For most families, the new school year is well underway. Introductions, distribution of materials, and other housekeeping matters are finished, and we’re down to business. Parents and caregivers can shift their attention to the child’s performance, and soon enough, it will be time for the first progress report and parent meetings.
Now, what if that first report says your child is having academic difficulties? Often, especially in the early grades, you’ll hear, “Don’t worry. It’s just a developmental thing. They’ll grow out of it.” But maybe you were told that last year, and that developmental spurt you were promised never kicked in. Nothing has gotten better.
Then, at conferences, you get the same reassurances. This time, they aren’t comforting. You know something is wrong.
But what? You aren’t an educational expert. The only experience you have is what your child is going through now, and what you see is a high-potential kid with a lot of talents outside of school who, once they step into a classroom, become an entirely different child who is stressed out, has low self-esteem, and is unable to do the schoolwork someone that age is expected to do.
You know something isn’t right, and you want to fix it. But how? Where do you even start?
Talk to the school
Your first contact should be with the school system. Talk with the teacher, and perhaps the principal or special education personnel to get a more specific idea of what your child’s weaknesses are and how they can be remedied. They might recommend an IEP (Individualized Education Program), offered to students who are eligible for special education programs. It determines what accommodations a child needs and can provide additional services such as speech therapy or, if the child has dysgraphia, occupational therapy. The IEP puts more legal responsibility on the school to make sure needed services are provided.
The alternative, a 504 plan, provides accommodations for students who do not qualify for special education but still need additional help in the classroom. Either plan could propel your child toward success. “They even out the playing field for your student to be successful in the classroom and get them to where they want to go,” says Lawrence Kloth, co-founder of Reading Success Plus.
But the process of qualifying for an IEP or 504 plan, or just getting accommodations, intimidates many parents. The process can be long, parents don’t know the jargon, and they must face a panel of unfamiliar people. In such cases, Reading Success Plus can be an advocate for the parents by attending meetings, asking the right questions, and making sure the parents understand the answers.
Accessible information
Still, parents may not get enough satisfaction from the school. “Some school districts do a really good job,” Lawrence says. “Some might not do as well, and that’s nobody’s fault. They may not have the resources or knowledge base.”
No matter how helpful the school may be, parents should take the initiative to get an idea of what’s going on and where to turn for help. If the youngster has reading difficulties, a good place to start is on the Reading Success Plus website. “Warning Signs of Dyslexia” offers a list of symptoms, sorted by age, that could mean someone has dyslexia. For those not familiar with this disorder, this can be eye-opening.
The RSP website has a similar list of behaviors that might be indicators of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD; symptoms of dysgraphia, a disability that affects writing; and dyscalculia, a disability that affects a person’s ability to do math. All of these are free for anyone to look at, print out, and compare to your child’s situation.
Other sources that are especially useful for parents just discovering learning disabilities are Understood, a website that calls itself “a community where all people who learn and think differently can feel supported,” and ADDitude, a website filled with useful information about ADHD. These resources, which are geared for the typical person, can give you a good foundation as you try to help your student.
Get outside help
Once you’re got your bearings, you will have the confidence to seek outside help. Some school services may require a formal diagnosis of dyslexia that can come from professionals such as psychologists. Your family doctor can diagnose ADHD.
At Reading Success Plus, we offer a comprehensive placement screening that will show where and why your child struggles and targets instruction to help them overcome their difficulties. We review that screening in detail with the parents so you can take the next step.
That usually involves tutoring. All our programs – reading, writing, math, and handwriting – are designed to teach your child with methods that will help them learn. Your child isn’t struggling because they’re “dumb” — they just aren’t being taught in a way that recognizes how their brain works. Students with dyslexia, ADHD and other learning disorders do think differently. Not wrong, but differently. RSP recognizes that difference, even celebrates it.
“We carve out a way for them to learn the way their brains work – with hands-on, multisensory, systematic instruction,” Lawrence says.
But don’t expect immediate success – your child won’t overcome dyslexia by the end of the marking period. It’s a process that could take years, depending on the severity. It’s important to act as soon as you see a problem.
“The longer you wait, the worse it will get,” Lawrence warns. “The farther you fall behind, the harder it is to catch up. We want to make up ground as quickly as possible. If you know your child is behind and you wait until summer to get help, you’ve just lost a year.”
Additionally, an IEP or 504 plan will move more slowly because of the paperwork involved – another reason not to wait.
Step by step
So, if your child is struggling, here’s a plan of action.
Talk to the school. Listen to the teacher’s concerns and let them know about yours. If an IEP or 504 plan is a possibility, get going on it as soon as possible, as the process can take months.
Educate yourself. Check out our checklists, ADDitude and Understood. You won’t be an expert, but you’ll understand the conversation.
Consider outside help. Screenings and evaluations by professionals can pinpoint the problem and help design the appropriate instruction. The school might provide some help, but outside tutoring might best fit your child’s learning style.
“I understand money is tight for people right now,” Lawrence says. “Do what you can. We recommend tutoring twice a week, but once a week is better than none. At least you’re making progress.”
Remember what’s at stake. “You’re making an investment in their future,” Lawrence concludes, “so they can be that AI engineer, astronaut, lawyer or skilled tradesperson that they want to be. We want to give your child as many opportunities to succeed as possible.”
Reading Success Plus has offices in Grand Rapids and Troy and offers one-on-one tutoring online or in person in reading, math and writing. You can get more information at readingsuccessplus.com. To contact us, call 833-229-1112 or go online to https://readingsuccessplus.com/#contact.