Succeeding with LD: 20 True Stories About Real People with LD

1. Succeeding with LD: 20 True Stories About Real People with LD Lauren, J. & Verdick, E. (1997). Succeeding with ld: 20 true stories about real people with ld. Minneapolis, MN: VanderWyk & Burnham. Book Review and Presentation Holli Brown SPED 561 Fall 06

2. Summary and Overview: • This group of short stories describes the hardships and successes of people with learning disabilities. • Each short story talks about a person’s specific disability and how the disability was diagnosed. • The people in the stories come from diverse ethnic backgrounds, genders, and age; from 10 to 62.

3. Reaction and Reflection: • Being a special area teacher, I have taught hundreds of children with different types of abilities and disabilities. When looking back on the students I have had with disabilities, they often lack the self-confidence to discover the strengthens they possess. I thought that this book was exceptional since it actually stressed the importance of being able to work with the talents that you do have.

4. Reaction and Reflection: • Unfortunately, for an educator, it is sometimes too easy to find a student’s faults and weaknesses. The mastery of teaching is to help a child discover their strengths and what they shine in (Dix, 2003). It takes persistence and determination to work with a student and to help him or her identify these skills. This collection of short stories supports the concept of working with your abilities and has, in turn, created a source of encouragement for children, parents and teachers.

5. Reaction and Reflection: • This book will help me in numerous ways when working with students with learning disabilities. The following information was taken from the book and will be applied to my classes: • Facts about Learning Disabilities • Dyslexia is the most common form of LD. It affects 75-85% of the individuals with a learning disability. • The minds of students with LD work differently, it helps when they are taught differently. Most children with LD learn best when information is presented so they can hear, see, and even touch it. • LD lasts for a lifetime but with help, students can learn to build on their strengths to make up for their weaknesses.

6. How to apply information from this text… • Ways to Help a Child Achieve with a Learning Disability… • Find and use all available resources. • Find out and apply strategies that work best for the student. • In order to help a child to the full extent, be honest with them about their LD. • When you know a child’s true potential, do not let them use their learning disability as an excuse.

7. More Ways to Help a Child Achieve with a Learning Disability… • Be aware of the student’s rights. Speak up if the child is not getting the education he or she deserves. • To help uncover a student’s strengths, find an interest, hobby, or activity they enjoy. • Give encouragement when a child with LD faces obstacles or difficulties. • Learn as much as you can about LD. • Make sure the child knows you believe in them.

8. More resources… • Lauren and Verdick’s book also contains a section with sources. These resources include books, recordings, and videos about learning disabilities for children. • Books, organizations, and websites, are also provided just for parents and teachers.

9. References • Lauren, J. & Verdick, E. (1997). Succeeding with ld: 20 true stories about real people with ld. Minneapolis, MN: VanderWyk & Burnham. • Dix, A. (2003). Mastery. HCI Education Column, March/April53-58.