REVIEWS

When confronted with a learning disability in one's child--or even the possibility of one--parents are faced with a new full-time job: sorting through piles of information about symptoms, treatments, and opinions. Likewise, teachers, administrators, and advocates are often confronted with conflicting theories, new approaches, and reams of paper work pertaining to a single child's disability. Understanding Learning Disabilities: A Parent Guide and Workbook provides a framework not only for understanding learning disabilities, but also for managing all the details that come along with it. Originally compiled by the Learning Disabilities Council in Richmond, Virginia, in 1989, the 2002 edition is the book's third, and has been revised and expanded to include more up-to-date information. It promises to be a more user-friendly guide for parents, educators, and adults with learning disabilities alike.

Among the initial benefits of the guide is a "How to Use This Book" page which gives detailed instructions on how the book is structured, and how readers can find the specific information they need. This is an especially helpful tool for learning-disabled readers, who can benefit from the easy-to-access format. The book makes use of graphic organizers, such as flowcharts and grids, and Q&A pages to help readers keep information organized. This substantial volume can either be approached chapter-by-chapter as a comprehensive resource on learning disabilities, or as an in-depth resource on specific issues. Further suggestions are offered to readers who are new to the subject of learning disabilities, or who have learning disabilities themselves. The detailed formatting information and reading instructions encourage the book's use as a continuing resource.

The first chapter provides an overview of learning disabilities, including both what they are and what they are not. The chapter also distinguishes between learning disabilities and attentional disorders, defining and giving examples of both for the reader. The authors stress that while learning disabilities and attentional disorders may coexist in the same person, they are not the same thing. The chapter provides comprehensive information on how disabilities may manifest themselves, and on how they may affect those who have them.

Chapters 2 and 3 focus specifically on parents; they offer advice on coping, advocating, communicating and helping children at home. Chapter 2 ends with a "Bill of Rights for Parents of Children with LD," which has helpful reminders for maintaining sanity during a complex and often frustrating process. Suggestions like "Tell people about your child's progress and achievements with a real sense of pride" remind readers that learning disabilities do not mean a lack of abilities or opportunities for achievement. Parents can take advantage of workbook pages to maintain schedules, handle frustration, and accentuate the positive.

The 4th chapter is the book's most detailed, offering ample resources for managing learning disabilities at school. This chapter provides valuable information not only for parents, but also for tutors, therapists, or advocates who do not have background in public education, but who need to develop a more intimate understanding of the workings of school systems, Individual Education Plans (IEPs), and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The guide clearly lays out the roles and responsibilities of both public and private schools according to the provisions of the law, and gives parents detailed directions for solving problems, maintaining records in a filing system, and pursuing appropriate services.

Chapters 5 and 6 address concerns specific to young adults with learning disabilities. Adults who need to know their options, whether in college, in the workplace, or in social situations, would find valuable considerations in this guide. The potential adult audience for this guide ranges from adults who may suspect a learning disability (Chapter 6's "Could I Have a Learning Disability?" worksheet) to adults who know they have learning disabilities, and are facing significant decisions such as finding appropriate training, considering new job responsibilities, and whether to disclose one's disability.

Subsequent chapters deal with the issues of assistive technology, accommodations, and the conundrum of being gifted with learning disabilities. The guide doesn't stop there, however. While its 8 chapters alone provide a plethora of easily accessed resources and information for a varied audience, the 50 pages at the end of the book offer even more information. Eight appendices include resources from the lists of state agencies to GED testing information and tips for workplace success. Additional reading suggestions and a glossary of terms promise a nearly endless supply of further resources. The Learning Disabilities Council even invites readers to submit a form to suggest changes and additions for future editions of the book.

For all its pages of definitions, technical information, references and resources, the book does not lose a personalized perspective. Nestled in the further resources in the back are 15 pages of personal stories about children and adults with learning disabilities. Some are first-person memoirs; others are written about a student, a sister, a son, or even about famous financial whiz Charles Schwab, whose Schwab Learning provides financial support to IDA. The profiles together testify to the wide variances in the severity and manifestations of learning disabilities. They confirm some of the struggles faced, but also offer hope for success. The stories can serve to help readers understand learning disabilities better, to foster discussions about issues faced by those with learning disabilities, and to generate hope for those just starting their journey.

