Learning Disabilities: A to Z: A Parent's Complete Guide to Learning Disabilities from Preschool to Adulthood [Paperback]

Corinne Smith (Author), Lisa Strick (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0684844680 | ISBN-13: 978-0684844688 | Publication Date: May 25, 1999 | Edition: 1

"This book is about helping youngsters with learning disabilities hold onto their dreams. It is also about helping their mothers and fathers negotiate the maze of challenges that so often leaves parents and students alike feeling overwhelmed and helpless."

Writing with warmth and compassion Corinne Smith and Lisa Strick explain the causes, identification, and treatment of learning disabilities and present a wealth of practical strategies for helping youngsters become successful both in and out of the classroom:

* Recognizing a learning problem that won't be "outgrown"
* Designing an effective educational program that targets a student's strengths (not one that focuses only on weaknesses)
* Negotiating effectively for what your child needs at school
* Avoiding dead-end practices that rob students of motivation and self-esteem
* Managing problem behaviors at home
* Planning ahead for college and career

Enriched throughout with personal stories, case histories, and tips from parents who have "been there," Learning Disabilities: A to Z is an easy-to-use, up-to-the-minute resource for parents and professionals who work with children and adolescents.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This essential guide for parents of children with learning disabilities includes special techniques for detecting disabilities at an early stage, finding causes of learning disabilities, and developing effective educational programs for children with special needs. Smith, director of Syracuse University's Psychoeducational Teaching Laboratory, and Strick, a freelance writer, focus on honing the child's strength rather than dwelling on weaknesses. They offer useful strategies for working with children and provide resources to meet teachers' and parents' needs. Perhaps most important, they present several actual case studies and share valuable insights regarding these children and their parents. Recommended for parents, educators, special education teachers, and clinicians.?Samuel T. Huang, Northern Illinois Univ. Libs., DeKalb
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Learning disabilities are neurological malfunctions that limit the brain's ability to understand, remember, or communicate information. Occurring in five percent of the population, they are numerous, complex, and complicated in their impact by related social, behavioral, and environmental problems. Smith and Strick describe clearly, concisely, and in detail what learning disabilities are, what causes them, their warning signs, their assessment, appropriate educational programs for them, and their possessors' social and emotional well-being. Illustrations, checklists, case material, and resource lists supplement their unusually thorough, logically organized handbook for parents, which is also substantive enough to usefully guide health professionals, teachers, and child-care workers. Furthermore, the personal accounts, which make real the devastating effects that undiagnosed and untreated learning disabilities can have on self-esteem, friendships, and family life, are most affecting. Kathryn Carpenter --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Free Press; 1 edition (May 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684844680
• ISBN-13: 978-0684844688
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #958,207 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely helpful to any parent of an LD child., October 28, 1999

By 

B Ray (Woodbury, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning Disabilities A to Z (Hardcover)

I recommended this book to the LD Specialist at my childs school who couldn't thank me enough for finding this book so she has a sound resource to suggest to parents of LD children. This book not only helps you learn to identify your childs learning disabilities or learning difficulties, but also to understand them. Also, it provides the information you need to talk with the school knowledgeably about testing and LD services. It helps you understand what your part of this process should be and tells you what you need to know to successfully participate in the process. It gives you strategies your child can use in everyday life situations that will help him/her learn. And it helps you with information about the social and emotional needs of your growing child. I no longer feel helpless in dealing with this issue. This book has given me the knowledge, but also very importantly, concrete ways to help my child be as successful as can be.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST HAVE for the parents of LD child!, April 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Learning Disabilities: A to Z: A Parent's Complete Guide to Learning Disabilities from Preschool to Adulthood (Paperback)

I borrowed this book from the library and then I'm here now to buy it for my own. This book goes through each type of disability, how they are identified and will guide you through the maze of school testing, IEP's, and how to be your child's advocate to make sure they are getting everything they should be getting from their education! Great detail on emotional growth, planning for the future and assessment measures!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING!, June 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Learning Disabilities A to Z (Hardcover)

I am a Learning Disabilities teacher and purchased this book to read myself. I found it so helpful that I regularly loan it to my students' parents. It is especially informative for parents whose children have just recently been diagnosed with L.D. and are wondering what it's all about. Many of my parents have purchased the book even after reading it, and I intend to purchase another copy because it's never on my shelf for me to refer to! I highly recommend it for anyone who is involved in any way with someone with L.D.