3D Learner

virtual science lab great for the dyslexic or struggling reader

noreply@blogger.com (Mira-3D) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:29:00 +0000

I remember when my younger daughter started high-school--there was no science lab--
I wondered HOW she was going to ever understand science -just from reading the text, but I figured it would come in time. Today--while searching the web-- I found a fabulous website--too late for my daughter to use-- but hopefully other high-school or avid science learners will find as fascinating as I do. Thanks to the University of Virginia science students and teachers, we can now have a virtual science lab---maybe not as great as doing the experiment for yourself-- but a far cry from trying to absorb it in a text.- For the smart student who has difficulty reading- this is a great way to learn and remember science material!

There ARE teachers who care!!

noreply@blogger.com (Mira-3D) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:46:00 +0000

I just returned from a fabulous conference in Largo Florida-- the SPARC conference (www.standadvocates.org/). Over 1000 people attended- including parents, professionals (teachers, administrators, OT's PT's, alternative therapies and wonderful supprt groups!) from many different backgrounds-- but we were all searching for ways to help our kids SUCCEED!!

We had the honor of leading two presentations; one primarily for parents and another one for teachers and professionals. Both groups were enthusiastic and genuinely interested in looking for different strategies to help kids.

The parents in attendance were obviously frustrated that they felt the education process was not meeting the needs of their children. There was a lively discussion that focused on how, as parents, THEY COULD be instrumental in fostering support from the teacher and the school, as well as outside professionals, to help their child be outrageously successful. Many parents did not want to leave-- and stayed for the next session that was focused on helping teachers both identify and teach to smart right-brained learners!

This was a group of enthusiastic teachers who really cared! They did not have to come. They too were frustrated that their 4th grade students were reading at the 1st grade level and all the programs that they had tried were just not successful enough!! Our notes were moved aside so that we could address what the teachers wanted! Specific strategies and tools they could use with students that would engage them and help them be successful.

We encouraged teachers to be the ones to take the initiative with parents to work as a team WITH the student to set bold goals. There was excitement that came from both groups when we spoke about looking at children from the perspective of what they CAN do versus what difficulties they are having. We can hardly wait to hear the success stories. We know there are many teachers out there who want to make the difference-- and we were happy to meet and work with some yesterday!! We CAN make a difference!!

Everything is organized play!

noreply@blogger.com (Mira-3D) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:51:00 +0000

A recent post on Mamasource caught my eye- A mom was asking for other parents that just wanted to get together every couple of weeks to have their 5 year-olds play soccer. Just for fun!!

What a great idea! An activity for kids to have FUN!!! I think we have pushed our kids so hard, so early that we are seeing those stresses come out as early as 1st grade!! When did learning stop being fun? Everyday I see kids come in with long faces and stressed. When I ask them if they had fun at school- they look at me like I just arrived from some strange planet!!! School and fun are just NOT two words you use in the same sentence!

As parents we need to stop that insanity!! YES our kids need to learn, and YES they need exercise and YES they need to learn to interact positively with others- but the FUN needs to be an integral part of learning. I coined the term FLEARNING-- a combination of fun and learning. Every time I explain this concept to kids they smile-- it definitely improves their day!!

We race our kids from one activity to another-and then there is the dreaded homework. In the midst of everything else in our day-be sure something FUN is included. At the end of the day- it is going to be THAT interaction that both of you will remember: and who knows, your kids might even learn something in the process!! Have a fun day!!

I thought THIS year would be different!

noreply@blogger.com (Mira-3D) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:09:00 +0000

I thought THIS school year was going to be different!! My child promised me it would be!!! We were both so stressed by the end of the school year last year that I really don't remember who was more excited about summer vacation. NO homework, NO schedule NO screaming at each other about what had to be completed! We both agreed that this school year was going to be different! We were BOTH going to be organized (whatever that means) and our time before and after school was going to be pleasant--- no yelling, no last minute "I forgot my textbook", or misplacing assignments!! He promised he would remember everything and that I did not need to be "on his case" about every little detail. Sound familiar??? Well here we are 6 weeks into school and everything has fallen apart. I have messages from Michael's teachers that he is already missing assignments and that he is not copying notes from the board. We are in a constant battle about using his school planner. It did not help that the teacher did not give it to students until the 3rd week of school-- but still...WHY CAN'T MY KID JUST DO WHAT IS ASKED OF HIM??

