From the author of Laughing Allegra and On Their Own, a reassuring and invaluable book filled with personal stories and practical guidance to help parents of a child just diagnosed with a learning disability or related disorder.More than three million children in the U.S. have been diagnosed with a learning disability, and their parents, more often than not, feel at a loss as to where to turn for both practical and emotional help. Anne Ford, who raised her severely learning disabled daughter Allegra and became an advocate for LD children, understands this all too well. In A Special Mother, Ford offers reassurance and information on getting through the early period surrounding the diagnosis: * Guidance about coping with the emotional upheaval and confusion of a child�s diagnosis* Information on getting an accurate diagnosis and understanding what it means* Advice on caring for your own psychological needs* Knowing your rights* Suggestions for striking a balance between advocacy and obsessionFilled with voices of other mothers who have struggled with the issues of raising an LD child, A Special Mother lets parents know they are not alone, and that they can enable their child to thrive.