Sheila Hollins

Valerie Sinason

Christiana Horrocks

Have you ever been mugged or do you know someone who has? This story is about a young man called Charlie who is attacked in the street. The book shows how Charlie is helped by speedy police action, Victim Support and back-up from friends, family members and supporters.

Mugged

Justin Wilson

It is important for every man to check his balls (testicles) regularly and to see his doctor immediately if he finds any changes that are not normal for him. You can use pictures and information in this book to help men with intellectual disabilties to learn more about thir testicles and about how to look after them.

Looking After My Balls

Ruth Eley

Noelle Blackman

Ann Has Dementia

Helen Bailey

Downer Jackie

Having a smear test can be worrying. For women with learning disabilities there is the added fear of not understanding what is happening. This book will help to prepare and support women like Carol who are invited to have a smear test. It begins with a nurse telling Carol and her friends how to stay healthy 'down below'. It goes on to explain what happens to Carol, from receiving the invitation for a smear test, making the preliminary visit to the GP practice and deciding whether she will have the smear or not, to having the smear and receiving the results. We then see her being recalled for a further test.

Keeping Healthy 'Down Below'

Glynis Murphy

Isabel Clare

This book is about what happens when someone is accused of a crime. It will help you if you have been accused of a crime and have to go to court for a trial. In our story we see what happens to Dave when he has to go on trial in a Magistrates' Court, and we also see what a Magistrates' Court looks like. The story is told in pictures without any words although there is text at the back of the book which may be useful too. You can make any story you like from this book as the pictures will fit any crime and any verdict.

You're On Trial

Roger Banks

Sonia is feeling sad and worried. Her family want to find some help for her and take her to see the doctor. The doctor gives her antidepressant medication. Sonia does not feel better and returns to see the doctor. This time he decides to send her to see a counsellor. After some time to talk about her worries Sonia feels much better.

Sonia's Feeling Sad

Madeleine Ryan

Alison Giraud-Saunders

You're in Prison tells the story of Dave, a man with a learning (intellectual) disability, when he is sent to prison. The book tells the story in pictures to help people with learning disabilities and difficulties or who struggle with written English, to understand a bit about life in prison. Sharing the story with someone else, or with a group, may help a person cope with the experience of being in prison.

You're in Prison

Wendy Perez

Designed to support women who are invited for breast screening. The first story explains what happens to Beth, from receiving the invitation letter for breast screening to having a mammogram and getting a normal result. The second story shows what Beth experiences when she is recalled for further tests. Finally another woman demonstrates how to be aware of changes in one's own breasts. Ideally this book should be used to prepare women with learning disabilities before they go for a mammogram, for further breast screening tests or to increase their breast awareness.

Looking After My Breasts

Hugh Grant

Nigel Hollins

Dean goes to the theatre with his family. He enjoys it so much, his friend James encourages him to go to a drama group. He's very nervous and finds it hard to join in at first. But once he gets to know people he has a really good time, doing both backstage roles and acting. Drama groups are a good way to meet new friends and to take part in a theatre production. You can be an actor, or take on a backstage role – like painting the scenery, lighting, make-up, or stage management. Every role in a theatre production is important – if somebody doesn't turn up, the show can't go on. This book will encourage those who'd like to give acting, or backstage roles, a try, by giving examples of activities, as well as illustrating the process of putting on a play.

The Drama Group

Sonia is a young woman with learning disabilities. She is very sad and avoids her friends and family. At home, she unhappily retires to bed. Sonia's GP says that she is depressed and suggests that she see a therapist. Regular visits to the therapist help Sonia to feel better, and we see that she starts to enjoy life a game.

Jenny Curran

SOCIAL WORK. Ron has lost interest in the things he usually enjoys. He doesnt want to see his friends or take part in any activities and just stays in bed. His GP (family doctor) visits and diagnoses Ron with depression. Ron sees his GP regularly who helps him to feel better. Two extra images illustrate the doctor prescribing medication as treatment. Depression from a mans point of view. Background info on depression Guidance for carers on how to use Suggested storyline Contact details for supporting organisations and related resources. In the Books Beyond Words series the story is told through pictures only. They are for adults with learning/intellectual disabilities, but are useful for anyone with communication difficulties. The books will suit anyone who works with or cares for people with learning disabilities and also social and community workers.

Ron's Feeling Blue

Jackie Downer

Linette Farquarson

Having both an intellectual disability and being from an ethnic minority group can make it even more difficult to get good services. If you know someone in this situation, you can use this book to help them to challenge discrimination by service providers. Two encounters are described, but the principles that they illustrate can apply to countless situations. In the first, three friends get what they want in a café by being assertive and not giving up easily. In the second, one of the friends is helped to resolve problems dealing with her bank.

