Upside-Down Kids: Helping Dyslexic Children Understand Themselves and Their Disorder

Thank heavens there is a bin by the front door because just the opening pages had me running to it. They revealed that this gift from a physician "blessed with healing" is a "gift to God for God's gift to me" that is intended to prevent dyslexic children from "drifting into lives doomed by inability to cope, work or socialize; lives distorted by drugs, alcoholism, crime, child and/or adult abuse, and other violent acts." It is written by an American for American children and, as such, is somewhat overwhelming for a British parent.

The author's aim was to assist very young dyslexics to understand the implications of having dyslexia, and as such, he writes a story that is suitable for children of a young age. He is indisputably an expert in the field of dyslexia treatment, having worked with "bright dyslexics" for nearly 25 years at the time the book went to print. (Who gets the less bright ones?)

This book is not my cup of tea and I will not be reading it to my son. I doubt that I would have done so even if he were younger, the ideal age being about six or seven years, probably. For British parents of dyslexics, I recommend "Dyslexia" by Christine Ostler, but do note that this is aimed at adults, not children.

This explanation of dyslexia , its cause ( an inner ear imbalance ) and its effects through a classroom based storyline held my 2 sons spellbound.Their symptoms became something they wanted to discuss with me once I had read the book outloud to them.They talked about their own experiences and how they felt about themselves in relation to them. They found some americanisms difficult to understand or irratating but generally speaking were enthralled by the book ,they insisted that I also buy the sequel Turning around the Upside Down Kids.Result..a consultation with Dr Levinson ! an excellent book for those looking to understand how it feels to have dyslexia.

THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ FOR KIDS,KIDS AT AT HEART,PARENTS TEACHERS,EDUCATORS(ETC) IT'S ESPECIALLY A GIFT TO THOSE LD/ADD/ADHD/DYSLEXIC INDIVIDUALS WHO ENJOY 12STEP (IE ACOA) BOOKS!! THE DRAWINGS ARE TERRIFIC,THE STORIES TOUCHING,TEAR PROVOKING AND ARE FUNNY & EMOTION FILLED!! I WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO SPEAK TO ANYONE WITH QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS AS I HAVE BEEN DR L'S VERY SUCCESSFUL ADULT PATIENT SINCE 9/84-PRESENT(AND AM VERY SIMILAR TO THE "ANNA" CHARACTER IN THE BOOK!)THE BOOK ALSO IS WONDERFUL AS IS ITS SEQUEL,TURNING AROUND THE UPSIDE DOWN KIDS, IN THAT IT ALSO INCLUDES PRAISE FOR THE IRLEN COLORED TINTED FILTER EYEGLASSES IN ADDITION TO THE INNER EAR MEDICATIONS. MARSHA LAMPERT MBA ,WANTAGH NY

This book made a tremendous break through in my son's ability to see his dyslexia as a medical problem. He always thought of himself dumb and stupid. His eyes filled with tears as he read about himself through the football players words. He identfied so well with the dyslexic character that since we read the book, he has never once referred to himself as dumb or stupid again. This book has given my son so much more than I could ever tell him. Every dyslexic child should read this book and hopefully they to will gain what a parent can't tell a child.