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JULY 2004


Teachers College, Education Update & Phi Delta Kappa Host Drs. Klass and Costello to a Full House

by Joan Baum, Ph.D.

Bringing lively informality to a no-nonsense discussion about the plight of “quirky kids” at a recent talk and book signing at Teachers College, sponsored by the TC Alumni Council, the TC chapter of Phi Delta Kappa and Education Update, Drs. Perri Klass and Eileen Costello, distinguished Boston primary care pediatricians, held a full-house in thrall as they moved through a review of the challenges facing parents, doctors, teachers—and the kids themselves—about what it means to be “quirky.”  The word takes its definition from the subtitle of their book, Quirky Kids: Understanding and Helping Your Child Who Doesn’t Fit In—When to Worry and when Not to Worry.  The talk was truly the “Up Close and Personal” conversation promised by the TC program committee, and after it was over, the line at the book signing table was longer than that for the hors d’oeuvres.

As the authors note, the topic is hot and filled with potentially frightening (mis) information, and thus it was refreshing to hear two extraordinarily dedicated doctors who are also parents often say they didn’t know, when questions turned especially to causes and to queries about therapies and drugs that work. If one theme emerged, it was the necessity for teams of specialists to become involved in diagnosing and treating children out there “in a slightly different zone” whose range of behaviors cannot easily be understood or dealt with by anxious, confused parents and by compassionate, overworked teachers, especially when those “quirky” kids are from poor urban environments and if they have gone untreated by the time they enter middle or high school.

After a laudatory introduction by TC’s Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College, Darlyne Bailey, the Klass and Costello show, so to speak, took off, with the co-authors, who are also obviously good friends and have known each other for years, taking turns introducing and commenting on various topics. Their humor and humanity were infectious. They both noted that their interest in “odd duck children” who do not seem to be developing according to normal guidelines—an increasing number, by the way—started as a result of listening to parents who had nowhere else to turn. The doctors soon discovered they were not the only ones to be in the dark. Because the subject itself was not part of medical school curricula 20 years ago, they made it their business to educate themselves, interviewing kids, parents, teachers, and trying to come up with practical advice, provide referrals, and collect new data. Parents say they feel that many pediatricians are either not as observant as they might be or too busy to notice this “extremely interesting population of children.” Therefore, number one on Drs. Klass and Costello’s agenda became educating their colleagues. Time is of the essence. The kids may be difficult, but they are in pain, they are aware they don’t fit in. As for labeling—it’s hard but often the only way for parents and schools to be assured of services.

The devotion of Drs. Klass and Costello was as apparent as their wise, common sense counsel. Don’t overload kids with specialists, “they deserve a childhood.” Encourage quirky children to participate in “pragmatic language groups” as the best way to get social as well as therapeutic benefits. And of course, read their book, which has been hailed nationwide as “superb, original, and hugely needed.” In closing Dr. Pola Rosen, the publisher of Education Update, who is also the president of Phi Delta Kappa of TC and a TC Alumni Council member, called the jointly sponsored event a “unique collaboration” and noted that it was inaugurated by two splendid women whose address was both timely and significant.#

For more information visit www.quirkykids.com.

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