My Child's Different: How positive parenting can unlock potential in children with ADHD and dyslexia

by Elaine Halligan

Elaine Halligan’s My Child’s How positive parenting can unlock potential in children with ADHD and dyslexia explores the enabling role that parents can play in bringing the best out of children who are seen as ‘different’ or ‘difficult’. Foreword by Dr Laura Markham. Society favours children, and adults, who conform. The notion that our children may be shunned for being ‘different’ breaks our hearts, but there is plenty we can do to help such children develop into thriving, resilient adults. In My Child’s Different Elaine shares the true story of her son Sam, who by the age of seven had been excluded from three schools and was later labelled with a whole host of conditions – ranging from autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) to pathological demand avoidance (PDA), before finally being diagnosed with dyslexia. He had become ‘the Alphabet Kid’. His family never gave up on him, however … Drawing lessons from Sam’s transformational journey from difficult child to budding entrepreneur, My Child’s Different offers encouragement to parents who may be concerned about what the future might hold, and demonstrates how – with the right support and positive parenting skills – their children can grow up to surprise and delight them. The book chronicles Sam’s journey from birth to adulthood, allowing readers to spot past and present patterns that may be comparable with their own children’s experiences, and provides pragmatic parenting advice that will be of benefit to any parent whose children – who may or may not have a diagnosed learning difficulty – struggle with life educationally or socially. Elaine writes with warmth and compassion as she revisits the challenges faced, the obstacles overcome and the key interventions that helped instil in Sam a sense of self-belief, a drive to succeed and an emotional intelligence beyond his years. Interspersed throughout the narrative are the reflections and insights of parenting expert Melissa Hood, who illustrates the key concepts from Sam’s story and shares practical positive parenting techniques to help parents better connect with their children. Also included are contributions from Sam himself – providing an additional, uniquely rich perspective that will help deepen parents’ understanding of their children’s feelings and emotions. Suitable for parents, educators and anyone who works with children, My Child’s Different is a celebration of all the unique qualities that those who are different bring to society.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Autistic Spectrum Disorder

192 pages, Paperback

Published August 31, 2018

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a mother, grandmother and retired teacher, I was delighted to be given the chance to read and review “My Child’s Different” by Elaine Halligan.

The author describes the journey her family made to unlock her son’s potential. Sam had a very difficult start, being diagnosed with various syndromes, but still being labelled as “naughty” and “disruptive”. Eventually, after a turbulent ride through the education system, Sam’s parents found the right setting for him. By the end of the book, we see the young man that Sam has become – resilient, creative, well able to cope and thrive in the world.

This is not only a memoir of a family trying to cope with a child with Special Educational Needs; it is much more. Each chapter includes a contribution from Melissa Hood, a parenting and behaviour coach, who gives her expert advice and guidance on how to support children as they grow – and often struggle - towards maturity. I was particularly interested in the sections about descriptive praise and emotion coaching. Seeing how these approaches were used with Sam was very helpful and encouraging – I wish I had been able to learn about these many years ago!

The book is well written, interesting and informative. Not only a guide for parents of children with special needs, it provides strategies and ideas for all parents to use. Elaine Halligan has included a list of resources and books for further reading, which certainly adds to the value of this excellent book.

I would like to thank Lovereading for the opportunity to read and review this excellent book.

[Grace Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's only been a week or so since I picked up this book and already I've mentioned it to so many friends - both parents and those who work with kids. It's a wonderful combination of personal story and professional insight. Very relatable and easy to read. In fact I'd say it's an enlightening and encouraging read for all parents - whether your child is considered different or not.

[Karen Kingston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you LovereadingUK for sending a copy of ‘My Child’s Different’ by Elaine Halligan for reading and reviewing.



As a mum of 2 who has worked with children in a variety of settings over the past 16 years, this was an interesting (and sometimes emotional) book as Sam and his family tried to find the correct educational establishments to meet his specific learning needs and to make his life less stressful.



Thank you to Elaine and Sam for sharing their story so eloquently. Hopefully this book will inspire other families to keep pushing for their own child/children to find the correct school to help them. Having worked in the SENCO team in a Primary School, I believe our Education Secretary and Shadow Education Secretary need to read this too, to consider increasing the number of specialist schools.



However this book isn’t just aimed at parents and educators of children who are ‘different’, but gives advice to all parents about using positive parenting skills to encourage their children to grow up into resilient adults.



A worthwhile read for everyone working with children and parents too.

[Ido · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like most parents, I was looking for guidance books about childhood and parenting when I came across this book. A catchy or direct title is not always a good sign of a good book (which is also a subjective description on many levels). I read a couple of reviews before purchasing this book and am grateful to those for their honest opinions. This is by far one of the best parenting books out there with its funny and fluent narrative and the wonderful, practical advice it offers. Many people can benefit from this book, teachers, parents, those who don’t want to have kids but wish to understand what it means to have a different child. Even if one’s child doesn’t behave the same way as Sam Halligan all the time, they sometimes do, knowing that other people have similar experiences, there’s hope for everyone, and acknowledging each other’s feelings is a powerful phenomenon are all amazing take-aways from this book. So glad there are many kids and adults who don’t give up.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book which was about a boy called Sam and his journey through childhood, school and into adulthood with multiple development issues. Told by his Mum it's an honest account of their highs and lows with insightful bits from Sam when he is older and a parenting advisor at the end of each chapter.

A book I am sure most with children could relate to in some way despite the development of their child/children.

Thanks to lovereading.co.uk for allowing me to review this book.

[Ally Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart rending story of this couples journey through spectrum diagnosis and support for their amazing little boy. An education.

[Vitalija · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a wonderful read that gave me a lot of hope, that life for my little one with PDA still can be very positive. Both of my boys are now diagnosed with autism, but I’m very strongly convinced that my youngest has PDA. I’ve joined FB groups where parents of children with PDA have a daily chat and I was mortified of the prospect of life that sounded so horrific. After few months I simply stopped reading those conversations and started to look for books on the subject. When I read the back of this book I knew it’s going to be a story about my little boy. He starting Reception this year and all the challenges are just ahead, but now I’m positive that his behaviour can improve with the kind of support.

I loved the way the book was written from few different perspectives (mother, son, consultant). Their story made me think a lot about things I’ve already tried or was reluctant to give it a go. It made me feel better about myself as a parent. It’s not a handbook on how to do it all, but a good starting point where to look for an answers.

[Cathie]

Author and mother Elaine Halligan gives an open and honest description of the years spent raising her son Sam before and after she discovered the keys to helping him achieve his potential. Sam was angry and difficult and was dismissed from three schools in as many years. He was excluded from childhood friendships, and their family was not included during those young years. Elaine and her husband felt they were failures as parents and it hurt them to see their son struggle. Through a number of changes in the way they talked with Sam; interacted with him, and encouraged him, they were able to make desired charges in his behavior. Both parents and Sam became equipped with new "tools" to use when expressing feelings and thoughts, and progress was made! This book can give you insight into your child and suggests language and behavior that can be used in all families as we work to guide our children into being strong, independent and happy adults.