Dyslexia Charlotte

Last November 18^th, 2010 was the 35^th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) Act. This federal law has made incredible changes in public education for students with disabilities by mandating free and appropriate public education. Although many more students with disabilities are able to attend public school and learn, there are often instances where state and federal laws are violated and students with disabilities do not unfortunately get the education that their disability warrants.

As an educational specialist at Child and Family Development, I consult with parents of children with disabilities, such as learning disabilities, dyslexia and ADHD.  We can help facilitate the process of special education in public schools. This includes consulting parents with determining special education eligibility as well as the effectiveness of the Individualized Education Program (IEP).

January is National Mentor Month and what a great reminder of the importance of mentors especially when it comes to education! All children benefit from mentoring, but especially those with learning disabilities such as dyslexia and ADHD as many of these children struggle with poor self-esteem and poor self-concept. When they are able to connect with someone else who either has a similar learning struggle and has overcome it, or someone who takes the time to understand them and help them understand themselves, their self-esteem is certainly boosted. There are many ways that adults and even teens can invest in children and mentor them. This might include being a lunch buddy or a reading buddy to a young student. Think about how you can invest in a student’s future today!

National LD Awareness

October is officially National Learning Disability Awareness Month; however, every month some child, adolescent, or adult deals with the effects of their learning disability. Among the learning disabilities, Reading Disabilities, particularly Dyslexia are the most prevalent of the learning disabilities and the most persistent over the life span. Long after a dyslexic student learns how to decode words, the speed and efficiency of reading can remain an enduring obstacle. As a consequence, reading for pleasure is frequently avoided; novels are seldom read to completion; in-depth analysis of texts takes too long; and too often newspapers are abandoned in favor of listening to a TV newscaster’s analysis.

A remedy for “reading avoidance” is available.  CD and digitally accessible books, texts, and newspapers are available to individuals with severe reading disabilities and dyslexia. A diagnosis of a reading disability is required for membership in 2 organizations that provide audio access to print for individuals with a reading disability: The Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (www.rfbd.org) or BookShare (www.bookshare.org).

The psychologists and educators at Child and Family Development work as a team to evaluate children, adolescents and adults who struggle with reading, math, and/or written expression. Once a learning disability is diagnosed and understood,  a window opens to increased options and possibilities for managing and reducing the struggle of living with a learning disability.

October is an important month!  As educators, we recognize the impact of dyslexia and other learning disabilities both on children and on adults of all ages.  Learning struggles affect not only student performance in the classroom but older individuals’ functioning in the workplace.  To learn more about dyslexia, explore the International Dyslexia Association website at www.interdys.org.  Another wonderful resource on learning disabilities is the Learning Disability Association of America website at www.ldanatl.org.  If you have further questions or feel that your child might have a learning disability, Educational Specialists at Child and Family Development in Charlotte are happy to assist you in understanding more about your child’s learning profile.   

BLAST from the PAST

30 years and counting for Child and Family Development… With longevity comes great joy and satisfaction. Here are a few samplings of recent Blasts from My Past that keep alive for me the passion of what we do at Child and Family Development…

• A young 27 year-old adult who was treated at Child and Family Development for his attention deficit disorder and learning disabilities when he was a teenager called and wanted to share how well he is doing at his new job
• A mother called to say that her dyslexic son whom we saw 10 years ago has graduated from college and has been invited back to the college as a graduate intern in a field he loves.
• A sister whose brother was diagnosed 12 years ago and successfully treated for his learning disabilities called seeking guidance choosing her graduate program. She wanted  to work in a clinical environment like Child and Family Development
• A sister of another client likewise wanted advice on post-college studies so she could become a reading specialist and could work with students like her brother who has dyslexia.

Educational Specialists, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Therapists, and Physical Therapists at Child and Family Development all make a difference in the lives of the children we evaluate and treat as well as in the lives of their families. 

Wechlser recently released a new academic achievement, the Wechlser Individual Achievement Test-Third Edition (WIAT-III). This updated version of the WIAT-II has several new subtests that I have found to be very helpful in diagnosis of dyslexia and learning disabilities including an Oral Reading Fluency measurement and Math Fluency measurement. The assessment is longer than the WIAT-II and therefore it takes longer to administer, but I am finding that the additional information is well worth it. In addition it includes an oral reading component that the Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement-III does not have.

As an educational specialist at Child and Family Development, I use assessments including the WIAT-III to assess and diagnose learning disabilities and specifically dyslexia in school-aged children.

What is an Academic Coach ?

An Academic Coach is an educational specialist who assists students with Attention Deficit Disorder, poor Executive Skills, and specific Learning Disabilities such as Dyslexia, Written Expression Disorders, and Mathematics Disorders learn strategies to improve homework organization, time management, project planning and task completion.

Academic Coaches and the student work together to:

·        Identify and Target specific “hot spots”of organizational difficulty

·        Develop a strategy and “Plan of Action”

·        Act upon the plan

·        Evaluate the success of the “Plan”

·        Redesign the “Plan”

·        If the “Plan” was successful, tackle another “Organizational Hot Spot”

Educators at Child & Family Development work as Academic Coaches for students with Attention Deficit Disorders, Dyslexia, Written Expression Disorders and Mathematics Disorders who struggle to carry out their daily school routines.

After students finish the first few days of school, the newness wears off, and the hard work begins.  The following are a few ideas to keep the days running smoothly.

