1. Understanding dyslexia -- What is dyslexia? -- What dyslexia means for your child -- Processing information -- Different styles of learning -- Genetic factors in dyslexia -- Brain research and dyslexia -- How brain activity influences reading skills -- Limitations of brain research -- 2. Characteristics of dyslexia -- Early signs of dyslexia -- Your child's hearing -- Your child's vision -- Dyslexia in school-age children -- Dyslexia in adolescents -- 3. Getting a diagnosis -- Deciding to seek help -- How dyslexia is diagnosed -- Tests and measurements -- Types of dyslexia -- Overlapping and related conditions -- Dyslexia and the gifted child -- Commercial screening -- 4. Related conditions -- Problems with handwriting or expressive writing -- Difficulty with math -- "Clumsy child syndrome" -- Attention deficit disorder -- Nonverbal learning disabilities (NLD) -- Cognitive development and mental retardation -- Mood disorders -- Behavioral disorders -- Autistic spectrum disorders -- 5. Learning to read -- Stages of reading development -- Phonemic awareness -- Morphological awareness -- Orthographic knowledge -- Automaticity and fluency -- Comprehension -- Phonics vs. whole language -- Different needs of students with dyslexia -- 6. Reading instruction -- Early preventive intervention -- Classroom phonics curriculums -- After-school tutoring centers -- Orton-Gillingham tutoring -- School programs for dyslexia -- Other multisensory techniques -- Developing advanced reading skills -- Building fluency -- Visualization and reading comprehension -- 7. Dyslexia treatment programs -- Choosing a program -- All kinds of minds -- Davis dyslexia correction -- Fast ForWord Language -- Lindamood-Bell learning processes -- Audiblox -- PACE and BrainSkills -- Irlen lenses -- Vision therapy -- DORE achievement centers -- Levinson medical center --

8. Beyond reading--therapies for related issues -- Occupational therapy -- Sensory integration therapy -- Brain gym -- Neurofeedback -- Interactive metronome -- The Tomatis method -- Berard auditory integration training -- The LCP solution and essential fatty acids -- The Feingold diet -- 9. Choosing a school -- Charter and alternative schools -- Private schools -- Montessori schools -- Waldorf schools -- Democratic schools -- Specialized schools for dyslexia -- Tax deductions for specialized teaching -- 10. IDEA and the IEP process -- Qualifying for services -- Requesting an independent educational evaluation -- The Individualized Education Program (IEP) -- FAPE--free and appropriate education -- Special provisions in Texas -- Typical special education services -- Payment for private services under IDEA -- Appeals and due process hearings -- 11. Additional legal protections -- ADA and 504 accommodations -- Suggested classroom modifications -- Audio books and visual aids -- Accommodations on standardized tests -- Informal accommodations -- No Child Left Behind -- Florida McKay scholarship program -- 12. Working with your child's teacher -- Be the teacher's friend -- Focus on actual needs -- Support the teacher's goals -- Leave the teacher in control -- Building self-advocacy skills -- Assessment and grading -- Dealing with a problem teacher -- 13. Academic barriers -- Speed contests and rote learning -- School privileges and punishments -- Helping with organizational skills -- Grade retention -- Alternatives to retention -- High-stakes testing --

14. Teaching reading at home -- Deciding to homeschool -- Choosing a curriculum -- Motivating your child -- Building early literacy skills -- Teaching pre-reading skills -- Supporting the school-age reader -- Games and software to build reading skills -- 15. Helping with homework -- Taming the homework dragon -- Setting limits on study time -- Setting priorities for schoolwork -- Working effectively with your child -- Group projects -- Using technology -- Using study guides -- Is it cheating? -- 16. Strategies for spelling, writing, and math -- Building visual memory for spelling -- Word families and patterns -- Tips for the reluctant writer -- Understanding math concepts -- Handling word problems -- Specialized therapies for math -- The paradox of the math whiz -- 17. Home and family issues -- Effective communication -- Chores and family responsibilities -- Behavior and discipline -- Sibling rivalry -- Sports and other activities -- Rest and relaxation -- 18. The teen years -- Fostering independence -- Taking on new challenges -- Accept your child -- Extracurricular activities -- Getting a job -- Getting a driver's license -- 19. Making choices in high school -- Choosing a high school -- The high school guidance counselor -- Electives and extracurricular activities -- Foreign language learning -- Choosing a language -- Language approaches that work -- 20. Planning for college and career -- College entrance exams -- Choosing a college -- Financing a college -- Barriers to high school graduation -- Career planning -- Appendix A. Famous people with dyslexia -- Appendix B. Internet resources for dyslexia and learning -- Appendix C. Recommended reading.