Is homework a battle? Is academic progress inconsistent across subjects? Are some of your child’s standardized test scores low in particular areas or across subjects? Below are some additional questions to ask yourself in determining whether to pursue a psychoeducational evaluation for your child.
If your child is struggling to find the motivation to begin his/her summer reading, try a different strategy by having the child listen to audiobooks. Audiobooks are often suggested for students with dyslexia; however, they can be beneficial to other learners, as well.
Most children learn to read despite the method used; however, approximately 20 percent of school-age children demonstrate significant struggles learning to read. As evidenced by the work of Sally Shaywitz, M.D., this struggle in reading is no longer viewed as a hidden disability. Dr. Shaywitz reports a difference in the activation of neural pathways when comparing skilled readers to those with dyslexia. She reports that skilled readers demonstrate strong activation in the back of the brain and less activity in the front. In contrast, as struggling readers age, brain imaging studies reveal increased activation in the frontal regions.
Most of us are excited to begin summer activities that involve being outside and going on vacations. Physical outside activity is crucial for a child’s development; however, it is important to identify additional activities that will keep your son or daughter learning.
For the sake of full disclosure, I’m also going to share with you what is potentially my greatest weakness. What amplifies this weakness even more is the fact that it is also one of the things in life that brings me the most excitement and enjoyment. My greatest weakness (and my all-time favorite food) is pizza. Pizza does no wrong in my world. I could literally walk away from a five-course meal feeling full and completely satisfied, stumble upon a pizza or be offered a slice, and wholeheartedly accept (and eat) it with pure joy. I simply have no control over myself in the presence of pizza.
