Teen Books About Learning Disabilities

Learning disabled children aren't the only ones with books targeted toward them. A growing number of resources for teens have been made available in recent years as well. The teenage years are often tumultuous ones, with new social rules to abide by and one's post-high school future to worry about. The added pressure of having a learning problem certainly doesn't help to reduce the stress that teens face, but the good news is that there are some entertaining, informative, and inspiring books that have been written to aid them in realizing their full potential. Some of the very best include:
1. The Survival Guide For Teenagers With LD* (*Learning Differences), written by Rhoda Woods Cummings, Gary L. Fisher, Pamela Espeland, and L.K. Hanson, $12.95 (paperback), available on Amazon.com
This no-nonsense guide covers a great deal of information, from social skills to taking control of one's own education. The writing is accessible and concise, managing to cover a lot of ground without glossing over anything important. The text is laid out in a reader-friendly format, with a clean font and ample room between lines. Frequent illustrations support the authors' writing, and enhance textual meaning for visual learners. A great introductory guide for teens who have just been diagnosed with learning problems.
2. Learning Outside the Lines: Two Ivy League College Students With Learning Disabilities and ADHD Give You the Tools for Academic Success and Educational Revolution, written by Jonathan Mooney and David Cole,$14.00 (paperback), available on Amazon.com
Perhaps the most encouraging advice for teens on how to handle scholastic difficulties is the kind that comes from those who have experienced them personally. Mooney and Cole not only found ways to work around their learning disorders, but they went on to attend Ivy League colleges. This book communicates the all-important message that higher education is certainly not off-limits to those with learning issues. Teens will appreciate the humor and warmth of this book, along with the practical advice of those who have faced struggles similar to their own.
3. My Thirteenth Winter: A Memoir, written by Samantha Abeel, $15.95 (hardcover), available on Amazon.com
Abeel's intimate account reveals the life of a creative and intelligent person who faced tremendous difficulties in the early part of her academic career. For the author, school was a fun place to learn new things and socialize with friends until the second grade, when she realized that she was falling behind her peers in many areas. Abeel spent another five years wondering what was hampering her scholastic progress, until finally, in the seventh grade, she was diagnosed with dyscalculia. While many books about learning disabilities treat the period immediately following diagnosis as one of crisis, the author saw it as a time of relief and recovery. A well-written and inspiring tale.
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A Short Guide to Choosing a Biology Tutor for College Students

College can be a very exciting and demanding time for students. For many college freshmen, their first year represents the first time that they have been away from home for an extended period of time. Not only do they face the challenge of a full and demanding course load, they must also do their own laundry, pick their own bed times, and generally be fully responsible for the consequences of their own actions. This is a lot to ask of anyone, particularly since there is the added pressure of knowing that poor grades and this point will stay with them for the rest of their lives, forever hampering their ability to find a good job. This can be particularly true for science majors, since the collegiate science curriculum is likely to be much more rigorous than anything they have dealt with in the past. Many students who find themselves overwhelmed choose to hire the services of a skilled biology (or other science) tutor to help smooth the transition from high school to college level biology.

Fortunately for the college science student, there are usually several upper level biology majors as well as graduate students on campus who choose to supplement their (usually very meager) income by working as a biology tutor. A student who finds that he or she needs the services of a biology tutor should consider consulting with the biology professor to ask for a recommendation for a good upper level student who is willing to work as a biology tutor. Since the professor typically has intimate knowledge of the skills and abilities of anyone that he or she would recommend, you can be certain that the person that your professor picks is a good choice.

Many students do not seek out the services of a biology tutor because they are concerned about the cost. Of course, since college students are typically strapped for cash, this is a logical concern. Teaching assistants are an excellent resource that are typically underutilized by the student population. The student should ask his or her professor about the possibility of using a teaching assistant as a biology tutor.

