Rating: 
Summary: Excellent presentation of learning disabilities in children
Review: What do you do when your child's teacher suggests that your child needs to be evaluated by a Speech Pathologist? Perhaps it doesn't surprise you. After all, you have noticed that Johnny avoids writing assignments, or Suzy just doesn't seem to hear you when give her directions. But - what if you're shocked? I mean really taken aback that this could be your child. The one that is so bright, that talked early and was always such a good communicator. What then?
Well, after spending 3 months struggling with abstract concepts and blaming myself, the schools, the daycare provider and anyone else I could think of, I finally plopped down in a local bookstore and went to work. After pouring over many books for over an hour, I settled on "Childhood Speech, Language, and Listening Problems : What Every Parent Should Know". I spent the next 5 nights staying up past midnight reading the book and comming to terms with my child's disability. Thanks to Ms. Hamaguchi I now have a clear understanding of what my childs needs are, both at home and at school. Ms. Hamaguchi explains, in simple terms, the way we speak and the way we listen. She then discusses what to look for, when to have your child evaluated and who is appropriate to perform the evaluation. Finally, she explains what kinds of testing are done and what the results mean. She clearly defines each type of learning disability and discusses the possible causes and characteristics of children with the problem. She also talks about how the child is affected, the recommended therapy and what parents can do to help. In addition,case studies are included to further illustrate each condition. Upon completion of this book, I had a very clear picture of what was going on and what path I needed to take.
I have presented the book to the teachers, therapists and school administrators. They have found it insightful and very useful. It has helped us start re-structuring my son's learning environment so that he is beginning to perform closer to his true intellectual abilities. It has also made me more effective with the therapy and school work that we do at home each night. Now I feel confident that I can give my son the tools he needs to be all that he can be. I highly recommend it to anyone struggling with this abstract world that is so important to the success of their child.
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