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Your Child Might Have a Language Impairment

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A third-grade teacher wrote me her observations that were full of language impairment warning signs. She explained, “Sara is a hard worker who seems to compensate.  She needs repeated practice and overlearning for the material to be remembered and mastered.   Sara’s parents work with her at home which has helped her but she still struggles.  Sara needs time to process and complete her own work. When she is confused about a question, she shuts down easily and it’s hard to get her moving forward to complete the task at hand.”  Sara’s mom brought her in for school neuropsychological testing to help her understand why Sara struggled.

Language Impairment Warning Signs

In our pre-evaluation phone conversation mom revealed that when Sara was in kindergarten, she had a public school individualized education program (IEP) for a speech language impairment.  However, Sara’s support from the speech therapist ended in second grade.  At home Sara still had difficulty understanding and following mom’s verbal directions and she explained when she asked a question, Sara would often shrug her shoulders and stand without saying anything. Mom explained it was like Sara could not find the words to speak. Sara could read fluently and accurately but she had difficulty with reading comprehension.

School Neuropsychological Testing & Results

My one-to-one testing revealed that Sara’s reading comprehension was so low she met the criteria for a learning disability.  The testing also showed that Sara’s language impairment was still a primary cause of her school struggles.  She could read words but she could not understand or tell me the meaning of age appropriate words. Thus, it was very surprising that Sara had been discontinued from school-based support. With these new results, Mom quickly arranged a private speech language therapist to begin working with Sara. At home they also began playing games like Simon Says which require listening and following directions. Each night they spent time reading and discussing the meaning of words and passages.  Mom has submitted the testing report to Sara’s school and requested a new IEP. You can learn more about IEPs in our free videos here.

Reach Out to Discuss Your Child

Call (561) 625 4125 if you would like to discuss your child and your concerns for possible learning disabilities, dyslexia, ADHD, autism, or anxiety. We’re ready to help.

Concerned Mom: Why Can’t My Child Keep Up?

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A concerned mom explained her child’s struggles to me, “I feel like sometimes Jenny cannot keep up with a conversation. When we are talking she often stops and ask questions to explain more or again. When she hears a new word, she does not seem to hear it correctly. We have to repeat it a few times and break it down into the sounds for her to finally get it and repeat it back correctly.  When she is telling a story or giving information, it can take her a long time to think of what she wants to say and if you interrupt her she has to start all the way at the beginning again and she gets frustrated. She says kids at school make fun of her because she can’t read.”

School Neuropsychological Testing

Our school neuropsychological testing showed Jenny had a language based learning disability along with dyslexia and dysgraphia. She was a smart girl but her language disorders interfered with her ability to listen, follow directions, discriminate sounds, and express herself.  Since writing and reading are language based skills she could not put her thoughts into writing and while she could memorize, she could not pronounce unfamiliar words. Jenny had a strong memory and could memorize adequately so this concealed her true struggles.

How Do We Help?

Jenny’s mom wanted to know how to help Jenny so our recommendations provided her with the best reading program and some tutors. We also provided a list of games they could purchase to play at home to help. Testing helped dad learn that when Jenny could not get to the point, he needed to give more patience and understanding. The testing also provided mom with paperwork to share with Jenny’s school staff. They developed a plan with goals to help Jenny in school.  We discussed next steps in our one hour results review meeting.

Reach Out

It’s unusual for smart children to experience long term academic struggles.  If you are a concerned mom or parent, remember, you know your child best. Call to discuss your child. Visit JimForgan.com or call (561) 625 4125.

School Shouldn’t Be This Difficult

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“I hate school. School is like jail for kids.” Margaret’s son’s reaction captured how many boys perceive school. It can be a battle to get your child to school and a battle to get homework completed.  Many parents feel embattled by emails, texts, or phone calls about your child’s behavior or effort.  Learning is a slow process and your child’s behind.  Many parents come to us for school neuropsychological testing seeking answers because they realize school should not be this difficult.

