Special Books by Special Kids
A former special education teacher interviews people in the disability and neurodivergent communities to foster understanding and acceptance.
This is a video interview series where host Chris Ulmer sits down with individuals with a wide spectrum of diagnoses and their families. With the host often off-camera, the format puts the subject's story, personality, and lived experience at the absolute center. Episodes are intimate, direct, and unflinching, tackling everything from rare terminal illnesses to the daily social challenges of living with a visible or invisible disability.
“Unlike many disability-focused shows, SBSK avoids expert panels or abstract discussions, focusing entirely on the first-person narrative of the individual and their family. The host's often off-camera presence and gentle questioning create a uniquely intimate and unmediated feel, making the subject the sole focus of the story.”
Who hosts this show
Started by Chris Ulmer, a former special education teacher, "Special Books by Special Kids" (SBSK) is a non-profit media movement sharing the stories of individuals from the disability and neurodivergent communities. Originally a book project with his students, it evolved in 2015 into a video series featuring hundreds of interviews worldwide. SBSK operates as a 501(c)(3) organization aiming to normalize human diversity and has provided over $2 million in grants and fundraising to its featured participants.
Credentials & credits
- Founder and CEO of Special Books by Special Kids 501(c)3
- Former Special Education Teacher
- Master of Arts in Teaching, with a specialty in Special Education, University of the Cumberlands
- Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Penn State University
Other ventures
- Special Books by Special Kids (501(c)3 Non-Profit)
- Public Speaker
What kind of podcast
- Country
- United States
- Region
- usa
When new episodes drop
- 01She Has Childhood Alzheimer’s and Down SyndromeJun 25, 2026 · 30 min
- 02An Autistic Teen Born Without EyesJun 18, 2026 · 42 min
- 03She Spent Her First Year in the Hospital (Born at 1 Pound)Jun 11, 2026 · 20 min
- 04The Boy Who Must Wear a Helmet to Survive (Sinus Pericranii)May 28, 2026 · 15 min
- 05A Baby Permanently Disabled by AbuseMay 21, 2026 · 23 min
- 06A Mom with Butterfly Skin (Open Wounds Cover Her Body)May 14, 2026 · 31 min
- 07A 30 Inch Tall Teenager Who's Looking for LoveMay 7, 2026 · 30 min
- 08Rest in Peace John HudsonApr 22, 2026 · 18 min
Notable episodes
- 01She Has Childhood Alzheimer’s and Down Syndrome
An emotionally powerful interview with the family of a child with two major diagnoses, it exemplifies the show's ability to handle profound grief and the fight for rare disease awareness.
- 02An Autistic Teen Born Without Eyes
This episode is a masterclass in promoting self-acceptance, as the guest, Christian, explains with confidence and humor why he is happy to be exactly who he is.
- 03She Spent Her First Year in the Hospital (Born at 1 Pound)
Highlights the transformative power of communication technology, showing the moment a non-verbal child begins to express her personality, wants, and gratitude through an AAC device.
What you'll be asked on this show
Chris Ulmer's interview style is defined by its gentleness and focus. He typically opens by asking parents to introduce their child's personality ("How would you introduce them to the world?") or asking the individual directly what they want people to know about them. He probes with simple, direct questions about the diagnosis, the emotional journey ("What was it like when you found out?"), and practical realities ("How do you communicate?"). He builds trust by actively engaging in the guest's interests, like reading a favorite book or playing a game. His signature closing often involves asking for a single message to share with the world or for practical advice on how to be a good friend, turning each story into a lesson in empathy and inclusion.
The host, Chris, often remains off-camera, directing focus to the guests. He uses a gentle, direct, and empathetic questioning style, frequently including family members for a fuller picture. For child guests, he actively participates in their world—playing with toys, reading books, or singing songs—to build rapport and create a comfortable space.
Questions the host keeps coming back to
12 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when the host reaches for it.
personal
4- Q.01
“How would you introduce yourself/your child to the world?”
