Welcome to the Special Schools News & Events index Back to News & Events Occupational Therapy lecturer launches debut book for teachers of children with special needs A Senior Occupational Therapy lecturer from Canterbury Christ Church University has launched her first book - a practical guide for teachers and parents involved in supporting children with Special Educational Needs. 'The Special Educator's Tool Kit' by Sarah Barratt, 35, of Fields Avenue, Canterbury, has been released worldwide will soon be available at all major online book retailers. Sarah was born with a mild form of Cerebral Palsy with secondary visual difficulties. She has based her debut publication on her own personal experience of living with special needs as well as her professional experience working as a school based Occupational Therapist in England and India. Through her work, Sarah aims to give her readers an insight into the challenges faced by special children at school. Sarah explained: "This book is unique because it aims to provide teachers, parents and medical professionals with a holistic understanding of the clinical, developmental and educational needs of special children so they can create meaningful, measurable and unique learning experiences for them. I fully realise that one's experiences of special needs may be different and varied. But my own unique position of being a person with special needs and working as a therapist with special needs have fuelled my desire to write this book. In my case, being a child with special needs meant my school days were far from being the best days of my life - they were more like a mission to conquer Mount Everest. My personal experiences in education and the impact of my own special needs left me with a fervent desire to help children in similar situations get more out of their school experience. I want to ensure that no child suffers the same frustrations I did, as my needs were not fully recognised. I also want to reach out to teachers and parents as they are, in my view, ambassadors who can speak and act for children." Sarah gained inspiration for her book while working in South India. She discovered there was a lack of practical materials to assist special education teachers that would cater for children with special needs. Using her knowledge and skills in occupational therapy, Sarah worked with the teachers to develop learning and teaching aids that they could use themselves in the classroom. Her efforts paid off and 'The Special Educator's Tool Kit' took shape. Sarah explained: "I discovered there is no formal training of people in India to educate them effectively about special needs as there is in the West. This book gives how-to and step-by-step guidelines, and provides a background of problems and issues that may be encountered while working with special children. It is also a personal testimony to the fact that special needs can become an asset rather than a hindrance and it is a great privilege and joy to see this book being published all over the world." Kit Sinclair, President of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, said: "This book is a coherent and practical resource for special education teachers. It is an informative easy-to-read publication which can be used by teachers and parents to make informed decisions about the path of their children's education. The principles and practical applications in this book can be translated and applied cross cultures. The book helps to raise the readers' understanding of how an occupational therapist contributes to the field of special education. It also illustrates the importance of collaboration and partnership between professionals to enhance learning and the overall school experience for children with special needs and their families." If you are a member of the media and would like a photograph of or interview with Sarah Barratt, please contact Canterbury Christ Church University's Media Relations Officer, Claire Draper, on 01227 782391.