These are ‘hot’ topics of interest

Prevent Being Held Back

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Be proactive.  If you suspect your child may have learning or behavior issues at school, contact me.  I find that most moms are very intuitive about their children so trust your instincts.  My advise to you is don’t take a wait and see approach.  Time is too valuable as there are only five months of school remaining and FCAT testing is close.  Historically, school districts move slow when supporting kids that struggle. 

The results of my evaluation will identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses.  I make sure to tailor the evaluation to answer your specific questions!  It is accepted by public and private schools.  This documentation can speed up the help your child receives in school.  Without written documentation, your child’s school won’t usually make any adjustments.  These are called reasonable accommodations and they are required by law if your child has a learning disorder.  There is still time to give your child an academic boost to get through the school year.

A proactive investment in your child’s future can save you from wasting your money on hit and miss search for answers.  Your child’s school can give extra help and support if you have the proper documentation.  Answers await you.  Don’t wait for your child to fail before getting help.  Your child will thank you and you’ll have peace of mind.

Teaching Problem Solving Using Books

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I love learning and believe we can learn a lot by reading and educating ourselves.  Sure, degrees are nice but real learning often takes place outside the classroom.  Think about a time you had a problem.  How did you solve it?  Perhaps you turned to a book or internet site. 

My brother in law  used a book to help him learn how to change his leaky sink faucet.  I used a book to help me learn how to become a better parent.  Some of my favorite self-help books are written by Dr. John C. Maxwell www.johnmaxwell.com.  He  great books such as Developing a Winning Attitude, Talent is Never Enough, and Failing Forward. 

Books can help kids too.  There are many books that teach problem solving skills.  I enjoy many of Bill Cosby’s books about Little Bill.  When my son was 4 and 5 we read most of them.  My favorite one was The Meanest Thing to Say because it taught a problem solving strategy called “So.”  He learned to use it if other kids said mean things to him. 

I attached an article that I wrote and that was published in a popular teacher journal.  Parents can find it useful too and it lists many kids books to read with your child.  Help your child identify with the book’s character and then learn the problem solving strategy.  It works!

Why It’s Important To Only Work With a Licensed School Psychologist

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A licensed school psychologist is a person who has studied both the field of psychology and education and has earned at least a master’s degree or higher.  In a school neuropsychology training program, psychologists learn typical and atypical child development, brain functioning, cognitive and emotional development, statistical and research methodology, and specialized educational interventions, at minimum.  A school psychologist spends over 4000 hours working with children under supervision, before becoming licensed.

A person representing themselves as a ‘learning specialist, reading specialist, educational diagnostician, etc.’ does not have this level of training or experience. Equally important, all public and most private schools only recognize the evaluations of licensed psychologistswhen writing IEPs or making learning accommodations. Parents that seek help from so called learning specialists are wasting their hard earned money.

My advice to parents is to talk with only licensed psychologists and ask them questions about their philosophy and experiences.  Make sure they work with children of the same age as yours and with the issues you suspect your child may have.  Then you won’t be disappointed.  In this field the adage, “You get what you pay for” really applies.

What is the evaluation process like?

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A psychoeducational evaluation is an investment in your child.  It is an evaluation process used to determine your child’s abilities and how he or she learns best.  Standard psychoeducational evaluations typically include a test of intelligence, information process testing, and achievement testing.  My evaluations go beyond basic and also include a measure of self-esteem, testing for dyslexia and, if the child is in middle or high school, often times learning strategies. 

Since I am a school neuropsychologist, I often use neuropsychological measures such as the NEPSY II or Delis- Kaplan Test of Executive Functioning.  The use of these tests depends on what questions parents want me to answer.

My evaluations are based on identifying strengths as well as areas of need.  I make sure the child knows his/her strengths.  This is important because by the time parents bring their child to me, the child may not feel good about school or themselves.  I want to change this perception.

Throughout my evaluations I gather information from parents, teachers, the child, and through my observations while working with him or her.  Once the evaluation process is complete, I meet with parents to discuss the results and recommendations as well as create an action plan of key steps to take.  My recommendations are based on quality, not quantity of recommendations provided.

I also follow up with parents long after the evaluation process to make sure the child is on the right track.

After the evaluation is complete, you’ll know your child’s abilities, academic levels, and how he/she processes information.  You’ll also know how they feel about themselves and school.  You’ll leave with answers to your questions!

Homework Happiness or Headaches?

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The school year is well underway and students are busy with assignments at school and home.  This means spelling tests to study for, books to read, math to complete, and projects to work on. For some students, homework is relatively easy. For other students, and their parents, completing homework can be a struggle. This article contains information parents can use in order to help their child complete homework in a timely and battle-free manner. These tips are based on information from the No Child Left Behind website:http://www.nochildleftbehind.gov/parents/homework/home2.html.

 

General Homework Tips For Parents

Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework.

Use a desk or the kitchen table if they are areas without the distractions of a television or people coming and going.

 

Create a routine for doing homework.

Establish a set time each day for doing homework. Don’t let your child leave homework until just before bedtime. When your child gets home from school, provide a short break and then have them complete homework.

 

When your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers.

Giving answers means your child will not learn the material. Too much help teaches your child that when the going gets rough, someone will do the work for him or her.

Help your child figure out hard homework versus easy homework.

Have your child do the hard work first. This will mean he will be most alert when facing the biggest challenges. Easy material will seem to go fast when fatigue begins to set in.

Let your child take a short break if he or she is having trouble keeping their mind on an assignment. If your child is slow at completing his or her homework, set a timer for a certain length, such as 15 minutes, then when the timer rings he can take a short break.

Be positive about homework. 

The attitude you express about homework will be the attitude your child acquires.