Alternatives to Special Education


Now unlock the mystery of how to help your child cope with learning disabilities, find an alternative to or get the most from special education, and even excel in school

Learning disabilities are no longer the mystery that they once were. All the evidence needed to prevent or intervene with learning problems in the children diagnosed with learning disabilities is well known, scientifically documented and should be readily available to parents, but it isn’t.

Here is A Typical Scenario

By the time your child is old enough for kindergarten, he should be demonstrating skills in speech, hearing, and eye-hand coordination. If your child has not developed these skills, you may be told that your child is not yet ready for school and you should wait another year before enrolling. Another year at home, they say, should give him time to develop to a point of readiness for learning, but no one tells you what to do to make this happen.

And, if a child already enrolled in school is experiencing trouble keeping up with his classmates, you will be told that your child may have a learning disability. The school will want to place him in special education, but there are no guarantees, and no one tells you that you can make a difference with specific ways to help him at home.

If you feel that someone should inform parents about these things, You are Right!

It is the responsibility of the local school to tell you what the problem is with your child, and what you can do about it. However, it is well documented that schools do not share this kind of information with parents. Alternatives to special education is a subject never discussed.

This is really not the choice of the schools because while the law says that a child is entitled to a "free, appropriate, public education in the least restrictive environment," the schools were not legislated adequate funding to ensure this appropriate education. Still, the schools remain responsible under the law. Therefore, the schools have to provide what they can with the money they have to work with. And, if parents don’t know their rights, the schools will continue ignoring them and never mention alternatives to special education.

This, however, is not your problem. Your job as parent is to secure the appropriate education granted to your child by the Federal government. And even the Federal government is not doing enough to support parents in exploring alternatives.

Here is why Parents Need to be Informed

  • Problems associated with learning disabilities can have a profound lifelong negative impact on children
  • The number of children with learning disabilities is growing at a very rapid rate, and schools remain ill prepared to meet their needs
  • Many alternatives to special education have been identified, yet, parents and even teachers often lack the skills, resources, and knowledge they need in order to help children overcome learning disabilities, and
  • No one seems to be doing anything about the problem, because,
  • The law makes you, the parent, your child's only advocate.

Ceres Psychological Services Focuses on this Problem

Ceres Psychological Services, a non-profit group of retired Licensed Educational Psychologists addresses this problem with its, information packed, LS reference book Learning Disabilities, Understanding the Problem, and Managing the Challenges.

Etta K Brown has called upon her twenty years of public school experience as a certified special education teacher, school social worker, school psychologist, health educator, to put together this insightful, information-packed guide that gives parents of recently identified children an excellent resource, when they are unsure where to turn for answers.

The information is equally as helpful to teachers, school administrators, parents of other special needs children, and teachers in training. Read about the Author.

This comprehensive guide is packed full of all the information that reveals new answers to all the questions, old and new, about children with learning disabilities. It begins by answering the question, "What is a learning disability?" And then progressively identifies

  • what causes learning disabilities,
  • how the school determined that your child has a learning disability,
  • what the schools are doing, and, what they should do, but are not doing,
  • what you can do to insure that they do what they are suppose to be doing, and
  • what you can do at home to help.


About this Parent Resource

In simple easily understood terms, the reader will discover how the environment can sometimes interfere with the normal development of a child's central nervous system, leaving the child immature and lacking in the neural inter-connections needed for learning.

It is revealed that expensive therapies and professional interventions in many cases are not needed. Motivated parents are empowered with the information available in this step-by-step guide. In some cases, desired results are evident in just a few days.

Learning Disabilities: Understanding the Problem and Managing the Challenges is a blueprint for successful parental involvement that will make an immediate difference in the life of the child that you care about. Just follow the instructions, find the cause in the environment and remove it. It is as simple as that.

In addition, you will learn about laws governing special education, and the powers and rights granted to parents that supersede those of the school. If you have been told that your child may have a learning disability, an ingenious application is using the law to gain the time necessary to correct the problem before the evaluation. As a result, there is no record that your child ever had a learning disability. We tell you how to do this.

