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

Release 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 0.8 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #165,027 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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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

Format: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.

29 of 29 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

Format: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.

46 of 50 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

Format: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.)

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Expert help to equip you to stand up for your special child February 8, 2001

By hbullz

Format:Paperback

What an absolute lifesaver! As parents of two kids- (one dreamer and one dynamo) we had run through the endless "experts" in our town for answers. This is a priceless resource for anyone who wants to stand up with facts to experts in both the medical and the school-related fields. It gives reasons for behavior and what works ,and more importantly, why what a lot of people want you to do won't work! I have given it to each teacher/specialist who works with my children. Her advice does work and your special bright child will blossom with it. It is written in an engaging and segmented format. Be sure to read the part addressing whether or not to medicate. Perfect for carpool wait times as most parents of these bright and energetic kids don't get any other time to sit still!

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars For all new parents out there October 4, 2001

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

What a book!!! I am the mother of 4 precious kids, one is a combination discoverer-dynamo (see explanation in the book), one is dyslexic and the two others will be a surprise. This book covers it all and the best part is that it is all positive. Dr. Palladino gives us a taste of the futur in our children and it's fantastic. She explains how to get there without going ballistic and the examples of Edisonian traits adults i.e. Henry Ford, and Edison himself among others. What an inspiration to my child!!!Thanks so much. The advice can be used even if you don't have an Edison trait child. It's great and doable.

47 of 58 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Good reference but not a cure-all April 11, 2004

By loce_the_wizard VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Despite the lofty praise heaped on Dreamers, Discoverers, and Dynamos, this book is neither a cure-all or all-in-once resource. On the other hand, Dr. Pallandino has rounded up plenty of good information and strategies for motivating children to complete tasks, pay attention in school, and essentially get their heads out of the clouds.

Part of the problem here is that this book essentially categorizes children as either having an Edison-trait---that is being very smart, imaginative, and free-spirited---or not. While I think most parents would like to associate their children with Edison, the roles of self-discipline, focus, and, extra effort in improving learning and performance are downplayed. And most parents already know that those ingredients have to be part of the mix.

But there are enough positives here to make this book worth a read. Learning how to teach children how to break down tasks into components, striving to improve one's patience, working as a team, and remembering to reward achievements are all good things. Although such advice is certainly valuable for helping any child, not just those who have this Edison-trait.

The dichotomy between convergent thinking and divergent thinking, a core idea in this book, seems a bit artificial and a bit too clear-cut to me (true, I'm only a parent and former teacher) but I find most real-life issues a bit more blurry. But this model does illustrate to a good degree the serious "dumbing down" problems inherent in our education systems.

The sections on therapy, ADD, and professional diagnosis were the least intriguing and least inspiring.

Realizing that there are different ways to approach a situation has its value, and the author's greatest success here is reminding readers to step back and consider the options.