A Library of Helpful Resources

A few weeks ago, reflecting upon the calendar of topics I want to address in this monthly column, I was surprised to find myself swiveling back and forth in my desk chair, eyeing my computer screen on my left and perusing my burgeoning bookshelves on my right. In a flash, I was reminded of the popular expression, "the more things change, the more they stay the same." Sure, I spend many hours each week combing through websites, reading online newsletters, downloading reports and searching for information that will help me keep abreast of the field of learning disabilities and related disorders. But I also spend focused, protected time immersed in thoughtfully constructed narrative that lives between two hard covers, with an occasional graph, photo or drawing. There's just something about a book that, well... you know!

What I've offered below is an expanded list of titles from an earlier "visit to my bookshelf" column. These are among the books that I reach for most often and that I find myself not wanting to put down. If you've read this list before, look for the books marked "NEW!" for recent additions. As before, my mention of these titles is not meant to endorse any of these products but rather to recommend them to you as valuable resources, hopefully informative, perhaps entertaining, and surely thought provoking.

 

Math and Learning Disabilities

 

• Allsopp, David H., Kyger, Maggie M., & Lovin, LouAnn, H. (2007). Teaching Mathematics Meaningfully: Solutions for Reaching Struggling Learners. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.
• Berch, Daniel B. & Mazzocco, Michelle M.M (2007). Why Is Math So Hard for Some Children? The Nature and Origins of Mathematical Learning Difficulties and Disabilities. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.
  
  

 

Reading

 

• Birsh, J.R. (ed) (2005), Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills (Second Edition). Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.
• Carnine, Douglas W., Silbert, Jerry, Kame enui, Edward. J., Tarver, Sara. G., & Jungjohann (2006). Teaching Struggling and At-Risk Readers: A Direct Instruction Approach. Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ.
• Frank, Robert (2002) The Secret Life of the Dyslexic Child, Rodale Pressale Press, Emmaus, PA
• Haager, Diane, Klinger, Janette, & Vaughn, Sharon (2007). Evidence-Based Reading Practices for Response to Intervention. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.
• Hall, Susan.L. & Moats, Louisa C. (1999). Straight Talk About Reading: How Parents Can Make a Difference in the Early Years. Contemporary Books, Chicago, IL.
• Harris, Karen R., Graham, Steve, Mason, Linda H. & Friedlander, Barbara. (2008). Powerful Writing Strategies for All Students . Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.
• Henry, Marcia K. (2003). Unlocking Literacy: Effective Decoding & Spelling Instruction. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.
• Klinger, Janette K., Vaughn, Sharon, & Boardman, Alison. (2007). Teaching Reading Comprehension to Students with Learning Difficulties. The Guilford Press, New York, NY
• Kurnoff, Shirley (2000). The Human Side of Dyslexia. London Universal Publishing, Monterey, CA.
• McCardle, Peggy & Chhabra,Vinita (eds.) (2004). The Voice of Evidence in Reading Research. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.
• Minskoff, Esther (2005). Teaching Reading to Struggling Learners. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.
• Moats, Louisa Cook, (2000). Speech to Print: Language Essential for Teachers. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.
• Rath, Linda K. & Kennedy, Louise (2004). The Between the Lions Book for Parents. Harper Collins Publishers, Inc. New York, NY.
• Shaywitz, Sally (2003). Overcoming Dyslexia, A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY.
• Simmons, Deborah C. & Kameenui, Edward J. (eds) (1998). What Reading Research Tells Us About Children with Diverse Learning Needs , Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, NJ.
• Woods, Tracy (2004). Teaching Kids to Read for Dummies . Wiley Publishing, Inc. Hoboken, NJ.

Adolescents & Adults

• Gerber, Paul & Reiff, Henry (1994). Learning Disabilities in Adulthood: Persisting Problems and Evolving Issues . Pro-Ed, Austin, TX.
• Getzel, Elizabeth Evans and Wehman, Paul (2005). Going to College: Expanding Opportunities for People with Disabilities . Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.
• Minskoff, Esther & Allsopp, David (2003). Academic Success Strategies for Adolescents with Learning Disabilities and ADHD. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.
• Nadeau, Kathleen G. (2006). Survival Guide for College Students with ADHD and LD (2nd ed). Magination Press, Washington D.C.
• Reiff, Henry.B., Gerber, Paul.J., & Ginsberg, Rick (1997). Exceeding Expectations: Successful Adults with Learning Disabilities, Pro-Ed, Austin, TX.
• Reiff, Henry B. (2007). Self-Advocacy Skills for Students with Learning Disabilities: Making It Happen in College and Beyond. Dude Publishing, Port Chester, NY.
• Roffman, A.J. (2000). Meeting the Challenge of Learning Disabilities in Adulthood. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.
• Wehman, Paul (2006). Life Beyond the Classroom: Transition Strategies for Young People with Disabilities (4th edition). Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.

