Nonverbal Learning Disabilities at Home: A Parent's Guide 
asked by bethness on November 11, 2006 10:19 AM
Do you know a child who is bright, charming and articulate, but has no friends? A child who showed early signs of intelligence, but is now floundering, academically and emotionally? Children with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities (NLD) are an enigma. They're children with extraordinary gifts and heartbreaking challenges that go far beyond the classroom. Nonverbal Learning Disabilities at Home explores the variety of daily life problems children with NLD may face, and provides practical strategies for parents to help them cope and grow, from preschool age through their challenging adolescent years. The author, herself the parent of a child with NLD, provides solutions to the everyday challenges of the disorder, from early warning signs and self-care issues to social skills and personal safety. User-friendly and highly practical, this book is an essential guide for parents in understanding and living with NLD, and professionals working with these very special children.
Reviews
0%
0%
I must say that my feelings about this book are mixed. I agree that it has some incredibly helpful practical advice. However, this book has such a pessimistic view of NLD children. The social skills section was great in terms of the advice, but it seems to imply that there is no chance that A NLD child will escape her school years without being a loner, a victim, and an unhappy child.
As a background, my 6 1/2 year old daughter has been receiving intervention since she was 3 1/2 (OT, speech, etc.). She doesn't have an official diagnosis of NLD, however, she has most of the characteristics. Her IQ testing revealed a 25 point difference between her verbal and non-verbal skills. The psychologist wasn't ready to give her a NLD diagnosis because her non-verbal test results were still in the high average range (but significantly lower than her verbal skills which are in the very superior range).
I am sure that she uses her high verbal skills to compensate for her difficulty with non-verbal skills.
However, I still find that the early intervention has made a tremendous difference in her life. Yes, I did worry about her social skills alot when she was younger. But, now in the middle of first grade, she is well liked by her peers and has several best friends with whom she is able to play easily and happily for long stretches without any intervention.
We feel that it has helped tremendously to do alot of one on one playdates. And, the OT and speech that she has received for the past three years has improved her body awareness, fine motor skills, and pragmatic speech skills.
Is she perfect, no! We still struggle with her self-help and organizational skills, and she still misses some non-verbal cues in social situations. But, we feel that her outlook is MUCH more positive than presented in the book.
While it is obviously geared towards children with severe NLD symptoms, I still feel that it could have used a more positive and sensitive approach. If I had read this book several years ago - when she was struggling more - I would have been devastated - as it implies that there is little room for growth.
And, three years later, our child is a happy, loving (okay disorganized!!) child. We don't doubt that there will always be new hurdles to mount, but we are confident that she will surmount any obstacles in her path.
Good luck!
As a background, my 6 1/2 year old daughter has been receiving intervention since she was 3 1/2 (OT, speech, etc.). She doesn't have an official diagnosis of NLD, however, she has most of the characteristics. Her IQ testing revealed a 25 point difference between her verbal and non-verbal skills. The psychologist wasn't ready to give her a NLD diagnosis because her non-verbal test results were still in the high average range (but significantly lower than her verbal skills which are in the very superior range).
I am sure that she uses her high verbal skills to compensate for her difficulty with non-verbal skills.
However, I still find that the early intervention has made a tremendous difference in her life. Yes, I did worry about her social skills alot when she was younger. But, now in the middle of first grade, she is well liked by her peers and has several best friends with whom she is able to play easily and happily for long stretches without any intervention.
We feel that it has helped tremendously to do alot of one on one playdates. And, the OT and speech that she has received for the past three years has improved her body awareness, fine motor skills, and pragmatic speech skills.
Is she perfect, no! We still struggle with her self-help and organizational skills, and she still misses some non-verbal cues in social situations. But, we feel that her outlook is MUCH more positive than presented in the book.
While it is obviously geared towards children with severe NLD symptoms, I still feel that it could have used a more positive and sensitive approach. If I had read this book several years ago - when she was struggling more - I would have been devastated - as it implies that there is little room for growth.
And, three years later, our child is a happy, loving (okay disorganized!!) child. We don't doubt that there will always be new hurdles to mount, but we are confident that she will surmount any obstacles in her path.
Good luck!
reviewed by rob33 on November 26, 2006 9:35 AM
0%
0%
First, you don't need your highlighter for this book! At the end of each chapter, the author does it for you. I found this book informative and helpful.
My favorite chapter was Chapter 7: Managing the Environment, it gives an overview of how hard and confusing life can be for a child with NLD. Great to read again & again if you find you are losing patience with your NLD child. I also often copy the first 6 pages of this chapter and give it to those that work with my child; in the hopes they will have the necessary empathy in working with my child.
My favorite chapter was Chapter 7: Managing the Environment, it gives an overview of how hard and confusing life can be for a child with NLD. Great to read again & again if you find you are losing patience with your NLD child. I also often copy the first 6 pages of this chapter and give it to those that work with my child; in the hopes they will have the necessary empathy in working with my child.
reviewed by iread on November 29, 2006 6:40 AM
0%
0%
I found this book dissappointing. It gives readers misinformation that can make symptoms of NLD worse, not better. For example, the author encourages the readers to allow video/computer play stating it "builds eye-hand coordination". Not only will this NOT develop eye-hand (that comes from anticipating a three dimensional object coming to you in space and manipulating the hands to accurately receive it" but fixation on computers often leads away from motor development and soical interaction. We don't need more misinformatoin about NLD.
reviewed by corral on November 29, 2006 6:39 PM
0%
0%
Pam Tanguay writes from considerable experience: she is one of the founders of NLD on the Web, an award winning website which disseminates information about NLD. For the parent wondering if NLD is a framework that fits her or his child, as well as for the parent who wants concrete suggestions about how to support a child with NLD at home, this book is a wellspring of information. The book is formatted to be a companion of sorts; well designed to make it handy for consultation over the years as various issues and challenges are tackled. As well, there is a comprehensive annotated bibliography and a list of organizations and internet resources. As an educator of children and teachers, as well as a parent of a child with NLD, I recommend this book as a 'must read' for both parents and educators.
reviewed by formula on November 29, 2006 6:48 PM