Blog
“So, What If I Have Dyslexia?” (#Dyslexia)
“So, what if I have dyslexia?” The question threw me a bit, especially since it was coming from a nine-year-old boy.” 99% of the time when I ask a child, even a teenager, whether they have any questions following an introductory session, they shake their head saying...
Giving the ADHD Kid Some Extra Time
In 504 Land, one of the classic (almost knee jerk) accommodations recommended is to give an ADHD child extra time. Let me ask you this, how many impulsive, hurry-let’s-get-it done, style kids that you know want extra time? The answer is none. ...
Walk for Familial Dysautonomia
I wanted to pass this along from my dear friend, Lloyd Stone: In less than 2 weeks, On Sunday, March 10th, our family will be participating in the Walk for Familial Dysautonomia) in support of our amazing nephew/cousin Gregory Brandt. FD is a Jewish-Ashkenazi...
On Zombie Pigs, Aliens & ADHD Boys
There are competing agendas out there within the professional realms that I operate. On one hand there are the parents and the schools trying to get a segment of the population (ADHD boys) to get on track and be connected to the mandated curriculum. Within that...
The Trouble With “Comprehension”
“Comprehension” is a word that is tossed around freely in educational and psychological circles. “If James paid attention more, he would comprehend better.” “It doesn’t matter...
Listen Up Moms: Trust Your Judgment
Over the last thirty years, research in education and psychology that is focused on reading disabilities produces one consistent truth—early identification and intervention trumps waiting and acting later. The title of Dr. Joseph Torgesen’s seminal...
Parent New Year’s Resolutions 2013
The more miles I have logged in working with children and their parents, the less definitive I find myself. There are few absolutes when dealing with kids and the complexity of variables affecting them. Variables such as the child’s...
There Will Be Rage
In light of the terrible tragedy in Newtown Connecticut, it is worth reminding ourselves of a few things. I talk to parents all of the time about the “smooth road” vs. the “rough road” that kids travel (see “School Struggles”...
Parent Badgering Factor Running Too High?
Its December. Were into the second quarter of the school year. The dance is in full swing. All across America each evening this dance is being played out in millions of homes. Its the Dont You Have Homework To Do?.No I Did It in School dance. With this dance the...
ADHD: The Trouble With Boredom
When was the last time your kid came home and said, “Mom, guess what, I got a really cool worksheet today!!!” My guess is it has not happened to date. Frankly, the worksheets that I see (and I see tons of them) can be pretty dreadful...
Dyslexia: The Misnomer
dys·lex·i·a [dis-lek-see-uh] noun Pathology . Any of various reading disorders associated with impairment of the ability to interpret spatial relationships or to integrate auditory and visual information. Much of my professional life is spent...