How I Learn: A Kid’s Guide to Learning Disability

by Brenda S. Miles, Colleen A. Patterson, Jane Heinrichs (Illustrator)

I like school, but sometimes I get confused.
That's because I learn in a different way.
But guess what? That's OK.

The story introduces the concept of a learning disability in concrete terms for younger students, emphasizing that they are capable of learning, but they do so in a different way. The book includes a discussion guide for parents and teachers.

Genres: Picture Books, Disability, Nonfiction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2014

About the author

Brenda S. Miles, PhD, is a pediatric neuropsychologist who has worked in hospital, rehabilitation, and school settings.

Reviews

[Sarah Lamb Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an informational book about learning disabilities that is good for younger students. It talks about students who struggle with math, reading, or writing. But it also focuses on what the students are good at and it says that it’s OK if you are not good at everything. It explains what Learning Disabilities, LD’s, are. It says they have to work extra hard at things but that doesn’t mean you aren’t trying; it just means you learn things in a different way. This would have been a great book for me when I was struggling with a learning disability as a child. The authors are in the professional field helping children who have learning disabilities Brenda S. Miles is a PhD who is studying how children’s brains work and Colleen A. Patterson is Psychologist in the school system who is an advocate for students with learning challenges. This would be an encouraging book for students who are struggling with learning in your class. It also helps the other children understand their classmates better. This is another great book I will have to add to my bookshelf.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had this book a few years back when I first discovered the severity of my daughters focus issues. This is a nice discussion book for parents or educators to have with elementary age students about learning disabilities and how they affect people in different ways, and that it is o.k. The afterward portion is for the adult to read ahead of time so they see how to best make this into a conversational book. Since my daughter is older we read this portion together and chatted about our shared struggles with learning and some of the things we have found that help us, such as repetition, reading aloud, note taking, and scheduling.

[Richard Avalos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awards: Mom’s Choice Award

This book is about the challenges some students face when they are at school and are unable or uncomfortable in their learning environment. This story encourages readers struggling with similar problems, they too can be successful through certain strategies to help them learn. What stuck out to me in this book was the use of text in the book. It is not like any picture book in that it uses a little bit more complex wording and more words per page than the simpler picture book. Further, it allows for a more in-depth character, plot, and theme development. I thought the style of this book was different in that it showed readers some strategies they can use to help with their learning disabilities. Further, it used more medical terminology than most of the other picture books allowing for more in-depth reading. The book definitively appeals to its age range, however, I believe that it goes beyond that in helping parents and educators teach their children about these certain disabilities. Moreover, at the end of the book there is a discussion included to help guide further exploration on the topic of learning disability. Overall, the book is a good tool to have for parents and educators because it allows children to grasp this concept of a learning disability and how they may learn different from others. Moreover, it provides a comprehensive overlook of this disability while maintain the practical application of its intended audience.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boy talks about how reading is difficult for him, but that doesn't mean he isn't good at other things. He looks at how some of his classmates struggle in different areas, but shine in others. And then he talks about how they all find ways to get better in the areas they struggle.

A good book for schools to have on hand to help students, parents, and teachers better understand learning disabilities. The book does a good job of emphasizing that they can learn and are good at many things but they have to work extra hard in some areas. There's a nice discussion guide in the back of the book.

[Paige Perrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an encouraging book about young children who have learning differences and how they learn to cope with those differences. The book affirms to young children that learning differences are okay and many people have them and learn to overcome them with the right coping tools.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy narrates about how some things are difficult for him at school. He explains what a learning difference is, and compares his with some other kids at his school. A great intro to learning differences for young kids.

[Hillary Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up from a display in our local library. As an incoming 1st grade teacher, I thought this would be a great 1st week of school story paired with various ways to learn. Then, a reflection on persistence and trying all different ways to learn to seek which way you learn best. Wonderful afterward written in a "Note to Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals" different teaching strategies. Here is "Learning Differently" as learning is never a disability.

[Bethany Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had this book growing up! This was an awesome and informative book about learning disabilities.

[Heather McC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This informational book encourages exploration (and appreciation!) of the various ways that people learn in and out of school.

[Sandy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great explanation for young children about LD. The resources in the back of the book are a great tool for parents and caregivers.

[Angela Hedworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to explain learning differences in young children. Really great for all kids to understand learning differences. Wish I had this 12 years ago.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is meant to be exceptionally helpful for kids who've been (probably recently) diagnosed with a learning disorder, and I imagine it would be good for them. I especially liked the gentle mention of "it's not because you aren't trying," because I've definitely heard that more than once and cringed. I also liked that it wasn't about one kid with one disability, but that there were several different problems and coping methods brought up.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nonfiction picture book is a good introduction to the topic of learning disabilities. There is no story here; it is an informational book best suited for elementary school students. Since there are many different types of learning disabilities, not all learning-disabled children will see themselves reflected in this book. But the main focus of the book is to impart that learning differently is okay. This message is repeated quite frequently throughout the book and is the most important thing that children struggling to learn need to hear since they are often bullied by their peers, frustrated by lack of success in school, and sometimes misunderstood at home too.

This book can also be used in a classroom to create empathy for children of different abilities and learning styles. The last two-page spread provides information to parents and caregivers.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very simple picture book that explains and introduces the fact that there are some kids that are struggling to learn based in different learning styles.