Victoria Waller - Yes! Your Child Can: Creating Success for Children with Learning Differences

Praise for Yes! Your Child Can

Creativity is important in every walk of life, mine especially. And Vicki Wallers book, Yes! Your Child Can: Creating Success for Children with Learning Differences, shows what an extraordinary and creative educational therapist she is. She digs deep to find out what interests each child, unlocks their own creativity focusing on a subject a child is passionate about, and, astonishingly, they learn to read. Magic happens!

Michael D. Eisner, former chairman and CEO of the Walt Disney Company and president of The Tornante Company

If you have a feeling that your child is not quite on top of things, that your child is not well understood at school or even at home, that your child could be doing so much better if only Yes! Your Child Can completes the if only Dr. Waller is my favorite kind of expert. She totally knows her stuff. Shes seen a lot of kids, like a lot. And she knows how to get to the bottom of things. Plus, she loves children. Like a detective, she loves figuring out what makes children tick, especially the ones who tick differently from most. Shes the person Id send my own child to, if I needed help, because shes seen it all. She knows how to tell a parent what the parent really needs, with no extra fluff or theory. If youre not lucky enough to get a session with Dr. Waller in person, then this book is the next best thing. Its an instant classic. And the title says it all: YES!

Edward Hallowell, M.D., author of Driven to Distraction and A.D.H.D. 2.0

Dr. Waller unlocks the super powers within her students using their own creativity to make their learning soar.

Patty Jenkins, writer/director, Wonder Woman

Dr. Waller is a force of nature and a gift to people like me who learn differently. She is a brilliant educator for those of us who the system readily discards. Her heart is gold and her enthusiasm for lifting people up who learn differently or who were not born on a level playing field is platinum. For over 20 years serving on the board of the Putney Open-Door Fund, a nonprofit that offers full scholarships to students from underserved communities enabling them to participate in educational programs all over the world, she has changed lives and opened opportunities for many. If we could clone Dr. Waller, the world would be a better place.

Peter Shumlin, former governor of Vermont

This is by far the best book on learning differences I have ever read. It is comprehensive, readable, so wise, beautifully balanced between anecdotes about the kids Dr. Waller has worked with and her terrific recommendations and advice. Dr. Waller covers all aspects of what a parent will run into dealing with learning differences in her child. This is a brilliant book!

Dana Buchman, founder, Promise Project

It has been a great privilege to connect with Dr. Waller and to see first-hand the tremendous care and attention she gives to her students. She has provided numerous students with introductions to me and thus those having an interest in sharks have been able to converse with me about them.

Chris Fallows, shark expert, wildlife photographer, and co-host of Discovery Channel Shark Week

Dr. Waller is a brilliant, gifted educator who has taught countless children with learning differences to read, thrive, and achieve success. In Yes! Your Child Can she provides parents with a step-by-step guide about what to expect when they come to the sudden realization that their smart, interesting child is failing in school. In this groundbreaking book, based on 40 years of teaching children with learning differences and evidence-based research, Dr. Waller shows parents how to create fun learning experiences that enhance a childs unique passions. By teaching to their interests, Dr. Waller engages her students and makes them excited about learning and reading. It is evident in this book that she believes and is enthusiastic about each students unique talents and strengths. She makes each child feel understood, important and appreciated for who they are. That is a recipe for future success!

Vicky Goodman, founder and president, Friends of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, and Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, founding board of directors

Dr. Waller understands the complexities of children, the importance of reading, and how to bring them together successfully.

Kevin Henkes, Caldecott Medal and Newbury award-winning writer and illustrator of Kittens First Full Moon, Lillys Purple Plastic Purse, and over 50 other childrens books

Your Child Can

Creating Success for Childrenwith Learning Differences

VICTORIA E. WALLER, Ed.D.

Yes! Your Child Can

Copyright 2022 by Victoria E. Waller, Ed.D.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published by Quill Driver Books, an imprint of Linden Publishing

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(559) 233-6633 / (800) 345-4447 / QuillDriverBooks.com

Quill Driver Books and colophon are trademarks of Linden Publishing, Inc.

The content of this book is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition or disease. You understand that this book is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a licensed practitioner. Please consult with your own physician or healthcare specialist regarding the suggestions and recommendations made in this book. The use of this book implies your acceptance of this disclaimer.

Linden Publishing titles may be purchased in quantity at special discounts for educational, business, or promotional use. To inquire about discount pricing, please refer to the contact information above. For permission to use any portion of this book for academic purposes, please contact the Copyright Clearance Center at www.copyright.com.

ISBN 978-1610353-86-1

135798642

Printed in the United States of America

on acid-free paper.

Cover design by Tanja Prokop

Cover image: Freepik.com

Interior design by Carla Green, Clarity Designworks.

Illustrations courtesy of Carolyn LaPorte

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data on file.

A Success Story

When Dr. Waller asked us to write the foreword to this important book, we immediately and emphatically said Yes! We are the mother of Kenny, the name Dr. Waller applied to a very real child in her comprehensive book, and Kenny himself. Offering a few words about Yes! Your Child Can is the least we could do given the life-changing efforts the author had provided us by guiding Kenny to read.

As the introduction explains, this book fills a unique gap among the vast selection of books designed to assist parents with children who struggle to read. In particular, Dr. Waller focuses on children struggling with learning differences who find it difficult to prioritize and complete tasks and have related challenges, yet do have bona fide strengths, interests, talents, and passions. This book draws on decades of rich experiences and shifts the perspective from learning disability to learning