Posts

Teach Your Child To Read

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Parents want the best for their children and it is frustrating when they struggle to learn to read. Summer is a time when many parents work with their child(ren) to enrich or strengthen their reading or math. For children struggling to read (decoding, fluency, or comprehension), the summer is a valuable time to try some different approaches to reading.
One book I recommend to parents is Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons by Siegfried Englemann (ISBN# 0-671-63198-5). This book provides a step-by step guide of lessons that parents can use with their child for 15-20 minutes per day. The book is written in understandable parent friendly language so it is straightforward to use.  In fact, the instructions for each lesson are complete and tell parents exactly what to say and do. When compared to other commercial programs, this one was rated as doing the best job in teaching reading.  The authors state the book is appropriate for preschool children and for children who have been in school but who have not learned to read. If you teach your child using this direct instruction program, there is a very high probability they will learn to read.
 
Another book that can help parents reinforce their child’s reading development is Games for Reading: Playful Ways To Help Your Child Read. This book is written by a former reading teacher and contains games for learning words, sounds, understanding, and has a chapter on reading every day. I have used many of the book’s games with my 5-year-old son and we both enjoy them. 

Parents should find both of these books helpful.

The ADHD Strength Zone

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Teachers and parents often let kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) know their weaknesses.  They usually use words such as disorganized, lazy, unmotivated, forgetful, talkative, emotional, and the list goes on and on.  It has been documented that kids with ADD/ADHD hear five times as many negative as positive comments. 

What about the strengths of these kids?  Their strengths are usually described with words such as social, exciting, funny, loving, risk-taking, and energetic.  These positive qualities must not be overlooked and can become huge assets when they are adults.  Parents must find and build on the strengths of their child with ADD/ADHD.  I recently attended a seminar by Dr. John Maxwell who said something I found very interesting.  He advises parents not to focus so much on weaknesses but to find their child’s strengths and build and nurture them.  For example, buy books on the topics, talk with experts, attend seminars, take field trips, etc.  A child’s strengths will carry them through in life.  He gave the example that if your child is a C student in reading, perhaps you should be ok with it.  Instead of spending excessive time working with tutors to try and make him/her an A student, spend time building their strengths.  If you like this notion, read more in his book, Talent is Never Enough.

Dr. Forgan can help identify your child’s strengths.  He is a licensed school psychologist and certified dyslexia testing specialist who can evaluate your child for ADD/ADHD, giftedness, dyslexia, and other associated disorders.

Don’t Wait For Your Child To Fail

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As a parent, are you thinking, “I hope things go better for my child in school this year?”  Do you anticipate a negative daily call from the school about your child’s behavior or effort?  Your child’s issues from last year may not have surfaced yet but could be bubbling.  My advise to you is don’t take a wait and see approach.  Time is too valuable and the school year will be over before we know it.  Historically, school districts move slow when supporting kids that struggle. 

Be proactive.  If you know your child may have learning or behavioral issues at school, contact me.  The results of my evaluation will identify strengths and weaknesses.  It is accepted by all schools.  This documentation will speed up the help your child receives in school.  Without written documentation, your child’s school won’t make any accommodations.  These are things like not counting off for messy handwriting, a reduced list of spelling words, use of a word processor, copies of notes, not missing recess, and extra time on tests and assignments.  In order to receive extra time on the SAT or ACT, your child must currently have this accommodation in place at school. 

A proactive investment in your child’s future will save you from wasting your money on hit and miss search for answers.  Your child’s school will 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.

IEPs Versus 504 Plans

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Many children have repeated a grade in school, get poor grades, can not pass tests, and struggle to remember information despite being intelligent and making an effort to learn.  These children can often qualify for extra help or accommodations in school.  The type of extra help come from having a 504 accommodation plan and/or an individualized education plan (IEP).  Both plans can allow for extra time on in class tests and the FCAT, non-graded spelling tests, frequent breaks while working, use of a word processor, spell checker, and many more. 

In order to qualify for either plan, parents must provide the school with testing documentation that shows the child has an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity which includes reading, writing, learning, and listening.  A licensed psychologist in private practice can help parents and public schools have a psychologist on staff as well.  You may be thinking, “Is one type of plan better than the other?”

The 504 accommodation plan is not considered special education.  Schools do not receive any additional money to implement 504 plans.  Schools do receive extra money if a child is in special education and has and individualized education plan (IEP).  If a child qualifies for special education, they receive extra help from a special education teacher.  Students with a 504 plan typically do not receive help from a special education teacher and parents must provide tutoring at their own expense.  School personnel do not frequently tell parents that once a child is in special education, they rarely get out.  I can help you decide which plan is best for your child.

Is Your Child’s Education in a Recession?

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If your child has repeated a grade, is at risk for failing this year, struggles to read, or gets in trouble in school, invest in your child’s future by having a strength based psychoeducational evaluation.  Many parents think about investing in their child by funding a Roth IRA or the Florida prepaid college program but may not always invest in their child’s educational success.  A strength based psychoeducational evaluation is a process that determines exactly how your child learns best and determines if they have any learning disabilities or other childhood disorders.  We then create a plan for your child’s educational success that can be used in any public or private school. 

My evaluations are highly comprehensive and I gather information from the parents, teacher, child, and from my interactions.  By having multiple viewpoints, I am able to see the whole picture of your child’s current status across many settings.  My evaluation will allow you to know exactly how your child learns best, how they process information, insight into their innate abilities, the status of their self-esteem, and much more!  When I am finished working with your child and gathering information, I meet with you and we create an action plan with recommendations and steps you can take to enhance your child’s educational success.  As a former teacher, I know which teaching methods and support will best help your child.

The report I write can be used in any public or private school setting so your child can receive accommodations, if needed.  If your child qualifies for extra time as an accommodation, my report is also used to get extra time on the SAT or ACT.  Your investment in a strength based psychoeducational evaluation for your child will continue to pay off for years to come!  You will know exactly what steps to take to make sure he or she finds success and happiness in school.

Dr. Forgan is a licensed school psychologist who can evaluate your child for dyslexia, learning disabilities, and gifted program placement.  Call Dr. Forgan at 625-4125 to discuss your child.