My child is struggling 
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How do you explain your thoughts about parents acting as advocates for their children and about teaching children to be advocates for themselves?
I have very strong feelings about parents advocating for their child. No one can do that as well as the parent can. And if you don't do it, who will? Many parents, however, are unaware of their rights and those of their child. It's important for parents to know these rights and not be afraid to demand that their child receive the necessary services. As far as self-advocacy, my advice to Allegra was to be open about her disability: Go up to a person if you are in need of something, explain you have a learning disability, and you'll get help. Of course, a person has to use some discretion, as I describe in the book, such as in disclosure during a job interview. But a person's ability to live life fully depends on knowing and recognizing one's self, disability and all.You mention it is important that parents and others help children with LD to have a high sense of self-esteem. How does a parent go about ensuring this?
Allegra really grew through her ice skating. When she first began at the age of 10 or 11, she was frightened and overwhelmed. But after a time, she became more self-possessed, taking pride in her athletic accomplishments and basking in the attention of being in the center of that rink, dressed in her beautiful costume, knowing that all eyes would be on her as she glided across the ice. When I found that Allegra loved ice skating, I did everything to encourage her talent, and saw how her self-esteem grew. I also took Allegra to social events as she was growing up so she would learn how to get along in these settings. For many children with LD, social skills are difficult. Building self-esteem and appropriate social behavior are critical to a child's independence and future relationships.What are you particularly proud of regarding your own involvement with the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) and its successes?
When I started as the chairman at NCLD in 1989, it was a small organization with about five staff members, working in borrowed space, and involved in providing information and referrals and increasing public awareness about LD. Now, 14 years later, that staff has more than tripled, we have a Washington, D.C., policy office, a dynamic Web site reaching millions of people, and recognition that positions NCLD as the leading LD organization in the country. I'm proud that NCLD has grown in distinction so that it can provide the vital help that's needed for individuals with LD and those who care about them.Purchase a copy of Laughing Allegra: The Inspiring Story of a Mother's Struggle and Triumph Raising a Daughter with Learning Disabilities
today!About the authors of Laughing Allegra:Anne Ford served as Chairman of the Board of the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) from 1989 to 2001. During her term as Chair, Mrs. Ford led the reorganization and broad expansion of NCLD, including establishing a presence in Washington, D.C., and organizing educational summits on learning disabilities in several regions of the United States. She was appointed to the Department of Health and Human Services Commission on Childhood Disabilities, as the representative for learning disabilities and was a member of the New York State Board of Regents Select Committee on Disabilities.John-Richard Thompson is an award-winning playwright and novelist. His play Indigo Rat, set in Berlin, Germany, during World War II, ran for a year in New York City and received a MAC Award from the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs. His other plays include Rain House, Water Sheerie, Fruit Bat Safari Camp, and The Glass Bird. He currently lives in New York City. He is the co-author of Laughing Allegra.
