Emotions and Education: Promoting Positive Mental Health in Students with Learning Disabilities

"This book addresses critical, but often overlooked, aspects of effective education. Specifically, the role that emotions play in human learning and development. The authors cover important topics such as developing academic environments that support the academic and socioemotional success of students with learning disabilities, and incorporating features of therapeutic structures to support their mental health and well-being. These topics are of interest and value to parents, teachers, support staff and students alike. Emotions and Education fills a real void in the literature on the inextricable link between how students feel and how they learn."

Ioanna Tsiriotakis, PhD

Professor, School of Education, University of Crete, Greece

"Students with learning disabilities have great potential to thrive in academic environments, but that potential often is thwarted by social and emotional challenges in the classroom and in the school community at large. The authors of Emotions and Education take a proactive stance in addressing these challenges by suggesting strategies and approaches that can bolster the social and emotional skills, as well as the mental health of Students with learning disabilities. This is an extremely valuable book in that it covers interventions throughout the different grade levels, and concludes with considering the tasks involved into the post-secondary transition and proven ways to prepare Students with learning disabilities for success on the college campus."

Ann Marie Leonard-Zabel, PhD

Professor of Psychology, Curry College, Milton, Massachusetts

"Rarely does an academic book do such a good job of melding the fields of education and psychology. In the various chapters, authors stress the integral links between the emotional states of Students with learning disabilities and positive learning outcomes. They tackle areas of anxiety, frustration, bullying, attention, and the effects of trauma on such students’ achievements, both in a classroom setting and with their peers. Students with learning disabilities frequently deal with emotional and academic challenges. It is integral for those who work with these students to understand the interconnectedness of these challenges. Having positive strategies to promote prosocial skills that can build friendships, lead to greater integration in the school community, and prepare the young person for post-secondary success is essential, and this book delivers on helping practitioners and parents better understand how to support Students with learning disabilities in the socioemotional domain."

Dr. Gloria D. Campbell-Whatley

Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

"The various authors in this multi-faceted book offer insight into the ways in which students with learning disabilities can develop their social and emotional skills to the fullest capacities in order to promote health and wellness. As learning is essentially relational, the authors highlight the ways in which meaningful interactions, as well as affectively-appropriate environments, can turn emotional liabilities into academic assets. This is a rich and varied volume, with a diverse authorship, and it is a must read for all who care about leveling the educational and social playing field for Students with learning disabilities."

Richard B. Holzman, EdD

Senior Advisor for External Affairs, University of Massachusetts, Amherst and Springfield Center