In Part I of Learning Disabilities: Understanding the Problem and Managing the Challenges you will learn:

  • the alarming increase in the rate at which parents and educators are discovering learning disabilities in children;

  • the environmental factors that influence the development of learning disabilities, and what parents and educators can do about them;

  • the problem of immature development and the surprising remedies that are available to parents and teachers;

  • how child rearing practices can either contribute to or help overcome learning disabilities;

  • how emotional trauma can cause learning disabilities and solid information about how to address the problem;

  • the role that nutrition, allergies, and hypoglycemia play in learning and behavioral problems;

  • how sleep impacts learning; and

  • the disturbing effect that toxic chemicals and metals can have on children, and how exposure can lead to learning disabilities.

In Part II you will get helpful information about:

  • Laws governing special education and how the rights of parents supersede those of the school

  • How to create an individual education plan (IEP) for a child with learning disabilities

  • How educational advocacy works and how you can tap into much-needed resources

  • Tests and testing, and how the school determined that you child had a learning disability, and whether or not appropriate tests were used to assess your child, and finally, you will learn

  • The positive impact that parent advocacy can have upon the appropriateness of a child's education.

In Part III Managing the Challenges presented by your child with learning disabilities you will learn

  • how limited visual processing skills manifest in the classroom and how to accommodate them at home and school,

  • how to communicate effectively with the child with limited auditory processing skills

  • how a lack of sensory-motor integration effects learning and how to develop it

  • how to accommodate a lack of attention skills, and

  • learn causes, prevention, and successful intervention with the child exhibiting the symptoms labeled attention deficit disorder (ADD and ADHD).



What Parents are Saying about the Guide

If only I had this book in my possession when I began the difficult process of having my daughter assessed, I would not only have done things differently, I would have been a better advocate for my child. ...I believe that every parent with a child who has been recommended for an assessment needs to read it before taking any step in that direction. Cheryl Malandrinos, Parent and Book Reviewer, http://thebookrack.wordpress.com

...Leaving a child’s education completely in the hands of the public school is probably not a good idea. The school system is not going to make sure that every child meets their full potential or that learning disabilities are remediated. It’s a parent’s job to fill in the gaps and Brown does not mince words in making that point. http://ldparents.blogspot.com/ posted by Anne


What Professional Reviewers are saying about the Guide

The author makes it clear that her purpose in writing this book is to give parents a voice to ensure that their children get an appropriate education. ...all parents, teachers, and caregivers of children should have a copy of Learning Disabilities in their library. It is an important book, ...well-researched with information vital to the well-being of our children. Bettie Corbin Tucker, Independent Book Reviewers, www.bookreviewers.org

This is no "How To Turn Your Child Into Einstein In 21 Days," this is a very scholarly and well thought out book that looks at many of the aspects of our parenting abilities, educational system, and the world we live in…. it is by far the most comprehensive guide I have read on the subject (of learning disabilities). ...This book guides you step-by-step with needed information. The author shares what to say, when to say it, the answer to expect, and what to do if you don’t get an acceptable answer. Simon Barrett, Google News

I have never seen a book on this subject with so much practical advice for every situation from assessment through classroom management, and how to help the child at home. It is as if the author was sitting at your kitchen table, sipping a mug of coffee and answering all your questions deep into the night. Parents may want to buy two copies of “Learning Disabilities,” since their first is likely to become marked-up and dog-eared beyond recognition.

(The book) will fit into a purse or a jacket pocket, ready to be pulled out when confusion thickens and nerves rub raw. I’m not sure I could handle the situations special education parents deal with every day, but with the help of (this) author, I would have a chance to get started without being knocked over, and gain time to get my balance. Jay Matthews, Education Writer, The Washington Post

The powers granted (by law) to parents now supersede those of the school, and it is necessary for parents to become ... actively involved in the special education process so that they can claim those rights. (Until they do)… parents cannot fulfill the role delegated to them by the legislation that makes them the only safeguard against inappropriate special education placement. Even after the IEP is completed, many parents remain unaware that they had the right to say no to special education and demand an appropriate placement for their child. Full inclusion with special assistance in the regular classroom is seldom suggested to parents. http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/

Comments from Professional Educators

This book arms parents with information about the disabilities, accommodations that should legally be made, and the phraseology of the laws that back them up. Brown also articulates accommodations that should be attempted at home to facilitate the child’s learning process. School and parents need to consistently work together to truly help the child. Reviewer, Andrea Coventry: Andrea is a Montessori child - turned educator.

