About the Author

Dr. Laurie Zelinger is a board-certified psychologist with a specialty in school psychology, and a Registered Play Therapist with over 45 years' experience. She is a licensed New York State psychologist who, after retiring from a Long Island public school system, is now devoting her time exclusively to writing, consulting and her busy private practice for children. Previous books include: Please Explain Anxiety to Me: Simple Biology and Solutions for Children and Parents; Please Explain Tonsillectomy & Adenoidectomy to Me: A Complete Guide to Preparing Your Child for Surgery; Please Explain Terrorism to Me! A Story for Children, P-E-A-R-L-S of Wisdom for Their Parents; Please Explain Time out to Me! A Story for Children and Do-it-Yourself Manual for Parents; and A Smart Girl's Guide to Liking Herself Even On The Bad Days for American Girl. In June 2020, Dr. Zelinger's article, "Expanding social stories beyond the autism spectrum" was a featured article in Play Therapy magazine. She has a chapter on selective mutism in the John Wiley & Sons compendium School Based Play Therapy, as well as a chapter on prescriptive play therapy for fears and phobias in the 2019 Guilford Press compendium, Prescriptive Play Therapy: Tailoring Interventions to Specific Childhood Problems. Dr. Zelinger is also credited with being a consultant for the Bitty Baby book series by American Girl where she assisted in the development of the 'For Parents' sections as well as editorial development of another American Girl book. Her interest in writing began in 4th grade, when a play she wrote about the drought experienced in New York City at the time, was performed by the students in her public school. Dr. Zelinger is a fellow and previous officer in the national American Academy of School Psychology and had spent four years in the capacity of director on the executive board of the New York Association of Play Therapy. As a highly respected child psychologist, she has contributed to nearly 200 venues regarding child development. She and her psychologist husband, Dr. Fred Zelinger, are both certified Red Cross disaster mental health volunteers. They have been happily married for over 40 years, have raised four children and relish their roles as grandparents.

Reviews

"Filled with just the right number of facts and feelings, this handbook is an impactful, practical guide for anyone. Dr. Zelinger recognizes the universality of this disease, yet personalizes it with anecdotes, tips, and Q & As so that you are empowered and better able to deal emotionally. This handbook hits your head and heart and is a must "go-to" book for Alzheimer's. As a mother with 8 children, I found this book to be the singular resource needed by families with young children who are in the position of having to explain this disease." -- Kim DiLuzio"Dr. Zelinger's thoughtful and practical book provides a story that children can relate to and a guide for parents to better explain what is happening to those who suffer from dementia. The book creates an atmosphere for emotionally intelligent conversation about the changes that happen to the person they love. Please Explain Alzheimer's Disease to Me is an excellent resource to assist families with this difficult to explain, but loving family dynamic." -- Bruce Alster, Star Factor emotional intelligence leadership coach and retired principal"Finally! A book to explain Alzheimer's disease to children in an easy-to-understand, developmentally appropriate manner! As a nurse and mental health counselor, I know how much this book is needed, as Alzheimer's disease impacts almost 6 million adults. Please Explain Alzheimer's Disease to Me not only offers children a chance to understand the many changes that a loved one may experience due to Alzheimer's disease, but also offers resources for adults to have meaningful conversations with their child. Zelinger's book even includes a kid-friendly explanation of the changes that happen in the brain because of Alzheimer's disease! There are many changes children need to understand and adapt to when a loved one has Alzheimer's disease, and Please Explain Alzheimer's Disease to Me is a gentle and realistic way to begin those difficult conversations. Parents will find the tips for families, and the question and answer section, especially helpful." -- Casey O'Brien Martin, LMHC, REAT, RN, author of Skills for Big Feelings: A Guide for Teaching Kids Relaxation, Regulation, and Coping Techniques"Please Explain Alzheimer's Disease to Me is a wonderful resource for families looking to help children understand their loved one's Alzheimer's/dementia condition. It is a touching portrayal of the changing relationship between children and a grandmother living with dementia. The book also includes valuable answers to common questions and further reading suggestions following the story." -- Grace Bazile M.S.L.I.S. Peninsula Public Library "If you have a grandparent with a forgetting disease, this is a good book to help. It helped me understand what we might experience with my grandpa and also what happened with my great-grandma before she passed away. This book helped me to understand how the dementia brain gets all snarled up and doesn't work right anymore. I like to understand things, and this helped. This book isn't just helpful for kids, it's also helpful for caretakers and parents, who might be dealing with this disease for the first time." -- City Book Review