Living with a Learning Disability

Cordoni wrote from the perspective of her job as coordinator of a support program for LD students at Southern Illinois University. The students she describes are college undergraduates. Target audience: parents and anyone who works with LD students. Dr. Cordoni addresses what she calls the "social skills" deficits of LD college students. In fact, the book deals with certain personality traits that seem to accompany LD; their effects on the LD student's social interactions with others; and what the student and his family, friends and educators can do about them. What can and should be done about undesirable behavior is emphasized throughout the book. Some behaviors (e.g.insensitivity to body language) appear to be symptoms of LD. Others (e.g. unwillingness to accept responsibility) may develop as defense mechanisms. Regardless of the causes, Cordoni believes: (1) that the student is often unaware of it; (2) that the student can be made aware of the behavior so that he can correct it; and (3) that tutors and parents have the responsibility to address and correct these problems. There is little discussion of younger students; what there is, is provided by Cordoni's observation of her own children. Reviewed by Stowe Davison