Learning Disabilities are often also a driving force behind behavioral and emotional difficulties. When kids and adolescents try their hardest but continue to not meet the mark, they often become unmotivated, anxious, or sullen. Let us help you and your child get answers to what is causing these problems.
Although their knowledge is vast, teachers, administrators, and school staff do not often have the training to provide an accurate diagnosis of Learning Disabilities and recommendations for remediation and treatment. Additionally, completing questionnaires at the school or pediatrician’s office are not adequate to provide an accurate diagnosis. Many learning difficulties can co-occur or mask one another, making psychological testing absolutely necessary. Once you and your child can fit the puzzle pieces of their learning together, we can work together to provide treatment, advocate for support and accommodation, and help inform medical treatments, such as medication, if necessary.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a highly misunderstood learning disorder. People often think, ‘Dyslexia is when someone reads words or letters backward, or sees letters, words, and numbers move around on the page.’ Although some individuals with dyslexia have difficulties with tracking words on the page and mixing up letters/numbers, many do not, and this is just one tiny piece of the Dyslexia picture. Parents also often think, ‘My child can read, they can’t have Dyslexia.’ This is simply not true. There are many important processes which, when all functioning well, result in the reading process. However, if one of these processes is not working well, it can result in lagging reading development, intense frustration, and fatigue while reading, difficulties with reading comprehension, and also, difficulties in math. While it may seem that a child is reading well, these subtle difficulties can add up and reading development becomes delayed. Although difficulties with reading are sometimes not apparent until late elementary, middle, or even high school, we strive to help children and families identify Dyslexia as early as possible.
Once your child has been properly diagnosed, or if your child has already received a full evaluation, we can help them develop the skills and mindset to unlock their full potential. Although interventions for Dyslexia do often include tutoring, not all tutoring approaches are research-supported to help individuals with Dyslexia. We work to help you find the best-fit learning supports, as well as develop technology-based assistance and accommodation, learning and studying strategies, parenting strategies, and coping with the emotional and behavioral difficulties that often accompany Dyslexia.
Disorder of Written Expression & Dysgraphia
Does your child have difficulty putting their ideas down onto paper and completing written assignments? Many children and adolescents who experience the frustration of Disorder of Written Expression, or Dysgraphia, have trouble consolidating ideas or information in written form and produce work that falls far short of their actual intelligence and understanding of concepts. They also struggle with the rules of writing, including the mechanics of writing (e.g., rules of punctuation and capitalization) and grammar (e.g., spelling, parts of speech, necessary components of sentences). This Learning Disability makes writing incredibly frustrating, resulting in kids feeling anxious, angry, and helpless. Difficulties associated with Disorder of Written Expression are often dismissed, and parents are often told that their child’s difficulties with writing are due to ADHD, Dyslexia, or lack of effort. Although Disorder of Written Expression can co-occur with other developmental issues and Learning Disorders, it can also occur in isolation. Getting a correct diagnosis is imperative to helping your child reach their full potential.
Once your child receives an in-depth evaluation, or if they have previously received a full evaluation, we can help guide you on the path to moving forward. Although treatment for Disorder of Written Expression can include tutoring, there are many other interventions and supports that are highly effective. We can help your child develop these strategies, as well as get the academic support and accommodations they need to develop their skills, show just how smart and creative they are, and feel great about themselves and their work.
Mathematics Disorder & Dyscalculia
Mathematics Disorder, also called Math Learning Disability or Dyscalculia, is often overlooked when children and adolescents are struggling to learn, remember, and use numerical concepts. Mathematics Disorder interferes with math-related tasks such as learning math facts and concepts (such as fractions, placeholders, decimals), learning and accurately using mathematical operations, understanding quantities and working with money. It is important to receive a comprehensive and accurate evaluation, as Mathematics Disorder is often accompanied by Dyslexia and/or ADHD. Additionally, kids experiencing the frustration of this learning disability can become anxious, sullen, and/or defiant.
By meeting with our doctors, and receiving a full evaluation, your child can receive an accurate diagnosis. We will then work with you and your child to develop the most comprehensive and appropriate intervention plan across the home and school context. While treatment of Mathematics Disorder often does involve tutoring, there are many strategies and supports which target Mathematics Disorder. These strategies will help your child excel, feel confident and happy, and find success.