Dreamers, Discoverers & Dynamos: How to Help the Child Who Is Bright, Bored and Having Problems in School (Formerly Titled 'The Edison Trait') [Paperback]

Lucy Jo Palladino (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 19, 1999

Does your imaginative, computer-proficient daughter tune out in the classroom? Does your spirited son become headstrong and aggressive when faced with the simplest decisions? Does your bold, energetic child have trouble focusing on basic tasks?

Millions of children--one in five--have what psychologist Lucy Jo Palladino, Ph.D., calls the Edison trait: dazzling intelligence, an active imagination, a free-spirited approach to life, and the ability to drive everyone around them crazy. Named after Thomas Edison--who flunked out of school only to harness his talents and give the world some of its finest inventions--the Edison trait is on the rise in our younger generation.

The heart of the issue is that they think divergently--they overflow with many ideas--while schools, organized activities, and routines of daily living reward convergent thinking, which focuses on one idea at a time. Drawing on examples from more than two decades of private practice, Dr. Palladino helps us cope with this challenging aspect of our child's intellect and personality, explaining in clear terms:

- The three Edison-trait personality types: dreamers, discoverers, and dynamos
- The eight steps to understanding, reaching, and teaching your Edison-trait child
- The connection between the Edison trait and A.D.D.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Psychologist Lucy Jo Palladino claims that 20 percent of children have what she calls the Edison trait: "dazzling intelligence, an active imagination, a free-spirited approach to life, and the ability to drive everyone around them crazy." She named the trait after Thomas Edison, who flunked out of school despite his obvious brilliance. Palladino says that Edison-trait children think divergently, while the routines and structure of schools are more geared toward convergent thinking, or focusing on one idea at a time. The incompatible school environment, she says, usually leads divergent-thinking children to act out, receive poor grades, and often be labeled as strong-willed and disruptive.

These symptoms may sound similar to those of ADD, but Palladino says that's an overused term often mistakenly applied to Edison-trait children. "In most cases," she says, "ADD behavior patterns are comparable to but more extreme than the typical patterns of an Edison-trait child who does not have ADD." A diagnosis of ADD does not take into consideration factors such as "intelligence, perceptiveness, sensitivity, creativity, and wit."

With many references to scientific studies, Palladino helps you decide whether your child is one of the three types of Edison-trait children: dreamer, discoverer, or dynamo. She also gives pointed, practical advice regarding such controversial topics as diet, neurofeedback treatment, and psychological testing. For frustrated parents and educators, Dreamers, Discoverers, and Dynamos will be a rich source of both help and hope.

Review

"Parents and educators alike will find this compelling reading."
--Publishers Weekly

"BRILLIANT . . . ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BOOKS IN THIS FIELD . . . Parents will find in Dreamers, Discoverers, and Dynamos real-world solutions and the light of hope; professionals will discover a thought-provoking new view of these exceptional children."
--THOM HARTMANN
    Author of ADD: A Different Perception
    and The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 310 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; Ballantine Books ed edition (January 19, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345405730
• ISBN-13: 978-0345405739
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,284 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #27 in Books > History > Historical Study > History of Ideas
  • #44 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Reference

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent encouragement and suggestions for parents, October 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dreamers, Discoverers & Dynamos: How to Help the Child Who Is Bright, Bored and Having Problems in School (Formerly Titled 'The Edison Trait') (Paperback)

This book, along with Armstrong's "The Myth of the A.D.D. Child" may literally "save the souls" of many non-conforming children (and adults). Instead of pitting parents against their children as so much of the A.D.D. literature does, Palladino puts them on the same team, helping parents recognize their child's strengths. What a world we would have if individuals were appreciated for their diversity and individuality, instead of labeling them as deficient. I hope many other parents and educators will read this book, and let it affect how they treat children.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unique insight and techniques that brings amazing result., September 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dreamers, Discoverers & Dynamos: How to Help the Child Who Is Bright, Bored and Having Problems in School (Formerly Titled 'The Edison Trait') (Paperback)

I was at my wits end when I accidently picked up this book. Thank God! I have benefited by the methods suggested by Lucy. I am seeing breakthrough in my relationship with my 2 boys.

My son has demonstrated a lot of the behaviour traits as highlighted in the book. Before I gained the understanding on his gift, I was adopting the traditional methods to "help" him be more disciplined. Not only did I bring out the worst of both my sons, I was seeing a downhill pattern on our relationship with one another. Thank God! I was introduced to the concept of Divergent by a friend. And one day while I was browsing in a book store, I came across this book. I have never finished a book from back-to-back without stopping. And this is probably the first within a short time. I've tried some of the methods adopted by Lucy in my interaction with my sons. Especially when I am coaching him to do his school works. I am more than pleased with the results I am seeing. I often catch myself smiling within when I observe the improvement in my children.

I have one request. I really like to be in touch with the author Lucy to explore any opportunity for her to share her experience outside of the US. I really wish more parents can benefit from her works. Appreciate if you can provide me with her correspondance address.

42 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parents of Divergent/Gifted Children: This is a MUST-READ, February 3, 2004

By 

Jill Schafer Boehme "Author" (BeatYourOwnDrum.com) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dreamers, Discoverers & Dynamos: How to Help the Child Who Is Bright, Bored and Having Problems in School (Formerly Titled 'The Edison Trait') (Paperback)

Dr. Palladino has captured the essence of the "divergent" child and shattered the ADD/ADHD myth.

Does your child seem to always have his head in the clouds? Have trouble remembering to do what he has been told? Can't seem to sit still? Talk incessently about whatever subject he's currently passion-filled?

In short, does he drive you crazy and you're at the end of your rope?

This book is for you. Dr. Palladino does a beautiful job describing the divergent mind (that is, the mind that can think of "many things at once"), how it works, why it usually DOESN'T work in a traditional public school setting, and how to deal with the divergent child who just doesn't seem to "fit in." According to Dr. Palladino, many children are misdiagnosed as having ADD or ADHD when they actually have a certain personality trait that she has coined, "The Edison Trait" after Thomas Edison. These Edison Trait children are divergent thinkers -- and are usually bright, gifted children.

Read this book BEFORE you talk to your pediatrician. Read this book BEFORE you talk to your child's teacher. The insight and helpful information within this pages make this book an invaluable tool in the hands of any parent with an "Edison Trait" child.

(And yes, I am mother to three such children myself.)