This is often his opening question to parents, focusing on personality and spirit before discussing any diagnosis.
- Q.02
“What was it like for you when you first learned about the diagnosis?”
He asks this of parents or individuals to explore the initial emotional impact of receiving life-changing news.
- Q.03
“Do you ever feel sad or overwhelmed?”
Asked with empathy, this question gives guests permission to discuss the difficult emotional aspects of their experience.
- Q.04
“What was it like as a parent to witness that breakthrough?”
He asks this to capture the emotional significance of milestones, like a child using a communication device for the first time.
advice
2- Q.01
“What is the one message you'd like to share with the world?”
A signature question, often asked near the beginning, to frame the interview around the guest's core advocacy.
- Q.02
“How can someone be a good friend to you/your child?”
This question seeks actionable advice for the audience, promoting practical inclusion and demystifying interaction.
origin
1- Q.01
“Can you tell us about your/your child's diagnosis?”
Asked directly and respectfully after establishing a personal connection, this question grounds the conversation in the medical facts.
process
2- Q.01
“How do you/does your child communicate?”
For non-verbal guests or those with communication challenges, this question highlights their methods and abilities.
- Q.02
“What are some ways you do things differently?”
This question invites guests to explain their unique adaptations and skills in a positive and empowering way.
mindset
1- Q.01
“What do you have to be grateful for?”
After discussing challenges, he often asks this to explore sources of joy and positivity in the guest's life.
future
1- Q.01
“What is one of your biggest goals for the future?”
This question focuses on the guest's aspirations, looking beyond their current circumstances and diagnosis.
relationships
1- Q.01
“How has your understanding of their internal world changed over time?”
This question is posed to parents to explore the evolution of their connection and understanding of their child.
Signature segments
- · Animated intro explaining the channel's mission
- · Host (Chris) remains off-camera to focus on the guest
- · Asking guests for a single "message to share with the world"
- · Playful, direct interaction with child subjects
- · Including family members in the interview
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
Guests are individuals of all ages with a diagnosed disability, neurodivergent condition, or rare disease. They are often accompanied by their parents, siblings, or caregivers who share their own perspectives on the journey.
- Lottieon She Has Childhood Alzheimer’s and Down Syndrome
- Christianon An Autistic Teen Born Without Eyes
- Kamerieon She Spent Her First Year in the Hospital (Born at 1 Pound)
- Miloon The Boy Who Must Wear a Helmet to Survive (Sinus Pericranii)
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The channel is a 501(c)(3) non-profit supported by viewer contributions through platforms like Patreon and direct donations. This funding supports the organization's mission and allows for grants to be provided to featured families.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
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People also ask
- What is the host's background?
- The host is Chris Ulmer, a former special education teacher with a Master's degree in the field. He started SBSK as a project with his students.
- Is Special Books by Special Kids still active?
- Yes, the organization actively produces new video interviews on a weekly basis and continues to travel to meet new families.
- How can I support the show?
- Special Books by Special Kids is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You can support their work through their Patreon page or by donating directly on their website, sbsk.org.
- What is the format of the show?
- It is a video interview series where Chris Ulmer talks with individuals with disabilities and their families. The interviews are intimate conversations, often with the host off-camera, focusing on the guest's personal story.
- How can someone be interviewed on the show?
- There is an application form on the official SBSK website for those interested in sharing their story.
- Where can I watch the interviews?
- The primary platform for new interviews is the Special Books by Special Kids YouTube channel.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]The Team – SBSKsbsk.org
- [02]Our Story – SBSKsbsk.org
- [03]Chris Ulmer - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- [04]Special Books By Special Kids Inc - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorerprojects.propublica.org
- [05]Neurodiversity Advocates: Christopher Ulmer & Special Books for Special Kidshercampus.com
- [06]Chris Ulmer | NAA's National Autism Conferencenationalautismconference.com
- [07]Contact - SBSKsbsk.org
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