Parent Resources
BOOKS and WEBSITES
Consider using the STEP parenting curriculum: The Parent’s Handbook: Systematic Training for Effective Parenting, by Gary D. McKay and Don C. Dinkmeyer, available at Amazon.com.
GENERAL CONCERNS
The Myth of Laziness, A Mind at a Time, and Keeping A Head in School by Mel Levine
The Motivation Breakthrough or anything by Richard LaVoie
Quiet by Susan Cain
Mindsets by Carol Dweck
David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell
A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink
How Children Succeed by Paul Touch
Brain Rules by John Medina
Learning to Think, Thinking to Learn by Michael Pohl
Teaching How to Learn in a What to Learn Culture by Kathleen Richards Hopkins
LDonline.org offers articles and resources for parents with children with learning disabilities and ADHD. Take a look at their LDBasics and ADHD Basics articles for an easy-to-understand foundation of common school challenges.
Understood.org is a great resource for students of all different types of needs. The site contains information that will be helpful for all stages of schooling, from preschool through college or alternative post-secondary education.
Misunderstood Minds is an incredible website that has activities for YOU to experience what it is like to have a learning disability in reading, math, writing or attention. If your child is struggling, I highly recommend this site to better understand what your child may be experiencing.
The Whole Brain Child by Dan Siegel, MD and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD: This book includes practical tips for helping children learn emotional regulation and interpersonal skills. Much of the information is presented through a “graphic novel” style which is easy to share with your young or teen child. I love this book because it offers easy ways to talk about the brain science behind the growing pains of childhood (and parenthood).
ADHD
A.D.D. Kaleidoscope by Joan Andrews and Denise E. Davis
Survival Guide for College Students with ADHD or LD, 2nd edition, by Kathleen Nadeau, PhD.
Driven to Distraction, revised edition; and Delivered from Distraction; and Answers to Distraction; all by Edward Hallowell
Blame it in the Brain and A.D.D. Wandering Mind and Wired Body both by Dr. Edward Welch
Learning to Slow Down and Pay Attention, by Kathleen Nadeau and Ellen Dixon (younger kids)
Smart but Scattered (for Teens) by Guare and Dawson
Lost at School, by Ross Greene
Putting on the Brakes: Young People’s Guide to Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by Patricia Quinn and Judith Stern (Magination Press)
Parenting Children with ADHD: 10 Lessons that Medicine Cannot Teach, by Vincent J. Monastra, Ph.D.
Chadd.org offers online workshops and webinars for parents, by parents
ADHD Coaching – https://www.beyondbooksmart.com
Smart but Scattered by Peg Dawson, EdD and Richard Guare, PhD: This book focuses on Executive Functioning Skills (there is a version for teens as well). It has some helpful quizzes that parents and children can take together. Practical tips for helping your child build important organizational, memory, self-regulation and flexibility skills.
DYSLEXIA
The Source for Dyslexia and Dysgraphia by Regina Richards
The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain, by Brock and Fernette Eide
Overcoming Dyslexia, by Sally Shaywitz
Dyslexia and the iPad: Overcoming Dyslexia with Technology, by James Nuttall, PHD
NONVERBAL LEARNING DISABILITIES
The Source for Nonverbal Learning Disorders, by Sue Thompson
Nonverbal Learning Disabilities at Home: A Parent’s Guide, by Pamela B. Tanquay
Nonverbal Learning Disabilities at School: Educating Students with NLD, Asperger Syndrome and Related Conditions, by Pamela B. Tanquay
Raising NLD Superstars by Maria Brown Rubenstein
SENSORY ISSUES
The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Integration Dysfunction, by Carol Stock Kranowitz
When the Brain Can’t Hear: Unraveling the Mysteries of Auditory Processing Disorder, by Teri Bellis James, PHD; Like Sound Through Water: A Mother’s Journey through Auditory Processing Disorder, by Karen J. Foli
ASPERGER’S SYNDROME
The Source for Asperger’s Syndrome, by Timothy Kowalski
Dr. Thompson’s Straight Talk on Autism, by Travis Thompson, PHD & Paula Goldberg
A Mind Apart: Understanding Children with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, by Peter Szatmari
Right Address…Wrong Planet: Children with Asperger Syndrome Becoming Adults, by Gina P. Barnhill
Autism Asperger Publishing Company
ANXIETY
Freeing Your Child From Anxiety, by Tamar E. Chansky
Freeing Your Child From Negative Thinking, by Tamar E. Chansky
For parents of children with difficult behavior:
The Explosive Child by Ross Greene, PhD: This book presents a parenting and teaching strategy based on the concept that “kids do well if they can”, and that when children are not doing well, we can help them learn the skills they need. It is a model based on mutual problem solving so that both adult and child concerns are addressed and met. This book is not only for parents of “explosive” children, but for any child who struggles with strong emotions, including anger, anxiety, sadness or even hyperactivity. Also check out: www.livesinthebalance.org.
* Visit the website: Intervention Central: “Intervention Ideas” for great ideas: http://www.interventioncentral.org/index.php#idea.
* Visit the website: http://www.ldonline.org/indepth/dyslexia to learn more about Reading Disabilities.
* Visit the website: http://www.ldonline.org/indepth/nonverbal learn more about Nonverbal Learning Disabilities.
* Free Apps to help struggling learners http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/tools/apps
* Visit the website: National Institute for Direct Instruction, http://www.nifdi.org/
* Investigate helpful curriculum available through these and other resources:
http://www.teachingtextbooks.com/
http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/
* Investigate other ideas available at these websites:
http://www.interventioncentral.org/index.php/academic-resources
What Works Clearinghouse: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/
* Take advantage of free webinars for more great techniques and ideas: https://www.additudemag.com/tag/webinar/
* Investigate links to other available resources at http://www.mda.org/clinics/StateResources/Guide_StateResource-Pennsylvania.doc