Raising a Left-Brain Child in a Right-Brain World: Strategies for Helping Bright, Quirky, Socially Awkward Children to Thrive at Home and at School

Katharine Beals has really 'nailed it' when it comes to managing neurodivergent offspring. Her approach sometimes may seem counter-intuitive to some parents, but the outcome in managing her family proved how these strategies can work. There are many important points in her book that apply broadly to North American education and how important it is for parents not to fall into the trap of "pathologizing" their children's behaviour.

Particularly valuable reading for extended family members, the book is effective in showing why these kids are the way they are. Equally important, the information helps others to realize that for many families how arrangements need to 'be' in their homes and schools. It was enlightening to read that messy living environments, full of clutter and a lack of a predictable schedule for meals, activities and so forth genuinely exacerbates the difficulties for such kids as those with potentially an ADHD type of brain or simply those who need organization to be able to concentrate on the task at hand.

Our school systems have gone down an ugly sidetrack in giving kids control in the classroom reflective of the playground bully hierarchy. Author Beals offers excellent insights supported by citations of sound research that reveal why these changes in education do not provide a supportive learning environment for any student. A highly recommended book!