They were proactive about their children's obstacles…and conquered! Check out these real-life accounts about parents who have turned their frustrations and fears about learning disabilities into positive actions and optimism.
They do happen! Be brave! Stay the course! Many of us as parents are fearful when our son or daughter is diagnosed with a learning disability. Will they succeed in school? At work? Will they make friends? What does it take? My son, Scott, is currently 14 years old and in the 8th grade... More >
In her book, A Special Mother: Getting Through the Early Days of a Child’s Diagnosis of Learning Disabilities and Related Disorders, LD activist and author Anne Ford devotes an entire chapter to several ways mothers of children with learning disabilities can take care of the... More >
This Parent's Perspective features Anne from Colorado. As the parent of a child with dyslexia she often felt as though she was "on her own." Once she started talking to other parents, she realized that she was one of many parents who faced challenges when working within the school sys... More >
In this Parent Perspective, Julie, the mother of a middle school student with dyslexia, discusses how her son Scott's attitude and achievement levels began to improve after he began attending a school that was Orton-Gillingham based. Julie credited the positive changes in Scott's pe... More >
The following excerpt is from the first chapter of Anne Ford’s book, Laughing Allegra: The Inspiring Story of a Mother's Struggle and Triumph Raising a Daughter with Learning Disabilities.
Chapter 1: Baby Girl Uzielli
When [my son] Alessandro was born, I had the us... More >
Fashion designer Dana Buchman's book, A Special Education: One Family's Journey Through the Maze of Learning Disabilities written with her daughter Charlotte, describes the gradual discovery of Charlotte's learning disabilities as well as Buchman's own path to self-discovery. ... More >
In this Parent Perspective, Gloria, the mother of a student with learning disabilities, shares some of the lessons she learned as she was weaving her way through the "special education maze." Gloria suggests that a child with LD is an opportunity for both parents and teachers to get c... More >
Anne Ford is the Chairperson Emerita at the National Center for Learning Disabilities. Ms. Ford's book, Laughing Allegra: The Inspiring Story of a Mother's Struggle and Triumph Raising a Daughter with Learning Disabilities, was released in 2003; in this interview, she talks about her ... More >
The following excerpt is from the introduction from Anne Ford's book, Laughing Allegra: The Inspiring Story of a Mother's Struggle and Triumph Raising a Daughter with Learning Disabilities.
..."I think mom has done well telling those people out there that you CAN get ... More >
The following excerpt is from the first chapter of Anne Ford’s book, On Their Own: Creating an Independent Future for Your Adult Child with Learning Disabilities and ADHD.
In 2003 Anne Ford published Laughing Allegra, a memoir about the struggles of raising a daughter... More >
Our district is in Southwest Colorado, and one of the early things I learned was to find as many parents of dyslexic children as I could, and compare notes. Some of us had successful Individual Education Programs (IEPs) for our children, and we would meet at my office on the weekend t... More >
John-Richard Thompson is an award-winning playwright and novelist. Together, Mr. Thompson and Anne Ford co-authored, Laughing Allegra: The Inspiring Story of a Mother's Struggle and Triumph Raising a Daughter with Learning Disabilities. In this interview he sets the stage for ... More >
The Wonder Year
Some people, when faced with a major life change, make a conscious effort to slow everything else down. A woman who’s having a child for the first time might decide to lighten her load at work. Someone who is taking on new responsibilities in her job might hold of... More >
My child is struggling 
Now that my child has 
