I saw these books, I immediately thought of a couple of students in our school who would benefit from these books. There is one student who is on the Autism Spectrum who can read anything and solve problems well beyond his years; yet, he has so many difficulties socially and emotionally. He could definitly benefit form Kids with ADHD Spectrum and the Gifted Books. There are others who can barely sit still long enough to focus on their work. And, others who have such challenging behaviors that they make it extremely difficult for their teachers to work with them. So, yes, the students from my school would really benefit from this series of books.
It’s a daily challenge. Students often don’t realize that their behavior can be the determining factor in whether or not they are successful at school and in life. I’d love the extra resources!
We are always discussing the importance of using a planner! Organizational skills!
As a school counselor I try to help my students, their teachers and their classmates learn coping strategies, a better means of understanding, an bring an opportunity for creativity, learning, empathy where there otherwise might be frustration, anger and misunderstandings. I would love to have these books to help me with these everyday challenges that my teachers and my students are facing.
As a school counselor and /parent educator I provide students with opportunities to get to know themselves and others better (their strengths and weaknesses; diversity and yet, tolerance); to explore /create dreams; to strengthen social lifeskills (conflict resolution; problem-solving; communication skills; goal-setting; giving back);to know that they can live beyond their economic, social and physical confines of their neighborhood; to practice the theme “Yes, I can!”
I work as a therapist for an organization specializing in therapeutic foster care. Many times, the trauma in a children’s pasts can lead to problems in many different areas including school and familial relationships. They constantly have to overcome challenges in their lives. I try to guide them by providing them a safe environment as well as coping skills; things that people may have never taken the time to provide them before. These books would be extremely helpful in providing new and unique ways to help these children become successful!
As a parent of an ADHD child, I try to stay positive and look for the best in kids and would
Love to share these books with school and friends!
As a social worker and a single mom I know the importance of continuing education and family preservation. I do not believe anyone can learn too much. I always look forward to reading about issues that I as a parent may be dealing with or clients may be going through. The more you know, the more you are able to help and refer.
I help kids navigate life’s challenges by helping their parents understand how to build assets in their children, find each child’s “spark” and provide a healthy, nurturing family life.
The first way I can help kids tackle challenges is by showing them that I love them! Once those needs are met, the students and I can work together to build skills in a bevy of areas. As my staff nears accreditation, these materials would be really helpful for us and our students. 🙂
I would love these books to help with teaching my elementary students as well as my own bio child with ADHD. Thanks for the chance to help them navigate a way to success!
I am an alternative school transitional teacher at a middle school. I do a lot of listening, modeling, and discussing with kids to teach life/social skills on a daily basis. I believe it is important to grow, the mind, body, and spirit. To make academic growth we must first grow the basic needs on Maslow’s hierarchy (social/emotional). This is where I first focus as an educator, at the root is building relationships.
I try to understand each student as a whole person, not just a sum of their behaviors. I also look at factors that impact children, such as their home life, their influences, and their interests.
As a special ed teacher I help my kiddos by being there for them and listening to them
I would love to share these books with kids that i tutor. Thanks!
Teach kids problem-solving skills.
As a special education teacher all if these books would be great for my classroom!
Valuable books to begin a new school year.
I am a special Ed teacher of emotional disabilities. I try to be a safe person for my students. I am working on teaching them to think for themselves to solve their problems. I listen to their choices and guide them as they decide the best course of action. I also deal with general Ed teachers and safe guarding my kids from those who don’t always understand.
Also shared on Facebook.
I’m a librarian and I work hard to make our library a safe and accepting zone that students can call their own. I’d love to have these resources to help better meet their needs!
I try to help my kids navigate life’s challenges by teaching them how to see issues from multiple perspectives. I teach them using the TALENTS unlimited model which shows them step by step processes to navigate things like decision making and planning. I also open my class up for discussions using books and other sources with Bibliotherapy. I am planning a book study with my students using the survival guide for gifted kids this year. I am also conducting a book study with parents. By educating parents about target issues we enable them to help their child navigate challenges in life also.
Would love to have these books for my kids!
Students in our school would benefit from these resource books. Thank you!
In my role as a social worker in a clinic, I uses these types of books to help kids learn new ways to cope with their concerns in an age appropriate way. They are written well and engage even reluctant readers.
I encourage kids to accept themselves and others
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I am a mum of 6 year old gifted. I try to be a loving mum but sometimes this ‘gifted’ child can be so challenging which can be overwhelming, I read and read to help me understand him. To contribute to our local community I also run a volunteer parent enrichment group for gifted kids. These books will come in handy to our little group, especially as we don’t have any funding. Would love to share these with other Mum’s and Dad’s.