Learning Disabilities and Special Education

• Bateman, B.D. & Herr, C.M. (2003). Writing Measurable IEP Goals and Objectives. IEP Resources, Verona, WI.
• Brookes, Robert & Goldstein, Sam (2004). The Power of Resilience: Achieving Balance, Confidence, and Personal Strength in Your Life. McGraw Hill, New York, NY.
• Donovan, M. Suzanne & Cross, Christopher T. (eds). Minority Students in Special and Gifted Education. National Research Council, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.
• Fletcher, Jack M., Lyon, G. R., Fuchs, Lynn, & Barnes, Marcia A. (2007). Learning Disabilities: From Identification to Intervention . The Guilford Press, New York, NY.
• Fletcher-Janzen, Elaine & Reynolds, Cecil (eds.) (2008). Neuropsychological Perspectives on Learning Disabilities in the Era of RTI: recommendations for diagnosis and intervention. John Wiley & Sons. Hoboken, NJ.
• Gallagher, James. J. (2006). Driving Change in Special Education. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.
• Hehir, Thomas (2005). New Directions in Special Education: Eliminating Ableism in Policy and Practice. Harvard Education Press, Cambridge, MA.
• Kauffman, James M. (2002). Educational Deform: Bright People Sometimes Say Stupid Things about Education. Scarecrow Press, Lanhan, MD.
• Keogh, Barbara K. (2003). Temperament in the Classroom: Understanding Individual Differences. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.
• Lerner, Janet W. & Kline, Frank (2006). Learning Disabilities and Related Disorders: Characteristics and Teaching Strategies (Tenth Edition). Houghton Mifflin Publishers, Boston, MA.
• Levine, Mel (2003). The Myth of Laziness. Simon and Schuster, New York, NY.
• Losen, Daniel J. & Orfield, Gary (eds) (2002). Racial Inequality in Special Education. Harvard Education Press, Cambridge, MA.
• McNamara, Barry Edwards (2007). Learning Disabilities: Bridging the Gap between Research and Classroom Practice. Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ.
• Mellard, Daryl. F. & Johnson, Evelyn (2008). RTI: A Practitioner's Guide to Implementing Response to Intervention. A joint publication of Corwin Press, Thousand Oaks, CA and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.
• Meltzer, Lynn (ed.) (2007). Executive Function in Education: From Theory to Practice. Guilford Press. New York, NY.
• Mody, Maria & Elaine, Silliman R. (eds) (2008). Brain, Behavior and Learning in Language and Reading Disorders. The Guilford Press., New York, NY.
• Ruscio, John (2002). Clear Thinking with Psychology: Separating Sense from Nonsense. Wadsworth, Pacific Grove, CA
• Smith, Sally (2001). The Power of the Arts: Creative Strategies for Teaching Exceptional Learners. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.
• Mastropieri, Margo & Scruggs, Tom (2000). The Inclusive Classroom: Strategies For Effective Instruction. Merrill/Prentice-Hall (Second edition will be out soon).
• Ralabate, Patti (2002). Meeting the Challenge: Special Education Tools that Work for All Kids. National Education Association of the United States.
• Shavelson, R.J. & Town, L. (eds) (2002). Scientific Research in Education. National Academy Press, Washington D.C.
• Swanson, H. Lee, Harris, Karen, R. & Graham, Steve (eds) (2003). Handbook of Learning Disabilities. Guilford Press, New York, NY.
• Osman, B.B. (1997). Learning Disabilities and ADHD: A Family Guide To Living And Learning Together . John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ.

Parents and Personal Stories

• Buchman, Dana (2006). A Special Education: One Family's Journey through the Maze of Learning Disabilities. Da Capo Press, Cambridge, MA.
• Ford, Anne & Thompson, John-Richard (2003). Laughing Allegra. Newmarket Press, New York, NY.
• Ford, Anne & Thompson, John-Richard (2007). On Their Own: Creating an Independent Future for Your Adult Child with Learning Disabilities and ADHD. Newmarket Press, New York, NY.
• Keefe, Elizabeth B., Moore, Veronica M. & Duff, Frances R. (2006). Listening to the Experts: Students with Disabilities Speak Out. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.
• Murphy, Stephen T. (1992). On Being L.D.: Perspectives and Strategies of Young Adults. Teachers College Press, New York, NY.
• Weinfeld, Rich & Davis, Michelle (2008). Special Needs Advocacy Resource Book: What you can do now to advocate for your exceptional child's education. Prufrock Press, Inc., Waco, TX.
  
  

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Sheldon H. Horowitz, Ed.D. is the Director of LD Resources & Essential Information at the National Center for Learning Disabilities.