These are ‘hot’ topics of interest

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

/in /by

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?

/in , /by

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?

/in /by
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.

Public vs. Private Schools

/in /by

As a school psychologist, many parents consult with me for advice about placing their child in a public or private school.  I work with most of the schools in our area and know them well.  We are fortunate that most schools in the Jupiter/Palm Beach Gardens area have a high reputation for delivering quality education to children.  The decision to go public or private really comes down to the characteristics of the child, the school environment, and the individual teacher.

Every child is different so when parents consult with me, my advice is specific to each child and their qualities.  In general, children with learning differences such as dyslexia and ADHD can be successful in public or private schools as long as they receive accommodations.  These are things like extra time to complete homework or tests, preferential seating, not taking away recess, and reduced spelling lists.  Each child needs different supports and the school must provide the support your child needs.

While most schools have a solid educational reputation, parents must tour the school, talk with the administration, and get a feel of the school atmosphere.  Does the school have a caring environment where staff members are concerned about the emotional as well as academic needs of the child?  If it is an elementary school, are parents allowed to volunteer in the classroom?  Can parents eat lunch with their child?  How does the school discipline children?  These are important questions to ask because they provide information about the context of the school beyond their reputation.  Select a school that welcomes parent involvement in the classroom.  These schools have nothing to hide.

The third factor to consider in a public versus private school decision is the individual teacher.  Regardless of reputation, all schools have some teachers that are stronger than others.  You want to make sure your child has a strong teacher with qualities that mesh with your child.  While most schools do not allow parents to request a specific teacher, you want to be at a school where you can meet with the school administrator and discuss the type of teacher that would best fit their child’s characteristics.  Once the administrator knows your child’s unique needs, he or she can decide on the best teacher.  If the administrator will not meet with you to discuss your child’s characteristics as they relate to next year’s teacher, look elsewhere.

Change Your Child’s Mindset

/in /by

Everyone is talking!  We are usually talking out loud to someone or talking to ourselves.  When we talk in our mind this is called self or inner-talk.  Inner-talk is important because it is how we think about, conceptualize, and solve many of our daily problems.  It is important to teach children to develop positive inner talk because it is related to our self-esteem.  If our inner talk is mostly negative, then we start to believe it and feel negative about ourselves.  Positive inner talk leads to positive actions.  Think about how many times a day you say positive versus negative thoughts to yourself.  What do you say to yourself when you look in the mirror?

Think about your child in school.  Do you think he or she says positive statements such as: “School is OK. I’ll give it my best shot.  I can do well on this quiz because I studied.”   If your child is not using positive inner-talk then she is less likely to perform well in school or in other areas of life such as playing sports.  I use an analogy that goes like this with my son when he is thinking negatively.  I say, “Tommy’ when you get up to bat in baseball do you tell yourself you’ll strike out or get a hit?  Right, you tell yourself you’ll get a hit.  So now when you are doing this homework are you telling yourself you can try to get it done or that you just hate homework?”  Next we discuss how he can perform better with a positive mind set and thought process.

Parents need to show children how we use positive inner-talk during everyday events.  The next time you are preparing for an event such as a job interview, client presentation, sport event, or trying on a pair of jeans, explain your thoughts.  Give your child some insight into your thinking by talking about your thoughts aloud.  Teach your child to believe in him or herself and they will start to perform better in school and life.  A sudden drop in school performance can be related to self esteem or motivation problems.  Your child may believe that no matter how hard they try, they will fail.  I can help you with this.