Emotional Disorders and Learning Disabilities in the Elementary Classroom: Interactions and Interventions

This unique book focuses on the interaction of learning disabilities and emotional disorders, fostering an understanding of how learning problems affect emotional well-being, and vice-versa. Jean Cheng Gorman provides research-based, classroom-tested practical interventions teachers can integrate into their daily routines, to help students become more purposeful and more effective. This book serves as a resource and a practical classroom guide for all elementary school teachers who are presented with the challenges of addressing the multiple needs - academic, emotional and social - of children with learning disabilities and emotional problems. Part I presents an overview of common learning disabilities and emotional problems. What disorders are teachers most likely to encounter? When should educators intervene, and when should they seek help from others? Part II offers specific classroom interactions and interventions, including insights on how:

- Learning disorders are associated with emotional problems
- Emotional problems can hide learning disabilities
- Learning disorders can exacerbate emotional conditions
- Emotional problems can intensify learning disabilities
- Emotional health enhances learning .

.. and each chapters includes tangible steps teachers can take in their classroom, as well as reproducibles that can be used as is, or as a starting point for materials development. The book ends with a rich and up-to-date list of additional resources for teachers and an annotated bibliography of children’s books and materials. Elementary teachers, administrators, and professional development directors can use this unique and comprehensive book as a solid foundation of knowledge and a practical resource for intervention.

Jean Cheng Gorman: Jean Cheng Gorman, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist and the author of Emotional Disorders and Learning Disabilities in the Elementary Classroom: Interactions and Interventions (2001, Corwin Press). After teaching in urban and suburban elementary schools, Jean obtained her doctorate in Child and School Psychology at New York University. Her interests in collaborating with parents has included research on Chinese methods of parenting as well as culturally-sensitive parenting programs. Other professional interests include working with children who are medically-fragile and enhancing parent-child relationships in infancy and early childhood. Jean currently lives with her husband and two children in Northern California.