October is Dyslexia Awareness Month!
Dyslexia means that someone has significant problems with reading and spelling. I like to tell students that I work with that their brain is wired differently… not bad… just different! Having dyslexia does not mean that someone will not learn to read. It just means that they might need a different approach to learning to read!
As a School Psychologist, I work with educators and parents who have children with significant behavioral, cognitive, and communication needs. Research indicates that as many as 25-37% of people with significant cognitive disabilities do not use oral speech.
I am sharing communication strategies that are evidence based, and have been proven to support students with their communication needs. I HIGHLY recommend having a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP), and possibly even an Augmentative and Adaptive Communication specialist as part of your child’s care team.
In my job, I work with students with complex communication, academic, and behavioral needs. I have built up a toolbox of strategies to support my students over the years, and I am going to share one of my favorites, creating a task analysis!
Executive functioning is an umbrella term that includes: short-term and working memory, planning and finishing tasks and projects, managing emotions, paying attention, and sustaining attention to tasks.
Executive functioning skills are an essential set of skills to help with classroom and life success.
Executive Functioning Coaching can help improve Executive Functioning Skills.
Transitioning from the carefree days of summer to the structure and demands of school can be a challenging time for both parents and their children.
However, with the right strategies and preparations, you can help ensure a smooth and successful transition. In this blog post, I’m sharing my favorite tips and advice to help you and your child navigate the back-to-school season with confidence and ease.
As a School Psychologist, I work with educators and parents to support children with behavior challenges. Behavior challenges can take many forms including defiance, aggression, off-task behavior, and eloping, among others. I want to share with you my 5 most recommended, evidence based interventions.
To determine if a child qualifies for special education services, a free and comprehensive special education assessment is required as part of the process. Through the evaluation, the suspected areas of disability are evaluated, and then eligibility for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is determined. If a student is eligible for special education services, they will be eligible under one of the 13 eligibility categories outlined in this post.
Parents often ask me about Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. Common questions include:
What is an IEP meeting? What is the purpose of an IEP meeting? What should I expect? What do I do as a parent?
These are great questions!
I’m here to help break down the IEP process, and hopefully make it less daunting!
A behavior chart is a strategy that helps change or encourage a child’s behavior. There are many different types of behavior charts, ranging from simple to complex.
By focusing on and rewarding desired behaviors, we can help children develop new habits and skills. Positive reinforcement boosts can boost children’s self-esteem and motivate them to continue practicing positive actions and behaviors.
The fun thing about behavior charts is that they provide a visual representation of progress and achievement. This makes it easier for children to track their own growth.
When children see their successes on the chart, it builds a sense of pride and encourages them to strive for further improvement (just like us adults!).
You’re at your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting. The special education teacher reviews your child’s school placement, and says that for your child to receive FAPE, they need to stay in the LRE…. what?!
I’m helping you crack the code of these acronyms! Special Education has many acronyms, representing many important decisions for your child.