ADHD • Anxiety • Nonverbal • Communication • Disorders • Visual/Spatial • Disorders • Executive Functioning Difficulties As any parent, teacher, coach, or caregiver of a learning disabled child knows, every learning disability has a social component. The ADD child constantly interrupts and doesn’t follow directions. The child with visual-spatial issues loses his belongings. The child with a nonverbal communication disorder fails to gesture when … More >>
The entire book could have been distilled down to one or two useful pages. A typical example of the author’s predilection to stating the obvious in expert-speak: “Generally children will send discernible non-verbal signals when they are ready to end a conversation with an adult. They often begin to stare off into space or become silly. It is time to end the exchange.”
And then there are the self-promoting anecdotes such as, “It is encouraging to meet alumni from the 90’s who had been exposed to intense social skill instruction during their high school years. Their conversational entrees are far more appropriate and effective: ‘How are Mrs. Lavoie, Christian, Danny and Meggi?’ ‘How long will you be in the area?’ ‘How are things on Cape Cod?’”
If you can bring yourself to wade through the superfluous chit chat and you’ve never read anything on this subject before, it may be worth buying used.
Rating: 1 / 5
I received this book in perfect condition and am very pleased with the entire process from purchase to receipt.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book provides what sound like good tips for helping a child struggling with social skills. Whether they work, I really can’t say, as applying everything here would be the work of a lifetime.
My major complaint about the book is the lack of research showing that this approach really works. Lavoie mentions research findings in one or two places in the text, but mostly he seems to be relying on his own experience working with kids. This is supplemented with what he admits is nothing more than “conventional wisdom” and “generally accepted rules of thumb”. Some of Lavoie’s “conventional wisdom” struck me as highly unlikely, such as his statement that child development is generally smoother in larger families. The research I’ve seen on the subject tends to show that only children generally tend to do better than children from larger families.
My son has Asperger’s syndrome (a mild form of autism). After 8 years of trying to help my boy, I am beginning to get a little weary of all the advice I receive. I’ve spent a fortune on therapists of various types, each one pushing his own agenda. Where’s the proof that Lavoie’s approach works with anyone other than Lavoie’s own patients? For that matter, how do I know that Lavoie’s own patients really improved their social skills, compared to other kids whose parents tried some other way? There are a lot of charlatans out there preying on the hopes of desperate parents. I wish I knew whether or not Lavoie is one of them.
Rating: 3 / 5
This is a very easy to read excellent book. We have one dyslexic grandchild and her twin is ADD. It has been invaluable in it’s suggestions and practicality.
Rating: 5 / 5
I first read parts of this book on loan from the library, but dealings with a family friend meant I needed a guide book around for ready reference. I have not finished all the lessons, but already it has helped me qualify and understand some behavior and deal with it in a calmer, more educated and effective way. And that’s what we need. Thanks!
Rating: 5 / 5