Bright Kids Who Can't Keep Up

Starred review from August 1, 2014

Otherwise undiagnosed, some kids--with all the potential in the world--just seem to lag behind and take forever to complete mundane tasks...20 minutes of homework becomes two hours; the ten-minute chore turns into 45; a 30-minute morning routine blows up on a daily basis. Flummoxed, parents become exasperated, wondering if their child is just lazy or unmotivated. Child psychologists Braaten and Willoughby here offer a first-of-a-kind book on processing speeds in this aptly named title for parents, presenting a new area of cognitive research that is sure to receive more attention in the future. This disconnect between natural intellect and output can have a powerfully negative impact on family life, with parents pushing harder and children insisting that they simply can't do as requested. Breaking down processing speeds into areas such as verbal, visual, motor, and academic fluency, the authors provide checklists and psychological testing profiles to help parents identify specific areas of weaknesses. They recognize that processing issues often occur in the context of another problem (ADD, developmental disorders, etc.) but present specific tips and tools for addressing the symptoms by helping these kids stay on task and find success. VERDICT An encouraging look at a problem to which many parents will relate. The jury is still out on whether processing speeds relate to neurotransmitters, synaptic spaces, or neural networks, but the authors do an excellent job of bringing the psychological research into the home.

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.