Welcome to The Shut-Down Learner, where we strive to talk to parents in down-to-earth, plain language about the concerns they have for their children. This website has over 500 blog posts organized in categories as well as podcasts, “Two Minute Tidbit” tips, and information about Dr. Selznick’s books.

Come on in and explore.If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Dr. Selznick at rselznick615@gmail.com.

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Dyslexia/Reading & Learning Disabilities

ADHD? Perhaps.

Practically every week I hear an array of concerns regarding distractibility and inattentiveness. There's always the question of, "Does my child have ADHD/ADD" lurking. While talking to parents I try and broaden the narrative, reviewing other factors that may be...

Fillin’ the Cracks

Anxiety over your child’s school-based problems can start very early. A mom recently contacted me after reading The Shut-Down Learner. “My son is drowning in school. Do you think he could be a shut-down learner?” After asking a few more questions, I was struck by the...

“Boy, You’re in Hot Water”

Recently, 8-year-old Marty showed some signs of misbehavior when his mom exclaimed, “Boy, you’re in hot water now.” Marty started having a meltdown, screaming and crying, “I don’t want to be in hot water!!!!!!! I It will hurt me!!!” Seven-year-old Marissa became...

“Brief Tip: Getting Clear on Remediation”

Most children referred for assessments are related to struggles with reading, spelling and writing. Parents feel a sense of desperation and don't know what direction to go. Once the issues are identified, the remediation, unfortunately, can be a bit scattershot. This...

All Aboard the Curriculum Ship

Is your child falling off the Curriculum Ship? The Curriculum Ship leaves dock in early September and starts steering its course until mid to late June, when it arrives at port somewhere on the other side of the ocean. Not slowing down even when some passengers are...

Green-Yellow-Red Zone

Liana's mom has seen a great deal of struggling in her 4th grade daughter. After I evaluated Liana, the mom asked me, “Was this a problem that could have been averted?” As I explained to her there are valid and reliable screening measures that can be given early on in...

“wuns a pon a time their was a boy…”

wuns a pon a time their was a boy wgo had no frends so he was always alon But than on day evry thing change His mom gave him a voilinto play it sounded horabel so he said I am never playing this again so one Day he went to in the stor and heard the guy play the...

Blog #1 from 2009

Started in 2009 upon the release of my first book, The Shut-Down Learner, there have been nearly 600 blog posts completed on a weekly basis over those years.. I thought it would be fun to look back on some of the earliest ones (slightly edited), to see what I was...

“Hemming & Hawing”

OK… Among other disorders that I seem to have, readers of this blog know I have confessed to my “PBD” or “Pushback Disorder.” PBD usually manifests whenever parents tell me something that has a hypothesis (i.e., an opinion) as to why their child is doing or not doing...

“Common Sense & ‘Passing the Smell Test'”

Last Sunday there was a feature article in the New York Times on the science of reading emphasizing that “science” has confirmed the need to teach children phonics. (Science of Reading - New York Times) While this comes after decades of debate, the article notes that...