A Kid Just Like Me: A Father and Son Overcome the Challenges of ADD and Learning Disabilities

by Bruce Roseman

Book Overview

When Bruce Roseman's young son, Joshua, was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, Bruce and Joshua embarked on an extraordinary journey of both heart and mind. Drawing on his medical training and knowledge gleaned from a lifetime of dealing with his own disability, Bruce was able to determine where his son's difficulties lay, and eventually developed a system that enabled Joshua to combat his disability and learn to read. Deeply moving and full...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399526862
• ISBN13: 9780399526862
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: Tarcherperigee
• Length: 268 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

A Breath of Fresh Air

Most childhood development books, while informative, tend to be as compelling as an encyclopedia. Not A Kid Just Like Me. Bruce Roseman's first person account of teaching his learning disabled, ADD son to read is inspiring and enjoyable reading. I think all parents can learn from Dr. Roseman's story. Dr. Roseman has been blessed with a wonderful son, Joshua, whom he loves dearly. Throughout the entire ordeal recounted in the book of dealing with educators, administrators, etc., Dr. Roseman never, ever forgot the love for his child, he never gave up, he always was his child's strongest advocate. While people were telling him and his wife that Joshua would never learn to read, he took control of the situation and taught his son to read. Dr. Roseman is also honest about himself in this book--he admits many time that he was a bit of a pill to those he encountered--again, though, all for his son. Dr. Roseman sent me this book, and asked me to review it. I am so thankful he did. It is a wonderful work that I recommend all parents read. It contains a compelling, heartwarming (although also sometimes heartbreaking) story that will inspire all parents.

A Kid Just Like Me

When I began to read this book, I thought it would be very technical. However, I found it to be a book that I couldn't put down. It is a wonderful story about a father and son and their journey through heartache, love and striving to live in a normal world. I highly recommend this book.

lessons learned with compassion and intelligence

Dr. Roseman has earned his stripes in parenthood and medicine. This book is inspiring and helpful. He and his son are courageous and capable people. Everyone can learn from this book. It is also well written and lively. I hope learning specialists and teachers at a variety of schools read this book and learn from it. They should really try to understand how parents feel about their children and how they hope for their children, and thus, how dedication and faith can win in the long run.

Father's unique understanding of his son's ability to learn

The author writes with a vivid readable style. He takes us along with him on his quest to help his son learn. Along the way, we meet a variety of clinicians, educators and other experts. Professionals might do well to read these sections to help them understand how strongly their words and actions may affect a distressed parent. Dr. Roseman had decades of experience compensating for his own AD/HD and learning disabilities. When he discovered that his oldest son had similar difficulties, he determined that his son would have a different experience from his own. Watching his son's struggles and triumphs was an intense experience, unearthing many varied emotional reactions. Dr. Roseman recounts his own memories of the pain and humiliation he experienced as a child when his school and his parents expressed frustration. At the same time, Dr. Roseman remembers how he had been able to use his energy and creativity to find unique ways around his disabilities. This book emphasizes the need for individualized approaches for AD/HD and learning disabled children. To Dr. Roseman's credit he does not give blanket dismissals to legitimate treatments that did not work well for his particular child. Not every parent can or should do what this parent did. Many readers will not have the energy, the time or the financial resources to teach their own child. This intense identification between parent and child can be a powerful positive force so long as the parent is able to allow space for other family members and friends. When Dr. Roseman talks about his long intense periods with minimal sleep, I could understand the rationale of the psychiatrist who wrote a prescription for Lithium. On the other hand, I think of the intense bond between Helen Keller and her teacher. Often intense, passionate involvement enriches our world.

A Kid Just Like Me

I found this book to be like no others available on the topic of ADD/ADHD. I, too, suffer from this illness and have learned to cope over the years. From a patient's point of view it is a remarkably moving piece of literature. From a parent's point of view I found it inspiring and educational. Bravo to this Dr. Bruce Roseman!!