The Edison Trait : Saving the Spirit of Your Free-Thinking Child in a Conforming World

Rating:
Summary: Very easy to read; eye opening; encouraging solutions.
Review: A friend told me about this book, but she said it was about "Geniuses" which she believes my son to be. I didn't read the book at first because I know my son is bright , but no genius ... I finally read it and practically cried with relief when I did . It is so well written and understanding and supportive of parents with divergent thinking children. It described my son in a way that no other book I ever read did. As I read it, almost with out being aware of it , I was learning ways to help him , and when I get tired or frustrated I read it again and it sets me on the right course with my son. The book gave me the vocabulary I needed to explain my sons behavior to his teachers and enlist their support in making school a less stressful and more comfortable enviornment.

Rating:
Summary: I was very relieved to have found this book
Review: A friend told me about this book, but she said it was about "Geniuses" which she believes my son to be. I didn't read the book at first because I know my son is bright , but no genius ... I finally read it and practically cried with relief when I did . It is so well written and understanding and supportive of parents with divergent thinking children. It described my son in a way that no other book I ever read did. As I read it, almost with out being aware of it , I was learning ways to help him , and when I get tired or frustrated I read it again and it sets me on the right course with my son. The book gave me the vocabulary I needed to explain my sons behavior to his teachers and enlist their support in making school a less stressful and more comfortable enviornment.

Rating:
Summary: Answers for parents of children labeled with ADD/ADHD
Review: As the grandparent of a child who suffered from thinking he was a freak because his elementary teacher labeled him as having ADD and demanded his parents put him on ritalin, (it wasn't the solution) I am grateful for Dr. Palladino's insightful and compassionate book on the subject. These "divurgent" thinking children should be celebrated, instead of being censured, for they may well be the hope of our messed up world. I wish I had the financial means to put this book in the hands of every educator and every pediatrician in the country. Dr. Palladino should receive the highest accolade for addressing this subject so clearly, and giving such hope and help to these amazing children. Instead of using the snap answer to just drug kids who demand more of their teachers, those who deal with these extraordinary minds should educate themselves with Palladino's book. Please Oprah, see that this book, and its soon-to-be-published renamed paperback version gets national, even international attention. It might just be the salvation of alot more than a generation or two.

Rating:
Summary: How to preserve a child's gift and improve parenting skills
Review: Because I was an Edison Trait child, I wasn't sure if I was reading the book for my son or for me! Many times I thought how much better our lives would have been if I had purchased this book earlier. Instead of struggling against the "strong will" of my son, this book provides parenting techniques, recognition skills and positive advice for Edison Trait kids and parents. Unfortunately, many school systems would rather have the child conform rather than take the time and effort necessary for Edison Trait children to learn most effectively. Indeed, the standardized "gifted" tests used in our school system are more geared to convergent thinking children, as is the program itself. The book needs to be followed up with a short assessment guide for parents and teachers. So often, the Edison Trait is confused with ADD as it was with my son. Rather than fight the perception, the assessment guide could be handed to teachers to help them understand the Edison Trait vs. ADD. Overall, the book provides incredible insights and is extremely well-written using colorful examples and humor.

Rating:
Summary: O.K. to be a square peg in a round world
Review: For years I had been trying to encourage my child to be more like her peers, while preserving her unique, creative talents. I struggled with the decision to make her fit the "round hole" of society, but she is a "square peg"! I read this book never expecting to to hear my daughter described so acurately! She has no behavior problems, does not have ADD or ADHD; she is actually a gifted child. But she is not typical in the way she views the world, or school-related work. She sees things in ways which often surprise and amaze me! I no longer feel the need to encourage her to conform. She will leave her mark on the world for she is capable of thinking and making new, not merely learning what someone else has already discovered. This book celebrates the creative child who does not fit the traditional mold, the child who will do great things, the child who will make a difference in the world! THANK YOU THANK YOU to the intelligent, articulate author!!!!!