As mentioned earlier, the first year of college can be an especially trying time, particularly for those who are majoring in the natural or life sciences. Not only is the coursework much more demanding than what was experienced in high school, the labs are also quite rigorous and may take many hours per week to accomplish. When you add to this the fact that the students are on their own, often for the first time, and may be scared, stressed, and generally overwrought, you have the makings of a good old fashioned academic melt down. This is where the services of a biology tutor can be invaluable.
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Should You Consider Hiring a Spelling Tutor for Your Child?

A spelling tutor is a professional who specializes in helping students who have trouble with spelling words. Spelling is a particularly important subject for children in primary school and the dreaded "spelling test" is considered something of a right of passage for many students. While spelling proficiency is indeed very important, the necessity of being able to spell at a high level is not as important as it once was.
While written communication used to consist entirely of the pen and paper approach, most modern written communication occurs either as email or as a document prepared on a word processor. Both types of software usually provide spell checkers that can help correct the spelling of words in the document. Nevertheless, it is very important for grammar school aged children to become proficient in spelling. The question that often arises with parents of young children who have spelling difficulties is--should I consider hiring a spelling tutor for my child?
While spelling is indeed an important topic, the truth is that it tends to be subordinate in importance to other skills such as grammar, writing, math, science, literature, etc. While we would never want to understate the value of any academic subject, the truth is that spelling is a skill that is less important than most others.
Nevertheless, parents who have a child who has trouble spelling may become concerned and consider hiring a spelling tutor to help their child overcome these difficulties. While this may be an effective solution to the problem, it is quite possible to work through spelling difficulties without resorting to the specialized services of a spelling tutor. That is, of course, unless the
child is one of those fortunate few who compete in spelling bees--in that case, what is needed is not a spelling tutor but rather a spelling coach.
In most cases, parents are the most capable to serve as a spelling tutor. Spelling is a subject that does not require the parent to have advanced skills--anyone can read a list of words and check whether the student has spelled the words correctly. Students who are having difficulties with spelling are much more likely to experience positive results from a little parental involvement than what they could expect from hiring a spelling tutor.
The spelling tutor certainly has a place in the educational spectrum, but the importance of spelling is not what it once was. While spelling competitions have become incredibly popular in recent years, the truth is that spelling, while important, is nowhere near as critical a skill as reading, math, science, and other academic subjects. If your child is having difficult spelling, then you should try to ascertain if the difficulty is indicative of a wider disorder. If so, then you should have him or her tested/treated for that disorder. If not, then it is not something to worry about.
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Writers With Learning Disabilities

Of all the professions to choose, being a writer would seem to be one of the most trying for a person with a learning disability. Still, some people with scholastic problems-even those that interfere specifically with language, such as dyslexia, feel the urge to express themselves through writing. The obstacles these individuals encounter are considerable, but if they can find a way to overcome them, they just might be able to create a true work of literary art. The following writers have all struggled with learning disabilities and have proven that the challenges that those with learning problems face head-on can often reap the biggest rewards. Among these inspirational examples are:
1. Robert Benton
This 74-year-old screenwriter grew up during a time when there wasn't much information available about dyslexia. Finding reading and writing difficult and branded as "slow," Benton's imagination was captured by the movies. He became a film fanatic, watching his favorites over and over again. This dedication led him to a deep understanding of what worked and what didn't in the cinematic world. After a brief stint as an art director for Esquire magazine, Benton decided to try his hand at screenwriting by partnering with his friend, David Newman. The product of their partnership was the critically-acclaimed screenplay for Bonnie & Clyde which launched his writing career. Benton went on to win best screenplay Academy Awards for Places in the Heart and Kramer vs. Kramer. He continues writing professionally to this day; his most recent work was the script for The Ice Harvest.
2. Fannie Flagg
Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, Flagg struggled with severe dyslexia, which led her to believe that her dreams of being a professional writer were out of reach. She initially began her career as a news anchor, then moved on to acting in such movies as Five Easy Pieces and Grease. While Flagg had found success as an actress, the pull to write was just too strong to ignore. A writers' conference inspired her to craft her first short story, for which she won a prize. Encouraged by this warm reception, Flagg began writing in earnest. Her bestselling novel, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, was turned into a much beloved movie, for which she wrote the Academy Award nominated screenplay. Flagg's warm, funny novels have continued to land on the bestseller lists. Her latest book is Can't Wait to Get to Heaven.
3. Wendy Wasserstein
This late, great playwright also struggled with dyslexia throughout her formative years. She went on to receive degrees from Mount Holyoke, City College of New York, and Yale. Wasserstein was known for extremely witty and incisive plays about intelligent, successful women dealing with their inner demons. The Heidi Chronicles catapulted her into theatre world superstardom, earning her a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize. Her final play, Third, opened on Broadway in 2005. She is also the author of four books, including Elements of Style, and wrote the screenplay for the film version of The Object of My Affection.
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What to Expect from a Calculus Tutor

