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This is well worth a read for anyone interested in understanding the neurobiology of learning difficulties and disorders. As someone with learning difficulties some of parts were things I had heard before, nevertheless the new information was very interesting and well-presented, and made me curious to learn more. In each chapter Armstrong covers a mental disorder. I liked that at the beginning he would cover the origin of the name (Greek, Latin etc) and when it was coined. Throughout he used personal stories as well as examples from scientific studies making it feel both academic and personal. Something I especially loved was that he described the exact biological structures and mechanisms of the brain and how they differ. The book covers these issues from all perspectives, parts are addressed to people with these disorders, others to people who help those with these disorders, with a full chapter devoted to teachers.
However there is a reason I gave it 4 stars not five: the Celebrity Name-Dropping Cliché. Hearing that x celebrity actually has x mental disorder is inspiring when you're 6 years old, but has lost its effect once you hear it for the 276th time. Additionally, Armstrong is very precise about professions that are appropriate for people with each diagnosis, which somewhat contradicts one of the book's overall points of not putting people in boxes.
Although occasionally a little annoying, this book is well research and engaging, and well worth reading even if you don't have any of these disorders.
However there is a reason I gave it 4 stars not five: the Celebrity Name-Dropping Cliché. Hearing that x celebrity actually has x mental disorder is inspiring when you're 6 years old, but has lost its effect once you hear it for the 276th time. Additionally, Armstrong is very precise about professions that are appropriate for people with each diagnosis, which somewhat contradicts one of the book's overall points of not putting people in boxes.
Although occasionally a little annoying, this book is well research and engaging, and well worth reading even if you don't have any of these disorders.