Barbara Rissman

Barbara Rissman, Ph.D., brings personal experience to this book. Her daughter Sally was born with an encephalocele, a neural tube defect estimated to occur in two to three out of every 10,000 live births. The extreme demands of caring for and educating a child with spina bifida, resultant hydrocephalus, and undiagnosed learning difficulties led Dr. Rissman to pursue a private teaching practice so that she could be available for Sally’s many surgeries and therapies. Dr. Rissman completed four diplomas in music, and for 22 years she taught piano, organ, and theory of music to students of all ages and ability levels. Subsequently, she transitioned to the field of education and undertook doctoral research, inspired by Sally’s 12-year journey through school. Dr. Rissman’s 2007 study explored the learning experiences of students with spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and an NLD profile in mainstream Australian schools. She currently works at Australia’s Queensland University of Technology as a sessional academic, equity project officer, and previously served as a unit coordinator and tutor. Her immediate goal is to raise awareness of NLD among educational, medical, and allied health practitioners to prevent serious emotional, developmental, and educational consequences if the NLD is not identified early and managed successfully.

Publications

Medical and Educational Perspectives on Nonverbal Learning Disability in Children and Young Adults
Medical and Educational Perspectives on Nonverbal Learning Disability in Children and Young Adults
Barbara Rissman. © 2016. 404 pages.
A Nonverbal Learning Disability (NLD) is a serious and complex developmental disability that persists into adulthood. Children and young adults affected face many difficulties...
Nonverbal Learning Disability (NLD): Unraveling the Mystery
Nonverbal Learning Disability (NLD): Unraveling the Mystery
Barbara Rissman. © 2016. 26 pages.
The purpose of this chapter is to inform practitioners in the teaching, medical, and allied health professions about the complex and serious nature of a nonverbal learning...
Medical Conditions Associated with NLD
Medical Conditions Associated with NLD
Barbara Rissman. © 2016. 40 pages.
The pattern of neuropsychological assets and deficits that characterize a nonverbal learning disability (NLD) is evident in a wide variety of neurological diseases and...
Case Studies
Case Studies
Barbara Rissman. © 2016. 59 pages.
This chapter is taken from five illustrative case study reports resulting from doctoral research. Each case gave the researched a voice. The study selected five students at Level...
The Road to Diagnosis and Post-School Life
The Road to Diagnosis and Post-School Life
Barbara Rissman. © 2016. 20 pages.
This chapter is written in two sections, each with its own introduction and background. “The Road to Diagnosis” is not intended to be exhaustive. Discussion touches on the role...
Case Studies
Case Studies
Barbara Rissman. © 2016. 58 pages.
This chapter is taken from five illustrative case study reports resulting from doctoral research. Each case gave the researched a voice. The study selected five students at Level...
Nonverbal Learning Disability (NLD): Unraveling the Mystery
Nonverbal Learning Disability (NLD): Unraveling the Mystery
Barbara Rissman. © 2016. 25 pages.
The purpose of this chapter is to inform practitioners in the teaching, medical, and allied health professions about the complex and serious nature of a nonverbal learning...
The Road to Diagnosis and Post-School Life
The Road to Diagnosis and Post-School Life
Barbara Rissman. © 2016. 20 pages.
This chapter is written in two sections, each with its own introduction and background. “The Road to Diagnosis” is not intended to be exhaustive. Discussion touches on the role...