Helping Your Child with Language-Based Learning Disabilities: Strategies to Succeed in School and Life with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, ADHD, and Processing Disorders

242 Pages·2018·5.33 MB·English

Praise for Helping Your Child with
Language-Based Learning Disabilities
“Daniel Franklin has written a truly remarkable book about children with
language-based learning disabilities. His work contains not only clear
descriptions of different problems faced by children and adolescents with
learning problems, but also realistic strategies for addressing these prob-
lems. I was especially impressed with Franklin’s understanding of and
empathy for children who struggle with learning, as well as for their
parents, teachers, and other professionals who work with them. I found
Franklin to be skilled at presenting the importance of helping youngsters
to become more independent without prematurely removing the support
that they require to navigate life’s challenges. This book will serve as a
major resource for parents and professionals—to be read and reread.”
—Robert Brooks, PhD, faculty at Harvard Medical School
(part-time), and coauthor of Raising Resilient Children and
The Power of Resilience
“Daniel Franklin, a respected educational therapist, has written a
thoughtful and empathetic book translating his experience helping many
boys and girls into a practical guide. His advice takes into consideration
first and foremost the child’s feelings and preferences, and works to bring
parents and their struggling child onto the same plane. He understands
and emphasizes the importance of early identification and intervention,
that there are no magic bullets, and that practice and more practice pay
off. Franklin emanates positivity and patience, stressing kindness to chil-
dren who have been exposed to more than their share of shaming and
corrective input from adults.”
—Sally E. Shaywitz, MD, professor of learning development,
cofounder and codirector of The Yale Center for Dyslexia &
Creativity, and author of Overcoming Dyslexia
“Parents of children with special needs are on a journey they didn’t ask to
take. There are many books that provide an aerial photograph of this
voyage. Helping Your Child with Language-Based Learning Disabilities
stands head and shoulders above the rest by offering a road map, a
compass, a walking stick, and some snacks along the way. Daniel Franklin’s
experience, wisdom, and sensitivity shine through on every page. He can
lead a concerned parent from feeling that ‘my child is a problem’ to the
profound understanding that ‘my child has a problem—and I can help.’”
—Richard D. Lavoie, MA, MEd, author of The Motivation
Breakthrough and It’s So Much Work to Be Your Friend
“Children who struggle with language-related learning issues, and their
families, face the daunting prospect of navigating an education system
that is not aligned to their unique neurobiological profiles. In this gem of
a book, Franklin arms parents with the knowledge and strategies they
need to support and advocate for their unique child—not just in learning
to read or calculate but in developing to their full potential as a whole and
happy human being. There are no quick fixes or magic beans here—the
information presented amounts to a practical, reliable, and sensitively
written guide.”
—Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, PhD, professor of education
at the University of Southern California (USC) Rossier
School of Education, associate professor of psychology at
USC’s Brain and Creativity Institute, and author of Emotions,
Learning, and the Brain
“Daniel Franklin provides practical steps to help children with language-
based learning disabilities succeed not only at school, but also at life. His
helpful advice is accessible, clear, and instructive; at the same time, it is
supportive and empathetic. This book is essential for parents who strug-
gle with how best to equip their children with the skills they need to navi-
gate educational challenges. Franklin also teaches parents how to foster
positivity and confidence in their children.”
—Judy Ho, PhD, clinical psychologist; two-time board diplomate
of the American Board of Professional Psychology and the
National Board of Forensic Evaluators; tenured associate
professor of psychology at Pepperdine University; and frequent
expert psychologist on leading television networks, including
CNN, CBS, and FOX
“This is a truly human book for parents overwhelmed by the world of
experts, incomprehensible advice, and reports they don’t understand.
Franklin writes, ‘Your relationship is more important than schoolwork.’
Imagine! If parents learn nothing more than this, they will have learned
the essence of how to help their struggling child. This comprehensive book
is a marvel that will help struggling parents breathe a whole lot easier.”
—Dorothy Ungerleider, MA, board-certified educational
therapist, founder of the Association of Educational Therapists,
and author of Reading, Writing, and Rage and Educational
Therapy in Action
“This book is an outstanding resource not only for parents of children with
language-based learning difficulties, but also for parents more generally.
Written in a highly accessible way, it provides a warm, positive, and
encouraging approach for supporting children through strong relation-
ships between parents and children, and between families and educators.”
—Amanda Datnow, PhD, professor of education at the
University of California, San Diego
“Daniel Franklin’s remarkable book offers parents a wealth of strategies
they can use to support their struggling children. Franklin’s suggestions
are easy to implement, and create a common language for parents and
professionals. His compassionate approach will inspire and empower fam-
ilies, and provide students with hope and optimism. This is a must-read
for anyone helping a child navigate the challenges of school and life.”
—Richard L. Goldman, MEd, teacher, administrator, and college
professor with over forty years’ experience in language-based
learning disabilities and educational consulting
“Helping Your Child with Language-Based Learning Disabilities is a great
resource for parents and education professionals. Franklin provides the
understanding (and tools) necessary for parents to more effectively meet
the learning needs of their children. The other great accomplishment of
this book is its focus on education as a means to an end—that a positive
educational experience can help children grow into adults who are suc-
cessful and who thrive in their life pursuits.”
—Michael E. Spagna, PhD, provost and vice president of
academic affairs at California State University, Dominguez Hills
Helping Your Child
with Language-Based
Learning Disabilities
Strategies to Succeed in School & Life
with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia,
ADHD & Processing Disorders
DANIEL FRANKLIN, P D
h
New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
Publisher’s Note
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in
regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the pub-
lisher is not engaged in rendering psychological, financial, legal, or other professional
services. If expert assistance or counseling is needed, the services of a competent
professional should be sought.
This book describes experiences of real people. The author has disguised their
identities and, in some instances, created composite characters. None of these
changes has affected the truthfulness of their stories.
Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books
Copyright © 2018 by Daniel Franklin
New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
5674 Shattuck Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
www.newharbinger.com
Scarborough’s reading rope, in chapter 6, is reprinted from HANDBOOK FOR
RESEARCH IN EARLY LITERACY, Volume 1 by Susan B. Neuman and
David K. Dickinson, copyright © 2003 by Susan B. Neuman and David K.
Dickinson. Reprinted with permission of Guilford Publications.
Cover design by Amy Shoup
Acquired by Ryan Buresh; Edited by Marisa Solis
All Rights Reserved
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data on file
For students and families everywhere

Contents
Foreword ix
Introduction 1
Part I
An Overview of Language- Based Learning Difficulties
Chapter 1: What Is a Language- Based Learning Difficulty? 9
An Overview of Language- Based Learning Difficulties 13
Your Child’s Learning Environment 16
Chapter 2: Correctly Assessing Your Child 19
Levels of Support in Public Schools 21
Private Assessments 29
Chapter 3: A Kinder Way to Support Your Child 37
Your Relationship With Your Child Is More Important
Than Schoolwork 40
Collaboration Is Not “Enabling” 41
The Role of Bypass Strategies 42
Subskill Coupling: The Underlying Problem 45
Part II
Succeeding at School
Chapter 4: Forming a Strong Bond with Your Child 51
Step 1: Identify the Problem 52
Step 2: Break the Cycle of Negative Feedback 54
Step 3: Promote Emotional Regulation 55