My Child's Not Learning to Read in School! What Can I Do? is an important "how to" "hands on" book for parents worried and/or frustrated about their child's progress in school. It is also a valuable text for teachers, administrators, psychologists, students of education and anyone working with children. It focuses on providing parents with essential information for communicating with the school so their child can achieve at his or her potential. The book concentrates on reading difficulties experienced by children with dyslexia and attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD) since these are the problems faced by many youngsters struggling in school.

Written by an educator with 15 years of experience working with special needs children and by a researcher in psychology, this book gives parents strategies they need to advocate for their child. Both authors bring a unique perspective to educational issues so parents will have solid, research-based practical information to use in making decisions involving their child and negotiating with school systems.

An overview is provided of dyslexia and ADD/ADHD including how both can affect reading ability. This is followed by clear, readable and in-depth explanations for both conditions and how they affect a child's school experience. The specific causes of dyslexia and the most effective teaching methods are described. ADD/ADHD is discussed from many perspectives including diagnosis, executive functions (what they are), co-morbidity (what happens when another condition exists along with ADD/ADHD), medication, and the implications for the educational system.

Educational evaluations are explained in a simple yet thorough manner along with specific tests that can (or should!) be administered to your child, and how to interpret testing results. There is a chapter which de-mystifies the confusing process of planning and placement team (PPT) meetings, and creating individual education plans (IEPs).

The book explains why some reading teaching approaches, while ineffective, are still being used in many schools. Other chapters offer suggestions on how to proceed when the school's recommendations for assistance aren't working-or what to do when a parent believes the school's plan isn't going to help.

There are many excellent aspects of this book. Educational jargon is explained so parents can understand reports and converse with school personnel. There is a list of abbreviations and appendices defining educational terminology, and additional resources.

Relevant case studies about students help illustrate many points and clarify situations so that parents will see aspects of their own child explained. Educational professionals will understand how to better assist children with dyslexia and/or ADD/ADHD and will recognize these conditions earlier allowing children to get needed help sooner.

Stories about and advice from parents offer excellent advocacy strategies based on their personal experiences-including an entire chapter on how one parent got exactly what was best for her child. The book draws parallels between parent's experiences to emphasize approaches that work to ensure that children receive the free and appropriate education to which they are entitled.