Laughing Allegra

Blending memoir with self-help, the remarkably honest and inspiring story about the struggle and triumph of raising a child with learning disabilities, by the great-granddaughter of Henry Ford and the Chairman Emeritus of the National Center for Learning Disabilities. When Anne Ford learned that her daughter Allegra's "differences" were the result of severe learning disabilities, she faced a challenge that neither money nor position could ease. Desperate for answers and for help, she sought out doctors, schools, tutors, and summer camps and became an activist in national organizations to help children with LD and their families. In time Anne saw her child grow into a vibrant, loving, independent adult with a passion for ice skating and a commitment to help other children with disabilities. While Allegra's disabilities are unique (as with each LD child), the feelings of pain, frustration, shame, and guilt felt by Anne are shared to a varying degree by all parents of an LD child, which is why she wanted to write this book. An estimated 3 million children in American schools have learning disabilities. To help these families, Anne shares her story and includes a resource section on specific issues affecting LD children, with an emphasis on the emotional, rather than the clinical, ways in which parents and families can respond, including: What is a learning disability? How can our child be tested? What are our legal rights? How can I help my child with homework? Who can I contact for more answers? Will my child find a job and learn to manage money? More than one mother's story, this is a unique and useful guide for other parents learning to accept and help their children.