Canaries Among Us: Parenting at the Intersection of Bullying, Neurodiversity, and Mental Health

by Kayla Taylor

“riveting … powerful … brilliant … necessary” —Kirkus Reviews

For those drawn to both Tara Westover’s moving account of a difficult childhood and Susan Cain’s research on underappreciated traits … Canaries Among Us reveals the exquisite joy and tender heartache inherent in raising a child who is undervalued by a community.

A lifeline to those struggling with learning differences, bullying, and anxiety, Canaries Among Us explores one of the most widespread threats to child well-being: a lack of acceptance. This heart-rending exposé provides a candid view of the ways unique children are regularly misunderstood and mistreated. Fortunately, through raw storytelling and ground-breaking science, Taylor points to an inspirational alternative: supporting, and even celebrating, the dazzling variety of our humanity.

The author is donating her profits to organizations promoting mental health, neurodiversity, and bullying prevention.

Note: This book was previously subtitled "A Mother’s Quest to Honor her Child’s Individuality in a Culture Determined to Negate It."

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Psychology, Memoir

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 11, 2022

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am moved. I am emotional. Ms.Taylor writes from first hand experience what the torture of bullying can do to a child and their family. The lack of empathy by the people in charge who could take action and choose not to, is unsettling at the very minimum. The author's research into the reasons people bully others and how it affects a developing brain are on point. There is also a helpful list of resources included. Was this a trigger for me? Absolutely. I highly recommend this book for all parents and for those who spend lifetimes working to overcome the effects of bullying.

I thank the author, Kayla Taylor, and the publisher, She Writes Press, for my ecopy of this book which I received through a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

TITLE: Canaries Among Us: A Mother’s Quest to Honor her Child’s Individuality in a Culture Determined to Negate It
AUTHOR: Kayla Taylor
PUB DATE: 10.11.2022 Now Available
SYNOPSIS: Swipe Above

Moving
Emotional
Eye Opening

I’m a parent and Canaries Among Us by Kayla Taylor guy punched me as her story resonated with me, through and through. I am so grateful for Taylor in making her voice heard through sharing her story, that I know many have gone through. This important book shares an urgent message and opens our eyes on the plight of children that may be different from what we all see as the norm. This book is not only for parents, but should be a required reading for educators, caregivers, and health providers.

Thank you Kayla Taylor for the impeccable research you have done in this topic. There are still so much we all as a society need to learn. Families should not have to go through these bureaucratic hoops but instead find any way possible to protect and assist. Kindness, understanding, and acceptance should be a part of the curriculum, and we all can learn plenty from Kayla Taylor’s powerful story as she shares her personal experience.

Fantastic!

[Tara Cignarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Format Read: Ebook from Netgalley (available now)
Review: This is a very well written book about raising kids who don’t “fit in”. Although long winded in section overall the book is excellent at telling the story of how a mother fought for her child to be seen and heard. Sadly, she failed more than she succeeded, but her child is the winner for having a parent who cares enough to try this hard.
Recommended For: Those who want a parenting book that is helpful if your child has a learning disability. And want to read about how a school as well as other parents truly lack empathy and the ability to see they are hurting others, especially children.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My older daughter was bullied in first grade and then again in high school when we were homeschooling. I know firsthand what it feels like as a mom to have your child be bullied, so when I became aware of this book, I knew that I wanted to be part of this tour.

Canaries Among Us is a true story about when the author’s daughter was bullied at an elite private school. The author expected - as any parent would - the school to be on her side, but inside they tried to cover it up and attack anyone who spoke up against it. (This was my experience as well in a small town middle class public elementary school - I think the principal may have thought it made her look bad, but gosh, even just thinking about what happened makes me sad and angry all over again).

Kayla Taylor researched why so many American schools are not equipped to deal with bullying and she shares her research in this book. The book also addresses how society plays a part in bullying and other forms of victimization.

When my daughter was bullied by text (so there was proof) by another girl in the homeschool community and I brought attention to it, I was attacked verbally by other homeschool mothers, some whom requested my children (not the bully) be removed from activities.

Our society does not know how to deal with bullying and this book is important.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

pages

This is the true story of one mother’s experience when her child was bullied in an elite private school. She expected school officials and other parents to support her when she tried to stop it. However, that was not the case.

When Hannah told her mother how the other children in her class were treating her, Kayla Taylor respectfully approached the teacher and principal, and even other parents. Nothing was done to stop the bullying and educators refused to admit there was a problem.

