HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

This book is expressly intended for parents of children and adolescents who may have or who are already identified as having a learning disability (LD). There is also guidance for adults who have been dealing with LD all their lives, and for adults who have just become aware that learning disabilities may be at the root of the difficulties they've faced.

Another audience is made up of teachers and other professionals who have come into contact with individuals with learning disabilities. Many have told us during the years since the book was first published in 1989 that they, too, have found it an excellent resource.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK

Since no one book can hope to answer all questions, this guide has been designed to be a working tool, comprehensive in its own right, but one that can also grow as parents and others gather information. When used as suggested, the book will serve as a...

• source of information
• "how to" guidebook
• workbook
• reference
• guide to a filing system

READING THE BOOK

For all parents, we recommend briefly skimming the Table of Contents and then flipping through the book to obtain a quick overview of the eight chapters.

If you're new to the subject of learning disabilities, you may decide to then turn back to the first chapter and work through the book, chapter by chapter. However, if your've had some experience in dealing with the subject, you may instead want to skim chapters, reading in depth those of particular importance to you at this time.

Adults with LD will probably want to turn first to Chapter 6. But they will probably also find the background material in Chapters 1, 5, 7, and 8 of special interest.

Workbook pages, at the end of certain chapters, are differentiated by a triangle at the upper right-hand corner. These are designed to be completed after reading the accompanying chapter.