My child is struggling in school... Now what? (Kim Maurin, Academic Language Therapist, Vector LLC)

An academic language therapist/executive function coach discusses the first steps you should take if you suspect your child has a learning struggle. What to do when contacted by your child’s school, what mindset you need to adopt, who’s in charge of this process, how to work with the school’s educational team, basic options available to you and your student, as well as their associated pros and cons, costs, and much more.

Kim focuses on four primary options available to parents:
1) Do nothing (non-intervention).
2) Request a school evaluation.
3) Seek a dyslexia/learning assessment (private sector).
4) Seek a comprehensive neurodevelopmental evaluation (private sector).

Importantly, Kim makes the point that you (as the parent) "drive the bus" of your child's learning and development.

Timestamps:
2:09 Emotions that you may feel.
3:53 These struggles run in families.
5:28 At first, the school may want you (parent) to do more at home.
7:11 Your first meeting with the school.
9:48 Bring support.
11:38 This process may bring up old trauma for parents.
15:03 Mindset: What is your role in this process?
17:40 Option 1: Do nothing.
22:27 Why are some parents reluctant to push for intervention?
23:07 When "doing nothing" might not be enough.
24:59 Option 1 Pros and Cons
32:04 Option 2: School Evaluation
35:55 Option 2 Pros and Cons
39:59 Educational classification vs. Clinical diagnosis
48:43 Option 3: Dyslexia/learning assessment (private sector)
50:00 Option 3 Pros and Cons
1:00:03 Option 4: Clinical/Neurodevelopmental Evaluation
1:02:45 Option 4 Pros and Cons
1:04:42 Educational classification vs. Clinical diagnosis
1:05:42 Twice Exceptionality (2e) and Dyslexia
1:08:30 Intuition vs. Helicopter Parenting

Recommended resources (for letter templates, more info, and list of learning assessment providers):
https://www.understood.org/
https://www.ldonline.org/
https://www.cokid.org/
http://www.peakparent.org/

Kim Maurin is an academic language therapist, Sounds in Symbols specialist, and executive function coach. She owns and manages Vector Learning, LLC, (https://kim-maurin.squarespace.com/) a company in Grand Junction, Colorado, that offers dyslexia assessments and one-on-one intervention sessions for students in preschool through sixth grade.

Individual Matters is a boutique psychology practice that specializes in comprehensive learning and neurodevelopmental evaluations. Dr. Katrina Katen, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist, speaker and educator, and author of "The Ownership Yard." Andrew Katen is an educator and author.

Website: https://individualmatters.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoveractgrow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/individual_matters/