Exclusive Author Interview with Etta Brown, Author of Learning Disabilities

Etta Brown is the author of the book, Understanding Learning Disabilities: Understanding the Problem and Managing the Challenges (Langdon Street Press). We interviewed her to find out more about her new book and her struggles as a published author.  If you would like to find out more information about Etta or her book, visit www.understanding-learning-disabilities.com.

Q: Thank you for this interview, Etta. Can you tell us what Learning Disabilities, Understanding the Problem, Managing the Challenges is all about?

A: This parent manual addresses the incidence of learning disabilities which is growing at the rate of 10 to 20 percent every ten years, depending upon the income level of families. Acquiring an appropriate education for these children with average learning potential can be very difficult for some parents. The book provides technical information regarding causes, how to eliminate these causes from the child’s environment, and admonishes the parent to take an active role in the special education process.

Involved parents are supported with an interpretation of the laws which give them more power than the school. They are supported with a road map through the process of identifying children for special education, and what to say, when to say it, answers to expect; and what to do if they do not get the right answer. The book assists the parent and school in deciding whether special education is appropriate for the child even if he is eligible.

Parents are encouraged to claim their rights under the law which says that the child should be educated in the least restrictive environment which is the general education classroom with needed modifications and accommodations. Isolation in a special classroom should be the last resort, and must be approved by the parents before the child can be moved from his classroom.

Part III of the book includes how to identify your child’s learning problems and how to help the child at home and in the classroom.

Q: Is this your first novel? If not, how has writing this novel different from writing your first?

A: This is my first book, written after retirement at the age of 70 years old. I spent the first year venting my anger, over a 30 year period as a School Psychologist, at a system which because of limited operating capitol, is not always able to act in the best interest of children. Now, I can, and have told parents all the things that will empower them to insure that their child receives an appropriate education without being disloyal to my employers.

Q: How difficult was it writing your book? Did you ever experience writer’s block and, if so, what did you do?

A: I had such a history in the schools that I did not experience writers block one single time. It flowed from the heart, and healed my frustrations and anger.

Q: How have your fans embraced your latest novel? Do you have any funny or unusual experiences to share?

A: When I thought I had finished writing the book, I was editing from grammatical errors, and realized that I was doing therapeutic writing. Then I had to modify it and make it meaningful to someone besides myself. That took another year. In the third year I was able to do a professional job of communicating with teachers and parents.

Q: What is your daily writing routine?

A: I wrote 8 to 12 hours per day for three years. It was an all consuming passion. There were too many children lost over the years, with an increasing incidence of the problem. Nothing was more meaningful to me at the time.

Q: When you put the pen or mouse down, what do you do to relax?

A: I do yoga, chiropractic manipulations, and the study of metaphysics.

Q: What book changed your life?

A: Deepack Chopra: Ageless body, Timeless Mind I read it at a time when I was searching for answers about next steps in my life. The book reiterated what I already knew but could not integrate into my development. He is a prolific writer of meaningful information which communicates with the seeker at every level.

Q: If someone were to write a book on your life, what would the title be?

A. Becoming Who You Are, Not what the world tells you about yourself. The greatest challenge for myself, and as a therapist is to identify and utilize the emotions and thought patterns of the adult we have become rather than those of the child we remember being.

Q: Finish this sentence: “The one thing that I wish people would understand about me is…”

A: I am engaged in a struggle to become. Life is about spiritual transformation, not pleasing or meeting the needs of people who find their way into your life.

Thank you for this interview, Etta. I wish you much success!