Taylor actively searched for ways to support her child, including having her evaluated and ensuring that proper learning accommodations were set in place. Yet Taylor still had to push to make sure the accommodations were met. One teacher even insisted that students take turns with the accommodations in order to be fair to everyone!

This well-written book spoke to me as both a teacher and a parent. The chapters were fairly short and this proved to be a quick read as I have a vested interest in this subject. As I read I kept thinking that these events must have taken place long ago, before teachers were truly educated about differentiated learning so I was surprised to see that this happened in 2019!

I am fortunate to work in a school where teachers and administrators are willing to work with parents; and teachers go the extra mile to provide differentiated learning experiences for students. However, as a parent I went through a similar situation with one of my daughters who attended a private school. That was a difficult time and I still struggle with decisions that were made.

This book is a great resource for any parent who experiences a similar situation. I think educators would enjoy this eye-opening account as well.

Thank you @getredprbooks and @kaylataylorwrites for my gifted copy. My thoughts are my own.

[Diane Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author did an excellent job in telling this story. I didn’t think that I’d get through this book as quickly as I did. To say I flew through it would be an understatement! I went into reading this completely blind and wow..it surpassed my expectations! I’m not sure if it is due to how much I could relate to the contents inside or the writing style, maybe both?

The author, Kayla Taylor, brings some horrible truths to light with this book. While the story revolves around her daughter's school experiences, the problems that are pointed out and the lack of resolution are not isolated to that environment. They are present throughout all of today's society.

A lot of emotions were stirred up within me - sadness, outrage, sympathy - to name a few. Sadness because I know that these things happen quite regularly. Outrage because the people in authority allow it to go on, often unchallenged, and sympathy for those who bear the brunt of society's bad behaviour.

I was bullied as a child and as a teen for being different (ethnicity), while also being shy/nerdy. I didn’t realize how much more education and attention is still needed, in regards to bullying and the effects on mental health resulting from it. I would highly encourage everyone to read this book, and really pay attention to its contents.

💖 A special thank you to @getredprbooks & @kaylataylorwrites for this gorgeous #Gifted copy!

[Shannon (The Book Club Mom) · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a mother, I immediately connected and empathized with Taylor as she advocated for her daughter when she became a target of bullying. I’m sure that we’re all familiar with bullying in some form or another. Whether you’ve been a target or a witness, it’s everywhere, unfortunately. What shocked me the most about this story is the school’s response. (Or lack there of.) Taylor and her daughter did not receive the support, respect and understanding that they deserved. I honestly believe that everyone should read this book. It should be required reading for parents, caregivers, and educators, especially. It’s heartbreaking, thought-provoking, eye-opening, and you’ll learn SO much from reading about Taylor’s experience. I can’t recommend this one enough.

[Lisa Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing resource for parents, caregivers, teachers, anyone that interacts with neurodiverse children and has the opportunity to celebrate their uniqueness. I'm a special needs school bus driver with ADHD and I have a son with ADHD. The story is sadly very relatable, but the information shared is hopeful and I wish everyone would have a chance to read it. It's always good to know that others are fighting to stop the stigmas and bullying associated with neurodiversity too.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Becki Sims · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very honest and moving account of how difficult things are when you have a unique child that other people struggle to relate to.

I was particularly touched by the thoughts that were detailed when diagnoses were mentioned, the honesty ripped through the screen and grabbed me.

I really felt like I went on a journey with Hannah’s parents and really wanted to give the whole family a big hug.

The book is quite medicalised at some points but it also gives good explanations of the terms referred to.

I admired how Hannah’s parents were always keeping their daughter at the forefront, but I also felt the frustration of their dealing with the school.

[Janell Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've all felt our hearts break when our kids are hurting. How much can one child and her family take?
A school where everyone wants their kids to go, with high values and the pitch every parent wants to hear. A dream that your child gets to go there, you can be involved, and the other mom's become your friend group. It is the best! Happy kids, happy husband, happy home.

Until your young daughter starts to be quiet on the rides home, she starts to be more emotional, she is putting her hair in her mouth, and she isn't herself. You're doing everything to help. But your sweet girl is being bullied. The teacher has confirmed it. The principal makes light of it. She continues to shrink as you continue to fight for her to be left alone.

You are consumed by this WRONG. This behavior that has become part of your family's life, torturing your sensitive daughter and overtaking your family. Where do parents turn when no one who can help will?

