Laurie Assadi’s new book Waking from the Nightmare delivers on its subtitle’s promise “giving our children optimism.” This truly unique and invaluable book conveys the obvious depth and wealth of the author’s professional experience and knowledge, but it goes much farther.
Ms Assadi poignantly describes the complexity of the children’s lives she explores without ever becoming formulaic, avoiding easy or stock answers. She never loses sight of the human beings behind the diagnostic codes or the people who love and struggle along aside them-their parents and teachers.
Parents, teachers, and mental health professionals learn to approach these children with caring, acceptance, and deep understanding. This book functions like a translator, interpreting confusing and disturbing behaviors that often leave the adults feeling just as defenseless and despairing as the children they need to guide through their darkest hours.
This empathic, yet very direct and practical guide, gives adults tools they can rely on when their emotions, as well as their children’s, are running high. In this way, the book “increases the optimism of the child” by building confidence and instilling calm in parents and teachers who may not be able to recognize the pain, anxiety, and fear of the child they love or care about. Ms Assadi’s book empowers these adults to become more effective guides and confident, stable forces in the lives of these children.
Sari Solden, MS.
Psychotherapist and author of Women with ADD and Journeys Through ADDulthood.
August, 2007