Janet R AltmanWhen Words Were Mountains is rooted in the sum of Janet Altman's experiences as a confused child, a learning disabilities clinician, and the mother of a child with learning disabilities. Altman grew up before the field of learning disabilities existe. The kindergarten teacher argued against promoting her to first grade. Altman's mother refused to hold her back. From first grade through high school and college, Altman excelled in certain subjects. In others, no matter how hard she tried, she floundered and fell behind. Years of such bewildering experiences had an emotional impact. How children learn and, more importantly, how to help those who aren't learning like their classmates fascinated Altman. She graduated from college and taught children with a variety of difficulties in the Chicago suburbs. After earning her master's degree, she embarked on a career as a learning disabilities clinician. Altman recognized significant differences between her young son's strengths and his weaknesses. He benefitted from learning disabilities remediation in their neighborhood public school from kindergarten through fourth grade, when he no longer needed the specialist's expertise. Read More Read Less