Down-to-earth, no-nonsense perspectives on raising children with challenges in school and at home.
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 drselz@shutdownlearner.com.
My Books
The Shut-Down Learner: Helping Your Academically Discouraged Child
One of the worst feelings a child can have is being discouraged in school. The sense of hopelessness that pervades can become almost insurmountable. This is the emotional experience for the child called the “Shut-Down Learner.”
The Shut-Down Learner: Helping Your Academically Discouraged Child describes a common, but poorly understood constellation of characteristics, and offers hope and solutions for parents dealing with these frustrated students.
School Struggles: A Guide to Your Shut-Down Learner’s Success
The follow-up to Dr. Richard Selznick’s acclaimed The Shut-Down Learner, School Struggles talks about the common themes facing children and the challenges they face every day. Dr. Selznick explores reading and writing issues, behavioral problems, difficulties with organization, social skills, medication, parents’ interactions with teachers, excessive use of technology, the importance of patience, and more.
The practical, down-to-earth tone and helpful, easily applicable tools make this book a great support for parents staying awake at night worrying about their child’s learning and school experience.
Beyond the Power Struggle: A Guide for Parents of Challenging Kids
Challenging kids are challenging. This universal truth is what inspired Dr. Richard Selznick to write this down-to-earth, accessible book for families seeking structures that support positive changes in their child’s behavior.
Beyond the Power Struggle speaks to parents of children who are challenging, oppositional, reactive, and demanding, providing practical tools, clear methods, and helpful stories to navigate the everyday struggles of parenting challenging kids.
What To Do About Dyslexia: 25 Essential Points for Parents
When children struggle with reading, spelling, and writing, their parents often feel at a loss as to how to help and where to turn for guidance.
What To Do About Dyslexia: 25 Essential Points for Parents offers readers the same support and honest advice Dr. Selznick gives parents he sees in his practice, using plain language to make dyslexia understandable and cut through the confusion. It’s like sitting in a living room, chatting with a knowledgeable relative or friend who’s concerned about your child.
Dyslexia Screening: Essential Concepts for Schools & Parents
Dyslexia Screening: Essential Concepts for Schools & Parents is a guidebook intended primarily for school professionals, but will be useful for many other readers.
Clinicians practicing outside the school setting, such as psychologists or learning specialists, will find many of these concepts applicable to their practice. And this guide also will help parents understand the screening process and make informed decisions.
Helping Your Dyslexic Child & Struggling Reader at Home
Parents frequently will seek advice on how they can help their struggling child at home. Helping Your Dyslexic Child & Struggling Reader at Home offers practical ideas and activities that can be easily implemented by parents.
Latest Blog Posts
Praise for Dr. Selznick
“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.”
“Without resorting to professional jargon, Dr. Selznick has created a resource for parents and teachers that promotes insight and understanding, relieves guilt, and provides strategies for intervention.”
“Recognizing that children’s issues are not easily solved, Dr. Selznick offers a hand-holding manuscript for parents. The book is an important tool for parents. In our household, the model turning conversations into a “choice” was very successful. My wife and I adapted our language from a behavior-repercussion framework to putting the choices in front of our five-year-old son and then putting the ball in his court. I think this gave him a feeling of control that made him much easier to deal with and to behave better.”
“You have a wonderful way of speaking to parents ― theory but from the heart. Your ideas are solid, wise, practical, and sound. I kept smiling – clone yourself. You’re the psychologist every parent (and child) should go to. Empathy! Humor!! And great advice.”