As more and more attention is paid to mathematical education, calculus, which was once only taught
to the most mathematically inclined high school students, is quickly becoming a staple of high
school mathematics education. If your student is having a difficult time making the transition to
calculus based mathematics, it might be a good idea to consider hiring a calculus tutor to give your
student a little extra guidance and attention.
Let's face it--calculus is a pretty hard subject for any student to learn. While every form of
mathematics that is taught prior to calculus has been known for thousands of years, calculus itself
was not developed until the seventeenth century. This shows just how much of a leap there is
between pre-calculus mathematics and calculus. Many students can find themselves quickly
overwhelmed when they start learning calculus. The subject requires a total change in the way that
one views numbers and the way they interact. Calculus introduces such concepts as limits (numbers
that approach infinitely closely to but never quite reach some value), derivatives (the
instantaneous rate of change of a function), integrals (the opposite of the derivative), infinities,
and other concepts that can stretch even the most agile of minds. The puts the calculus tutor in a
very precarious situation--not only must he or she be able to communicate with the student regarding
the intricacies the mechanics of calculus, but the calculus tutor must also be able to help the
calculus student overcome the conceptual difficulties that are part and parcel of the early learning
of calculus.
When evaluating a prospective calculus tutor, you must inquire about the level of calculus learning
that he or she possesses. It is almost impossible for someone who has only had one calculus course
to fully appreciate the subtlety of the subject and be able to present it in a manner that is easily
digestible. Therefore, a good calculus tutor should have a university degree in either mathematics
or the physical sciences, as these are typically the only students who learn calculus to a high
enough level to be able to communicate it fully.
As with all types of tutoring, a calculus tutor must be a skilled communicator. Even the most
mathematically gifted person makes a lousy calculus tutor if he or she is unable to communicate
effectively. It is a good idea to schedule a few introductory tutoring sessions where you sit in
with your child and the calculus tutor so that you can observe how they interact and can make
certain that the calculus tutor is able to interact with your student in a way that ensures that
your student will benefit from the sessions.
A good calculus tutor must have a high level of proficiency in advanced mathematics and must also be
a skilled and effective communicator. This combination of requirements means that it can be
difficult indeed to find the right calculus tutor. However, if your student is having difficulties,
the search can be well worth the effort.
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Q and A with Dr. Paul Fick

Q: I read an editorial in The Orange County Register last Sunday about how local students are not learning the basics about our culture needed to be successful citizens. I thought the article was an exaggeration until I asked my daughter some of the questions in the article. She didn't have a clue what many of the answers were! Melissa is a senior in high school with almost a 4.0 grade point average. How is it possible for her to get such good grades and not know information that I just assumed even an average student would learn?

A: Judging from the number of emails I received in response to Professor Richard Nehrbass' commentary (“ America as it aint,” The Orange County Register, December 19) you are not alone in your shock and concern. For those who missed the commentary, Professor Nehrbass gave his students at Cal State Dominguez Hills a general knowledge quiz.

