Blog
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...
Rushing As a Style
In these more clinical times where most child behavior is ascribed to a “diagnosis” of one sort or another, we don’t often think about rushing as a style. I know…I know…in modern parlance the word “impulsive” is much more acceptable, as opposed to “rushing through...
Writing Deficits on the Rough Road (Part One) – Two Minute Tidbit Tips
In today's Two Minute Tidbit Tip, part one of his series on writing for struggling kids, Dr. Selznick focuses on writing deficits. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=265159591580774
“A ‘Tin Ear’ for Music”
Years ago I had the privilege of being in an audience of about 500 participants listening to a lecture on learning disorders from the renowned neurologist, Dr. Martha Denckla. As Dr. Denckla noted, “It’s like these kids who are struggling with reading, spelling and...
Landscape of Childhood – 17,885 Hours Logged
Let’s say you’re north of age 50 or 55. Unless there is a boy who is about 8 years or older in and around your world, chances are the word “Fortnite,” doesn’t mean that much to you. Part of what I do in working with kids is to try and understand their personal...
Disorder or Immaturity? A Confession
Sometimes this blog serves as a bit of a confessional, providing a forum to voice some concerns regarding the issues that emerge while working with struggling children and their parents. So, with that in mind here’s a confession. Sometimes I honestly don’t know when...
“Letters, We Get Letters”
In the 500 or so blog posts that have been posted on the site, many of them receive comments. As a change of pace, we offer some of the comments. In later blogs we will continue to share comments with you to get other voices – other perspectives on the issues To a...
“Tell It To Me Straight, Doc…”
With about 500 blog posts under our belt, we look for inspiration where we can find it. Those of you who follow this blog, know that we strive to talk in “down-to-earth, plain language,” which is the overriding, mission of the website (www.shutdownlearner.com), the...
Challenging Our Assumptions
No matter how many kids I’ve seen over the years, I am continually struck by the assumptions made about children and how wrong they may be. Typical assumptions that are heard all the time include: “He’s just not trying hard enough.” “You just don’t care. You need to...
Sentimental Hoarding
Over the years I have been somewhat plagued by what I call a Sentimental Hoarding Disorder (SHD). My SHD mostly involves some form of paper. Certain items could never be thrown out and have been kept for many years. So, for example, if there was an article or a...
RIP Heroic “Salmon Swimmers”
“Salmon must swim upstream against the current or flow of the stream.” Over the years, I have been sensitive to the impact that mentors or other inspirational figures have had on shaping me. I have been particularly drawn to the “salmon...