The Secret Life of the Dyslexic Child [Hardcover]

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

Book Description

Publication Date: October 11, 2002

For the first time ever-- a look inside your child's secret world

Dr. Robert Frank, whose own dyslexia didn't stop him from becoming an educator, psychologist, and author, takes you inside the emotions and frustrations of children with learning disorders.

In Part One, you'll discover what your child never told you about:
* How your child's mind works
* What your child is feeling
* The separate worlds of "Us" and "Them"

In Part Two, you'll walk in your child's shoes to see for yourself:
* What it's like to think like a dyslexic
* What it feels like to be different
* The emotions that can disrupt your child's progress
* How to bridge the gap between your child and others

In Part Three, you'll get a clear picture of:
* The diagnosis of learning disorders
* How your reaction affects your child

In Part Four, you'll receive expert advice to:
* Establish goals for your child
* Create a game plan for success
* Work better with teachers
* Boost self-esteem
* Find success at school, at home, in life

Your child isn't dumb. Your child isn't lazy. Your child is dyslexic...and needs your help.

Your child may need help reading and writing, but more than that, he needs you to understand him. Now you can, as you go inside the emotional life of children with learning differences.

In The Secret Life of the Dyslexic Child, you'll finally discover what your child goes through every day. You will come to understand his struggles with things you take for granted, such as reading, writing, memory, and following directions. What's more, you will learn, step by step, the best ways to help him reach his true potential.

For the first time, you'll truly understand:
* The frustration of studying hard but getting poor grades
* The aggravation of taking forever to complete tasks that others finish quickly
* The fear of public embarrassment

Above all, you'll learn the simple steps you can take to help your child:
* Build self-esteem
* Create a life of success
* Be happy and confident

Your child's bright future starts with understanding his secret life!

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.

Review

"Dr. Robert Frank has written 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. It's essential reading for parents who want to gain insights into how their dyslexic child sees the world-- and also how he feels-- so that they can ensure the best support for him at home, school, and beyond."--Sally Lee, editor in chief of Parents magazine

"Robert Frank has written an invaluable, compassionate, yet realistic guidebook to the foreign land that is dyslexia. Like a world-class guide, he efficiently translates its native tongue, takes us to all the best vistas, and leaves the reader with a sense of comprehension of, and new orientation to, this frequently misunderstood challenge to children and their families. After reading this book, you feel ready to let go of stereotypes and embrace solutions."--Kyle D. Pruett, M.D., clinical professor of psychiatry at Yale Child Study Center and Medical School; past president of Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Their Families; and author of Fatherneed: Why Father Care Is As Essential As Mother Care for Your Child

"The author of this easy-to-read volume welcomes the reader into his world of dyslexia. Through personal reflection and by sharing anecdotes, he records both the struggles and triumphs of individuals with language-based learning disabilities in school, at home, and in the workplace, and offers resources and helpful suggestions to enable those who struggle to realize hope and success in every aspect of their lives. A fine addition to one's personal or professional library."--Sheldon H. Horowitz, Ed.D., director of professional services at the National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books; First edition. edition (October 11, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579545785
• ISBN-13: 978-1579545789
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #235,555 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 56 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.

32 of 33 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.

13 of 13 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.