learning

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month!
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October is Dyslexia Awareness Month!

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!  

Evidence Based Interventions- Communication
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Evidence Based Interventions- Communication

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.

Social Skills training 
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Social Skills training 

Social skills are the tools and skills that help people to listen and communicate with each other, solve conflicts, empathy, demonstrate positive friendship behaviors, make friends, get our needs met appropriately, share and receive, and interact with others in a positive way.

Children who are behind in social skills may benefit from extra practice, teaching, or direct instruction in social skills, often referred to as social skills training. 

Social skills training is a direct way of teaching social skills. Directly teaching social skills has been proven to improve social skills in children and teens.

Executive Functioning Coaching
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Executive Functioning Coaching

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.

8 Easy Back-to-School Tips for Parents: Advice from a School Psychologist for a Smooth Transition
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8 Easy Back-to-School Tips for Parents: Advice from a School Psychologist for a Smooth Transition

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.

My 5 Favorite Evidence Based Interventions to Help Children with Behavior Challenges
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My 5 Favorite Evidence Based Interventions to Help Children with Behavior Challenges

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.

Navigating Special Education Services: Exploring the 13 Special Education Eligibility Categories
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Navigating Special Education Services: Exploring the 13 Special Education Eligibility Categories

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.