Love, Jean: Inspiration for Families Living with Dysfunction of Sensory Integration

Rating:
Summary: Sensitive and Helpful for Family of LD Child
Review: Love, Jean is co-authored by an interesting trio. Dr. Jean Ayres, a renowned Occupational Therapist who pioneered treatment of sensory integration disorder; her nephew and patient Philip R. Erwin. Zoe Mailloux, Director of Administration at the Pediatric Therapy Network in Torrance, CA. provides pertinent commentary in each chapter for parents of children who have learning differences, giving excellent information about what to watch for, how to cope, and how to help the child around the obstacles the learning disorder creates. But the unique and endearing quality of the book is that it is composed of selected letters between loving Aunt Jean and her nephew in New York. Young Phil's letters express, sometimes painfully, the injustices and emotional trauma he experiences from fifth grade on, as he struggles with his inability to do math, physical education, and his feeling of frustration and social isolation. His Aunt Jean's perceptive and compassionate letters encourage and inspire Phillip as he experiences these traumas of growing up with a learning disability. She offers professional advice as to what to do to help his brain learn to re-wire itself so that he can function successfully in the world. These letters began several decades ago when Aunt Jean was a pioneer in this field of psychology and learning as she encouraged Phil. The triumph of his life story, through its poignant struggles, is a great victory, proving Phil's determination, his parents' support, and Jean's therapy successful beyond imagination. Ultimately thousands of children have reaped the benefit and thousands of parents are given hope and directions of how to help their children. This is a must read for anyone who suspects a child has a learning disability.