The Secret Life of the Dyslexic Child: How She thinks. How He Feels. How They Can Succeed. [Paperback]

Robert Frank (Author), Kathryn E. Livingston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 26, 2004 | ISBN-10: 1579549853 | ISBN-13: 978-1579549855

A paperback edition of the widely praised book that gives parents for the first time ever a true understanding of what their child with a learning disorder is thinking and feeling.

Winner of the 2002 Margot Marek Annual Book Award for the most outstanding book written for parents or children on the subject of dyslexia or related learning disabilities. (International Dyslexia Association- New York branch)

Dr. Robert Frank, whose own dyslexia didnít stop him from becoming an educator, psychologist, and award-winning author, takes the reader inside the emotions and frustrations of the dyslexic child to help parents coach their child to:
- Improve academic achievement
- Get support from friends and family
- Establish solid work and study habits
- Focus on abilities and strengths
- Set and meet personal goals

Above all, Dr. Frank tells parents the simple steps they can take to help their child build self-esteem and confidence and create a life of success.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Frank, an educational psychologist who is himself dyslexic, has written an excellent guide, with the assistance of freelance writer Livingston, that will be of great help to parents of dyslexic children. MRI technology has revealed that this neurological disorder affects a part of the brain "that links the visual cortex and visual association area to the language areas." The authors explain that although dyslexics manifest their disability differently, depending on the severity of the condition, most dyslexic children have trouble with reading, writing, spelling and math in addition to understanding directions. Frank's own experience (he was not diagnosed until he was a graduate student) demonstrates that despite the lack of professional attention to his condition, the parental love and support he received encouraged him to transcend his problems with processing language. He provides here a number of strategies, such as language exercises for non-dyslexics, that will help parents to understand and identify with how their child sees the world. Building self-esteem is the key to helping a dyslexic child overcome overwhelming feelings of anxiety and frustration that may occur when he or she struggles with schoolwork. According to Frank, positive feedback from family and friends is crucial to building self-esteem in a dyslexic child. Included in this very helpful, accessibly written guide are many practical suggestions for working with your child's teacher to create a positive goal-oriented learning environment both at school and at home.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"A clear, comprehensive guide that will help parents handle not only the practical challenges of raising a child with dyslexia, but also the complex emotions that can often stand in the way of successful learning." --Sally Lee, editor-in-chief, Parents magazine

"An invaluable, compassionate, yet realistic guidebook to the foreign land that is dyslexia. . . After reading this book, you feel ready to let go of stereotypes and embrace solutions." --Kyle D. Pruett, M.D., clinical professor at Yale Child Study Center and Medical School

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books (July 26, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579549853
• ISBN-13: 978-1579549855
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A straightforward book that looks at the whole person, October 16, 2002

By 

M. Lane (Ormond Beach, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Secret Life of the Dyslexic Child (Hardcover)

There is a lot of writing about dyslexia and much of it is bad. It is a topic that lends itself to edu-speak, psycho-babble and not a little outright crankery. That is why something as clearly written as this book is so very welcome.

Unlike the vast majority of writers who take on this topic, Robert Frank does not focus narrowly on reading, comprehension and testing; he looks at the whole person. A dyslexic himself, Frank describes how dyslexics find alternative ways to navigate basic day-to-day tasks and the ways the disability might affect a child's outlook, self-image and character. This goes well beyond merely reading and grades.

Make no mistake, this is a modest book that makes a few basic points, but as someone who is dyslexic, I found that this is one of the very few books on the subject that really spoke to me. I would particularly recommend it to parents who must figure what their children are going through.

I hope this will fall into the hands of the many teachers who think these kids are just not trying. (And I really hope it gets looked at some of the many advocates of one-size-fits-all high-stakes testing in Florida and other states, but that probably is hoping for too much.)

A valuable book with many concrete, day-to-day examples and practical suggestions.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Secret Life of the Dyslexic Child, September 30, 2004

By 

Kimberly (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secret Life of the Dyslexic Child: How She thinks. How He Feels. How They Can Succeed. (Paperback)

This is without question the best book I have ever read regarding dyslexia. I have been researching and reading on the topic for 8 years and not one book has brought me to my knees like this one did.

Robert Frank writes from his heart. He opens the window into the lives of persons who struggle with dyslexia in a very personal, yet professional manner.

My 12 year old daughter is dyslexic. She attended public school through 5th grade - I took her out of school at the beginning of 6th and she is now homeschooled and thriving! What was incredibly sad was that she had been placed in a "special education" classroom with children who were cognitively challenged. There is such incredible misunderstanding of the dyslexic child.

This book offered me a true look into her "secret world" as well as tools to help. I have read various parts of the book to her and she responded with tremendous relief...someone put into words exactly how she "thinks".

This book is a gift to all parents and educators. It's also a gift to the children and adults who struggle with dyslexia.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a book that makes sense!, August 16, 2004

By 

Linda Jones (Knoxville, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secret Life of the Dyslexic Child: How She thinks. How He Feels. How They Can Succeed. (Paperback)

As the parent of a dyslexic daughter who is now rearing her own dyslexic daughter, I found this book informative and energizing. It helped me remember what "worked" when my daughter was young--and what was very painful and frustrating for her. I am also a school psychologist and school counselor trainer. With the recent research regarding learning disabilities and a book like this to bring that research to parents and teachers, I hold great hope for encouragement and success for those who struggle daily with learning to read and write.