Kayla Taylor (pseudonym) has written a phenomenal book. It is real; it is sad and will make you hurt. It will make you feel things you might not like feeling. But, unfortunately, it has become a reality in schools, in neighborhoods, in our lives. BULLYING. Destroying self-esteem and causing pain, and being allowed.

This book documents the family's journey before, the painful during, and the hopeful after.

"Highly recommended. I hope you'll give this book your attention. It deserves to be read."-Books and Pens on Green Gables

Thank you to GetRed PR for this book to read and review.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although identities, locations, timelines, etc have all been changed to protect others, the main part of the story of hope, joy, sorrow, and the views of children and how they are treated when they don’t fit the “normal” expectations of others. This book, this story was such as wonderful, deep read. From the viewpoint of the mother, we see the story unfold of her daughter who is highly sensitive battling with being different and bullied in the classroom with the school not helping at all. Unfortunately, I have run into this very problem with my own family and the complete isolation that can come to both child and parent in trying to battle with no support can be debilitating. Vivid storytelling, personal growth and questioning, and discovering systemic corruption as well as gaslighting that happens from administrators had me turning the pages. It was heart-wrenching to realize how often this happens. The canary (sensitive child/individual) is usually ignored or their experiences are devalued; leaving them to become silent and apathetic or act out. I truly enjoyed reading this book and it surprisingly went well with my studies in childhood development (something I hadn’t thought about when I bought the book for personal interest). Neurodivergence is becoming a more common discussion among children but also for adults that grew up in a time where mental health or “difference” was seen as shameful or something to hide. Highly recommended for parents, soon-to-be parents, and anyone who works with children.

[Píaras Cíonnaoíth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for parents and educators...

The process of recovering from the negative impacts of bullying must always include asking for assistance from other people. If more people questioned themselves, "how does bullying affect people?" they would frequently discover the answers that they are seeking. Case in point: Canaries Among Us: A Mother’s Quest to Honor her Child’s Individuality in a Culture Determined to Negate It by Kayla Taylor. This has the potential to go a long way toward assisting in the prevention of bullying among future generations, as it has among both the present and previous generations. It is never acceptable to bully other people, and anyone who engages in such behavior would be wise to seek assistance as soon as possible.

The author touches on a great many important topics, such as the significance of diversity and inclusion, as well as strategies for safeguarding children in precarious situations. In general, I think that all teachers and parents would benefit much from reading this book. Everyone stands to gain from developing a deeper appreciation for one another's differences and unique qualities. Highly recommended.

[S Tyty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Canaries Among Us is a sweet book written by Kayla Taylor. In this book, the importance of thinking, learning and looking at life from another perspective is appreciated and put up front.
Written entirely in the first person singular, the narrative explores one of the most widespread threats to children’s well-being: a lack of acceptance. It helps us understand way too many things about children and about parents. It is useful and well-written.
I recommend this book to any parent and teacher since it allows us to embrace differences and do something about it. It can even be a valuable tool for parents who suffer because their child may be different from the other kids at school. This is a super book!

[Almiria · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Canaries Among Us” by Kayla Taylor is a vitally important book that every parent, caregiver, teacher, principal, etc. should read. It deals with the all too frequently ignored subject of bullying in places such as schools. In this book, the author describes how two girls are bullied by two other girls at her school. The author very wisely avoids using the real names the children and the other people who feature in this story. Even the author’s name is not actually her real name but a pen name. I appreciate that this book takes you on a journey along with these real characters, even if their names are fictitious. This book will leave you thinking deeply about important childhood issues and how bullying affects children’s lives into adulthood.

[Azar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a beautiful, amazing, engrossing perspective of a mom with a unique and cool kid with some issues, including being bullied at school. This book is highly readable, telling the story of the mom who is trying her best to understand what is happening with her kid, and how to best help the situation. The canary reference in the title is a sweet one, comparing these gifted and highly sensitive kids to a canary in a coal mine, seeing and sensing problems before anyone else. I really felt for this mom who is trying to balance between letting her kid figure out problems on her own versus stepping in and educating herself so she can help advocate for her kid. Great story with some great information and resources.

[Jorielle Strode · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world where children so often go ignored and dismissed, Kayla Taylor challenges this far too common reality with the empathy and compassion all parents should possess. This book outlines the surprise, anger, grief, and struggle that accompany the realization one’s child is facing obstacles within their classroom, obstacles that stem from their own peers and school. This book isn’t just a guide to navigating a difficult situation such as bullying but a raw look into a real family’s experience and a voice to the countless number of children whose voices have gone unheard and forgotten for so long. Furthermore, this narrative gives insight into little spoken truth of the experiences neurodivergent youth often have growing up and discovering themselves. Mrs. Taylor's first-person writing style allows you to follow along through her journey as a parent and is incredibly immersive and digestible. An impactful and heart-wrenching must-read for both staff members in schools and parents alike.

[Kendra Gaines · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was one mother’s story of her struggle to help her young daughter, overcome bullying in a school setting. She and her husband felt they had made the right choice sending their child to a small Christian school, but I believe this shows that bullying behavior can happen anywhere. At times I think the word bully can be thrown around to quickly. It’s important for remember that the behavior should be repetitive and intentional and the relationship also involves a imbalance of power. It was hard to read how the school stuck their heads in the sand even when faced with evidence and other families leaving the school because of similar situations.
I did feel at times the mom was over the top and that may have hurt her credibility with the administration of the school. Towards the end the mother struggled and waited too long to get help with medication and counseling for herself.
Regardless, what their child went through was unfair and I found this book eye opening. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

[Nela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Canaries among us by author Kayla Taylor is a great book focused on the acceptance of the individuality and uniqueness of each child, and also on supporting, and even celebrating, the variety of humanity. This is a hard but truly valuable bullying story that every parent should read.
The book comprehensively addresses many issues: social injustices, institutional limitations in responding, the situations that the child goes through, the emotions experienced by parents and the family. This is a crude and sincere point of view on a current reality that many must face, highly recommended for those who live it but also at a preventive level in pursuit of happier childhoods.

[Ashley Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Canaries Among Us: A Mother’s Quest to Honor her Child’s Individuality in a Culture Determined to Negate It by Kayla Taylor is a book on Motherhood, specifically in circumstances when your child might experience bullying or anxiety, often the case if a developmental or learning disability is present. I liked the author’s soft tone, and the fact that the core goal of this book is to teach ways to express empathy and validation. It’s horrible knowing that there are times when the institution put in place to help us child rear will actively work against us, but I commend Taylor’s effort and overall outlook. This is a great resource for parents of children that experience being left out or bullied at school.

[Aneley Sánchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A necessary read.

Canaries Among Us: A Mother’s Quest to Honor her Child’s Individuality in a Culture Determined to Negate It by Kayla Taylor gave me goosebumps more than once. This book offers a mother's point of view about the bullying her child suffered during childhood and how society turns a blind eye.
It is a deep and honest story, in which it was impossible for me not to empathize with the author. Although it can be hard to read, I think it is an essential read for adults: it is a great resource for what to do if you are in a similar situation. Also, it includes some important concepts such as diversity and inclusion, which if we all put into practice we can generate a great positive change as a society. I recommend it!

[Katie Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a little hard to get all the way through this book. Ultimately the topic is important regarding neurodiversity and how to best manage bullying in schools. The writer I believe experienced a very difficult situation for both her daughter and her family, but the book itself focuses so much on what the school and everyone else is doing wrong that it’s hard to see a way forward for the family in the story. I can empathize with the difficulties they experienced but didn’t feel the story ever really resolves for the reader because of this external focus from the author.

[Haisam Syyed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Canaries Among Us is about a beautiful quest of a mother to honour her child’s request for individuality in a culture where they resent it. This book was written by Kayla Taylor.

This book is meant to teach us to understand children better, and even accept them as how they are. We’re meant to encourage children to be themselves, better yet to embrace their individuality and not suppress it no matter who asks them too. 

This book came to life all because of how Taylor’s child was bullied, and the school refused to help, they even went as far as to suppress any protest against bullying. A shameful display from a learning institute.

She then researched several ideals, topics regarding bullying and what led to it and came around to writing this parenting guide that mentions everything that other guides forget too.

This is a wonderful read, and an important read for any parent.

[Marina Lujan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Canaries Among Us is a beautiful and moving
book. The author addresses important issues such as inclusion, diversity, and child protection, while reminding us that each child has unique and valuable potential.

This is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. It made me think about how important it is to create an inclusive and respectful learning environment for all children. They deserve to be valued, supported, and protected. It is a book that provides a valuable and human perspective on the needs and strengths of these children.

Taylor's prose is clear and simple, making it easy to understand. I highly recommend this masterpiece for parents, teachers, and children alike.

[Michelle Skill · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful and eye opening book! I have a child with ADHD and the book helped me put into perspective some of her struggles growing up. Thanks for writing such a thought provoking book! This one is definitely a keeper.

[Emily Geyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. A very important and valuable read for anyone who wants to understand the people in their life who have different learning experiences!

[Sonal Apte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can not overstate enough how this book is a must read for parents and educators. This memoir is a masterpiece. I was awed with the level of emotional candidness and the detailed psychological research. Acceptance is a core value that we must both learn ourselves and then teach our children.

[Daniel Moreno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Canaries Among Us is the story of Hannah, narrated by her mother. Hannah attends a private school, which has the recognition of generating in their students to be people with good values. Despite this, Hannah begins to suffer mistreatment by one of her classmates to the point of creating a club which she named "I Hate Hannah Club", whose purpose is to generate discomfort to her classmate Hannah.

Taylor's writing style is full of feeling and takes us back to our school days, when maybe we were the ones who received bullying or maybe we did it. It makes us think about the new generations and how their relationship with the people they study will be and, above all, it makes us feel the difficult situation Hannah lived.

Canaries Among us, without a doubt, is a book that I would recommend to a father or mother whose child is beginning his or her school life and who wants to have a notion of the education of their children.

[Melanie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mother's journey into the neuropsychology of bullying, trauma and institutional apathy.
Canaries Among Us unravels Kayla Taylor's battle against the Global Citizens Academy and their aversion to seeing the harm it's own community, was inflicting upon children who it did not consider "normal".
Like any parent, Kayla's primary motivator for living each day, is her children. She's nurtured them, guided them through their first steps and first words, and done all she can to raise them as good people.
At the Academy, eight year old Hannah should be able to feel protected and nurtured by her educators, with the apparent ethos of the school being aligned with kindness and raising children to become upstanding citizens.
So when Hannah is bullied by one of her classmates, it soon becomes apparent that her bullies plan to be there for keeps and they don't want Hannah around.
Hannah is a little different to her peers. She's articulate and perceptive, taking in subtle changes in the world around her, feeling things that others are yet to recognise. Her sensitivity to these things, becomes one of the very differences, that her tormentors choose to prey on.
For the sensitive or Neurodivergent child, order and control are key tools they need in place, to minimise their anxieties. Changes to their normal functioning, even conversations that don't align with their expectations of reality, can create stresses of their own - most of which are easily managed.
But at GCA the perfect storm rolls in on Hannah and as she has yet to learn the coping tools necessary to weather the storm, the once vibrant, happy child is reduced to a withdrawn, anxious little girl who fears her own shadow.
For Kaylor, it is soul destroying watching her child struggle in this environment. Seeing Hannah crumble each time she feels betrayed is taking her down, and over time it affects her entire family.
From the shock of conscious denials, to the sometimes primal functions of the brain, Kayla researches and lays out, the impact subconscious values and beliefs can have on the human responses to what we ordinarily would see, as a blatant disregard of a child's civil rights.
Canaries tears apart the old school assumptions that all children learn the same and opens the vault on the physiological and psychological ways in which Neurodivergent children process their everyday environment.
A rollercoaster on highs and lows, this passionate, raw, human account will leave you inspired and battle willing, to right the wrongs against our children and help them find safe harbour on the other side of the storm.
Bullying has no place in our society, and this account needs to be told; in every school, in every home.

It reached inside of me and earned its 5 of out 5, as it made sure I felt every moment like my own.

Cons: I admit, I wanted revenge, I wanted lawsuits and people to hurt for their crimes. But in the end, I also understood why this was the perfect "Hannah" response. She wanted to protect others, so I recognise this is the ideal place to start.

Themes: no sexual themes or scenes, but there is some challenging themes such a suicide, bullying (obviously), family separation, potential triggers in the rehashing of trauma, but as someone who has PTSD & Learning Difference, I would not consider any of these things unexpected.

A few very minor mistakes, and sometimes with the language used by the author, there were some sections I had to re-read to understand the flow, but overall a really professional standard of editing.

----------,
We expect our children to be nurtured and cared about when they leave our
care and embark on their educational journey.

But what we expect...and what we get are often two different things.

There are flaws in our own social system, that allows bullying to be an "accepted" part of growing up, to some degree, as a victim, it even feels like the bullies are rewarded .... whether by social standing, the influences they and/their families may have in the community, the protection they receive, from the very organisations which should be holding them accountable and teaching them, that bullying IS. NOT. OKAY.

Canaries among us, is one mothers head on battle in a flawed system where the expected supports are more of a let-down, than a support. But it is also a reminder, that these Canaries do exist among us and should be nutured and supported through the challenges of school life.

The educational system needs a wake up.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kayla Taylor's daughter is a canary. She learns differently than her peers. But her school and several peers insist on treating her the same. The bullied girl begins to withdraw and expresses severe symptoms of anxiety. This book tells the mom's story of understanding her daughter and seeking help.
The author's disclosure at the beginning turned me off and made me question much of the content. To protect the children and adults involved, she states, "I’ve taken great lengths to change names, identities, and locations. I’ve altered facts, and I’ve created composites, all in an effort to protect both the innocent and the guilty. I also took the liberty of adjusting the timeline to connect dots and convey meaning more coherently." However, even if the story is fictionalized, the family's experiences are all to real, unfortunately.
Also, I skimmed the research-heavy chapters. As a mom to neurodiverse children, I've seen and read it all before. However, I did appreciate several teaching points. For examples:
*When somebody shares a painful experience with you, sit with it, resist all temptation to prescribe, resist relating your story, resist asking "why," and use strong words to validate feelings.
*What if, instead of pulling away , denying one another’s unique experiences, and justifying the status quo, we leaned in and asked, “That sounds so difficult. Can you tell me more about it? How can I support you best right now?”
*Sometimes our role is to till the soil, sometimes to plant the seed, sometimes to nurture the sprig, and, in a few circumstances , to witness a harvest. I hope you honor the role you have played [as you advocate].
*Maybe the practice of releasing is not just about letting go but also about becoming more integrated within myself— allowing my feelings and my beliefs and my understandings to unite so that my foundation can stand firm.
*DARVO - Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender - can happen when we're confronted with our mistakes or faults. Learn to recognize when we do and when we receive it, and commit to change.
Raising a child who is undervalued by a community is heartbreaking and also filled with joy. While I wasn't super impressed with this book, my hope is that it gives other parents hope and a reminder that they're not alone. And for parents of neurotyical children, may you learn how to better support your friends and teach oyur children to be kind.
Note: the author states that she's donating her profits to organizations promoting mental health, neurodiversity, and bullying prevention. This sentence shouls include "profites from the book's first edition sales."

[Nicole Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review of Canaries Are Among Us

Review:
Canaries Are Among Us, written by Kayla Taylor, is an excellent resource. I gave the book a 5 out of 5 stars rating.
Hannah, Kayla Taylor's daughter's brain wiring is a little different than others making learning some subjects easier. She was diagnosed with several conditions: limited short-term memory, situational anxiety, and developmental coordination disorder, causing her problems with learning in a school environment. Seeing two good doctors gave Hannah the tools she needed to succeed at school. Her parents had to fight for their daughter to be heard and treated in a way that would maximize her ability to learn while minimizing her stress, teaching her how to handle stress and change. Hannah made considerable progress at the end of third grade. Changing schools to attend a Jewish school due to her situation and learning disability; she flourished there despite her disability.
However, she would not know her diagnosis had it not been for the bullying incident between Daniela and Lauren, which happened at the school she attended, Global Citizens Academy. The two girls targeted Hannah from preschool. She feels hurt more easily and cannot always express herself as another child would, so you could ascertain her issues, and it finally had to be dealt with when Hannah no longer wanted to go to school.

I loved this story.
It opened my eyes to a side of the school that I -a substitute teacher- witnessed but was not involved in dealing with the situation. The author showed her frustration at an administration refusing or fearing to see. Fighting the school for better treatment never entered her mind until she did have to do it before moving her daughter to a better school. The result -is her daughter moving to a school that appears far better for her condition.
But her condition should not have been a deterrent to Hannah being treated with concern and understanding so that her fears were validated and her situation handled correctly.
Seeing that Hannah needed help, Kayla took to reading up on her condition and felt that Hannah should see a doctor. This doctor then gave Kayla an answer; a name for what was wrong with her daughter and a plan of action to allow her daughter to attend school and be normal for her.
I think she described it perfectly and gave more resources for parents of these children with the same issues to read. Kayla advocates for her daughter and other parents in the same situation.
I highly recommend this read for all parents of children who are neurodiverse.