Defending and Parenting Children Who Learn Differently

Book excerpt: Teel incorporates the fascinating story of Nancy Edison's love for her son Thomas, who had been labeled unteachable, then presents us with the wider array of and issues for children who learn differently. We all know Thomas Edison was a genius of seemingly limitless imagination. Yet few know he was a failure in elementary school. Teel shows us how Edison's mother, Nancy, guided the boy deemed a dunce by officials—even assumed mentally retarded by his father—to become one of the greatest inventors of all time. Edison's progressive and imaginative teaching methods hold lessons even today for all children who learn differently from conventional methods, as well as for the parents and teachers who care about them. Teel also explains how parents can negotiate the educational maze created by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). An Individualized Education Program is explained in detail, and options such as enlisting the assistance of a professional advocate are also discussed. The latest research about current medication therapies and the origins plus potential benefits of ADHD are reviewed. A leading professional advocate explains what every parent needs to know about the public school system. Other topics addressed include the effectiveness of home schooling and parental and student rights. An extensive list of local and national resources is also offered.