Product Description

An indispensable guide to the special challenges faced by parents of learning-disabled children as they enter adulthood, by the author of Laughing Allegra, a leading activist and parent of an adult child with LD.

In 2003 Anne Ford (great-granddaughter of Henry Ford) published Laughing Allegra, about the struggles of raising her learning-disabled daughter, and received a flood of letters from parents of children with LD, ADD, and ADHD, many expressing concerns about what to do as their children age.

On Their Own is an invaluable road map to ease these parents' fears and answer their questions, especially the one that haunts them daily: Will or can their child be on their own, and how? In a candid, sympathetic style, laced with real-life stories, the book covers such topics as:
• Social skills and dating
• Staying healthy
• Sibling relationships
• Interaction with employers and co-workers
• Job hunting
• Finding the right college or trade school
• Estate planning

Also included are a comprehensive resource guide and exclusive interviews with prominent professionals who have surmounted their learning disabilities: CEO's Sir Richard Branson, John Chambers, David Neeleman, and Charles Schwab, and former governor Gaston Caperton.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #313565 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

Review
A remarkably helpful book for families dealing with the impact of LD as their children move up and out. -- James Wendorf, Executive Director, National Center for Learning Disabilities

A wise, warm, witty roadmap that will enrich the life of every parent of an adult child with learning disabilities. -- Joseph A. Califano, JR., Chairman and President, National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse

A wonderful companion to Laughing Allegra. These books should be required reading for teachers as well. -- Joel Klein, Chancellor, New York City Department of Education

Anne Ford is the perfect guide to help us see our children through the transitions they will meet throughout life. -- Henry Winkler, author of the Hank Zipzer children's books

Answers every question you might have about people with dyslexia and ADHD. I could not recommend this book more highly. -- Edward Hallowell, M.D., author of Driven to Distraction and Delivered from Distraction

Filled with personal insights, tough observations, and important resources. -- Ann Kornblet, advocate for people with LD

Honest, full of hope. Guides the reader with the heart of a devoted parent and the wisdom of personal experience. -- Emerson Dickman, J.D., President, International Dyslexia Association

About the Author
Anne Ford served as Chairman of the Board of the National Center for Learning Disabilities from 1989 to 2001, and continues to work on behalf of people with learning disabilities. She recounted her experience raising a child with LD in the acclaimed memoir Laughing Allegra. She lives in New York City. John-Richard Thompson is an award-winning playwright and novelist. He lives in New York City.

Customer Reviews

The best
Such a crucial, scary time..."on their own." You wonder if it can ever happen successfully. Very knowledgeable, ungarnished yet helpful and hopeful.

Not just another self help book.
I was worried that I would be bored by all the language specific jargon so commonly used by professionals in books like these, but the insight and personal account of dealing with learning disabled adults kept me totally engrossed for the entire book. I wish more books about dealing with disabilities were written with such a human voice.

On Their Own by Anne Ford
This is the book every parent of an adult child with LD should read, especially in those times when you feel so hopeless and that no one truly knows what you are going through. As the parent of an adult son with learning disabilities I can honestly say that On Their Own has changed the way I think about my son and his future. Most of all it has given me hope that he has a future at all! The book helped us see the whole person with all their strengths and weaknesses. Nothing is sugar-coated here, and parents of adults with LD will find many points where'll they'll nod in agreement and realize that yes, after all someone truly does understand what we are going through. I absolutely loved Anne Ford's previous book Laughing Allegra. In that book, I felt she spoke to me personally as we followed her step by step while raising a child with LD. On Their Own continues the story, but it is a much more hands-on approach and with a great deal of practical information. Even so, I found it as readable as Laughing Allegra, with many insights and anecdotes that separate it from so many other dry academic books in this field. Parents of adult children with any disability will benefit greatly from On Their Own