Smart Kids with School Problems: Things to Know and Ways to Help

by Priscilla L. Vail

Book Overview

They are known as "conundrum kids": the math whiz who can't read, the budding artist who can't spell or solve a simple equation, the wonderfully coordinated athlete with the undecipherable handwriting. As the title of this book implies, they are a puzzle-smart kids, even extremely gifted ones, who do poorly in school. Learning specialist, diagnostician, teacher, and parent herself, Priscilla Vail has created a much-needed, authoritative guide to spotting...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452262429
• ISBN13: 9780452262423
• Release Date: August 1989
• Publisher: Plume Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

excellent resource

I poured over this book after receiving my child's evaluation. Full of nuts and bolts explanations on various learning difficulties. Gave me hope for the future. I couldn't help but wonder if it shouldn't be updated since it is now 20 years old and much has happened in the study of children's learning issues. Still, it was clearly ahead of its time.

This book was an enormous help 6 years ago.

When my child was in the process of being evaluated for possible learning disabilities, I was given this book to read. It was like "deja vue"....so many of the stories/examples within the book fit my child's situation exactly. It helped me understand her evaluation results and also helped me to understand her better. This book was pivotal in leading our whole family down the path to understanding, advocating and supporting our child at home and in the school. It's been 6 years now, and I still re-read parts of it.

A Parent's Answer

This book was a God-send just at the time of giving up on the school system-- I took charge and looked for an answer to why my son who was so bright has hated school since Kindergarten. I found out why in this book!! The author lovingly and astutely explains how and at what point the learning process can break down. I was able to pinpoint that area in my son and then use the practical advice Ms. Vail offered. AN ABSOLUTELY MUST BOOK FOR FUTURE TEACHERS (and parents seeking understanding and practical advice). TEACHERS NEED TO BE ABLE TO "SEE" A CHILD WHO IS FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS BECAUSE OF A STRUGGLE HE/SHE IS HAVING WITH AN UNRECOGNIZED LEARNING BREAKDOWN.

Smart Kids with School Problems

A very insightful book that explains how a child can demonstrate both brilliance and learning difficulties. The section on testing gave a wonderful explanation of common assessments, exploring the intricacies of scores typically found in these kids.