I know kids are not born with the skill to know what to do when- but for years now he knows that when he gets up in the morning he needs to go to the bathroom, brush his teeth(!), get dressed, eat breakfast, put his shoes on, get his lunch (which is already made!), put it in his backpack and get out the door by 7:30! Now that he's in 4th grade don't you think it's time he knows how to do this already- without my reminding him?

There is so much written about time management and organizational skills, but who has time to READ that stuff when you are constantly trying to help your kid stay on task?

When I have time to reflect on the frustrating experiences with my son- I can't help but laugh at his creative avoidance responses- "Mom-I have more important stuff to think about in the morning than brushing my teeth!" or "Why should I make my bed when I'm just going to get into it again and mess it up when I go to bed?" Who can argue with that?

I know there are professional organizers- many of whom are my friends! -but- what I have learned over the years with working with kids who are "right-brained" learners is that we need to learn what works best for that particular child. Every child thinks differently, and they need to take ownership of their world. They did not become "dis"organized overnight. They just became "dis"engaged when more things were asked of them! They are also not going to magically become organized in a few days!

Start small, and start VISUAL!!! Sit down with your child -whatever age- and create a plan together.
Ask your child what they want you to say or do to keep them on task. I will guarantee you that your child's creative mind is a million miles away from getting dressed in the morning- unless there is something they WANT to do. Then their mind is focused on what needs to be done.

As for the after school-evening skirmishes. Again start small and don't expect a lot. Make sure you BOTH sit down to go over what homework needs to be completed. MAKE NO ASSUMPTIONS. Set mini time goals: 45 minutes of work- 7 minutes break(including getting a snack and water). Make it some odd time so that you and your child will remember it!

Every time you have a positive experience- remind yourself and your child that they are doing a good job! How many of you can relate to this??

Starting today lets all resolve to stay calm and on task. Then celebrate a positive or approximately
positive day!

They won't test for Dyslexia

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:38:00 +0000

A mom called the first day of school.

Then a second and a third mom called
with the same message

"Why won't they test my child for Dyslexia?"

Schools outside of Texas do not test
for Dyslexia -- they test for a Learning
Disability

We asked if attention was an issue and
the mom said, yes my child has ADHD

We recommended the following:
- Write a letter to the school asking
for a child study team to be formed
ASAP to assess your child for a
Learning Disability and ADHD

- Make sure the letter is dated and
get a copy of the letter with a
signature from a school official
acknowledging receipt of the letter

- Call back a week later to get a
reading on how soon action might be
expected

- Check with your state Department
of Education to find out how long the
school has to assess your child --
Federal Law is 60 calender days,
but states can change it either way

- Be aware that the schools are moving
to RTI - Response to Intervention -- where
they may try three interventions before
determining if your child has a disability

- You may be able to go either way -- if
it is urgent testing may be right

- Be aware that some school districts
offer a 504 Plan, accommodations
without money, for ADHD, even if it
significantly impacts your child's
education

- Federal law says if the ADHD
significantly impacts your child's
education then ADHD qualifies
them for an IEP (Individualized
Education Plan) under OHI
(Other Health Impaired)

The IEP is far more valuable,
because money comes with
it and there is a contractual
commitment to follow it

- Since the testing is arbitrary
(i.e. your child must have a
15 point discrepancy between
their potential and their
performance on the IQ test
to qualify for an IEP), the
ADHD provides a valuable
back-up

The next post will be on
Dyslexia and ADHD - making
the IEP meeting work for
your child and for you

As President of the Florida
Learning Disabilities
Association and an activist
in the field of learning
challenges, I really want to
better understand your
challenges

Feel free to e-mail your
issues to mark@3dlearner.com

Dyslexia and ADHD - Parents Make The Difference

noreply@blogger.com (Mira & Mark) — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:42:00 +0000

A common challenge we hear from parents
is, "Why didn't the school pick up on my
child's learning difference? I'm not an
expert on Dyslexia or ADHD".

