Waubonsee Community College

Learning disabilities, A to Z, a complete guide to learning disabilities from preschool to adulthood, Corinne Smith and Lisa Strick

eng

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Learning disabilities, A to Z

586134395

Corinne Smith and Lisa Strick

a complete guide to learning disabilities from preschool to adulthood

Overview: The world of learning disabilities is undeniably complicated and challenging. Shining a bright light into this territory, Learning Disabilities: A to Z has long been the trusted resource for parents, helping them navigate the tough issues and arming them with the knowledge necessary to advocate for their children at school. Covering every stage of development from the first day of preschool to the first day on the job, this updated edition also addresses current topics: Important new discoveries in brain function and information processing; Education reforms made under the No Child Left Behind Act; Significant advances in educational technology, information on testing, medication, improving behavior and motivation, and more. Corinne Smith, a leading expert in the field of learning disabilities, and Lisa Strick, a writer who knows firsthand the challenges of raising a child with learning problems, have brilliantly updated their essential guide for parents and teaching professionals. Compassionate and encouraging, Learning Disabilities: A to Z will continue to be the book parents reach for again and again as their children grow

pt. I. Understanding learning disabilities. 1. What are learning disabilities? -- 2. What causes learning disabilities? : Brain injury ; Errors in brain development ; Chemical imbalances ; Heredity ; Environmental influences -- 3. Basic types of learning disabilities : Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder ; Visual-perception disabilities ; Language-processing disabilities ; Fine-motor disabilities -- pt. II. How are learning disabilities identified? 4. Warning signs at home and at school : Developmental delays ; Inconsistent performance ; Loss of interest in learning ; Unexpected under achievement ; Persistent behavioral and emotional problems ; Declining confidence and self-esteem -- 5. The learning disabilities evaluation : Become informed about federal and local regulations ; Investigate the investigators ; Ask about tests ; Find out what other kinds of information will be collected ; Prepare your child for the evaluation ; Start keeping records now ; Give yourself time to deal with evaluation results ; When in doubt, get a second opinion -- 6. Becoming an expert on your child : Are there physical or health concerns we have to address? ; What is my child's overall learning potential? ; Exactly where are the areas of disability? ; What are my child's strengths? ; What kind of academic support does my child need? ; What kind of social support does my child need? ; What kind of emotional support does my child need? -- pt. III. Appropriate education. 7. Becoming an education activist : Preparing individualized education programs ; Monitoring school progress ; Providing appropriate support at home -- 8. Developing an effective educational program : The program must teach and reinforce basic skills ; The program must enable the student to keep up with class content ; The program must help the student learn appropriate educational strategies ; The program must help the student address problem behaviors -- 9. The ABCs of success in school : Get organized ; Help children find their preferred learning styles ; Keep on top of the curriculum ; Pay attention to basic skills ; Take advantage of technology ; Avoid homework traps ; Give yourselves a break -- pt. IV. A quality life. Social and emotional growth : Learning disabilities and child development ; The preschool child ; The elementary school student ; The adolescent ; The young adult -- 11. Strategies for promoting personal success : Believe in your child ; Establish realistic expectations ; Give the child responsibility ; Improve social skills and opportunities ; Be consistent about rules and limits ; Tune in to family dynamics ; Look for outside support when you need it -- 12. Looking forward to the future : Does the student have a plan for continuing education or job specific training after high school? ; Does the young adult understand his legal rights and advocate for himself appropriately? ; Is the young adult ready to leave home? -- Appendixes : A. Common assessment measures ; B. The development of reading, writing, mathematics, and learning strategies ; C. Using assistive technology ; D. Resource list