DEDICATION

FOREWORD

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

The Purpose of This Book
Reading the Book
Your Suggestions

CHAPTERS

1 LEARNING DISABILITIES: THE HIDDEN DISABILITY
Who Has Learning Disabilities?
What Learning Disabilities Are
What Learning Disabilities Are Not
The Hidden Disability
Characteristics of LD
What are Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
Diagnosis of ADD and ADHD
What Causes ADD or ADHD?
Management of ADD and ADHD
What About Special Education?
Do You Outgrow ADD and ADHD?
Summary
Examples of Characteristics of Learning Disabilities
Workbook: Parent Observation Sheet

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2 COPING AS A PARENT
Causes of LD
Reactions of Parents
Feelings of Guilt
Others' Reactions
Importance of Having a Confidant
Parent Support Groups
Being an AdvocateFor Your Child
Being an AdvocateFor Other Individuals with LD
Structure
Communication
Taking Care of the Caretakers
Summary
Bill of Rights for Parents of Children with LD

3 HELPING YOUR CHILD AT HOME
Self-Esteem
Signs of Poor Self-esteem
Suggestions for Improving Self-esteem
Home as Haven
Extracurricular Activities
Suggested Activities
Resources
Family Involvement
Helping the Whole Family
Helping the Child With LD Learn
Tutoring and Homework
Discipline
Parent's Response to the Child
Child's Response
Handling Anger
Consistency
Punishment
Interpersonal Relationships
The Family
Other Children
Summary
Workbook: Self-Esteem
Workbook: Weekly Schedule
Workbook: Special Assignment: Homework Success
Workbook: Homework Suggestions
Workbook: Daily Homework Sheet
Workbook: Launching Better Behavior: Accentuate the Positive
Workbook: 13 Parent Rules for Responding to Angry Children

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4 THE STUDENT WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES AT SCHOOL
Part A: The PUBLIC School's Role in Referral, Evaluation, Eligiblity,
and the IEP
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Referral
After the Referral
Evaluations
Educational Evaluation
Medical Evaluation
Socio-Cultural Evaluation
Psychological Evaluation
Observation
The Eligibility Meeting
Preliminary Team
What does the IEP do?
What’s in the IEP Document?
Before the IEP Meeting
Notification of IEP Meeting
Understanding Learning Disabilities
Preparation for the Meeting
Suggestions to the Older Student
The IEP Team
The IEP Meeting
Factors to be Considered
Components of the IEP
Additional Pointers for Parents
How is Placement Decided?
What Types of Placements Are There?
Who Has Access to the IEP?
Caution: Before You Agree to the IEP
When You Don't Agree With the School District
After the IEP and Placement Have Been Agreed to, Then What?
Reviewing and Revising the IEP
Part B: The PRIVATE School's Role in Referral, Evaluation, Eligibility,
and Service Plan Development
Referral and Evaluation
Eligibility
Services
Part C: The Parent's Role in Problem-Solving and Maintaining Records
Avoiding Problems
Resolving Problems
Informal Meetings
Mediation
Maintaining a Filing System
The Importance of Records
Your First Step
Materials Needed
Use of Workbook Pages
Understanding Learning Disabilities
Part D: Another Avenue for Services: Section 504
What is Section 504?
Section 504 Definition of a Disability
A School's Obligations Under Section 504
Resolving Disagreements Related to Section 504
Chapter Summary
The Identification--Evaluation--Placement Process
Workbook: Make It Happen with Positive Parent Advocacy
Workbook: Tracking the Special Education Process
Workbook: How to Use the Form, "My Child's Test Results"
Workbook: My Child's Test Results - 1
Workbook: My Child's Test Results - 2
Workbook: IEP Planning Forms for Parents
Workbook: Telephone/Meeting Log
Workbook: Table of Contents for Documents

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5 THE YOUNG ADULT
Independence Through Self-Advocacy
With Parents' and Teachers' Help
Self-Advocacy
Transition Planning While in School
Laws Protecting Students After High School
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
College for Students with Learning Disabilities
Getting Ready For College
Standardized Admission Tests (SATs)
What Are the College Options?
What Makes A College Student Successful?
What to Look For In A College
Services That May Be Available
How Else Can Parents Help?
Vocational Education and Jobs
Vocational Assessment
Training and Employment Resources
Jobs, Paid and Volunteer
Social Aspects and Success
Social Awareness
Giftedness and Perseverance
Summary
Workbook: Checklist: Planning For the Future
Workbook: Questions to Ask Before Applying to a College

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6 ADULTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES
Characteristics of Adults with LD
The Workplace
ADA and Section 504
To Disclose or Not
“Shall I Take the Job?”
Relationships
Suggestions for Adults with LD
Suggestions for the Partner of an Adult with LD
Self-Esteem
Success
Summary
Workbook: Could I Have a Learning Disability?

7 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
What is Assistive Technology?
How Can Assistive Technology Devices Help a Child or Adult
with Learning Disabilities?
What Kinds of Technologies are Out There?
Cautions and Other Comments
Skills Needed by Students
Information Needed by Teachers
Technical Devices at College
Technical Devices on the Job
On-Line Resources for More Information
Resources for More Information
Summary

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8 GIFTED, WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES
Traits of Gifted Children with LD
Examples of LD/Giftedness
Incidence
ADD with LD/Giftedness
The School's Response to LD/Giftedness
Summary

APPENDICES
A - Definitions of Learning Disabilities
B - Explanation of Resource Pages:
B-1: NCLD's Resource List
B-2: Additional Resources
B-3: Agencies by State
C - What if Your Child Requires Disciplinary Action by the School?
D - How is an LD Classroom Different from a Regular Education Classroom?
How is Accommodation Different from Remediation?
E - Get Your Child Ready for Work
F - College, Vocational, and Transitional Resources
G - The GED Test
H - Tips for Workplace Success

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PERSONAL STORIES
The Lifelong Impact of a Label
One Man's Battle Against Dyslexia
One Person's Path to Literacy
It's Never Too Late
A Brother's Perspective
Jonathan's Story

ADDITIONAL READING
Publications of Learning Disabilities Association of America
Publications of International Dyslexia Association

GLOSSARY OF LEARNING DISABILITIES TERMS

ENDNOTES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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