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...
Deconstructing Dyslexia
Probably a week does not go by where I haven’t heard something like the following from a bleary eyed parent: “The school is telling us that no one really knows what dyslexia is and if anyone really does it has to be a medically diagnosed.” ...
Getting Clear on “Average”
When a child is evaluated by the school’s special education team, frequently parents hear something like, “Your child’s reading skills are average, meaning he/she is not eligible for services.” Upon closer inspection of the child’s...
Boy Disconnection to the Writing Process
I’m not sure what’s going on out there, but more and more I hear parents say that when their child (typically a boy) is resistant to school, the resistance is linked to anguish (hatred) of performing any type of writing. Writing is...
Homework Shenanigans: A Play in One act
Players: The Mom and Miles, age 11 Scene: Family Office. Door closed. Miles & The Mom in the room. No One else is around. The Mom: (Speaking very calmly with no edgy tones) Miles, I’ve been thinking about it. I...
Kids These Days: “Indulged & Modern”
I was recently preparing for a talk that I was to give on childhood obesity. One of the things that struck me in my reading on the topic was the fact that childhood obesity was a relatively new phenomenon, something that has dramatically increased over the past...
Bullying: The Other Side of the Coin
Recently I wrote about “A Story of Not Bullying,” effectively describing a mom who overreacted to one incident in which her daughter had been pushed on line and came home quite upset, as a result. What about the other side of the...
Your Questions for School Struggles, Learning Disabilities & Other Kid Stuff
2012 is well underway and we are about half way through the school year. I am sure that the year has already had its share of challenges. As I think about topics to write about for the coming year, I am looking for input from you. What questions or concerns...
40 Informative Sites to Learn About Effective Special Education Teaching Methods
I was recently contacted by Mr. Matt Holden who writes articles for: www.mastersinspecialeducation.org/ a website dedicated to providing students with the information and tools needed in order to pursue their Masters in Special Education. Mr. Holden...
“What’s the Matter With Kids These Days”
I know, it’s bad and getting worse out there. Just reading a few quotes will remind us how badly things are decaying: "Our youth now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for their elders and love...
“Dear Mrs. Smith: The Work Is Simply Too Hard For Him: He Can’t Read the Story”
So many of the kids that I see are given work on a daily basis that they can’t handle. No amount of trying harder or paying attention better will matter. When it comes to reading one of the best ways to test out whether a child is in over his head, is...