Blog
“Dyslexia is Not a Score”
A number of years ago, I had the good fortune to take part on a panel during a symposium on dyslexia sponsored by the grassroots parenting group, Decoding Dyslexia: NJ. Dr. Sally Shaywitz, the author of “Overcoming Dyslexia” was the keynote speaker. While talking...
Watching Movies
When I listen to kids and parents talk about things that go on, there are times when I find myself feeling a bit cranky about what I am told. Here’s one story told me lately that increased my cranky meter. A kid in high school kid told me about an...
The Problem-Solving Voice: Is it too quiet?
Those of you who have read my stuff or know of the work that I’ve done with kids over the years, know I can be a bit “decoding obsessed.” This is primarily because I have witnessed the legions of struggling decoders (usually dyslexics)...
The Thing About Dyslexia is…(part 1)
The thing about dyslexia is almost everyone gets it wrong. As proof, try this experiment. Ask anyone you know the question, “What is dyslexia?” I would wager that 90% (perhaps 100%) will say… “Isn’t that when you read upside...
“It’s Miller Time”
Miller Time: “After a long hard day's work you come home, grab a Miller Lite out of the fridge and enjoy a few cold ones.” That’s what the Urban Dictionary defines as “Miller Time.” If you are old enough to remember...
And An Angry River Runs Through It
If you have a shut-down learner style teen (especially a boy) you know the scene – not handing in homework consistently, not getting started on tasks, poor follow through, lots of video game playing or cell phone activity – that fun package. Typically...
Talking About You At the Family Picnic
From what I can tell there are two essential types of children in terms of their behavioral repertoire. The first types are the kids who go along with the program. They are flexible. From a young age, you can take them to restaurants, off to the mall...
6 Things to Think About As You Start the School Year.
It's that time of year. You feel the pit in the stomach starting to form again. Here are a few miscellaneous thoughts to keep in mind to try and shrink the pit ever so slightly. What's the focus? Ask yourself what the focus will be in the coming school year. Is the...
Getting Over the Decoding Hurdle
When my kids were little I wasn’t too worried about developmental milestones. There was one developmental hurdle, though, that I was fixated upon - the “decoding hurdle.” Most kids get over the decoding...
“School Struggles” Hits the Stands
To those of you who receive this blog, I am excited to let you know that “School Struggles” came out last week. The book covers a broad scope of potential problems that kids face and that parents struggle with in terms of how to manage them. ...
A Helping of ADHD Mixed With a Dash of Anger
A central principle discussed in the soon to be released “School Struggles,” is the notion of the “Soup Pot Theory” of everything. As I note in School Struggles: “I subscribe to the soup pot theory of practically everything. ...