Students demonstrated an alarming dearth of knowledge about American and world history, basic math, current events, and the humanities. Most of his students could not identify the United States ' opponents in the “Korean” or “ Vietnam ” wars. Two percent of the students knew what the Magna Carta was. Half of those quizzed thought that Gerald Ford was the inventor of the automobile. One student humbly acknowledged that she was “embarrassed” about her Emperor's Clothes style education.

Professor Nehrbass is quick to point out that he does not place blame upon the students, many of whom he considers to be “quite brilliant.” Instead, he believes it is “past time for our nation's schoolteachers to take responsibility for what goes on in their classrooms.” It is the professor's contention that the embarrassment expressed by his student is more aptly felt by teachers who dole out exceptional grades for mediocre performance.

Whether or not the professor is correct in his assignment of responsibility, it seems unmistakable that parents should be experiencing a similar twinge of embarrassment. Too often, we are contented with our teens' good grades and solid SAT scores without inquiring about the quality of their knowledge. An “A” in English does not necessarily mean that your son or daughter can write a coherent essay or even a standard business letter. With college admission requirements increasingly stringent, it is a bit too easy to barter away our teens' knowledge for grades.

Certainly, many of our teens are exceptional students who will accomplish great things. Their fertile minds deserve nurturing and their hard work should be praised.

Dr. Paul Fick Q: I read an editorial in The Orange County Register last Sunday about how local students are not learning the basics about our culture needed to be successful citizens. I thought the article was an exaggeration until I asked my daughter some of the questions in the article. She didn't have a clue what many of the answers were! Melissa is a senior in high school with almost a 4.0 grade point average. How is it possible for her to get such good grades and not know information that I just assumed even an average student would learn?
A: Judging from the number of emails I received in response to Professor Richard Nehrbass' commentary (“ America as it aint,” The Orange County Register, December 19) you are not alone in your shock and concern. For those who missed the commentary, Professor Nehrbass gave his students at Cal State Dominguez Hills a general knowledge quiz.

Students demonstrated an alarming dearth of knowledge about American and world history, basic math, current events, and the humanities. Most of his students could not identify the United States ' opponents in the “Korean” or “ Vietnam ” wars. Two percent of the students knew what the Magna Carta was. Half of those quizzed thought that Gerald Ford was the inventor of the automobile. One student humbly acknowledged that she was “embarrassed” about her Emperor's Clothes style education.

Professor Nehrbass is quick to point out that he does not place blame upon the students, many of whom he considers to be “quite brilliant.” Instead, he believes it is “past time for our nation's schoolteachers to take responsibility for what goes on in their classrooms.” It is the professor's contention that the embarrassment expressed by his student is more aptly felt by teachers who dole out exceptional grades for mediocre performance.

Whether or not the professor is correct in his assignment of responsibility, it seems unmistakable that parents should be experiencing a similar twinge of embarrassment. Too often, we are contented with our teens' good grades and solid SAT scores without inquiring about the quality of their knowledge. An “A” in English does not necessarily mean that your son or daughter can write a coherent essay or even a standard business letter. With college admission requirements increasingly stringent, it is a bit too easy to barter away our teens' knowledge for grades.

Certainly, many of our teens are exceptional students who will accomplish great things. Their fertile minds deserve nurturing and their hard work should be praised.
Dr. Paul Fick http://southcountypsychotherapy.com

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Back to School Preparation for All Ages

