Overall, Parenting Bright Kids Who Struggle in School gives hope to parents who are beginning the journey of learning differences with their child. It’s a bright spot in the whole LD arena. Schools should give this book to parents when they first address the topic to soften the blow and provide a path for them.
What Dewey reveals is that there is so much encouraging new science to help parents understand the bigger picture and how their child fits in. Plus, Dewey’s child is now an adult so we can see the result of all of her work on mindset and how it helped Melissa. And showing what we as families can do better to help everyone develop a growth mindset is so important.
Dewey shows us new ways of how to talk about dyslexia and how to view it. The book is full of examples of highly successful people who have dyslexia. The simple difference that the language we use is monumental. Referring to dyslexia as a “difference” instead of a “disability” is a major step forward.
In reading this book I relived my own memories of trying to figure out how to deal with the news that my own daughter had a learning difference. Was it because I used in-vitro fertilization? Did I eat too much tuna fish? I was too wild as a single woman? I felt I was to blame. My brother is dyslexic and now my daughter. For me, it was heart-wrenching…
And for Dewey Rosetti as well. I could feel her pain. And the guilt from doing what you believe is best and it turns out to be wrong…
The concept of the “jagged edge” is a great visual. When I had my daughter tested, she had such a jagged profile, but there wasn’t terminology for that at the time. Now Dewey has given us the words to talk about it. And an understanding that EVERYONE has a jagged profile.
The whole idea of focusing on your child’s strengths instead of shoring up their weaknesses is so right on. I finally realized that I shouldn’t waste my time and create so much anxiety over spelling. My daughter is never going to be a speller. Luckily, she has spell check and she uses it and she knows she always needs a proofreader to catch other errors. No amount of repetition was ever going to change that.
In the appendix Dewey helps by break down the Psych-Ed report so you get a better understanding of the whole process. That alone is worth the price of the book.
If you’re just beginning this journey, you definitely need to read this book. Dewey shows you the way through the thicket into the light.
Every teacher and school counselor should read this book as well. And pediatrician, to understand exactly what parents are going through.
This book is a game-changer.