Great book about the current theory and research about dyslexia.
354817
I consider this the definitive lay-text on dyslexia diagnosis. It helped us SO much. It's very neuroscience based and technical and may not appeal to everyone, but I wanted detailed information about the current research, and it's in this book.
3805042
This is an amazing insight into the difficulties some students face. Bright students who see things differently. The author did a great job describing the way  dyslexics sees words and letters. I cried as I read descriptions of how I felt in school. As a teacher I want to be a Mr. Daniels.
1294752
I'm a reading intervention specialist and I find this book great. If you come across with so many books about the general benefits of explicit phonics, this book will give you a guide on how to implement if effectively.
4925103
I would highly encourage fans of this book to read the numerous counter arguments to Wolf's statements. A wealth of research exists supporting that the dreaded Google machine and the vast array of other technologies does more to enhance our learning experiences than it does damage it. For example, you have probably just used such technology to thoughtfully consider the merits of either this book or this review.

Secondly, the book paints the dyslexic brain in a heroic light that does more damage for those with dyslexia than anything else. Offering up a handful of individuals who struggled to read, but became successful, is not an argument for the dyslexic brain, but for the tenacity and triumph of a handful of individuals with real struggles. Claims that dyslexic individuals make better artists and architects is complete bunk; show me statistics to support this. Show me a ratio of individuals with dyslexia who are more successful in these tasks than their non-dyslexic counterparts. An example of this would look something like, "One-third of achitects with dyslexia are given awards in their field, when only 15% of all architects have dyslexia,"; such a statement would show that individual's with dyslexia are twice as likely to receive an award, supporting Wolf's claim. I saw no such logical claims to support her thesis.

Is it not also possible that intelligent individuals with dyslexic brains found their way into other professions that relied less heavily on reading? Once again, claiming that the dyslexic brain is a boon to an individual may feel good, but it neglects our responsibility to intervene and support in lieu of a feel-good notion. Finally, a discussion of the neurological processes involved in dyslexia focused on the occipital lobes, while the majority of neurlogical research now points to phonological deficits in the left temporal lobes. This may seem like it is a minor point to those not working in the field, but is of critical importance when discussing interventions.

In sum: Technology is not hurting education (which I'm amazed requires saying) and dyslexia isn't a gift, but requires intervention. Read Stanislas Dehaene's "Reading in the Brain" if you are interested in scholarly work more than a repeat of someone's illformed opinions on outdated research.
4891820
I used this book to solve a serious reading problem for a little girl and to show here why being special is a gift. I you, or someone you know struggles with Dyslexia, you owe it to yourself to buy this book.
4007403
A great deal of information for the child and adult with Dyslexic and great details about the 4 dyslexic styles:
I listened to this as an audiobook driving cross country, which had me riveted and it answered so many questions I didn't even know I had.

"The Dyslexic Advantage provides invaluable advice on how parents, educators, and individuals with dyslexia can recognize and use the strengths of the dyslexic learning style in: material reasoning (used by architects and engineers); interconnected reasoning (scientists and designers), narrative reasoning (novelists and lawyers); and dynamic reasoning (economists and entrepreneurs.)"
505076
Wonderfully written.  Any parent or teacher of a dyslexic child will truly relate with Ally's story.  Teachers wondering why a student in their class can't or won't perform will be given food for thought about that student.  All too often the lazy, unmotivated or worse yet, intellectually challenged label is given to a student who just learns differently.  Thank you Lynda Mullaly Hunt for exposing the truth behind many students who have difficulty learning to read and write.  Ally will inspire many students to contribute in class what you know you can and hopefully inspire educators to look deeper into a student's difficulties to determine if he/she can be helped in a different way.
1512590
The book debunks some of the common myths that are associated with Dysgraphia like Dysgraphic children being of
Low Iq but being Lazy. It throws light on accurately diagnosing Dysgraphia and coping with it. The coping strategies
are well explained and can really help you help your child. It also takes a look at the emotional impact of the problem
and how you can help boost your child's confidence. Some pretty good knowledge to cope up with problems
that arise out of dysgraphia.
4409051
Anyone who has family members or friends who are dyslexic should read this.  It shows that dyslexia is an advantage not a disadvantage. They have a gift that the rest of us can only dream about.
4407654
So you need a crash course in Dyslexia?  This is your guide.  And it's pretty positive, too, because it's about an empowerment plan, about making dyslexia work for you (also helping you really get a grip on it), so it's a good this-won't-hold-her-back conversation to get going in your head.

Lots of good information, but what I mostly appreciate is that empowerment attitude, and the encouragement for being your child's advocate.
2411988
Fantastic text, written pretty much for everyone interested in learning how our brain works. The author certainly knows how to maintain reader interest from page to page. Am only halfway through the book though and so far so good.
4243784
This book is excellent for those who are concerned with reading and litteracy, as well as those who deal who children in everyday situations - school and family. Stanislas Dehaene is a well known researcher in this field, and his works are very respectable. I recommend this book!!
3116439
How the Brian Learns, by Dr. David Sousa, is a good book for teachers.  It is packed with information about the brain and learning that is based upon recent neuroscience research.  The author does a great job of breaking down neuroscience into easy to understand components. At the end of each chapter, the author includes techniques that any teacher or layman can put into practice. These techniques, derived from the new brain research, can benefit any who are seeking to become better teachers or learners.  Though I do not agree with all of the assumptions that the author made in interpreting research (especially those studies dealing with the arts), I found many strategies that I will incorporate into my teaching that I truly believe will increase learning within my students.  The book is easy to read and I would recommend it to any educator.
1568595
I purchased this book to help me understand dyslexia and how it affects the learning process.  It has helped me communicate more effectively with my husband who has dyslexia.
2358618
Haven't finished book yet. But it has been a good reading so far. Is a good book to grasp and understand this disorder. It offers complete information on the different aspects of disorder with the most effective and proven treatments considered by majority of phycologist. I felt when making purchase this was the more complete book about this topic and hadn't disappointed yet.
2082041
Maybe "only" is a little over the top, but the story and science of the reading brain has a strong argument that by reading, your brain does change and sometimes with profound consequences and insight. Much like another fine book on an unrelated subject that I read "Geography of Thought", the methods of how you read influences how your brain processes the information. For example, "A brain wired to read Egyptian hieroglyphs or Chinese characters activates some areas which are rarely used to read the Greek or English alphabet, and vice versa." So the way we read either by alphabet, right-to-left, left-to-right, or rebus symbols effects how our synaptic connections are built over time. If true, we then do have differences in thought from different societies which differ in their geographic location.

As the evolutionary aspects of the brain have only recently learned to read, less than 50 generations, we are still learning why some with such difficulties with reading can still be very successful in our current societies. As the author fully details, many with the added reading challenge of dyslexia are, or have, become very successful even with this challenge from the suspected Leonardo da Vinci to the creative Andy Warhol and countless others. Why? Neuroscience indicates that persons with dyslexia are more hemispheric dominate in which strengthens the other attributes that they may have.

All in, this was a little off subject from my normal genre, but I am glad I took the time to expand and build my synaptic connections and hopefully will be able to recognize dyslexia in children going forward :)
2142728
I have only just started looking at this book but so far it is easy to read and follow. It explains why standardised tests won't work for students suffering from Dyslexia and uses an approach that I am both familiar and comfortable with, the ideas generated in the book make it a must have professional library book for teachers who teach students experiencing difficulties.