Comments

1. K. Basaran Said,

   What this book is describing is right-on but the author is attributing the behaviors to personality, temperament. What is actually being described is a medical condition: Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Some of the techniques in the book may very well work with children with SPD but by not correctly identifying it as a medical condition, a parent may not seek the medical resources that are available for SPD (i.e. Occupational Therapy), other resources and home therapy techniques.
   Rating: 3 / 5

2. C. Sandberg Said,

   Excellent – This book is a miracle on paper. arrived fast. Very pleased. Description was accurate and was delivered as described
   Rating: 5 / 5

3. LibraCyn Said,

   I’m coming at this review backwards. . My son is now grown and just moved away to go to college as of a week ago, but when this book first came out, he was only two years old, and was considered “spirited.” I remember going to a couple of classes at a local preschool when this title (which I had already purchased independently before attending) was the main topic of discussion among these uber moms (then, “supermoms.”) For some reason, my son did not turn out to be one of those “brilliant” or “cool” kids in school who benefited by being set apart. The impression I received from the moms in the class was that this was some sort of “special” category that did not apply to the masses (God forbid their children be “normal!) Not only did I not identify with these people, I was the polar opposite. After going the holistic route for several years with my son (because my husband and I did not want to succumb to the ADHD diagnosis) we finally took him to a doctor who administered several tests that found him to be “ADHD.” What I am getting at is that this book, although seemingly helpful, will candy-coat these symptoms for a while. If your child is ADHD or ADD, you will find out soon enough, but believe me, you will not refer to this text from here out. My son turned out just fine, but there are many things that we learn about our children through our own research and observation. Although there is some good advice for handling difficult behavior, it is necessary to make sure you do not become complacent with the term “spirited” and do nothing more than listen to Ms. Kurcinka. I am frankly surprised this book is still in print. And right now, it’s in the pile of “to go” books to the Goodwill!
   Rating: 3 / 5

4. J. Mcconochie Said,

   I sent this book to a relative who was having trouble understanding her grandson. I had the book from my teaching days. I found the book very helpful in seeing “difficult” children in a new way. She has found it helpful to think of her grandson from this perspective and to gain a better grasp of what makes him the way he is, without resorting to labels such as ADD or Autistic.
   Rating: 4 / 5

5. Kelly Jo Troxel Said,

   Thank god we are not alone. I mean, I knew we really weren’t alone, but reading this has seriously helped. I’m about 1/4 of the way through and have found this to be very helpful and insightful.
   Rating: 5 / 5