Blog
Balanced Literacy vs. Bottom-Up Methods: Which is Better?
When they are given nonsensical methods that do not work for them, they remain shut-down and discouraged.
On Finding Waldo & Going “Old School”
Even though we tend to talk about learning disabilities, dyslexia, ADHD and other school stuff in these blogs, sometimes just talking about the state of modern childhood catches our attention. When kids come in to the office, there is often some down time where I may...
Comprehension Land
This week we move a bit away from “Dyslexia Land,” and go the other side of the continuum to “Comprehension Land.” A few observations about comprehension: It’s really hard to assess properly. What we accept as a “comprehension,” may well be a poorly written story or a...
Self-Advocacy, 504 Plans & #Dyslexia
I first met Rachel for an assessment when she was about 9 years old. A spirited, warm and outgoing girl, Rachel was easy to engage. My testing confirmed that Rachel was dyslexic. Following the evaluation Rachel came to our center and received multisensory...
Finding the Middle Ground
A mom says to me this week, "I'm doing better...I've turned down the nagging." I said, "So, you're watching your ‘M.N.Q.' – the Mother Nag Quotient." She laughed, "Yeah, it seemed to help. He was more motivated and engaged." It's never easy though. So many parents...
Kids & Their Devices: Part II
We recently raised the issue of iPads, gaming and social media as our children (and we) are becoming more transfixed, spending increasing "T.O.D." (aka, Time On Devices) (See: Kids & Their Devices). Much of what we are concerned about is based on anecdotal evidence,...
iPads R’ Us: Kids & Their Devices
This week I gave a talk called Social Media, Gaming, & the Internet: The Good & Bad News (ok, it’s mostly bad). Some of the questions raised included the following questions: What is impact of extended use of different technology? Can kids be addicted to...
One of the 40%
About 60% of the kids out there have a relatively easy ride. Their school journey is on a flat plain. Reading isn’t a big deal. Skills layer on top of skills. Then there’s young George, age five a kindergarten child who is one of the 40%. George is a five-year-old...
Part II on “The Don’t Give & You Get Street”
Last week we talked about the kids who are on the street called, “You Don’t Give & You Get Street (see, The Don't Give & You Get Street).” This is a street where kids play endless video games, see their phone as God-given right, and basically are blowing you...
The “Don’t Give & You Get Street”
Are you out there in that land called Homework Non-Compliance Land? Do you find yourself over-worrying while your child has a very different approach to his responsibilities like homework? There are some tell-tale signs (all told to me recently): Maybe you are...
8 Year Old Stress: Worksheets, Quizzes and Tests, Oh My!
"Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore." I try and find my weekly inspiration from my interactions as they happen from parents and kids. This week’s comes from an eight year old third grader, Jonah, who told me he was not a big fan of school. In fact, he was clear in...