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Summary: Dreamers, Discoverers, & Dynamos
Review: Hi. I'm Lucy Jo Palladino, author of "The Edison Trait: Saving the Spirit of Your Nonconforming Child." I want to thank those readers who have written on-line reviews of my book, and amazon.com for naming it an Editor's Choice. The Edison Trait is now in paperback with a new title: "Dreamers, Discoverers, & Dynamos: How to Help the Child Who Is Bright, Bored, and Having Problems In School." Why the new name? It's a plain language title to help parents of Edison-trait children say "Hey! That's my kid!" Who are Edison-trait children? They are divergent thinkers -- children turned on by ideas, but turned off by classroom requirements. Their numbers are rising, as our culture spawns them. Many are unfairly labeled and misunderstood. "Dreamers, Discoverers, & Dynamos" (formerly titled "The Edison Trait") is about treating divergent thinkers with respect, guidance, and care. It is the product of my work with children, parents, and teachers, and their tireless, loving efforts to build human skills and strength.

Rating:
Summary: very helpful information to alot of unanswered questions
Review: i am so interested in this topic because it has helped me communicated 100% easier with my 4 year old how can i contact the author lucy jo pallidino or find more information on this topic thank you

Rating:
Summary: OPRAH, put this book on your book of the month club.
Review: I have NEVER been so excited about a book before. With every page and chapter I felt as if the author had come to live in my house for the last 5 years and then write the story of "my household". How she describes your home as a "war zone" (mine literally was), how many times I read a phrase of another Edison Trait parent and then asked my self "how many times have I said or felt that". How many times the actions of a child was described and I would say "oh my god, my child does exactly that". Not only do I FINALLY have a diagnosis for my "hard to be told, argumentative, rambunctious (sp?), always have to have the last word, imaginitive, always does first then ask later, bright, loving 10 year old child" , I now have the tools to teach and help myself to understand and teach my child in the loving POSITIVE way she deserves. I have also been enlightened to how my child feels. This was truely a gift (Thank you Dr. Pallandino) in that it helped me to see that I had been hurting and alienating my daughter by my anger, words and frustrations. What parent wants to hurt their child? I have practiced some of the techniques suggested by Dr. Pallandino with my child and have seen dramatic results. Any time I see a child with the Edison Traits I recognize, I want to go to their parents and tell them that there is light at the end of the tunnel and it is in this book. Because Oprah is such a roll model for literally millions of people, I wish she would feature this book on her book of the month club or at the very least have a show about Edison Trait children. What greater way is there to help a child than to begin with educating the parents. I want to stand on the highest mountain and shout out to the world that if you have a child that you just can't handle or understand then PLEASE, PLEASE do your child a favor, and yourself and READ THIS BOOK. You will feel as though you were blind but now have the gift of sight. I welcome any online discussion with other parents on the topic of this book, please feel free to contact me at my e-mail address.

Rating:
Summary: OPRAH, put this book on your book of the month club.
Review: I have NEVER been so excited about a book before. With every page and chapter I felt as if the author had come to live in my house for the last 5 years and then write the story of "my household". How she describes your home as a "war zone" (mine literally was), how many times I read a phrase of another Edison Trait parent and then asked my self "how many times have I said or felt that". How many times the actions of a child was described and I would say "oh my god, my child does exactly that". Not only do I FINALLY have a diagnosis for my "hard to be told, argumentative, rambunctious (sp?), always have to have the last word, imaginitive, always does first then ask later, bright, loving 10 year old child" , I now have the tools to teach and help myself to understand and teach my child in the loving POSITIVE way she deserves. I have also been enlightened to how my child feels. This was truely a gift (Thank you Dr. Pallandino) in that it helped me to see that I had been hurting and alienating my daughter by my anger, words and frustrations. What parent wants to hurt their child? I have practiced some of the techniques suggested by Dr. Pallandino with my child and have seen dramatic results. Any time I see a child with the Edison Traits I recognize, I want to go to their parents and tell them that there is light at the end of the tunnel and it is in this book. Because Oprah is such a roll model for literally millions of people, I wish she would feature this book on her book of the month club or at the very least have a show about Edison Trait children. What greater way is there to help a child than to begin with educating the parents. I want to stand on the highest mountain and shout out to the world that if you have a child that you just can't handle or understand then PLEASE, PLEASE do your child a favor, and yourself and READ THIS BOOK. You will feel as though you were blind but now have the gift of sight. I welcome any online discussion with other parents on the topic of this book, please feel free to contact me at my e-mail address.

Rating:
Summary: Will help you understand your child.
Review: I now understand my child so much better after reading this book.