Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.)

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!

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.

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.

Excellent book for understanding your gifted and difficult child! This book helped us identify certain behaviors and ways of dealing with them - it's made our homework sessions with our 8 year old daughter much easier, and more pleasant for all of us!

This book helps you figure out what type of child your gifted child is, and gives you methods for improving school performance and behavior. Now, if we could just get all the school teachers to read it!

Dreamers, Discoverers & Dynamos: How to Help the Child Who Is Bright, Bored and Having Problems in School (Formerly Titled 'The Edison Trait')I really would like to thank you, Lucy Jo, for first of all changing the title of this book from 'The Edison Trait'. I probably would have never picked it up if that was still the title. I am so glad that I picked up this book to look at , and then of course to purchase it. I have spent the past two nights reading it because I have a Nephew who is very dear to me that is having all kinds of problems in school. He is an extremely bright boy who is in an excellerated program at his school. But his Mom (my Sister) and I have known for quite some time now, how bored he is in school. It has now gotten to the point that he flat out refuses to do any work in school or at home. If you mention the word "homework" he freaks right out yelling and screaming at the top of his lungs. He had two tutors at school trying to work with him and he just simply says no I am not going to do any work at all. He has become a real loner and quite depressed and he is only in 4th grade! I told him about this book and tht I was reading it in hopes of helping him with his problems at school, he told me how happy and relieved he is that I seem to understand him and that there is a real problem here. It utterly breaks my heart to see him this way. When he first started kintergarden he was so excited about school and life I can't even tell you. With each year that has passed by I have seen his self-esteem get slowy eroded away, and the killer is that he used to have "GREAT" self-esteem. But tonight the light-bulb went off for me as I was reading this book! I haven't felt this excited about anything for quite a few years now. But in reading this book, I now have a strong, renewed sense of hope that everything is going to be alright for my Nephew now. Although he was asleep when the light-bulb went off for me tonight, I think my Sister and I can now get my Nephew the help he has needed for quite some time. Lucy Jo, this book is absolutely excellent!!! Thank-You so very much for taking the time to write this very informative book! It's already given me so many answers to my long awaited questions, and the relief it is giving my Nephew is a "God Send". So I highly recommend this book to anyone with questions about bright kids that are having problems in school.

Dr.Lucy Jo Palladino has given parents of "exceptional" children a fabulous gift. Beautifully written and filled to the brim with insight, sound professional advice and optimism, "Dreamers, Discoverers and Dynamos" is an absolute MUST READ. Dr. Palladino helps us realize that we can fulfill our goals as parents and "raise our children to be the heroes , not the victims, of their lives". BRAVO and THANK YOU to Dr. Palladino.

This book made me feel so relieved. It describes my daughter to a "T". It's just wonderful to identify & now I have some solutions. Not that its an easy fix but I have some paths to follow. A huge weight has been lifted. I recommend this to the weary.