Our Labeled Children: What Every Parent and Teacher Needs to Know about Learning Disabilities

by Robert J. Sternberg, Elena L. Grigorenko, Elena Grigorenko

Book Overview

Twenty percent of all school aged children in this country have been labeled Learning Disabled. But what is a genuine learning disability and how does it differ from garden-variety poor learning? How can we more accurately assess and then teach to learning strengths instead of to weaknesses? In this passionately argued yet clear-headed book, internationally acclaimed cognitive psychologist Robert Sternberg and research scientist Elena Grigorenko tackle these controversial issues, urging that we must first understand the full range of factors that contribute to learning disabilities (and sometimes to their misdiagnosis) in order to improve the American educational and diagnostic systems.From the biological bases of dyslexia and other disabilities, to the tests that do and do not accurately assess learning abilities, to the social and educational pressures that contribute to misdiagnosis in this country, Our Labeled Children clearly outlines the issues that concern both parents and teachers, ultimately pointing to clear strategies for improving our system to help children with all manner of learning problems.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0738203653
• ISBN13: 9780738203652
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: Balance
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A great book on different levels...

Sternberg has done a good job on different levels in this book. It's very readable and interesting. The only boring part of the book (and unconvincing to me) is the chapter on biological differences among the brains of people who have an LD. There's simply too many kids diagnosed with an LD to fit everyone under one causation. Sternberg talks about the culture of LD, the politics of being labeled "LD", the dangers of using discrepancy formulas for assessment, and effective pedagogical intervention. This is not an "anti-LD" book; instead Sternberg strikes me like Dr. Diller (author of Running on Ritalin) as a "radical moderate."