• Put in place a routine for the week.  Children need expectations that are clearly defined and consistently followed.  Establish set times for a snack, homework, play break, chores, and outside activities.  Help children to begin transitioning from one thing to the next in order to avoid meltdowns.  Make a picture chart to serve as a visual reminder.
• Healthy habits should be an important part of every day.  Allow children to help plan nutritious meals.  Within categories of fruits and vegetables, give kids a chance to pick out at least one or two of their choice.  Writing out menus allows parents to shop ahead of time, and children will know what is coming.  This advance planning reduces chaos at mealtimes.  Don’t forget to get involved in family exercise time for 20-25 minutes a day.
•  Set up a homework station in a special location.  Your children can then have a quiet place to study and keep all of their materials in one area.  Children with learning disabilities, dyslexia, attention deficit disorders, and autism spectrum disorders rely on this type of structure to accomplish tasks.  Use praise and rewards to celebrate successful work completion.
• Before bedtime, arrange everything that you will need in the morning.  This includes clothes, shoes, notes, assignments, and lunches.  End the panic of the early morning rush!

Martha Knight, M. Ed., is an Educational Specialist at Child and Family Development in Charlotte.   

Some students have difficulty remembering what they have learned.  As they progress in school, there are greater demands for efficient information storage and retrieval.  Struggles with memory can create increased frustration as these children are required to process larger amounts of material.  The following are a few tips to aid memory:

·        Break down a long study guide into smaller parts that are learned over the course of a week rather than in one night.

·        Use multi-sensory instruction.  Pair words on a flashcard with picture cues.  Have the child act out the concept or make a model.  This approach will help to engage various senses and build multiple pathways for that information in the brain.

·        Always tie new concepts to something that the child already knows.

·        Use chunking to group bits of information that are similar.  This strategy helps with organization of new material.

·        Provide multiple opportunities for practice and review.  Repetition aids recall.

·        Offer frequent encouragement and praise for the child’s accomplishments.

If your child has had longstanding difficulty with memory tasks and exhibits other academic struggles, you should consider a consultation with a professional.  As an Educational Specialist at Child and Family Development in Charlotte, I work with a team of clinicians in providing consultation and comprehensive evaluation.  We work with children who have learning disabilities, dyslexia, attention deficit disorders, and autism spectrum disorders.  

You’ve made the big shopping trip to buy school supplies for your children.  Now think about yourself!  There are three important things that parents can stock up to make the new school year run smoothly.

• Preparation…The start of school can be difficult both for children and for parents alike.  By transitioning to the school routine one to two weeks ahead of time, you and your children will have time to work out any kinks and gradually adjust to the changes that will take place.  Have a family meeting to discuss goals and expectations for the new school year.  Ask your children be a part of the planning process, and record your decisions so that they can be posted for the whole family to see on an ongoing basis.
• Open Mind…As a parent, be open to a new learning experience.  The fall offers a fresh start.  Welcome the changes that a new teacher brings and show your interest in ongoing communication.  After the first few weeks of school, arrange a meeting to discuss the ways that you and the teacher can work as a team. 
• Perseverance…Remain attuned to your child’s learning and persist in finding answers to any questions that you may have.  Particularly if your child has had longstanding struggles in school, pursue further consultation.  As an Educational Specialist at Child and Family Development in Charlotte, I help parents address these issues.  I enjoy working with students who have learning disabilities, dyslexia, Attention Deficit Disorder, and autism spectrum disorders.

Enjoy the end of the summer and get ready to make the new school year POP!

The reminders are everywhere you turn.  It’s that time of year to start thinking about purchasing school supplies for your children.  While the choices are endless, some supplies are more practical than others, particularly if you have a child with special learning needs.  The following are some items that can be helpful:
 

• A large divided binder or individual subject folders.  Your child’s teacher may specify certain requirements, but some type of organizational system is imperative.  While some students may loosely follow their own system, children with Attention Deficit Disorder need a structured approach to managing their materials and completing tasks.  Do not assume that your child will intuitively know how to set up the system.  Provide direct instruction in organizational skills.
• A box of essentials for home.  Invest in extra paper, pencils, crayons, and poster board in order to save yourself a trip to the store at homework time.  Place these materials in an accessible location so that your children can independently find what they need.
• Color-coded items.  Students with learning disabilities and attention disorders often respond positively to visual cues.  For example, when they are grouping written information to write an essay, different colored index cards can help children to see which facts go together and place them in piles.
• A spell check device.  For students who struggle with dyslexia and writing disorders, the need to recall individual words affects their ability to efficiently translate their ideas to paper.  The Franklin Spelling Ace is child-friendly.
• The Kindle.  Modern technology has so much to offer individuals with reading disabilities.  Often, dyslexic students find it nearly impossible to gain meaning from text as they labor to decode individual words.  The Kindle allows them to follow along with their eyes while also listening to a fluent oral reading of the text.     

As an Educational Specialist at Child and Family Development in Charlotte, I consult with parents who express concern that their child might have a learning disability. At some point during our conversations, these parents frequently comment that they “just have a feeling that something is not right”. As is the case in other important life moments, that “gut reaction” is often leading us in the right direction. Trust your instincts and take the time to consider the following:

·        Make a list of all the “red flags” that you have noticed at home. Additionally, plan a teacher conference to discuss any school struggles that might need to be added to the list. 

·        Think about other important factors related to your child’s learning. Reflect on family, developmental, and medical histories. No observations are insignificant; all of the small pieces will help to form the big picture.

·        Consider your child’s pattern of strengths and weaknesses. Does your child excel in some areas while struggling in others?

·        Examine your child’s behavior and emotional reactions. Most children are truly eager to please, and negative behaviors can be a reaction to difficult situations. Learning disabilities can produce sadness, anger, or feelings of insecurity in a previously happy youngster.

After this reflection, follow your instincts and take a closer look at your child’s profile. At Child and Family Development, we offer consultations and evaluations to determine the presence of dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorders. Even if you think “it might be nothing”, the opportunity to learn more information can give you an action plan and piece of mind.