Millions of people with learning challenges - such as autism, learning disabilities, or emotional/behavioral disorders - face school failure, un- or under-employment, few or unhealthy personal relationships, and difficulty navigating the transition from school to adult life. With this resource, educators, mental health professionals, and mentors gain a clearer understanding of the challenges faced by this population of students, and learn successful strategies, interventions, and activities to empower youth in the classroom and the community. This inspiring book provides insight and guidance for pre-and in-service educators, as well as other school-based staff, who work daily with youth with hidden disabilities.

About the Authors
Margo Vreeburg Izzo, Ph.D., is Professor and Director for the Special Education and Transition Program at the Ohio State University Nisonger Center. She has extensive experience designing and directing projects that improve the transition from high school to college and careers with funding from the U.S. Department of Education, National Science Foundation, and numerous state agencies and foundations. Dr. Vreeburg Izzo has developed educational curricula for students with disabilities; conducted numerous trainings, focus groups, and interviews with teachers and students; managed the development of websites, videos, and other dissemination products; and published over 25 peer-reviewed articles and five book chapters on disability and transition issues. In 1996, she received the Mary E. Switzer Fellow from the National Institute of Disability Rehabilitation Research. As Past President of the Division of Career Development and Transition, she provides leadership to national, state, and regional committees to improve the quality of education and transition services. Also, she is a mother, wife, grant writer, and a person with ADHD. She believes that when people with hidden disabilities can exercise self-determination in choosing their path to college and career, they are more likely to succeed. The challenge, addressed in this book, is how to achieve these goals in today's high stakes testing environment. In the pages to come, learn more about Margo's life with ADHD and her personal and professional mission to help all people with hidden disabilities lead meaningful lives.

LeDerick Horne, labeled as neurologically impaired in third grade, defies any and all labels. He's a dynamic spoken-word poet. A tireless advocate for all people with disabilities. An inspiring motivational speaker. A bridge-builder between learners and leaders across the U.S. and around the word. An African-American husband and father who serves as a role model for all races, genders, and generations. The grandson of one of New Jersey's most prominent civil rights leaders, LeDerick uses his gift for spoken-word poetry as the gateway to larger discussions on equal opportunity, pride, self-determination, and hope for people with disabilities. His workshops, keynote speeches, and performances reach thousands of students, teachers, legislators, policy makers, business leaders, and service providers each year. He regularly addresses an array of academic, government, social, and business groups and has had appearances at the White House, the United Nations, Harvard University, the National Association of State Directors of Special Education, and the Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada, and Alabama State Departments of Education. His work addresses the challenges of all disabilities, uniting the efforts of diverse groups in order to achieve substantive, systemic change. You can learn more about LeDerick and his work.