The Parent and Professional Workshop we will be having on
May 30th will comprehensively address
that issue

The five key challenges with Dyslexia
and ADHD are:
1- Schools focus on a learning disability
and not on how a child learns best --
for the child who learns best when
they see and experience information
this is a major problem

Where Dyslexia and ADHD are
suspected, finding out if your
child learns differently is a key
starting point

2- Even good psychologists focus on
the students pathology -- do they
have a learning disability, ADHD,
a Central Auditory Processing
Challenge, an anxiety challenge
or other contributing problems.

It is the rare psychologist like
Dr. Silverman who focuses on
learning style, capitalizing on
the child's strengths and using
alternative methods to help the
child

3- Phonics-based interventions
and medication are two options
but there are many others -- and
while phonics is important,
there are other issues that must
be addressed first

Beating Dyslexia and ADHD
can be done in ways that work
quicker than phonics, require
less or no medication, and
lead to more significant gains

4- While some issues can be left
to pediatricians, schools and
others, finding the right help
for children who learn
differently falls squarely
on the parents' shoulders

5- An informed and empowered parent
can make the difference -- it took
us years to get it right -- the May
30th event with Dr. Silverman is
specifically designed to provide
you with the information and tools
to make the difference -- or just
go to
do the Free Survey and call us
for a Free Consult -- Beating
Dyslexia, ADHD and other challenges
requires the right team effort
and you can make the difference

Dyslexia - Crisis or Opportunity

noreply@blogger.com (Mira & Mark) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:56:00 +0000

The Chinese use two brush strokes to
write the word ‘crisis.’ One brush stroke
stands for danger; the other for opportunity.
In a crisis, be aware of the danger - but
recognize the opportunity.
John F. Kennedy, Speech, April 12, 1959

Dyslexia is both a crisis and an opportunity.

It is a crisis, because most kids, even
from the best homes, struggle for years,
because they are not understood

Psychologists will often recommend
a combination of phonics and medication
-- the phonics does not tend to work,
because these kids have not mastered
sight word vocabulary and pattern
recognition ( that is, creating pictures
for the small words and recognizing
words they have previously seen)

It is also a danger, because parents
feel they must either medicate their
child or accept the consequences

Dyslexia opens many opportunities
because:
- There have been many successful
people with Dyslexia -- and the
gifts these people and your child
may have can help them in life
if they can only survive school

- There are hands-on and effective
ways to teach these kids how
to master sight word vocabulary
and pattern recognition -- and
to then have them transfer what
they read into pictures. It is now
possible to improve reading speed
and comprehension, while making
reading more fun

- With the Interactive Metronome (R),
Brain Gym (R) and Biofeedback, there
are many ways to improve attention

For more information go to
3D Learner

ADHD Risks and ADHD Options

noreply@blogger.com (Mira & Mark) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:47:00 +0000

The American Heart Association
has recommended that kids
be screened for heart problems
with an electrocardiogram
before getting drugs like
Ritalin for ADHD (Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
http://www.currentargus.com/ci_9006992

Since students with Dyslexia,
often have ADHD, they are
faced with this challenge

At 3D Learner, we offer
non-medication options like
the Interactive Metronome (R),
EmWave Biofeedback (R), and
Brain Gym (R).

This has helped students to
reduce or eliminate the need
for medication.

With the added risk, parents
may want to learn more
about the non-medication
options for ADHD

Dyslexia, Gifted, Unmotivated or

noreply@blogger.com (Mira & Mark) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:05:00 +0000

A parent called and said her child
was "lazy and unmotivated" --
how will your workshop help?

