Special Kids Need Special Parents

Advice, encouragement, and inspiration for parents raising children with special needs

Parents of children with special needs face unique emotional and practical challenges every day. These issues are seldom addressed by the medical community—and parents’ most compelling questions remain unanswered.

Judith Loseff Lavin was thrust into the world of children’s hospitals and special needs when her daughter was born with a cleft lip and palate. In Special Kids Need Special Parents, she draws on interviews with health care professionals, nationally recognized authorities, and other parents of children with special needs to give readers the practical guidance and comfort they crave. Raising a child with special needs can be a daunting task, but it can also be a meaningful journey—helping parents uncover reserves of strength, wisdom and love they never knew they had.

Parents will get advice on:
• Boosting their child’s self-esteem
• Coping with chronic pain, sleep problems and frequent hospitalizations
• Dealing with your feelings of grief and anger
• Choosing a therapist
• Finding suitable, reliable childcare
• How to cope with teasing
• The impact a child with special needs can have on a marriage, siblings, and grandparents
• Finding cosmetic help, including hair replacement
• Prosthetic and orthotic options

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs