Diane Talbot book review

Autism is the Future by Marlo Payne Thurman

Autism Is Our Future

Autism Is Our Future by Payne Thurman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Marlo Payne Thurman draws on her own experience with sensory processing differences following a brain injury to talk– and really listen– to individuals with autism to really get to the crux of the common differences in cognition, focus and sensory input for people with ASD. As a consultant and educator who works with children and young adults with autism, I found her conclusions resonated with my own experience of working with these remarkable people. Having read has allowed me to deepen my understanding of the sensory differences and thought processes of individuals with ASD, which will help me to grow as a compassionate and effective advocate.



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Diane Talbot book review

Readicide by Kelly Gallagher

Readicide: How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It

Readicide: How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It by Kelly Gallagher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


As a specialist in literacy and dyslexia, I have been distressed not only by the illiteracy of many of our students but also by aliteracy, kids who can read but choose not to. Gallager outlines the problem of over-teaching and over-testing on student’s love of reading. He offers many strategies for teachers to continue to support students when reading difficult works, but to also allow students to get into the flow of the text. The writing was repetitive at times and he was “preaching to the choir” as I am sure the majority of readers will be teachers who see the same problems. I recommend this book to teachers of Language Arts, particularly new teachers who need specific strategies to find their own way of conveying their love of reading to students.




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