How many times have you heard a teacher say that your child has tremendous potential "if only he'd just apply himself" or "if only sh'd work just a little harder"? How often have you said the same thing to your son or daughter? Or perhaps you have a coworker who can't seem to finish anything; his reports are never in on time, or her projects are always behind the schedule. No matter what excusses you hear, you suspect that laziness is the real reason for your colleague's low productivity.
Almost no one is actually lazy, says Dr. Mel Levine, author of the #1 national bestseller A Mind at a Time. Low productivity -- whether in school or on the job -- is almost always caused by a genuine problem, a neurodevelopmental dysfunction. despite this, untold number of people have been stigmatized by unfair accusations of laziness, many of them adults who still carry emotional scars from their school days. In The Myth of Laziness Dr. Levine shows how we can spot the neurodevelopmental dysfunctions that may cause "output failure," as he calls it, whether in school or in the workplace. Dr. Levine identifies seven forms of dysfunctions that obstruct output. Drawning on his years of clinical experience he describes eight people -- children, adolescents, and adults -- he has worked with who exhibited one or another of these problems. He shows how identifying the problem can make all the difference, leading to a course of corrective action rather than to accusations of laziness and moral failure.
With its practical advice and its compassionate tone, The Myth of Laziness shows parents how to nurture their child strengths and improve their classroom productivity. Most important, it shows parents how correcting these problems in childhood will help children live a fulfilling and productive adult life.
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"Another Mel Levine book that has helped me appreciate the diversity of minds in my family. It has also helped me help our children understand their own self. I didn't really read it all the way through more a chapter here or there according to what I wanted to know. Recommend this book highly. "
— Suzanned (4 out of 5 stars)
“A thoughtful and vivid writer, [Levine] avoids glib, catch-all diagnoses (dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD) in favor of subtle excavation of the numerous, subtle, and often interlocking mental peculiarities that tend to make writing difficult.”
— Observer (London)“Offers a broad range of strategies…The advice—e.g., create a home office for kids, document time spent and level of output, adjust expectations—is on target and should help struggling parents.”
— Publishers Weekly“This is a valuable book that will give parents some guidance in solving their children’s productivity issues and preparing their children successfully for adulthood.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review“This call for education flexibility will hearten parents of the supposedly unmotivated.”
— Barnes & Noble, editorial review" Fantastic book exploring the different facets of our minds. Excellent resource for teachers, parents, and anyone interested in examining their own mental strengths and weaknesses. Also includes tips for improving weak areas. "
— Christina, 3/22/2011" Mel Levine knows of what he speaks...reread this book recently. A must read for all educators "
— Linda, 3/6/2011" A little dry at times but very informative. "
— Juli, 2/14/2011" great book <br/>i didn't read in completely; i need to check it our again. good read for parents and teachers. "
— Mrs., 3/17/2010" Really opens one's mind to the way people think. A fantastic exploration. "
— Elizabeth, 10/19/2009" This is an excellent description of how the human mind processes learned information. Even if you're not a teacher, you will enjoy this book. You'll be analyzing your mind as well as everyone around you. "
— Leanne, 6/12/2009Mel Levine, MD, is professor of pediatrics at the University of North Carolina Medical School and director of its Clinical Center for the Study of Development and Learning. He is the founder and cochairman of All Kinds of Minds, a nonprofit institute for the understanding of differences in learning, and the author of several nationally bestselling books, including A Mind at a Time and The Myth of Laziness. He and his wife, Bambi, live on Sanctuary Farm in North Carolina.