The Misunderstood Child: Understanding and Coping with Your Child's Learning Disabilities

I bought this book out of total desperation, and I laughed and cried my entire way through it. Dr. Silver explains what we have been living, and it is understandable, readable, and right on the money. There is no hocus-pocus, junk, or controversial ideas in this book, it is the right stuff to get you help for your child. If you can't get Dr. Silver in person, then this book is a good substitute. Through this book, I also discovered that I have had ADHD all of my life, and it was never diagnosed. It was like a lightbulb went on. When you finish this book, there will be no question if ADHD is the problem. Through this book, I am now working on getting help for my son and for myself. Thank You, Dr. Silver!

Throughout his book, Dr. Silver repeatedly challenges us to be "informed consumers" and an "assertive advocate" for our child. In the Preface, he sums up the entire focus of this book: "You, as parents, play a crucial role in helping your child or adolescent deal with these disabilities. You must be an informed consumer, knowing all that is known about these problems. You must be an assertive advocate, constantly trying to find the programs your child needs in school, at home, or out of school. This book will help you become both." For me, as the parent of one child with ADHD, and another with an unidentified learning disorder, that has definitely been the case.While his book covers many different types of learning disorders, Dr. Silver devotes many sections to ADHD, which was why I was originally so interested in reading it. Also, considering that many children with ADHD have additional learning disorders, the detailed descriptions of the various disorders are helpful and enlightening. It also helps you realize how difficult it can be for a child who cannot learn and experience things in the manner most often used in our classrooms.This book outlines your role as a parent to be your child's advocate. Dr. Silver stresses that you must actively work with the schools while you INSIST on these rights. He includes an entire chapter that covers your child's legal rights. He walks you through the process of requesting an evaluation, through all the items that should be included in an IEP. In Chapter 11, he provides insight into what those cryptic numbers mean that you will see in the reports and evaluations that are done on your child. He provides detailed information so that you can question the conclusions reached, when you don't agree. Dr. Silver has also included Behavioral Management programs with examples of how to use it in your daily life as part of the ADHD treatment plan. As many of us already recognize, medication is certainly not enough.But as much time as he spends presenting the problems and challenges of learning disorders, the tone of his book is expressed here: "You must learn as much as you can about the whole pattern that your child displays - the disabilities, of course, but also the abilities. What your child can do well, is just as important as what she or he cannot do because it is these strengths upon which you must build."

Dr. Silvers book is a wonderful source of information to those who may be starting out or to those who have had so many different opinions that they don't know where to start. It is very easy to understand and goes through all of the information that a parent would need from how to be an effective advocate for your child to how to being to find the proper help. It also helps to put into words things that a parent can't always describe. I also gives many good ideas on how to help the siblings of a behavior disturbed child how to deal with the extra attention parents must give them. I found it an excellent help with my 4 yo and allowed me to go to her Doctors with an accurate discription of her aliments.

Dr. Silver's book provides easily understood explanations of learning disabilities, attention disorders, and related emotional/psychological problems. This is a good book to get when you are just beginning to learn or suspect that your child is having problems at school because it gives a good overview of various disabilities, explains the special ed process, and encourages parents to become their child's most effective advocate. I particularly appreciate Dr. Silver's empathy and respect for our kids -- he reminds parents how hard the kids with differences have to work and how much they want to get things right. All in all, when I finished this book I had enough information to start asking questions at school and lots of hope and determination that my child would get the necessary help.

As the parent of two bright children, who could never quite pass in school, I found this book to be enlightening and have given many copies to other parents and school teachers. It is full of useful information on various forms of verbal and non-verbal disabilities, as well as testing, school procedures, legalities and useful tips!