Nonverbal Learning Disabilities at Home. A Parent's Guide

Customer Reviews

Disappointed

2002-04-05
I found this book dissappointing. It gives readers misinformation that can make symptoms of NLD worse, not better. For example, the author encourages the readers to allow video/computer play stating it "builds eye-hand coordination". Not only will this NOT develop eye-hand (that comes from anticipating a three dimensional object coming to you in space and manipulating the hands to accurately receive it" but fixation on computers often leads away from motor development and soical interaction. We don't need more misinformatoin about NLD.

A Helping Hand for Parents

2001-12-07
Pam Tanguay writes from considerable experience: she is one of the founders of NLD on the Web, an award winning website which disseminates information about NLD. For the parent wondering if NLD is a framework that fits her or his child, as well as for the parent who wants concrete suggestions about how to support a child with NLD at home, this book is a wellspring of information. The book is formatted to be a companion of sorts; well designed to make it handy for consultation over the years as various issues and challenges are tackled. As well, there is a comprehensive annotated bibliography and a list of organizations and internet resources. As an educator of children and teachers, as well as a parent of a child with NLD, I recommend this book as a 'must read' for both parents and educators.

Nonverbal Learning Disabilities at Home

2001-12-07
My son was recently diagnosed with this disorder. What a great book. It is a must read. This should be read before Sue Thompson's guide. The terms are described with definitions. The presentation of the disorder is very clear and easy to understand. This is a good starter book for researching the disorder.

Nonverbal Learning Disabilities at Home: A Parent's Guide

2001-11-15
My only complaint is that Pam didn't write this book when my son was younger. But then we didn't know about Nonverbal Learning Disabilities when he was younger either!

Pam Tanguay has written a book full of good strategies to help parents help their NLD child achieve a happier and more successful life. As NLD children are identified at increasingly younger ages, we are also realizing that the earlier interventions begin, the better these kids can do. Parents of NLD children need as many tools as possible to help their children succeed - Pam Tanguay has given them a whole tool box!

A must read!!! 2001-11-09
This book is an outstanding handbook for parents and caregivers of children with NLD. Very helpful suggestions that will make life at home far less stressful for the entire family! Great ideas on organizational and social skills. A must read for those who want to better understand and support a child with NLD.

Very Helpful Book 2008-02-22
This book has provided me with very needed insight into the issues my son has been experiencing and can't express. It explained alot of what we have been going through for years. What we thought was an attitude & disciplinary issue has actually been a learning disability.

My son was diagnosed in August '07 with high functioning Asperger's & NLD. He is 11 years old. I have had so much difficulty finding support & knowledge. This book was a good start!

Good But You Can Do Better 2007-05-11
I find this title's subject refreshing but its approach problematic.

The book doesn't address the overall issues and problems with disabled children. You need to FIRST get a handle, an overview, of how you and your disabled child will fit into the modern world. This book is too myopic, too focused, and although that's its intent, without a context to use it in, you will not succeed as much as you otherwise would.

FIRST, get the Big Picture. Learn how society will SEEK TO HARM YOUR CHILD so you can take immediate action to protect your precious one. That means get an understanding of the true disabilities picture from a book such as Disabling America: The Unintended Consequences of the Government's Protection of the Handicapped and THEN you'll have a context in which to raise your child in a healthy environment.

Teachers, consultants, ADA advocates, and lawyers all want their paws on your little one. Don't let them do that! Love and protect and guard your precious ones and learn the dangers of today's almost-draconian approach to children with disabilities.

I know, I know, it sounds HARSH. It is! But only once you know what your little one will face in society, not from peers but from those who seek to profit from her or him, only then can you have the proper framework to raise your little one with the best chance at success possible.

Great Intro to NLD for Parents and Educators 2007-01-10
Recently our teenager was diagnosed with NLD. This book was recommended to us by a psychologist. We found the book to be extremely helpful in explaining NLD (in plain English) and helping us understand how to deal with the NLD child. The book addresses the needs of parents with either young or adolencent children with NLD. I highly recommend this book as a starting point for parents and educators in learning about NLD.

too negative! 2006-01-22
I must say that my feelings about this book are mixed. I agree that it has some incredibly helpful practical advice. However, this book has such a pessimistic view of NLD children. The social skills section was great in terms of the advice, but it seems to imply that there is no chance that A NLD child will escape her school years without being a loner, a victim, and an unhappy child.

As a background, my 6 1/2 year old daughter has been receiving intervention since she was 3 1/2 (OT, speech, etc.). She doesn't have an official diagnosis of NLD, however, she has most of the characteristics. Her IQ testing revealed a 25 point difference between her verbal and non-verbal skills. The psychologist wasn't ready to give her a NLD diagnosis because her non-verbal test results were still in the high average range (but significantly lower than her verbal skills which are in the very superior range).

I am sure that she uses her high verbal skills to compensate for her difficulty with non-verbal skills.
However, I still find that the early intervention has made a tremendous difference in her life. Yes, I did worry about her social skills alot when she was younger. But, now in the middle of first grade, she is well liked by her peers and has several best friends with whom she is able to play easily and happily for long stretches without any intervention.

We feel that it has helped tremendously to do alot of one on one playdates. And, the OT and speech that she has received for the past three years has improved her body awareness, fine motor skills, and pragmatic speech skills.

Is she perfect, no! We still struggle with her self-help and organizational skills, and she still misses some non-verbal cues in social situations. But, we feel that her outlook is MUCH more positive than presented in the book.

While it is obviously geared towards children with severe NLD symptoms, I still feel that it could have used a more positive and sensitive approach. If I had read this book several years ago - when she was struggling more - I would have been devastated - as it implies that there is little room for growth.

And, three years later, our child is a happy, loving (okay disorganized!!) child. We don't doubt that there will always be new hurdles to mount, but we are confident that she will surmount any obstacles in her path.

Good luck!

Well organized and well written 2003-04-26
First, you don't need your highlighter for this book! At the end of each chapter, the author does it for you. I found this book informative and helpful.
My favorite chapter was Chapter 7: Managing the Environment, it gives an overview of how hard and confusing life can be for a child with NLD. Great to read again & again if you find you are losing patience with your NLD child. I also often copy the first 6 pages of this chapter and give it to those that work with my child; in the hopes they will have the necessary empathy in working with my child.