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Resources: Learning for You and Your Child

Janus understands the frustrations and struggles that come with learning differences. Our staff, faculty and parents have suggested the following links, books and videos to help you and your child succeed.

Our preferred resources

• All Kinds of Minds
  All Kinds of Minds is a nonprofit institute for the understanding of differences in learning. The institute's mission is to help students who struggle with learning measurably improve their success in school and life by providing programs that integrate educational, scientific, and clinical expertise.

 

• Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)
  Founded in 1984 as the Center for Applied Special Technology, CAST has earned international recognition for its development of innovative, technology-based educational resources and strategies based on the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

 

• Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD)
  CHADD is a national organization that provides a support network for parents, continuing education about attention deficits, and resources to help children with attention deficits in educational settings.

 

• Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
  The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with differences, and/or the gifted. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.

 

• Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD)
  CLD provides services to professionals who work with individuals with learning differences.

 

• Dr. Jane Bluestein
  Dr. Bluestein created Instructional Support Services, Inc. and I.S.S. Publications in April of 1983 to provide resources and instructional programs to educators, counselors, parents and the general public. Dr. Bluestein's mission is to provide practical, helpful and meaningful information –as well as inspiration, encouragement and hope– in areas related to relationship building, effective instruction and guidance, and personal development.

 

• LDInfo
  LDInfo was created as a nonprofit organization designed to provide up-to-date information and an ever-growing dialogue on how to effectively deal with a learning difference. LDInfo specifically, although not exclusively, furnishes information about services and resources in the Delaware Valley (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and its surrounding counties).

 

• LD Pride
  Information about learning styles and Multiple Intelligence (MI) is helpful for everyone, but especially for people with learning differences and attention deficit disorder. Knowing your learning style will help you develop coping strategies to compensate for your weaknesses and capitalize on your strengths.

 

• Learning Disabilities Association of America
  LDA is the largest nonprofit volunteer organization advocating for individuals with learning differences and has over 200 state and local affiliates in 42 states and Puerto Rico. LDA's international membership of more than 40,000 includes members from 27 countries around the world.

 

• Learning Disabilities Resources
  Learning Disabilities Worldwide, Inc. (LDW) is a non-profit, volunteer organization including individuals with learning differences, their families, and professionals. LDW has more than 15,000 subscribers worldwide. The LD Resources web site has been providing information for people with learning differences and people who work with people with learning differences since 1995.

 

• Learning Through Listening
  In partnership with the Center for Applied Special technology, a site for information on current research, teaching philosophies, educator resources, and additional resource links.

 

• Misunderstood Minds
  PBS has created a companion Web site to the Misunderstood Minds special on learning differences. Within the site are stories from the show and information and resources for parents.

 

• National Center for Learning Disabilities
  The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) works to ensure that the nation's 15 million children, adolescents and adults with learning differences have every opportunity to succeed in school, work and life. NCLD provides essential information to parents, professionals and individuals with learning differences, promotes research and programs to foster effective learning, and advocates for policies to protect and strengthen educational rights and opportunities.

 

• National Research Center on Learning Disabilities
  NRCLD engages in research, develops recommendations, and provides training to help administrators, teachers, parents, and policy makers address the complex issues surrounding the proper identification of students with learning differences who need special education services.

 

• Schwab Learning
  Schwab Learning is an operating program of the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation, a private, nonprofit foundation that funds programs in learning differences and human services. Schwab Learning aspires to help kids with learning and attention problems such as learning differences (LD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) lead satisfying and productive lives in an environment that recognizes, values and supports the unique attributes of every child.

 

• SparkTop.org
  SparkTop.org is the first Web site created expressly for kids with learning difficulties, including learning differences and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD). By educating kids about learning, helping them recognize their strengths, showcasing their creativity and offering safe ways for kids to connect with one another, SparkTop.org can help children gain confidence and insight about themselves and how they learn.

 

• Teaching LD
  Teaching LD is a service of the Division for Learning Disabilities (DLD) of the Council for Exceptional Children.

 

• The Education Law Center: PA
  ELC is a nonprofit legal advocacy and educational organization, dedicated to ensuring that all of Pennsylvania's children have access to a quality public education.

 

• The Hallowell Center
  This Web site describes the Hallowell Center for Cognitive and Emotional Health which specializes in the understanding and managing of attention deficits, worry/anxiety, and child and adult learning difficulties. The site offers informative articles and materials by Dr. Ned Hallowell.

 

• The International Dyslexia Association
  The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with dyslexia, their families and the communities that support them. IDA is the oldest learning differences organization in the nation – founded in 1949 in memory of Dr. Samuel T. Orton, a distinguished neurologist. Throughout their rich history, their goal has been to provide the most comprehensive forum for parents, educators, and researchers to share their experiences, methods, and knowledge.

 

• What Works Clearinghouse (WWC)
  What Works Clearinghouse was established in 2002 by the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences to provide educators, policymakers, researchers, and the public with a central, independent, and trusted source of scientific evidence of what works in education.

 

Other helpful links

• Auditory Processing Disorder
• Learning Disabilities Online
• Non-Verbal Learning Disorders
• Online Asperger Syndrome Information & Support (OASIS)

Suggested reading

• "A Mind At A Time," by Mel Levine M.D., published by Simon & Schuster. Dr. Levine shows parents how to identify individual learning patterns. He explains how parents and teachers can encourage a child's strengths and bypass the child's weaknesses.

 

• "Helping a Child With Nonverbal Learning Disorder or Asperger's Syndrome," by Kathryn Stewart Ph.D, published by New Harbinger Publications, Inc. Guide for parents and teachers that provides concrete strategies to help those with NLD or AS. Differential diagnosis, strengths and weaknesses, and interventions are addressed.

 

• "Learning Disabilities: Theories, Diagnoses and Teaching Strategies," by Janet Lerner, published by Houghton Mifflin. Designed as a textbook for future teachers, this guide covers all types of LDs.

 

• "Learning to Learn," by Caroline Olivier and Rosemary Bowler, published by Fireside: Simon and Schuster. Discussion of different ways of learning, memory, attention, testing, and what works in the home and in school.

 

• "Overcoming Dyslexia: A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems At Any Level," by Sally Shaywitz M.D., published by Alfred Knopf. A current, in-depth description and intervention for dyslexia for teachers and parents.

 

• "The Source for ADD/ADHD," by Gail J. Richard and Joy L. Russel, published by Linguisystems. Description and diagnosis of ADD and ADHD, how to live with ADD, medical interventions, behavioral interventions, educational interventions, and home interventions are discussed.

 

• "The Source for Nonverbal Learning Disorders," by Sue Thompson, published by Linguisystems, Description and diagnosis of nonverbal LD, strategies, accommodations, and adult skills. Also includes sections on lifespan issues and home tips for parents.