The Parents' Guide to Specific Learning Difficulties

Packed full of advice and practical strategies for parents and educators, this book is a one-stop-shop for supporting children with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs).

Part one introduces a spectrum of SpLDs, ranging from poor working memory, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, through to ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), Specific Language Impairment and Visual Processing Difficulty. It explains clearly what each difficulty is, how it can affect a child's learning and how to help a child to succeed despite their difficulties. Part two includes a host of tips, tools and strategies to support your child's efforts in areas such as reading, writing, spelling and handwriting, as well as advice on motivation, confidence and managing life's setbacks.

Written by an experienced Educational Psychologist, this is the perfect guide for parents and carers who are looking for ways to support their child's learning, as well as for educators and teachers looking for advice on how to differentiate lessons and motivate pupils with SpLDs.

“A treasure trove of useful information and practical advice for the parents of children with specific learning difficulties and anyone who teaches them. Difficult concepts are explained in ways that are easy to understand and chapters conclude with helpful key points. Filled to the brim with inspiring and interesting case studies that make it a fascinating read. It really is a must have.”

-- Claudine Goldingham BA LLB (Dist.), a dyslexic and mother of two dyslexic and dyspraxic girls
This is a terrific book. Veronica Bidwell's long experience and widely-recognised expertise is readily evident. She is able to link these qualities with an up-to-date knowledge of the science of neurodevelopmental conditions, particularly to the extent to which various difficulties often exist alongside each other. This is complemented by her vivid case studies. There is much for parents in here, with practical advice which has been tested in the field. Yet this is more than a book just for parents. Those who teach children with specific learning difficulties will find this an illuminating read and I recommend it to them too. -- Professor Peter Hill MA MB BChir FRCP FRCPCH FRCPsych, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Veronica Bidwell's inspirational "The Parents' Guide to Specific Learning Difficulties: Information, Advice and Practical Tips", which will doubtless become the bible for all, touches on a discipline which can, at times, seem over-complex and impenetrable - especially to troubled parents and teachers. Veronica brings her wit, charm and insight to her wealth of experience as an educational psychologist, working in mainstream and specialist schools. She has written what is essentially a textbook that is, not only accessible to all, but also a rollicking good read. I would chain this book to every parent's wrist. -- Jo Petty, Director, The Dyslexia Teaching Centre, Kensington, UK
This is the go-to book for parents with children who have specific learning difficulties. The book explains the varying specific learning difficulties and tells parents how to help. It is informative, practical and accessible without being patronising. It works either as a cover to cover read or as a book to dip into. If parents could spend a week with an educational psychologist asking every question they could think of, the result might be this book! -- Jackie Murray, Principal Educational Psychologist, Fairley House School, UK

Veronica Bidwell is an Educational Psychologist with expert knowledge of Specific Learning Difficulties. She has been involved in education for over 30 years working in mainstream and special schools. She has run a leading independent Educational Psychology Service and has assessed many hundreds of pupils and provided advice and support to pupils, parents and teachers. She is a regular speaker and has lead numerous workshops and training sessions. She has also contributed to Dystalk, the leading learning difficulty website offering a series of talks given by experts in their fields. Veronica lives in London, UK

Providing everything you need to know about Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs), this book is packed full of advice and practical strategies to help support and motivate children who learn differently. The first part of the book covers the most common SpLDs, from ADHD, visual processing difficulty and poor working memory through to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and Specific Language Impairment. It explains clearly and concisely what each difficulty is, how it can affect a child's learning and how to help a child to succeed despite their difficulties. The second part of the book includes a host of tips, tools and strategies to support your child's efforts in areas such as reading, writing, spelling and handwriting, as well as advice on how to keep your child motivated through life's setbacks. Written by an experienced Educational Psychologist, this is a one-stop-shop for parents and carers who are looking for ways to support their child's learning, as well as for educators and teachers looking for advice on how to differentiate lessons and motivate pupils with SpLDs.

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