Author: Laurie Hurley

Summer will be over soon and it will then be time to prepare your children for the beginning of the school year. Laurie Hurley, educational consultant gives some great tips for easing the transition from summertime fun to school time.
If you have children, late July, August and early September represents more than summer ending, cooler weather and fall foliage. School begins once again for millions of kids across the country. Getting your child prepared, regardless of whether they are in Kindergarten or a senior in high school, is a must. Here are some tips to make the transition from several weeks of summer fun to school days and homework easier.Children in Kindergarten – 5th grade1. About a week before school starts, have your children go to bed at the time they will when school begins. Set their alarm or wake them up early. It’s difficult for some kids to adjust to going to bed and getting up earlier after having an entire summer of sleeping in or staying up late. Many young children need to be on a schedule and preparing a week or so earlier will pay off, especially if you have a night owl or late sleeper.2. If you have a school supply list (many school districts post them on their website or hand them out the last day of school), buy the supplies early. For the child who is not organized, this is a good way to begin the school year off on the right foot. Label everything and get the backpacks ready the night before school starts. Buy some extra supplies to keep at home if your child is one to lose or forget their pencils or markers at school. They will probably need some basic supplies for homework time. Nothing is more frustrating than sitting down to do homework and discovering the basics are missing.3. If you have a Kindergartener, walk to school two or three days before school begins (or drive if they take a bus or you will be driving them). This helps acquaint them with what they will actually be doing that first day and can work wonders for alleviating the first-day jitters. If your child is especially anxious, ask if you can let them visit their new classroom for five or ten minutes the day before school starts. Many principals will let the Kindergarteners come to the campus prior to school starting.Middle School1. Many sixth graders will be attending a new school for their middle school years. Oftentimes, the campus is much bigger and can be intimidating. Of course pre-teens may not admit they are nervous, but most parents are. Suggest a bike ride over to the school sometime during August just to look around. Many middle schools conduct orientation anyway a couple of days before school actually begins, but an extra trip without all of their peers might be worthwhile. 2. Just as in elementary school, it is important, if not more so in middle school, to have all the school supplies ready, especially an organizer. Some schools make it mandatory for the students to purchase an organizer directly from the school. Get in the habit from day one of checking it and being sure homework assignments are recorded. Visit the school website and see if homework and grades will be posted on the site. This is an excellent way to stay involved with your child’s progress throughout the year.3. If your student struggles with the basics; math or language arts, consider hiring a tutor for some review sessions before and during the first semester. Also, it is quite common in middle school for students who are excelling to be moved to Honors classes sometime during the year. Being in an accelerated class is a good way to prepare a student for Advanced Placement (AP) classes in high school, which count as college credit.HIGH SCHOOL1. Find out when the PSAT and SAT exams will take place. If your student is not a good test taker, consider enrolling them in a test prep class. As colleges become more and more competitive, test scores make a difference. One can take the exam more than once if they are not happy with the score, so plan ahead and register early.2. Stay tuned in to your student’s school and social schedule. There is a tremendous amount of freedom in high school and even the most academically gifted students can be distracted by all of the things that are associated with the teenage years. Establish a curfew for school nights and limit the amount of time that is spent at a part-time job or involved in sports, especially if time management and study skills are not your child’s forte. 3. If your son or daughter is college-bound, start doing your research and be sure to attend the college nights that many high schools sponsor. Know what is expected on college applications. It is no longer a simple process like it was for the baby boomer generation. Test scores, a formal essay, volunteer hours, and class selection in high school are all important factors in getting into college. Take advantage of the many companies that exist today solely for the purpose of assisting you and your student select the right college for them.Regardless of the age and grade of your children, stay involved. Volunteering on any level, whether it be reading stories to your elementary aged child’s second grade class, helping in the computer lab in middle school, or being on a committee for peer counseling in high school, it is important to know what is happening at the place your children spend a large part of their week. With so many parents working, many Parent Teacher Associations have their meetings in the evening, so more parents can attend. There are activities that need volunteers that do not involve daytime hours such as calling parents in the evening for a fundraiser or helping with a weekend car wash at high school.These tips can help your children get back to school the right way and prepare them for a year of learning and fun. For additional articles on raising kids, starting a business, or educational issues go to http://www.hometutoringbusiness.com.
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ADD/ADHD and Learning Disabilities