This book on learning disabilities was an easy read. No complicated studies to decipher, just valuable information which can be readily utilized. I could have used some of these ideas when I was working with this population...Alice Benson, Seneca, South Carolina. Retired teacher of learning handicapped children.

"We know that there is …huge denial about the needs of the kind of children you care about. All of us "learning disabled kids" have the potential to become valuable citizens but it takes wise teaching vs. the abuse that too often comes our way.” This Book on Learning Disabilities will prove to be a lifesaver for some lucky child with parents that really care and are willing to become involved."... Anita King, Medical Social Worker. Rossmore, California

"A road map for the lost, a manual for the confused, a text for students, and a must for the advocate."... I remain impressed with the free advocacy services and free consultation available to every parent who purchases the book...Edith K. Jones, retired teacher of handicapped children.

"There's always more to learn. We're never too old to teach. You are offering such valuable help! We know that some parents need support for years -- even decades. I hope you find a few people who will use your wisdom wisely."... Uncheetah Wilson, San Francisco, California, retired Social Worker.

You will make a world of difference for those who read your book on learning disabilities. Joileen Richards, San Francisco, California, Retired School Counselor



Money back Guarantee

We are so sure that Learning Disabilities: Understanding the Problem and Managing the Challenges by Etta K. Brown will become your most trusted resource in helping you and your family or students cope with and even overcome learning disabilities that Ceres Psychological Services makes this simple guarantee.

  • Take up to 90 days to read, study, learn, and apply the information provided in the book.

  • If for any reason or no reason at all you are not completely satisfied, then return it to us and we will give you a prompt and full refund of the purchase price of this book.

  • Return shipping and postage costs will be the responsibility of the person returning the book.

  • No questions asked. Our guarantee is as simple and straightforward as that.

  • This guarantee applies only to customers who purchase their book through this website.

The proceeds from the sale of this book are utilized to support free advocacy services to parents who purchase the book and the continuation of this website. Free consultation with parents is provided via, fax, phone and email.

You may contact us using the form on this website. If a phone conversation is requested, a contact number will be provided to you.


Frequently Asked Questions

Find out answers to these questions inside Learning Disabilities: Understanding the Problem and Managing the Challenges by Etta K. Brown

  • What does the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1977 guarantee for children with learning disabilities? See page 2

  • What are the most common causes of learning disabilities? See page 4

  • What is the role of early intervention in treating children with learning disabilities? See page 7

  • How do the central nervous system, the auditory system, the vestibular system, the visual system interact differently in children with learning disabilities? See Chapter 2

  • What steps should the parents and teachers take when it is recommended that the child be held back a grade due to immature development? See pages 32 through 35

  • What are some good childrearing tips for those parenting children with learning disabilities? See Chapter 4

  • What are the common emotional traumas that may lead to a learning disability? See Page 42

  • Where can I find good guidance on nutritional problems that may lead to a learning disability? See page 51

  • What happens if my child does not get enough sleep? See page 67

  • What can parents do to ensure that children get enough sleep? See page 69

  • Did the author ever experience a learning disability? Read this amazing story (involving her dentist) on page 74

  • Where can I find information about rights granted by law to children with learning disabilities? See page 89

  • What is the importance of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to children with learning disabilities? See page 95

  • How can parents help influence the legislative agenda? See page 105

  • Where can I find free information online about coping with learning disabilities? See page 110

  • Can my child be tested for a learning disability and, if so, what do the scores mean? See page 113

  • What are the hidden pitfalls in the Special Education system? See page 128

  • How can I tell if my child has a visual problem that might be contributing to a learning disability? Use our handy checklist on page 149

  • What things should parents be discussing with the child's teacher? See page 168

  • How can a hearing problem affect not just the child but siblings and other members of the household? See page 190

  • What practical classroom accommodations can teachers make? See page 193

  • What practical home accommodations can parents make? See page 203

  • How can I help my child pay better attention? Find out the surprising answer on page 215

  • What are ADD and ADHD? See page 22
  • . . . and much more! You may communicate with the author and ask your personal questions by using the CONTACT FORM on this website.


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