Dr. Silverman will address this
issue -- head on

We all agree -- these kids are
"Yet to be motivated"

They are incredibly bright,
hard to engage, but once
they are engaged -- they
can do incredible things

As parents, psychologist
and educators we need to
realize one of our primary
roles is to engage our kids

At the Workshop we will
discuss strategies and
tools to engage them

For more information
on the May 30th workshop
go to
Parent and Professional Workshop
or call the 3D Learner Foundation
at 561-361-7495

Gifted with a Learning Disability or Dyslexia is very common

noreply@blogger.com (Mira & Mark) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:05:00 +0000

Dear Parents and Professionals

We are hosting Dr. Linda
Silverman at a workshop in
Boca Raton on Friday May 30th.

Several parents and professionals
have asked a very legitimate
question -- how many kids
are smart and learn differently.

Parents and teachers all know
there are smart kids and those
who learn differently, but few
realize how common this
combination is.

Dr. Silverman and her team
did a study and found that
33% of the students today
are clearly visual-spatial
learners and an additional
30% learn better this way

For more information go
to Visual-Spatial Learners

For more info on the
workshop go to
Dr. Silverman workshop
or call us at 561-361-7495

Gifted, Dyslexia or Learning Disabilities

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:59:00 +0000

On May 30th, 2008, the 3D Learner
Foundation will be hosting a Parent
and Professional Workshop featuring
Denver-based Psychologist Dr.
Linda Silverman

Dr. Silverman is an expert
on Visual Learners and the
Twice Exceptional Student
Gifted with a Learning Disability

With Mira and Mark Halpert
from the 3D Learner Foundation,
the event promises to be informative,
empowering and life changing

Our goal is to provide parents
and professionals with a new
perspective that leads them
to set bigger goals, to take
integrated action and to
enjoy the journey

While others use the terms
Dyslexia, Learning Disability
and ADHD -- we prefer the
term GOLD Student (TM) or
Gifted Operating with a
Learning Difference

For more information call
us at 561-361-7495
or e-mail us at
success@3dlearner.com

With Dyslexia and ADHD - 504 Plan or IEP

noreply@blogger.com (Mark) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 03:12:00 +0000

A parent recently asked -- we are
considering a 504 Plan or an IEP
for my child - which would you
recommend?

The 504 Plan is really an
agreement for the school
to help your child -- without
any legal goals, commitment
or legal obligation

The IEP is a contract with the
school - that must include
written goals, there is a legal
commitment, and money comes with
it

We strongly favor the IEP or
Individual Education Plan

The only negative impact
is that the student is
"labeled" as a Special
Education student -- which
some parents want to avoid

We want to make three key points
1- There is real money and services
that come with the IEP

2- There is no obligation to be
in separate class rooms -- and
small group help is often
available

3- An IEP is very helpful in
getting accommodations for
regular tests, state mandated
tests and the SATs

One other point is that scholarships
are available for college if you
have an IEP

We also encourage parents to set
ambitious goals, make sure
commitments are clear and that
you check up to make sure
they are followed

Retention, Dyslexia + ADHD

noreply@blogger.com (Mira & Mark) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:18:00 +0000

A mom wrote
My child has mild dyslexia, a
learning disability she is very
well behaved and wants to
learn just learning is very
difficult for her.

She struggles with everything
in school especially reading
and spelling. She's already
failed once and on the
verge of failing again.

Response
There is very little evidence
that retention addresses
the learning or attention
challenges -- and it certainly
can impact self-esteem

The key is to get to the root
causes -- which typically
include:
- Trouble with sight words
-- students cannot create
a picture for what the word
means and they get lost in
reading, word problems ...