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are often referred to in the same breath by the general public as learning disabilities. However, they actually belong to a separate group of disorders. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) puts ADD and ADHD in the "Other Health Impaired" category. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that about 20 to 30% of children with ADD or ADHD also have a learning disability, which further complicates the process of distinguishing between the two. Both types of disorders share a similar host of symptoms, but should be regarded individually. Some of the possible signs of ADD and ADHD include:
1. Problems with memoryThese include disorganization and forgetfulness. Those with organization issues may constantly lose important personal items, such as their textbooks or house keys. Others who have trouble recalling or retrieving information may often forget to finish their tasks, like chores or homework. In both cases, the short-term memory is the area that is most affected. Using additional cues-sound or pictures, for example-may help children to remember things more easily. This explains why people often have an easier time remembering the plots of movies that they've seen than those of books that they've read.
2. Problems with impulse controlThis is demonstrated by what may seem to at first to be behavioral problems, such as restlessness, impatience, and talking out of turn. However, these are in fact cognitive issues that have little to do with a child's character and everything to do with how their brains interpret information. Giving children with impulse control problems tasks that work with their natures, rather than against them-like allowing them to move to different parts of the house while studying-can help them to maximize their educational opportunities.
3. Problems with maintaining focusSome common indications of this are lack of attention to detail and making frequent, unnecessary errors. Most children with ADD or ADHD are just as intelligent as those without such disabilities, but simply don't have the skills necessary to concentrate on one task for a sustained period of time. Varying the volume and pitch of your voice may aid in keeping a child with ADD or ADHD focused.
ADD and ADHD are two of the most common childhood disorders in the United States. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, a child must meet with a psychiatrist who specializes in ADD and ADHD. The psychiatrist then makes an assessment and talks with the child's parents and teachers, who must complete a behavioral inventory. All other possibilities must be ruled out before diagnosing a child with ADD or ADHD.
If a child is diagnosed as having ADD or ADHD, there are a variety of treatment options available, including medicine, therapy, and a combination of the two. Parents of children with ADD and ADHD must be willing to work closely with their child's psychiatrist to find a system of treatment that suits their child. They should also keep their child as informed as possible every step of the way, no matter how young they may be.
http://www.aimhightutors.com
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Why is Algebra Difficult for Many High School Students?

Algebra is sometimes considered to be the most difficult of all mathematical disciplines to teach. The reasons for this are numerous. First, since algebra is the first truly abstract mathematical subject that most students encounter, the teacher or algebra tutor must not only teach the mechanics of algebra, but must also help the students struggle with the conceptual paradigm shift that one undergoes when transitioning from arithmetic to algebra. While some primary schools have tried to teach arithmetic with an eye towards helping the students handle abstract concepts, the public has been largely unreceptive to such "new math" and, therefore, it seems that traditional arithmetic education is with us to stay and the transition to algebra will continue to be a difficult one. Another reason for the difficulty involved with being an algebra teacher or algebra tutor is that, for most students, their parents had been able to assist with homework and studying up to this point but, quite often, adults have forgotten the algebra that they were once taught. Therefore, the student must often, for the first time, learn the subject without parental assistance.
The job of the algebra tutor is to help the student overcome the conceptual and mechanical difficulties that come with learning algebra. Algebra is the first mathematical discipline that uses variables. For the student, all previous math problems had nothing that varied--they were presented with some numbers and an operator (a plus, minus, multiplication, or division sign) and had to come up with the answer. With algebra, the situation is much more subtle. Instead of simply math problems, algebra students are presented with equations. Now the students must not only calculate variables, but they must also determine which operators to use. The algebra tutor must help the student overcome this paradigm shift.
Another problem that the algebra tutor must face is the fact that learning algebra depends entirely upon the student having a firm grip of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. A weakness in any form of arithmetic can make it very difficult or impossible for the student to learn algebra effectively. Therefore, the algebra tutor must be prepared to not only teach algebra, but also provide remedial instruction in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division as well.
The algebra tutor truly has to be a jack of all mathematical trades. The algebra tutor must not only be able to help the student overcome the natural difficulties that are often encountered when transitioning from concrete arithmetic to more abstract mathematics, but he or she must also be able to provide remedial training in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. In order to do the very best job, the algebra tutor must carefully evaluate his or her student before beginning study to determine if remedial instruction will be required.
http://www.aimhightutors.com
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