Most importantly, when trying to get through the many challenges my students face, first and foremost I try to be someone consistent in their lives- something many of them do not have, so they never feel alone, and ALWAYS feel supported!!
I work at Highlands Center for Autism in Prestonsburg, Ky. We are a private, year-round day treatment program serving children from the earliest diagnosis of Autism through school age. The foundation of our program is based on ABA, which is an approach that is grounded in decades of research. We offer the only center-based program in Kentucky exclusively using ABA in a clinical setting. We are a mirror program of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Autism. Applied Behavior Analysis is a science that uses behavioral techniques to teach children basic and complex skills. It works by reinforcing appropriate behavior while decreasing or eliminating challenging behavior. Opportunities for success are built into the program. Adjustments are made as children progress, helping them to function better in the world. I personally would love to have these books at the center for therapist as my self to use.
I work as a special education teacher. It is often hard to find information that the students can relate to. These books are written from “their” perspective. The students understand these books better than if I were to use the same language. The books are non threatening and understandable for the kids!
I’ve used an older version of “The Survival Guide for Gifted Kids” with my students. (I teach elementary gifted.) We spend about half of our time learning more about ourselves as gifted students and improving our interpersonal and communication skills. I also work with students diagnosed with ADHD and those with behavior needs. I would love more resources for my classroom! Thank you for your time.
Sorry- I didn’t read very clearly about separate comments for each entry. Here is a link to my share on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/pogcrg/
By becoming there when my children are having difficulties in school or life in general. Listening, sharing my own experiences at their age, and getting professional help when necessary. These books would be great for giveaways too for my Parents of Gifted Children Resource Group, which I just shared the link with on Facebook. Thanks! 🙂
I work with 130 at risk youth in an afterschool program. We strive to teach leadership, collaboration, problem solving, and communication as well as the academic fundamentals that are taught in school. So many of our kiddos are gifted and special children. They come to us with behavior challenges, ADHD, autism and we welcome them with open arms. Just last week a new girl with autism started with. She was shy and nervous after having attended another afterschool program where she had been bullied and teased. After spending a few days with us her Mom told us that she was coming home very excited about her new friends and said she wanted to stay late every day. These book would be a great tool for us to continue to empower our kids and build strong communities.
I am as honest as possible with my students. They need to know the truths about life and society so I present them at age appropriate levels.
I try to always be their safe place to fall. I know they have to try extra hard in school to complete assignments, pay attention, etc. I also give no more than 2 commands at a time so they can complete the tasks they need to here at home. I try to praise the smallest of accomplishments as well. Would love to have these books for us!!
What a wonderful set of books. I work as a library media assistant in a middle school and I see students on a daily basis who are challenged physically as well as emotionally. These books would be a great addition to our collection. Thank you for the opportunity to win these books for my library.
These would help in children’s ministry.
I try to help kids be their best! I am a guidance counselor but currently working with 21st Century Programming. With that being said, I would love to incorporate these tools in my after school programs! We lost a great deal of funding this year and it would be great to have this as a tool!
We have a county wide resource library for special education staff and parents that gets frequent requests for these books. We have some of the older editions, but additional updated materials would be so welcomed and well used.
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That’s a hard question for me since I work in a media center and see the kids only once a week. But I try to encourage them to be respectful and kind to each other. And I use lots of books to encourage discussion.
I would use these books and share the information with the families I work with in two elementary schools.
My daughter found books helpful as she dealt with ASD. I am hoping to win the set for her older sister who is student teaching this fall. Hoping they will help her and her students.
I am a school psychologist who has worked many, many years with gifted children and children with a wide variety of disabilities as well as twice-exceptional children and have always found Free Spirit books to be very helpful. I own an older edition of the Survival Guide for Gifted Kids which has been well used, and I would love to win a complete set of the Survival Guides.
I do private tutoring for a variety of students who have problems in these areas. I would absolutely love to read these books with them and loan the books to their parents. Building confidence, coping skills and motivation in students is always my goal.
This would be great to share with my colleagues in the lower grades.
First, I listen to the students. Then, I build trust and hope that they feel secure to confide in me if they need to, then we talk about the issue and try to find solutions. Those could be referring to another staff member in the building, Child Study Team, Counselor, etc. Have them read a book they can relate to, give them a website that would help, help them establish a solid relationship with another student to be a support buddy.
I use books a lot in my school counseling position to help students understand their circumstances (for example, an impending divorce of parents), to help them learn strategies for coping (my current favorites are the “What To Do When…” series) and to help them identify with characters in a book and analyze how he/she handled their struggle and if they can apply those same strategies to their own situation.
My students can benefit from these resources. I hope I win!