One in six children encounter significant problems while learning to read; some one million children are being treated for learning disabilities. There are many books that deal with their academic difficulties, but when it comes to the social isolation and peer rejection that these differently wired children so often experience, their parents and teachers are mostly left to cope on their own. Now, renowned educator Richard Lavoie offers practical, proven strategies to help these children learn to maintain friendships, resolve conflicts, and interpret non-verbal social cues. Written with warmth, empathy, and the authority that can only come from decades of experience with these issues, IT'S SO MUCH WORK TO BE YOUR FRIEND will enlighten and empower anyone who cares for or works with these hard-to understand children.

Reviews

Children with learning disabilities are socially out of step with their peers and often teased because of their differences. This groundbreaking book provides practical, expert advice to help learning-disabled children ages six to 17 achieve social success. Lavoie, who has taught children with learning disabilities for over 30 years and has appeared in three PBS videos, discusses social issues common to children with ADD, attention disorders, anxiety, and visual spatial disorders. Then he provides proven methods to help these children through almost any social situation, including overcoming shyness and low self-esteem and adjusting to new situations. The intensity with which these children long for friends and acceptance, the exasperation they cause in others, the joy they feel in social connection, and the author's compassion are clearly evident throughout. Other parenting books on learning-disabled children fail to address overcoming social hurdles; highly recommended for all public libraries.-Walter J. Cegelka, St. Thomas Univ., Miami Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

"Some learning challenged students are gifted socially, while others painfully struggle. Rick Lavoie's new book is a wonderful resource for parents and professionals alike who seek to guide those in need through their social and emotional hurdles."

-- Barbara Wilson, M.S. Ed, Director, Wilson Language Training