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 Parents' Favorite Books The following books have been highly recommended by numerous parents involved in our PHP-Southern California program. These titles were selected by some of our parent volunteers as being the most helpful in providing information and a better understanding about the complexitites resulting from a learning disability or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. We hope they will also provide you with comfort and understanding. Cordoni, Barbara Living with a Learning Disability, 1990. ISBN# 0-8093-1668-4 This book presents a three-dimensional view of the implications of learning disabilities on life outside of school and academics, particularly living skills and social competence. The book contains many examples, case histories, and ways to deal with the problems presented when one has a learning difference. Farnham-Diggory,Sylvia The Learning-Disabled Child,1992 ISBN# 0-674-51924-8 understand the methods of diagnostic evaluations. Examples and case histories are used throughout the book. It also provides advice to teachers/parents in search of the most effective means of helping the learning disabled child. It is somewhat technical to follow, but very informative. Hallowell, Edward M. and John Ratey Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood through Adulthood, 1994. ISBN#0-684-80128-0 This book is an introduction to the world of ADD as told through stories of children, adults, couples, and families. It emphasizes the emotional experience of ADD and provides tips on how to deal with it. Answers to Distraction,1994 ISBN#0-553-37821-X Both of the authors are doctors who specialize in the field of ADD and have ADD themselves. This book was written to provide responses to the most frequently asked questions about ADD. Levine, Mel Keeping A Head in School,1990 ISBN#0838820697 Although this book has been written for adolescents, it is also very helpful and appropriate for parents to read. It provides a nice overview of what is going on in the brain with respect to learning differences and the compensatory skills, teaching methods and other reccomendations for managing these differences. It encourages students to gain insight into their personal strengths and weaknesses so as to engender hopefulness and ambition. The author feels that the struggle to learn is worth the effort and wilol, ultimately, be rewarding to those who understand how they learn best, apply that knowledge to their academic and home environments, and who receive proper support and educational assistance to maximize their success potential. Oliver, Carolyn and Rosemary Bowler Learning to Learn ISBN#0-684-80990-7 The authors discuss the nature of learning and how we process information. They give guidelines for creating an education program tailored to an individual's needs and abilities, regardless of that student's age. These learning skills have enabled many to function effectively and independently, both academically and in the workplace. Teaching methods are based on the techniques successfully implemented at Landmark College, a school for students with learning disabilities. Pfiffner, Linda All About ADHD: The Complete Practical Guide for Classroom Teachers,1996 ISBN#0-590-25108-2 The author is a licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, Irvine. She works as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team at the University's Child Development Center School Program for ADHD Children. The book provides the art and science for effectively teaching these students. After reading this book, parents can better understand what to look for and ask for in the school setting in order to set their child up for success in the academic world. Rosner, Jerome Helping Children Overcome Learning Difficulties,1993 ISBN#0-8027-7396-6 This is a step-by-step guide and reference for parents and teachers. It explains the different performance skill level problems seen in testing and diagnosing learning disabilities. It describes what areas to test, why to test certain skills, and what to do with the test results. It also has many wonderful activities that help children to remediate or learn to compensate for their learning differences Silver, Larry The Misunderstood Child: Understanding and Coping with Your Child's Learning Disabilites,1991 ISBN#0-8129-2987-X This book provides basic information to better understand learning disabilities as well as the emotional, social and family problems that can accompany them. It discusses the evaluation process, the diagnosis and treatment of these learning differences. It includes discussions about controversial therapies, the gifted student with learning disabilities, and is particularly sensitive to the problems of the adolescent. The author, Dr. Silver, is a child psychiatrist who was learning disabled as a child. Smith, Sally No Easy Answers: The Learning Disabled Child at Home and at School,1995 ISBN#0-553-35450-7 The author has been a mother, teacher, and school administrator to students with learning disabilities. She was a Founder/Director of The Lab School in Washington, DC- a special school for those with learning difficulties. The book clearly describes what learning disabled children are like, and the author gives wonderful advice on how to live with them, support them and teach them to be successful in their own special ways. Smith, Sally Succeeding Against the Odds: How the Learning Disabled Can Realize Their Promise,1991 ISBN#0-87477-731-3 Another wonderful book that demonstrates remarkable insight into learning differences. It inspires hope and compassionate guidance to anyone who has been challenged by a learning disability and to those who work or live with them.. It provides practical strategies to help these individuals lead productive and fulfilled lives. |