- Pattern recognition -- they
may not recognize when a
word is spelled correctly,
when a math problem is
done correctly, or what a
word is when they see a
"new" word -- even if they
just saw it on a previous
line

- Visual perception issue --
they often skip words and
lines when reading, have
difficulty copying off the
board or reversing letter
and numbers

- Attention t that which is
boring or frustrating

- Anxiety and frustration
then dominate

The key is to isolate the issues
and then address them -- the
anxiety and frustration tend to
evaporate when the real issues
are addressed

For a more in-depth assessment
go to On-Line Assessment

First Grader in Trouble - Time To Act

noreply@blogger.com (Mira & Mark) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 03:52:00 +0000

A mom submitted the following

My child went to pre-K and Kindergarten in
Montessori; now we are finding out in
1st grade she\'s behind in reading, gets
things like hot/cold, front/back, confused.
I am wondering if we are just behind or
really having either Dyslexia struggles.

Studies have shown that almost 90% of
1st graders with a word identification
issue will be poor readers in 4th grade

The questions to ask are
- Is there a word identification issue?

- Does your child learn best when they
see and experience information?

- Does your child skip words and lines
when reading

- Is there a significant attention issue?

These questions will help you focus on
your child's strengths and challenges

For a more in-depth set of questions, go
to http://www.3dlearner.com/test

Testing for Dyslexia and ADHD

noreply@blogger.com (Mira & Mark) — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 21:01:00 +0000

Dyslexia runs in my husband's family
and I have an 8 yr. old who still turns
letters and numbers around.
When is a good time to look at testing?

The statistics suggest testing as early
as 1st grade can be helpful since:
- Almost 90% of 1st graders with
a word identification problem will
be poor readers in 4th grade

- Over 70% of 3rd Graders with a
Reading Disability (Dyslexia) will
still have a Reading Disability
(Dyslexia) in 12th grade

The key is what to test for. We
believe the 4 most critical things
to test for are:
- A Learning Difference -- does
your child learn best when they
see and experience information

- A Visual Processing issue --
does your child skip words
or lines when reading

- ADHD - Attention Deficit
Disorder

- Auditory Processing
Disorder -- they may
hear, but not process
information correctly

For a Free look at an
assessment that may
help go to
On-line Assessment

Anger, Dyslexia and ADHD

noreply@blogger.com (Mira & Mark) — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 21:31:00 +0000

Recently a parent asked:

Is anger or outbursts common?
Struggling in reading comprehension
and math is very difficult as well,
even basics in math.

The answer is yes - and the anger
often impacts our children, us
and our relationship with them

At 3D Learner, we realize that
reading comprehension and math
problems are caused by a combination
of :

Learning differences -- that is our
child learns best when they see and
experience information -- and we
teach them logically, sequentially
and with auditory instruction.

Attention issues -- they may be
having trouble paying attention
to that which is boring or frustrating

Vision issues -- they may be skipping
words or lines when reading

Frustration and anger, that result
when the situation spins out of
control

To combat this challenge we
recommend:
- Using a Visual Schedule to
show them what to expect

- Having them drink water
before starting

- Doing exercises with them
before starting homework
that integrate their left
and right brains

- Use as many visual and
experiential ways to show
your child new information

- Try to keep their interest

- Be patient -- you have not
yet found the way to explain
the information that works
for them and they may be
as frustrated as you

- Assessing for what the root
causes of the challenges are

If you would like more information
you can either call us toll-free at
1-866-411-2578 or e-mail us
at mark@3dlearner.com

We also offer a more in-depth
assessment at On-line Assessment

Blogging for Outrageous Success

noreply@blogger.com (Mira & Mark) — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 14:41:00 +0000

We are changing our blog to be even
more responsive to your needs

We would like to know how we can
help

Please e-mail your biggest concerns
to mark@3dlearner.com

For those who want to learn more about
blogs -- Mark Joyner has for the moment
what is a free course

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

The best blogging techniques.
How to get traffic to your blog.
How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

Beat Dyslexia - Self-Esteem Is A Big Issue

noreply@blogger.com (Mira & Mark) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 17:45:00 +0000

A mom recently shared a comment
we have heard thousands of times

My child is having self esteem issues
in school... He says things like
"Mommy I\'m stupid\" \" I can\'t
read or do math like the other kids\"
At home he feels confident and full
of pride but at school he does not.

