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.

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POPULAR POSTS

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...

ADHD

ADHD? Perhaps.

Practically every week I hear an array of  concerns regarding distractibility and inattentiveness....

“ADD-ing”

Over the last couple of decades ADHD (commonly referred to as “ADD") is frequently diagnosed with...

“‘Bright Kids Who Couldn’t Care Less'”

A common complaint that parents bring to me is some variation on the theme of the child being...

“504 Realities (Part II) – Raising My ‘IQ'”

In last week’s post we talked about some of the basics involved with 504 Plans (504 Plans - The...

504 Plans – The Reality: Part I

Parents will come to me loaded with terms only partially understood,  like referring to "504...

“Hemming & Hawing”

OK… Among other disorders that I seem to have, readers of this blog know I have confessed to my ...

Why Ask ‘Why?'” (Part II)

app Frequently, I hear from parents that they just want to know "why" something  is taking place...

“Why Ask ”Why?” (Part I)

Brett, age 8, has difficulty behaving in his third grade class.  Frequently calling out, pushing...

“My Kid Can’t Pay Attention – Must Be ADHD” (Not So Fast)

Every week I hear an array of concerns regarding distractibility and inattentiveness. Beyond the...

“‘When I Was Born There Something Wrong With My Brain, So I Took This Pill…”’

Jacob is an endearing,  extremely verbal 7-year-old. Whenever asked a question, Jacob talks with...

Assessment

Green-Yellow-Red Zone

Liana's mom has seen a great deal of struggling in her 4th grade daughter. After I evaluated...

“Hemming & Hawing”

OK… Among other disorders that I seem to have, readers of this blog know I have confessed to my ...

“Tipping the Scales”

  Some of you have been loyal followers of this blog for over 10 years, while others have...

Why Ask ‘Why?'” (Part II)

app Frequently, I hear from parents that they just want to know "why" something  is taking place...

“Pie Chart Revisited”

As those of you who follow this blog knows there are two overriding missions that drive everything...

Our Explanations & Theories of Struggling Children

While meeting with parents to discuss the concerns they have regarding their  children’s...

Getting a Roadmap

When it comes to their  children struggling with reading, parents could use some road maps. An...

Bewildering Treatment Options

Treatment options and the range of professional recommendations can be bewildering, not to mention...

“We Got the Diagnosis”

Most struggling children that I know have what I have refer to as a “soup pot of variables"...

Our Theories & Explanations: #Child

When you are in “Child Land,” there are all kinds of theories and explanations as to why children...

Executive Functioning

“‘Bright Kids Who Couldn’t Care Less'”

A common complaint that parents bring to me is some variation on the theme of the child being...

“Rolling the Dice”

“Oh, my, my, my, I’m the lone crap shooter, playin the field every night.”  ‘Tumblin Dice,’ the...

“Rudderless”

13-year-old Liam comes in trudging behind his mother, staring at his phone. While I think I have a...

“Stamina” (Part II)

Last week we talked about the idea that “stamina” is not a word  parents reference much to when...

“Stamina?”

It’s always interesting to me how words or terms come in and out of favor. When parents come in to...

“Executive Functioning” – Are You Too Hot or Too Cold?

For those of you who follow this blog or read my other “stuff,” you know that my overall is to...

“P.A.D. – ‘Pain Avoidance Disorder’ & the Reality of School”

In the landscape of modern childhood there is something that I have come to call, “P.A.D.” or...

Executive Functioning & the Goldilocks Standard

My overall mission on www.shutdownlearner.com is to present to parents in down-to-earth,...

Bright Kids Who Can’t Keep Up: My interview with Dr. Ellen Braaten

Processing speed isn’t a one-dimensional concept. It’s not just about how fast received, or how...

“What’s the Ratio?”

In the consulting done with parents regarding their children’s school issues, I often talk about...