A Special Mother is a must-read for any parent who feels that things aren't "right." Ford, herself a mother to a daughter with LD, encourages moms (and dads) to trust their intuition, to fight (advocate) for their child, and she provides simplified steps to follow, along with sample letters, resources and definitions of terms.

Ford does an amazing job of breaking down and simplifying the complexity of evaluations, rights of children and families, asking and receiving services for the child, the importance of maintaining a paper trail—with copies moms can write on—and how to best work with the child's school. She provides a thorough overview of the maze that is known as special education. Ford doesn't gloss over anything.

A Special Mother speaks to me, the mother I was over a decade ago, when first faced with my son's learning disability. I truly wish this book had been available when I was struggling with fear and denial, looking for help and support and having no success in finding it. Ford's voice also resonates with me now, long after I have made peace with the fact that this is who my son is and that I can't make his LD go away. Her voice is one of wisdom, compassion and hope. One we special mothers need to listen to and embrace.