Research Roundup:
From My Bookshelf — Some Helpful Resources

By Dr. Sheldon H. Horowitz
Director of Professional Services, NCLD

OK, I confess...I love my books! Like everyone else, I find myself spending increasingly long periods of time on the Internet scrolling through Web pages, searching reports, logging on to library sites for journal articles, viewing abstracts and allowing myself to float to and from interesting links. That said, hardly a day goes by when I don't find myself perusing my library shelves for a citation or reference. And what a relief it is to swing away from my LCD and keyboard, abandon my wireless mouse, and lose myself in a "real" book, pencil poised to make notes in the never wide enough margins.

My purpose for sharing some of my go-to favorites below is not to endorse any of these products but rather to recommend these titles "for your consideration." The items listed are a small sampling of texts that I have found particularly useful over time. Happy reading! And please write to me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and share some of your favorites so I can pass them along in future columns.

Math and LD

Allsopp, David H., Kyger, Maggie M., & Lovin, LouAnn, H. (2007). Teaching Mathematics Meaningfully: Solutions for Reaching Struggling Learners. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.

Berch, Daniel B. & Mazzocco, Michelle M.M (2007). Why Is Math So Hard for Some Children? The Nature and Origins of Mathematical Learning Difficulties and Disabilities. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.

Reading

Birsh, J.R. (ed) (1999), Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skill, Paul Brookes Publishing Co. Baltimore, MD.

Carnine, Douglas W., Silbert, Jerry, Kame enui, Edward. J., Tarver, Sara. G., & Jungjohann (2006). Teaching Struggling and At-Risk Readers: A Direct Instruction Approach. Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Frank, Robert (2002) The Secret Life of the Dyslexic Child, Rodale Press. Emmaus, PA

Haager, Diane, Klinger, Janette, & Vaughn, Sharon (2007). Evidence-Based Reading Practices for Response to Intervention. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.

Hall, Susan.L. & Moats, Louisa C. (1999). Straight Talk About Reading: How Parents Can Make a Difference in the Early Years. Contemporary Books, Chicago, IL.

Henry, Marcia K. (2003). Unlocking Literacy: Effective Decoding & Spelling Instruction. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.

Kurnoff, Sirley (2000). The Human Side of Dyslexia. London Universal Publishing, Monterey, CA. (also published online at http://www.edyslexia.com/)

McCardle, Peggy & Chhabra,Vinita (eds.) (2004). The Voice of Evidence in Reading Research. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.

Minskoff, Esther (2005). Teaching Reading to Struggling Learners. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.

Moats, Louisa Cook, (2000). Speech to Print: Language Essential for Teachers. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.

Rath, Linda K. & Kennedy, Louise. (2004) The Between the Lions Book for Parents. Harper Collins Publishers, Inc. New York, NY.

Shaywitz, Sally (2003) Overcoming Dyslexia, A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY.

Simmons, Deborah C. & Kameenui, Edward J. (eds) (1998) What Reading Research Tells Us About Children with Diverse Learning Needs, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, NJ.

Woods, Tracy (2004). Teaching Kids to Read for Dummies. Wiley Publishing, Inc. Hoboken, NJ.

Adolescents & Adults

Gerber, Paul & Reiff, Henry (1994). Learning Disabilities in Adulthood: Persisting Problems and Evolving Issues. Pro-Ed. Austin, TX.

Getzel, Elizabeth Evans and Wehman, Paul (2005). Going to College: Expanding Opportunities for People with Disabilities. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.

Minskoff, Esther & Allsopp, David (2003) Academic Success Strategies for Adolescents with Learning Disabilities and ADHD Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.

Reiff, Henry.B., Gerber, Paul.J., & Ginsberg, Rick. (1997) Exceeding Expectations: Successful Adults with Learning Disabilities, Pro-Ed, Austin, TX.

Reiff, Henry B. (2007). Self-Advocacy Skills for Students with Learning Disabilities: Making It Happen in College and Beyond. Dude Publishing, Port Chester, NY.

Roffman, A.J. (2000). Meeting the Challenge of Learning Disabilities in Adulthood. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.

Wehman, Paul (2006). Life Beyond the Classroom: Transition Strategies for Young People with Disabilities (4th edition). Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.

LD and Special Education

Bateman, B.D. & Herr, C.M. (2003). Writing Measurable IEP Goals and Objectives. IEP Resources, Verona, WI.

Brookes, Robert & Goldstein, Sam (2004). The Power of Resilience: Achieving Balance, Confidence, and Personal Strength in Your Life. McGraw Hill, New York, NY.

Donovan, M. Suzanne & Cross, Christopher T. (eds). Minority Students in Special and Gifted Education. National Research Council, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.

Gallagher, James. J. (2006). Driving Change in Special Education. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.

Hehir, Thomas (2005). New Directions in Special Education: Eliminating Ableism in Policy and Practice. Harvard Education Press, Cambridge, MA.

Kauffman, James M., (2002). Educational Deform: Bright People Sometimes Say Stupid Things about Education. Scarecrow Press. Lanhan, MD.

Keogh, Barbara K. (2003). Temperament in the Classroom: Understanding Individual Differences. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.

Lerner, Janet W. & Kline, Frank (2006). Learning Disabilities and Related Disorders: Characteristics and Teaching Strategies (Tenth Edition). Houghton Mifflin Publishers. Boston, MA.

Levine, Mel (2003). The Myth of Laziness. Simon and Schuster, New York, NY.

Losen, Daniel J. & Orfield, Gary (eds) (2002). Racial Inequality in Special Education. Harvard Education Press, Cambridge, MA.

McNamara, Barry Edwards (2007). Learning Disabilities: Bridging the Gap between Research and Classroom Practice. Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Meltzer, Lynn (ed.) (2007). Executive Function in Education: From Theory to Practice. Guilford Press, New York, NY.

Ruscio, John (2002). Clear Thinking with Psychology: Separating Sense from Nonsense. Wadsworth., Pacific Grove, CA

Smith, Sally (2001). The Power of the Arts: Creative Strategies for Teaching Exceptional Learners. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.

Mastropieri, Margi & Scruggs, Tom (2000). The Inclusive Classroom: Strategies For Effective Instruction. Merrill/Prentice-Hall (Second edition will be out soon).

Ralabate, Patti (2002). Meeting the Challenge: Special Education Tools that Work for All Kids. National Education Association of the United States.

Shavelson, R.J. & Town, L. (eds) (2002). Scientific Research in Education. National Academy Press, Washington D.C..

Swanson, H. Lee, Harris, Karen, R. & Graham, Steve (eds) (2003). Handbook of Learning Disabilities. Guilford Press. New York, NY.

Osman, B.B. (1997). Learning Disabilities and ADHD: A Family Guide To Living And Learning Together. John Wiley & Sons.

Parents and Personal Stories

Buchman, Dana (2006). A Special Education: One Family's Journey through the Maze of Learning Disabilities. Da Capo Press, Cambridge, MA.

Ford, Anne & Thompson, John-Richard (2003). Laughing Allegra. Newmarket Press, New York, NY.

Ford, Anne & Thompson, John-Richard (2007). On Their Own: Creating an Independent Future for Your Adult Child with Learning Disabilities and ADHD. Newmarket Press, New York, NY.

Keefe, Elizabeth B., Moore, Veronica M. & Duff, Frances R. (2006). Listening to the Experts: Students with Disabilities Speak Out. Paul Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.

Murphy, Stephen T (1992). On Being L.D.: Perspectives and Strategies of Young Adults. Teachers College Press, New York, NY.