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Rating: 
Summary: Just What I Was Looking For!
Review: I am a teacher trying to navigate the often murky waters of identifying and helping children with disabilities that hamper their learning. Many children that are struggling in school need additional help via special accomodations that don't obtain it because their problems do not always fall under your typical special education categories.
Ms. Ollie has written a carefully constructed and very personal account of her oddessy through a public school system that was not particularly responsive to the needs of her three children. Using a case study approach, she presents the entire educational history of her children's elementary and middle school experiences. They all had problems that tended to result from unique physical problems that affected their ability to learn. These problems ranged from rare hearing problems to eyesight problems that were frequently misdiagnosed as learning disabilities, ADD/HD, and even mild mental retardation. What was appalling, was that one school actually diagnosed a child as mildly retarded when the child was actually gifted! Susbsequent remediation not only didn't help her children, but in some cases, compounded their problems. That is, until Ms. Ollie, through vigilant advocacy, obtained 504 plans that uniquely addressed PHYSICAL problems and provided more appropriate and often, simple classroom accomodations.As a teacher with a couple students who don't fall under or pass the educational litmus test of special ed that encompass learning and emotional disabilties, I now feel better equipped to hlep certain students by making use of some of Ms. Ollie's simple classroom accomodations. At just a little more than 100 pages, this book is quick primer and a must for parents that struggle with getting constructive help for children despite a special ed label. Avoiding educational jargon that can be confusing, the book outlines in simple language, strategies for obtaining 504 plans that are appropriate and net real results for helping children with unusual physical problems. As important, the book will also help teachers that sincerely want to do the best for certain students that don't seem to gain much ground from traditional special education programs. If you have any questions and need assistance understanding the role of 504 plans, this book will definitely provide practical help.
Rating:
Summary: Just What I Was Looking For!
Review: This book is the bible for understanding 504 Plans and how to find out if your child would qualify for one. It explains in detail what hidden disabilities are, what to look for, and how a parent can become an advocate for their child. It was easy to read and understand. A lot better than a reference book written by medical professionals.
It was obvious that Ms. Ollie went through hell and learned how to persevere. Since her book contains actual copies of her own children's 504 Plans, I could understand what I needed to do for my young child, who has ADHD.
Rating:
Summary: One Terrific Resource for Parents
Review: This book is the bible for understanding 504 Plans and how to find out if your child would qualify for one. It explains in detail what hidden disabilities are, what to look for, and how a parent can become an advocate for their child. It was easy to read and understand. A lot better than a reference book written by medical professionals.
It was obvious that Ms. Ollie went through hell and learned how to persevere. Since her book contains actual copies of her own children's 504 Plans, I could understand what I needed to do for my young child, who has ADHD.
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