A Toss of the Dice: Child Development from a Pediatrician's Perspective

Rating:
Summary: Helpful, moving, and very readable!
Review: After I read this excellent book, I ordered three more copies: one for a friend with a Downs Syndrome child, one for the parents of a boy with Asperger's syndrome, and one for a pediatrician neighbor. The author, an expert on children with developmental problems, from attention deficit disorder to hermaphrodism, uses example after example from her practice to inform and reassure parents, teachers, and anyone who wants to understand difficult kids. Hays's main message is that, no matter what is "different" about your child, something can be done to help if you can face up to the existence of a problem and seek a good diagnosis and informed advice. There are no medical heroics here, just common sense, caring, and plenty of experience from a woman who is both a doctor and a mother.

Rating:
Summary: A Caring Doctor
Review: Amid the clutter of life experiences that are published every year, it is heartening to read one that touches the heartstrings and enlightens the mind at the same time. Such a book is Dr. Natasha Hays' "A Toss of the Dice" No book relating the heroic efforts of children, born with brain disorders and disabilities, to try to achieve a normal life can fail to elicit the sympathy of a reader, but this book goes beyond any I have read to tell in layman's terms what is known--and what can be done about these conditions, if the parents begin the necessary programs. And most important, the author accomplishes this without professional pretentions or self-approval. I learned more about what it takes to develop a caring doctor than any number of texts or novels. I hope that anyone who has children or loves young ones, will keep this touching volume close to hand.