This a huge issue

Three thoughts:
- These comments usually reflect a
real issue -- the students are often
having a problem

- You want to help your child feel
better about themselves -- you might
want to say "Your right, you may not
be as good as you want to be -- let's
work on having you be better today
than you were yesterday and better
tomorrow than you are today"

- Work with professionals to make
this happen -- improving reading and
math skills for students who learn
differently often requires:

- Knowing what the key underlying
issues are

- Finding the right professionals
to work with who can improve their
skills and self-esteem

- Following through

We do offer an On-Line Assessment

For a Free Look go to
http://www.3dlearner.com/test

Dyslexia, a Learning Disability or ...

noreply@blogger.com (Mira & Mark) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 20:45:00 +0000

5 or 10 times a week we
have parents telling us their
child's school will not test for
Dyslexia

Parents will also share their
frustration -- they have often
asked several times for their
child to be tested and nothing
happens

The purpose of this note is to
highlight three key points

1- A Learning Disability or
ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder)
and other conditions qualify students
for Special Education -- but
Dyslexia does not -- except in Texas.

Therefore you want to ask for
your child to be tested for a Learning
Disability or other qualifying condition

2- You want to put your request in
writing and specifically you want to
ask for:
"A Child Study Team be formed to
assess your child for a Learning Disability
and .... (ADHD is one possibility)

We use ADHD because:
- Qualifying for a Learning Disability
requires your child to have a certain
discrepancy between your child's
potential and their performance --
in Florida this is 15 points -- if your
child scores 1 point below this
discrepancy they will not qualify

- ADHD is often present

- If the team agrees that ADHD
significantly impacts your child's
education that alone qualifies your child
for Special Education services

3- You want to make sure
the school responds within the
required timeframe -- in Florida it
is 60 school days -- date your
request, follow-up and work
collaboratively with the school

In 99% of the cases we have handled
this process can be managed directly
with the Special Education Specialist

Do your very best to work it out at
that level -- if not, find out what
the chain of command is and follow it

Any questions or suggestions, about
Dyslexia, Special Education
or the process you can either
call us at 1-866-411-2578
or e-mail us at
success@3dlearner.com

School Will Not Test For Dyslexia

noreply@blogger.com (Mira & Mark) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 18:59:00 +0000

Every week we get a dozen notes
like this one

How do I deal with the school not
making his issue a priority?
How is a child tested to diagnose Dyslexia?

Outside of Texas, states test for a Learning
Disability and do not officially test for
Dyslexia -- the terms are slightly different
but essential they are the same

School personnel may encourage you not
to test or to wait -- waiting is really
not an option in most cases

Federal Law requires them to test within
60 days, if the parents write a letter like
the following

"Please form a Child Study Team ASAP
to assess my child for a Learning
Disability and ADHD".

We almost always recommend testing
for ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder)
because testing for a Learning Disability
may result in your child not qualifying
and they might qualify using the ADHD

The two key points are:
1- Qualifying for a Learning Disability
requires a differential between your
child's potential and their performance

In some states your child might need
a 15 point differential and in other
states a 20 point differential -- very
often a child will be off by a point or
two

Under the Other Health Impaired
Section of IDEA (Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act) students
can qualify for an IEP
(an Individualized Education Plan)
if the ADHD significantly impacts
their educational performance

Always, always put this request
in writing, date it and follow-up
regularly

While the 60 day requirement is
a Federal Law, states are allowed
to pass a law that supersedes it,
and the days can be more or less
than 60

A great source for more information
on Education Law is Wrights Law

School Will Not Test

noreply@blogger.com (Mira & Mark) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 18:58:00 +0000

We get messages like this every day

Dyslexia and ADHD

noreply@blogger.com (Mira & Mark) — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:06:00 +0000

My son appears "bored" and get into trouble
especially in classes with book work.
Can this be a symptom of Dyslexia?