Speaking Up for Myself

Irene Tuffrey-Wijne

This book tells the story of John, who has an intellectual disability. John is dying. The pictures follow him in his illness and his final days. They are designed to help the reader make sense of what is happening to them or someone they know who is ill. The pictures help them to ask questions or share their concerns.

Am I Going to Die?

Amber Qureshi

Lloyd Page

Matthew eats lots of sugary foods and doesn't take very good care of his teeth. When Matthew gets toothache he goes to see the dentist. At the appointment, he agrees to have a check-up and treatment to get rid of his toothache. When he feels better, Matthew goes back to the dentist to learn how to keep his teeth and gums healthy. The story gives examples of a dental x-ray, an injection, drilling and filling, and also good oral hygiene routines. This book will be helpful for both professionals and supporters when preparing someone for a visit to the dentist or supporting a patient during an appointment.

Going to the Dentist

Angie Avis

Samantha Cheverton

We all worry about going into hospital. For people with intellectual disabilities there is the added fear of not being able to explain what is wrong, as well as not understanding what is happening. This book is designed to support patients like Martin and Mary, who are shown going into hospital, by explaining what happens to them there. Martin is having a planned operation and Mary is admitted as an emergency. Feelings, information and consent are all addressed. Ideally this book should be used to prepare someone before he or she goes into hospital. It will also be invaluable to hospital staff to use during consultations and before treatments, and to understand the needs of people with intellectual disabilities.

Going Into Hospital

This is a story about what can happen to a girl when she starts her period. People do not need to be able to read in order to understand the story. Susan does not understand what is happening to her when she finds blood on her sheets and clothes. She does not tell her mother, but goes straight to school. In the playground, other girls giggle and point at the blood stains. Susan doesn't know why they are laughing at her. A teacher notices what is happening and calls Susan aside to explain what menstruation is, and how she should look after herself. Susan's mother provides further reassurance on her return home from school. She shows Susan how to keep herself clean and comfortable. Susan has become a woman, and her mother takes her shopping to celebrate.

Susan's Growing Up

Caroline Argent

Taking part in sport and exercise can help us to keep fit, feel well, meet new people, cope with our worries, sleep better and lose weight. Enjoying Sport and Exercise will help people with learning and communication difficulties to choose what activity they would like to do, and shows them how to find out what is available to them locally. Most leisure centres have many sports and exercise classes which can be adapted to include people with special needs. Enjoying Sport and Exercise tells the story of three people who want to take up a sport and are supported to do so. Jasmine is a wheelchair user who is delighted to find she can play badminton while her mum takes up tai chi; Charlie, who is overweight, discovers dog walking and cricket; James is a runner and with training fulfils his ambition to run a marathon. The text at the back of the book includes guidelines for carers, service providers and supporters. It also provides information about where to find help and advice, and useful reading and audio materials.

Enjoying Sport and Exercise

Terry Roth

Janet is desperate to make new friends and be close to other people, but she just doesn't know how. When she approaches people in the park and tries to touch them, they are frightened. Janet feels devastated and lonely. With the help of her friend Monica, Janet learns about the right ways to make friends and how to behave safely with people she doesn't know yet. Friendships and relationships are important elements in everyone's life. If someone doesn't have experience of friendships or normal loving touch, making friends can be fraught with difficulty. Some people struggle with understanding even the basics of safe behaviour in public. This book can help people talk about safe ways to make friends, and to reflect on times when inappropriate behaviour may get them into trouble.

Hug Me, Touch Me

Lester Sireling

When Dad Died takes a gentle, honest and straightforward approach to death in the family. The pictures tell the story of the death of a parent in a simple but moving way. The approach is non-denominational. This book will be helpful to adolescents and adults with intellectual disabilities as well as to their carers and supporters. In addition, children without learning disabilities will continue to appreciate these books, which adopt a more direct approach to death than usual.

When Dad Died

Nick Barratt

Ben doesn't like being rushed and when Paul won't make time for a chat, Ben gets cross and upset. Ben asks Jane for help and she helps them sort it out. Now Paul understands what is important for Ben and what has been worrying him. The story ends with them choosing a new activity to do together. We all experience situations that make us feel cross and stressed. Sometimes this can lead to an angry outburst or other sorts of behaviour that challenges. This book will help people and their supporters to work together to sort out difficult situations, and avoid them happening in the future.

Sheila Hollins

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