It’s Not Laziness

Children struggle in school for various reasons and for adolescent boys I often hear, “He is just lazy and unmotivated.”  Many times our testing reveals a hidden learning disability and that your son is feeling inadequate.  When a boy does not feel good enough or that he can meet the academic requirement, he can’t work to his potential. Thus, he is not lazy but feeling inadequate and believes, “Why try?”  The good news is this can be changed with proper support at school and home.

15-20% of Children Struggle

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, 15-20% of public-school students in the United States receive special education services. In Florida, 15% of public school students have an Individual Education Program (IEP). Thirty-three percent of special education students have a specific learning disability. Your child needs tested to receive public school help.  Public schools offer this but with many hurdles and a lengthy wait time.  We offer a more thorough evaluation and give you written results in two weeks or less.

Seek Support

Trust your parental instinct and seek additional understanding. A wait and see approach often delays getting your child the proper help and support. Tutoring, counseling, an IEP, or 504 Plan is often needed to start closing gaps and increasing independence and confidence.  The state of Florida provides money to help you offset these expenses. To learn more search Family Empowerment Scholarship Unique Abilities.

Call to discuss your child as we test for autism, dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, depression, learning disabilities, and anxiety (561) 625 4125.

What is My Child’s Learning Style?

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If you are like many parents, helping your child complete schoolwork online was a tiring process.  Many kids struggled with focusing, maintaining effort, and getting every assignment done without a battle.  One parent told me she developed a new appreciation for what teachers do in the classroom.  Being your child’s home education teacher might have made you wonder about your child’s preferred learning style.

Auditory Learning Style

Some children are primarily auditory learners.  These kids learn best by listening to audio books, podcasts, and discussion.  Auditory learners have stronger reading comprehension when they softly read aloud so they can hear themselves.

Visual Learning Style

Other children are primarily visual learners, they learn best by seeing a diagram, map, or watching a video.  Children who are visual learners study their notes for a test and then during the test can visualize the page of notes that has the answer.

Multisensory

Many children are multisensory learners and they learn best using a variety of strategies.  They benefit from touching flash cards and sorting them into categories as they study.  Color coding important information helps multisensory learners.

Kinesthetic

Kinesthetic learners need to be moving as they learn.  These children can bounce a ball to a rhythm while saying aloud their multiplication facts.  Some children stand or walk around as they study.  Kinesthetic learners benefit from hands on learning.

Testing

I can test your child to determine his or her learning style and then give you recommendations on how to build upon these strengths to help your child excel in school.  You can also Google “online learning style survey” and complete a free one or try this one: http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles-quiz.shtml.

Once you understand your child’s learning style, you can use it to help make learning more interesting and fun.

We can help you understand and help your child. Call us (561) 625-4125

When Kids Have Problems

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Have you ever wished every day could end with a calm and peaceful sunset? I have but unfortunately many days are not calm and peaceful when you have a child that struggles or that contributes to family friction.  What causes his or her struggles?  I say, “When in doubt let’s rule it out.” That’s the premise behind testing your child when he or she is having a problem. School neuropsychological testing of your child helps determine what is occurring within him or her so you know how to best deal with it. Do you need to punish or give grace? Your child’s behavior might be frustrating you but there could be a hidden reason for the behavior.

Testing Your Child

I believe you shouldn’t punish your child for something he or she can’t control.  Maybe what your child does is not within his or her control and if that’s the case then you can approach it differently.  When you have your child tested it gives you insight to know what is going on with your child.

An Example

I recently met with a mom who had a 9-year-old boy who had difficulty controlling his behavior. His dad was in the picture, but not really involved. This boy had a history of hearing but not doing what he was told.  At his home, his mom told him he could go fishing but not to go out of her sight or else she would ground him. In his excitement of chasing fish he forgot what she said and went out of sight.  She called and called him but he didn’t respond so she was extremely worried. After searching for him and later finding him way down the shoreline she was relieved, but upset.  She thought, “Why couldn’t he just listen?”  Since this was a repeated pattern of behavior for her son she brought him for testing.  After testing she learned his memory problems were due to a real disorder and not just willful misbehaving. Through this process she learned some new skills that helped her know how to best help her son.

My associates and I can help you with your child. Call us (561) 625-4125.