Attention issues and Dyslexia are often
present in the same person

The key is to identify both challenges
because:

- Students with Dyslexia often learn
best when they see and experience
information

- Students with Dyslexia will often
be bored by traditional methods
and will do far better with
engaging methods -- they get into
trouble partially because they
are frustrated

- ADHD may well exist and the
combination makes challenges
the student, the parent and
the teacher

- Accommodations at school are
easier to get with ADHD then
with Dyslexia

- There are now natural and
effective ways to address
attention issues with less
or no medication -- we use
the Interactive Metronome (R),
Brain Gym (R) and Biofeedback

Results are best when both the
Dyslexia and the ADHD are
addressed

Note, the same students often
have vision issues -- skipping
words or lines when reading,
difficulty copying off the board
and/or reversals

Again, it is best to identify
and address all the key issues

We do offer an on-line assessment
that can help you with all three
issues - for a FREE Look go to
On-Line Assessment

Reading Problems - What to Do

noreply@blogger.com (Mira & Mark) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 10:02:00 +0000

I have committed to homeschooling
my 8yr old son. I feel he needs
more one-on-one help.

Would you recommend this with a
child who is struggling with
reading? I feel that the school
my son has attended for the past
3 years has failed to help my
son. This last year I have
watched his enthusiasm to
learn turn into tears.

Please help our awesome son
before he looses his self-esteem.

Answer
First and foremost, make reading
more fun

We recommend parents take over
more of the reading load as
you try and re-ignite the love
for learning

Choose high interest books
from your child's perspective

Books on Tape also help

Then find out how your son
learns best

If he is a hands-on learner,
you want to consider a program
that focuses on sight word
vocabulary and pattern
recognition

You also want to check for
vision related challenges
-- often students skip words
or lines when reading or
their eyes tire

Then shift the reading
over to them gradually
- Start reading 4 out
of 5 pages yourself

- Then 3 out of 5 after
3 weeks

- After 12 weeks they
should have it all

Many of our parents have
benefited from our
On-Line Assessment, where
for only $57 you get insight
into how your child learns
best and whether or not there
are related vision issues

For a Free Look go to
On-Line Assessment

Is it Dyslexia

noreply@blogger.com (Mira & Mark) — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:00:00 +0000

My son is 9 years old, in the 4th grade.
He is still writing the letters b and d
backward and some of his numbers.
Is this normal for a child of this age?
How do I go about getting him tested?
and what happens after the testing.

We often get similar questions and
it is exactly what parents should ask

Reversals should disappear by
first or second grade

The challenge is that parents
assume this is dyslexia, when
in fact reversals are a visual
perception issue

Students who have reversals
often have learning
problems, visual perception
issues and/or attention issues

At a public school, it is best to
have your child tested for
Special Education -- the focus
is often on a learning disability
and we recommend testing for
attention issues

Qualifying for a learning
disability can be a frustrating
process

In most states they require a
15-point differential between
your child's potential and their
performance -- if it is only 14
points they do not qualify

Attention can qualify your
child for special education if
they meet 6 of the 9
characteristics and the
attention issues significantly
impacts their academic
performance

Qualifying for special education
helps to get extra time on
tests, a separate setting, but
it rarely is enough

Then the effort shifts to other
programs that will complement
what school does

You can check out
http://www.3dlearner.com
for more info

FCAT Help

noreply@blogger.com (Mira & Mark) — Fri, 18 May 2007 01:22:00 +0000

Turn Lemons into Lemonade

With the FCAT results in you may be frustrated, angry or just not sure where to turn

First we recommend meeting with your child's teacher to find out what happened
and what your options are

Then try and get outside help to get a better understanding of how your child learns,
whether they have underlying vision, attention, or anxiety challenges and what to do next

If you would like help we offer both an On-Line Assessment with a 30 minute debrief

or

a Free 10 minute consult by calling Mira and Mark at
either 954-341-2578 from South Florida or
1-866-411-2578 from elsewhere