Whether searching for a comprehensive understanding of learning disabilities, for solid information on a single aspect of disabilities, or for guidance in managing the often overwhelming task of dealing with a learning disability, Understanding Learning Disabilities can address the need.

Gina Cooke
Toward a Common Goal, newsletter of the Illinois Branch of the IDA. Fall 2002.

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A third, revised and expanded edition of Understanding Learning Disabilities: A Parent Guide and Workbook. Has been released by the Learning Disabilities Council, Richmond, VA.

The easy-to-follow guide and workbook, to which NCLD was an original funder and contributor, covers issues ranging from early identification to graduation and beyond. It includes useful templates for weekly schedules, daily homework sheets, telephone/meeting logs, as well as sections on areas such as Individualized Education Programs, college enrollment, and planning for the future.

For more information on Understanding Learning Disabilities, published by York Press, log onto: yorkpress.com/titles/understand_ld.htm

National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc.
Our World, Fall 2002

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This volume is a third edition, revised and expanded. First published in 1989, it was produced by the LDC of Richmond, Virginia. It was originally developed for parents and others dealing with those having learning disabilities. With its revisions, the book has been made applicable to those living across the country.

The purpose of the book, when used as suggested, "will serve as a source of information, and a 'how-to' guidebook, a workbook, a reference, and a guide to a filing system."

This is really a workbook. It has short sections and then it provides workbook pages for the reader to write out the application to one's own (or one's child's) needs. The sections are short, well written, and printed in a good format.

Learning Disabilities are described. Chapters on how to cope as a parent and how to help a child at home are included. The longest chapter is about students with learning disabilities at school. This chapter includes information about students enrolled in public schools and in private schools.

There are chapters on young adults and adults. Assistive technology is described and there is a brief chapter about those who are gifted and have learning disabilities. The appendices are detailed and list many resources, organizations, and publications that can help. Finally, some personal stories are included that show the diversity of people with learning disabilites.

This book will be invaluable to parents who are new to the field of learning disabilities with a just-diagnosed child, those who suspect their child may have a learning disability, and to adults who suspect they may have a learning disability. The book requires action on the part of the reader. It is not meant to be read in a passive way. For real assistance and for understanding what needs to be done to receive help, this book will facilitate assessing resources to help a child or oneself with a learning disability.

International Dyslexia Association

Perspectives, Fall 2002

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Practical information for parents of children with learning disabilities (LD) is presented in a workbook format. Guidelines for effective parenting of LD children are interspersed between checklists and other forms for record keeping, obervations, and planning. Chapter 1 describes characteristics of learning disabilities. In addition, the relationship of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder to learning disabilities is discussed. Chapter 2 is devoted to coping techniques for parents. It discusses causes of learning disabilities, moral human reactions to it, and ways that parents can help.

The following chapter deals with issues of self-esteem, extracurricular activities, family involvement, discipline, and inter-personal relationships at home. Chapter 4 is the most extensive in the book and covers the identification and placement process at school, the differences in the process for a private school student, parents' roles and responsibilities in dealing with a school system, and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Chapter 5 addresses self-advocacy for the young adult, transition planning, federal legislation, college, vocational education and jobs, social skills, and success.

Chapter 6 discusses adults with learning disabilities, and Chapter 7 explains assistive technology options. The final chapter describes the needs of gifted students with learning disabilities. Appendices discuss discipline, contain resource lists, and provide tips for workplace success. Personal stories of individuals with learning disabilities are also included.

Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC)

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Understanding Learning Disabilities: A Parent Guide and Workbook by The Learning Disabilities Council.

The reader will find this a concise and easy to understand resource about learning disabilities. The eight chapters and worksheets may be read through consecutively or chapter by chapter as needed. It addresses learning disabilities at home and at school and at varous ages 3/4 children, young adults, and adults. It even considers the student that is learning disabled and gifted. I especially liked the, "13 Parent Rules for Responding to Angry Children." The second portion of the book is the Appendices, where the reader finds a wealth of additional information, resources and personal stories.

Support for Families of Children with Disabilities. Winter 2002. News and reviews from the Joan Cassel Memorial Library at Open Gate. San Francisco, CA