Bridging the Gap: Raising a Child with Nonverbal Learning Disorder

By Rondalyn Varney Whitney

Book Overview

* Has your child been labeled bad, lazy, or rude ? * Is he extremely verbal, but can't tie his shoelaces? * Does she have a hard time making - or keeping - friends? * Are there frequent "misunderstandings" with teachers, class-mates, or siblings? * Does she feel especially awkward in social situations? * Has he been diagnosed with NLD, Asperger's, High Functioning Autism, or ADD? Your child may be one of the millions who suffer from Nonverbal Learning Disorder, a neurological deficit that prevents children from understanding nonverbal cues like tone of voice and facial expression - subtle signals that play a curcial role in communication. Though they are exceptionally bright and extremely articulate, these children often have difficulty in social situations - and can become depressed, withdrawn, or anxious. In Bridging the Gap, Rondalyn Varney Whitney offers practical, powerful strategies that will help you put your child on the path to a happy, healthy, fulfilling life.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399527559
• ISBN13: 9780399527555
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Perigee Books
• Length: 291 Pages
• Weight: 0.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Great Help for Parents of Kids with NLD

Bridging the Gap was a light at the end of a tunnel for me as a parent of a child recently diagnosed with NLD. Ms. Whitney paints a realistic but hopeful picture of the difficulties and gifts of raising kids with this very common yet misunderstood disorder, through the insight both personally and professionally that she offers. She writes proudly and candidly about her son Zachary and the highs and lows of her very personal journey through the amazing web of understanding NLD. This book saved my soul and it touched me in ways I never dreamed possible. You'll laugh through your tears and leave it with understanding and empowerment. A must read for parents.

Boys are different than girls

I have read many books on NLD. As I read these books and heard about studious students and perfectionists, I said that is not my son. This book was a real eye opener. It told how a BOY would react if the proper accomodations were not in place. From the reading I have done and the experience I have had they do seem to react differently. Every parent should read this book if they have a child with NLD and their child is being called a behavioral problem. This book was a sanity saver.

Best resource on NLD out there!

Ms. Whitney has written the most compassionate, educational and resourceful book on the world of NLD children. She uses many examples of her son's behavior to illustrate the frustrations and learning opportunities for those of us who also have NLD children. She has the tools of her profession to help her but explains very easily how we as parents can support and intervene on behalf of our children. Her energy and dedication is enormous, but I would be concerned about her expectation that the world needs to accomodate these children in every facet of life. We won't be able to run interference for our children everywhere they go in life. That is not realistic to expect and we need to make sure our children are their own best advocates. A must read for all parents of NLD children.

A MUST HAVE!

This book is a must have for all parents who have a child with a nonverbal learning disorder. It should be the first book you purchase. It explains in a very clear cut manner what this disability is all about. There are excellent resources in the back of the book for further research and a glossary which explains the terms used regarding this disorder. I had never heard of this disorder before until my daughter was diagnoised with it. It began to help me make sense of the symptoms I was seeing but didnot understand. This book should be bought for any child who has a learning disorder. There is a chapter aboutwhat you child is entitled to within the educational system for the learning disabled, how to go about getting it and what you can do if they don't give it to you. It's invaluable. I was very fortunate to have read this book first and over the summer when my child was not in school. If I had not, I would have walked into that school and trusted them with doing what was best for my child. If you have ever dealt with trying to get special services for your child, you will know it's not an easy task in most schools. After reading this book, you will become very well-versed on the terms that will be used, what your rights are, and you will be able to decide what is needed for your child. No one will serve your child's needs better than you.

WOW! A breath of fresh air!

A wonderful, enlightening book about NLD. This book is well written with concrete examples of symptoms of NLD and strategies to help parents and teachers with the NLD child. It made me laugh and cry, but mostly it made me hopeful for my son's future. When my son was in third grade, we were told by the teacher that he doesn't pay attention, is passive-resistive, slow to get started, unable to follow complex directions and having difficulty with math. She suggested he might have ADD. A pediatric neurologist looked at a questionnaire the teacher had filled out and said my son had ADD and Ritalin would probably help. We asked what our other options were and he told us that we could go to see an "Educational Therapist" who would perform a battery of tests to determine if there was a learning disability. Though the school psychologist said he had symptoms of a child with NLD we have been battling with the school ever since (he's now in 6th grade) to get him help. With the help of an extraordinary OT my son is doing great. The resources and strategies presented in this book are a must-read for every parent who is struggling to help their child succeed in school and in life.