Smart Kids with Learning Difficulties: Overcoming Obstacles and Realizing Potential
Smart Kids With Learning Difficultieswas written specifically for parents and teachers working with bright children experiencing difficulties in school, including ADHD and learning disabilities, among others. Throughout the book, one of the major themes is that twice-exceptional students educational needs must be considered in the context of both their strengths and weaknesses. There is also an emphasis on providing for gifted students whose disability may be unidentified due to self-accommodating, or may not be identified as gifted as their disability may be masking their giftedness. The book follows a logical progression from identification, to child needs, to what quality programming may look like for these children, and ends with additional ideas to enhance learning for these students. Parents and teachers will appreciate the organized structure of the book and the jargon-free discussion. While the book contains a strong overview of the challenges often experienced by twice-exceptional students, by far the book s greatest strength is the volume of problem-solving tips and materials. There is also a short discussion on transitioning to college, and materials are provided to aid students in making this transition, including a college planning sheet and a self-advocacy outline. Each chapter also contains a wealth of resources including templates, charts of useful strategies, and materials to help teachers differentiate in the classroom. --Lisa Van Gemert, Gifted Youth Specialist, Mensa Foundation