Using the metaphor of self-esteem as "poker chips." Children with good self-esteem have tons and tons of poker chips because good things have happened to them. He says that learning disabled children very often just don't have enough chips. Richard Lavoie tells us that when our children have success, they get "poker chips" which are needed for the games of adult life.  It is the duty of teachers and parents to find what Bob Brooks calls "islands of competence" within the child. He says that you have to be a "talent scout" and find areas need to be celebrated and reinforced. Each day, a child needs to have success, be praised and get more poker chips. Each day a child need to get more poker chip than they started with.

Richard Lavoie, M.A., M.Ed. has worked in special education since 1972, as a teacher, administrator, author, and consultant. He is currently Executive Director of Riverview School, a residential school for children with learning disabilities, in East Sandwich, Massachusetts.

Nobody's Perfekt

This is a video that provides an overview of learning disabilities. This fifty-seven minute documentary explores the "hidden handicap," while explaining the differences between learning disabilities, including dyslexia, ADD and ADHD. You'll meet three families who have dealt with their own special set of circumstances to better understand their child's difficulties. You'll hear from experts and teachers who are working together with families and their children helping them to overcome their learning disabilities. Nobody's Perfekt is an insightful and empowering guide for parents and teachers.

Comments

Try doing a scrapbook with your child
From: Marcia Macomber

• No matter how little they are the can pick colors to decorate the page, get a scrapbook NOT a photo album so you can write there memories and stories of the event or person.
• Make sure there's lots of pictures of the child and lots of family and friends, places and things important to them even if you think its the worst picture ever taken.
• If you have access, you can scan pictures into a computer and print them that way you get as many copies as you need you can also crop, enlarge or shrink a picture.
• This also helps with learning to tell stories in sequence, dexterity and recognizing letters and words.

Dyslexia is not just mixing up letters
Peggy M. Wilber, M.Ed., author of Reading Rescue 1 - 2 - 3 says, "Contrary to what many people think, dyslexia is not just mixing up letters d and b. (That, by the way, is a common trait of children up through third grade and is not the major tool for diagnosing dyslexia.) Dyslexia is defined as having a "deficit in auditory and language skills. Researchers know that 95 percent of all children who receive proper instruction—a combination of auditory training, phonic instruction, and application of phonics by reading lots of printed materials such as books and magazines—become able to read at grade level. This means that only a small percentage of children in America truly suffer from dyslexia."
see more of this interview

Meet the Author
Ronald D. Davis
"The Gift of Dyslexia"
Why some of the smartest people can't read and how they can learn
interview & FREE excerpt
hosted by Sue Spataro, RN, BSN
In this exciting book, Davis shares the startling discovery he made which helped him overcome his own dyslexia; reveals how dyslexia may be linked to uncommonly high levels of intelligence, creativity, and imagination; and outlines a clear and simple plan that anyone can use to help themselves or others conquer this all-too-common disability. In this interview, Davis discusses: Signs of Dyslexia;  The "Gift" of Dyslexia;  Dyslexia & Disorientation;  Dyslexia & the Family;  Labels; a  FREE Book Excerpt: on The Underlying Talent which discusses gifted dyslexics throughout history. Find out more.

Meet the Authors
Mariaemma Willis, M.S.
& Victoria Kindle Hodson, M.A.
"Discover Your Child's Learning Style"
hosted by Joe Spataro
Interview & FREE Excerpt
Mariaemma Willis, M.S., and Victoria Kindle Hodson, M.A., have written a sensitive, thought-provoking book that honors and celebrates the unique learning styles of all children.

In this interview hosted by Joe Spataro, the authors discuss their ideas on ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, homeschooling, afterschooling as well as an easy to follow way to assess your child. This book challenges the assumption at the heart of the traditional school system: that all children learn (and therefore should be taught) in the same way. The book contains a step-by-step program of self awareness test that guide you to a better understanding of your child’s unique strengths and weaknesses. Normally, these tests would cost hundreds of dollars, but now you can do it yourself and help your child achieve a better inner peace while helping them achieve their goals and fulfill their interests.