“Is ADHD a Valid Disorder?”

“‘I think the current diagnosis of ADHD is a mess and has been wildly overdone.  It blames a variety of symptoms entirely on the child’s brain, and ignores the child’s environment and the interaction with it."  (Dr. William B. Carey, pediatrician, researcher, and...

Must See the Neurologist

Even though schools will tell parents that they need to see a neurologist to diagnose dyslexia, the following are essentials that must be considered in an assessment: Reading aloud from a graded word list to determine word identification skills and how automatically...

“Getting ‘Dissed'”

Without turning this into a confessional, when I look back on my schooling here are a few things I know: Math was far my strong suit. I probably needed tutoring, particularly as I had to suffer through geometry, algebra and calculus.  So, did that make me...

Cutting Through the Delusions

Many of the kids I talk to seem to be fairly delusional about school. Somehow they have gotten the notion that school should be this fun, Candyland-type of experience and when it is not, they are, well,…outraged. 13-year-old Liam offers a litany of complaints about...

Does Your Child Have W.B.D. (aka “Worksheet Burnout Disorder”)?

This week’s post was prompted by parents who brought me reading material their child had to manage in school and with homework.  They were concerned that their child, young Brody, a seven-year-old second grader was starting to hate reading. "We don't understand," said...

Dyslexia: Not a Score

A number of years ago, I had the good fortune to take part on a panel during a symposium on dyslexia sponsored by the grassroots parenting group, Decoding Dyslexia: NJ.  Dr. Sally Shaywitz, the author of “Overcoming Dyslexia” was the keynote speaker. While talking...

Don’t Wait For School’s Blessings: Trust Your Gut

Anxiety over a child’s school-based problems can start very early. After reading The Shut-Down Learner, a mom contacted me.  "My son's drowning in in school.  Do you think he could be a shut-down learner," she asked. After asking a few more questions, I was struck by...

Venting My Spleen (Once Again)

Those of you following this blog for some time know there are some recurring themes in these posts.  Frequently, the blogs are my outlet for getting things off my chest that  frequently come up in my interactions with parents. If you’re a relative newcomer, I will...

Dyslexia (aka “Voldemort”) – “He Who Must Not Be Named”

Parents  frequently raise questions of dyslexia with their child’s school. When they report back to me how the conversation went, I get the feeling that the school goes into a sort of quiet hush mode, like they are talking about Voldemort – “He Who Must Not Be Named.”...

Reading Comprehension & School Bus Problems: Common Themes

When Kids struggle with reading comprehension, often there is an overlap in "real life” and the way the child interacts in their personal world. In this era of  automatically labeling and pathologizing an unwanted behavior  as “ADHD,” this overlap is something rarely...

Hi, I’m Dr. Richard Selznick

You can call me Dr. Selz. Welcome to The Shut-Down Learner, my website where I share down-to-earth, no-nonsense perspectives on raising children with challenges in school and at home.

I strive to talk to parents in plain language about the concerns they have for their children, which you can see in the hundreds of blog posts I’ve published here, as well as in my books. You can also sign up for my newsletter to get new posts and other announcements weekly.

If you ever have questions or concerns about your family’s unique situation, I’m also available for virtual consultations, both individualized and for groups. Reach out at any time to shutdownlearner1@gmail.com.

Virtual Consultations

Have particular questions about your family situation you want to discuss? Need a second opinion from someone willing to offer candid advice?

I offer virtual consultations with individuals or groups to help deliver more specific counseling. We will go over any existing information, and can meet once or on a recurring basis.

Learn more about what else a virtual consultation entails, and reach out to schedule.

Dr. Selznick changed my daughter’s life. We met Dr. Selznick when she was in 8th grade, after advocating for her since 2nd grade. Dr. Selznick took a thorough history, evaluated her abilities, and spoke to Brooke with a kindness and understanding that was poorly missing on our educational journey. The resulting diagnosis, along with his academic recommendations, were pivotal in placing her appropriately in high school. She is now a junior in college and thriving. I know, for sure, without his intervention her story would have been different, and I’m forever grateful.

Dena Blizzard

One Funny Mother