Reiff, Henry B., Ph.D. (2007). Self-Advocacy Skills for Students with Learning Disabilities Making it Happen in College and Beyond - A Resource for Students, Parents, and Guidance Counselors. New York: Dude Publishing. (ISBN 978-1-934032-06-0)

Reviewed by Loreena Parks, Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education, Eastern Michigan University

Introduction: This book is extremely easy to read, easy to follow, and full of practical tips. Not only would individuals with learning disabilities find it useful but many of the strategies would be helpful for all students, parents and guidance counselors.

The 215 page large print book is chock full of suggestions for helping students improve their self-advocacy skills and how to prepare for a successful experience in higher education.

“…with the overall graduation rate of American colleges and universities estimated at less than 40% for four years and about 60% for six years, students only have about a 50/50 chance of even graduating. Choosing the right academic program may play a critical role in determining whether or not a student graduates.” (page 53)

These statistics indicate how vital it is that we support our student’s with learning disabilities on their road to a successful life after high school.

One definitely needs to purchase their own copy of Reiff’s book in order to benefit from all of the information that it offers. I am going to divide this review into the following four main categories:

1. powerful quotes
2. topics covered
3. resources offered
4. summary
however, the text has much more to offer.

Powerful Quotes: Throughout the book Dr. Reiff makes many profound statements. A couple of the most powerful and memorable quotes are included below.

“The prognosis for individuals with learning disabilities who are not effective self-advocates is bleak. Adult life tends to be much more satisfying for individuals who have a sense of themselves as independent and autonomous. A lack of self-advocacy skills may lead to feelings of dependence and insufficiency.” (page 174)

“Successful adults with learning disabilities: … have reframed their learning disabilities. As successful adults they have managed not only to accept who they are, but also to understand that their learning styles are not really deficient, just different. They see themselves as unique, not weak, individuals. They develop plans for how to accommodate their learning disabilities, and even make their so called learning disabilities work for them. People with learning disabilities who advocate for themselves should hold their heads up high. They are not being helpless. They are taking care of themselves – independently. And that’s the whole idea. (page 177)

“There really are no such things as “LD study skills”. There are simply sound approaches to studying that are useful to all students.” (page 86)

“Figuring stuff out in college isn’t rocket science (unless you’re at M.I.T.), but it does take communication and self-advocacy.” (page 128)

The overall themes are: self-advocacy, communication, sound approaches, independence, autonomy, and reframing ones learning disabilities.

Topics Covered: A plethora of topics was discussed within the content of Dr. Reiff’s book. Some of these topics were specific to students, to parents, and to guidance counselors. Other topics were more global in nature.

Topics Specifically for Students:
• learning more about one’s self
• college visits
• filling our college applications
• writing an admissions essay
• in class strategies
• out of class strategies
• how to study
• how to take tests
• writing papers
• using assistive technology
• jobs while attending college
• quality and goodness-of-fit of services

Topics Specifically for Parents:
• how to empower their students
• IEP tips
• college finances
• FERPA

Topics Specifically for Guidance Counselors:
• promoting self-awareness and self-advocacy in students
• preparing students in high school in time management
• becoming involved with a disabled student services in higher education Listserv
• helping students to understand their psychological evaluations
• IEP tips
• Helping with course selections

Global Topics:
• the law
• accommodations and “reasonableness”
• how to use Disability Services
• deciphering psychoeducational evaluations
• goal planning
• study skill planning
• time management (macro and micro)
• scheduling
• organization support programs in graduate and professional schools
• social skills in the workplace
• to disclose or not to disclose
• picking your battles

Resources Offered: This book includes an impressive amount of useful material. There are samples of actual forms that can be adapted, many lists, websites, and an extensive list of reference books.

Useful Forms:
• goal planning
• progress in courses
• daily-weekly schedule

Useful Lists:
• documentations good to have for colleges
• differences between IDEA and ADA
• obstacles to getting the documentation colleges may require
• questions for the application and admission process
• tips for writing the admissions essay
• tips for parents at IEP meetings
• tips for financial aid
• five questions guidance counselors should ask at IEP meetings
• student questions for initial meeting with the Disability Services

Useful Websites:
• Scholarship hunting ideas
• Financial aid help
• Assistive technology
• Time management and organization
• Organizations for adults with learning disabilities
• Workplace accommodations

Summary: This book is a valuable reference due to the information imparted. It will be useful for students, parents or educators who are looking for a clear, concise, yet complete reference of resources for self-advocacy.