Third grade expectations have changed! It’s a pivotal year because children are beginning to move from learning to read to reading to learn. If students have a strong language foundation then the transition is not difficult, but children struggling with reading, vocabulary development or comprehension will have a hard time. Here is ASHA’s 3rd grade …
Category Archives: language-based learning disorders
College Academic-Social Skills Coach
John, not his real name, a freshman was having difficulty managing his life on campus. He spent most of his time in his room playing video games or watching Netflix, went to bed a 2-3 am missed classes and was turning in late assignments. By midterm, not only had John gained weight, he had no …
Socializing with People on the Autism Spectrum
Board game meetups are a great place for high functioning people on the autism spectrum to socialize. I was part of a board game group that had several neurodivergent players. However, one player had a difficult time. Sometimes they said things that offended other players. They cheated when teaching new players which made their opponents …
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Speech-Language Therapy vs Tutoring (Updated)
Speech-language therapy vs tutoring: What’s the difference? In order to choose the right services for yourself or your child, it’s important to understand the difference between speech-language therapy vs tutoring. How is speech-language therapy different from tutoring? Why choose one service over the other? Tutors re-teach information taught in the curriculum. Students acquire information at …
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Music Instruction Develops Executive Function Skills
My daughter often doesn’t want to practice her instrument, so much of my time and effort has been spent figuring out how to get her to practice her instrument, but I do because music instruction develops executive function skills and will improve other skills like math. Yesterday I attended a yearly Martin Luther King event …
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Transitioning to College with Learning Disabilities
Post high school education can be challenging for students transitioning from high school with special education services on little or no transition planning. Concerns about self-care, class preparation, and social interactions are ever-present for all freshman. However, especially for students with who have been fully supported with special education services through high school, the changes …
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Discovering What Works: Managing homework battles
My daughter is now in the 8th grade. Our “homework battles” are primarily behind us, but not forgotten. I wish I could say it just took time. That would negate all the wonderful help she’s received. Managing homework battles takes a thoughtful, comprehensive approach. It requires perseverance, patience, and sometimes skilled help to address the underlying …
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Homework Battles: What is the problem?
Homework battles, whether once a week or every day, fighting your child to complete their homework is a dreaded chore.
Unstory: Developing Storytelling Skills in People with Asperger Syndrome
We connect with others through sharing our personal narratives. Poor verbal storytelling skills in people with Asperger Syndrome often go undiagnosed and prevent them from participating effectively in social, academic, and work environments. Structured speech and language assessments don’t pick up on subtle problems that children with AS demonstrate. Traditional Speech language testing uses structured …
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“Your Fantastic Elastic Brain”: Motivating Children and Teens with Speech and Language Disorders
Struggling to motivate children and teens with speech and language disorders is an on going concern. Many learn to navigate around their deficit using strategies, but others avoid learning risks at all cost. In therapy using interesting games is a popular motivator, but using these tools does not teach students how and why they should …