School

When a child struggles in school, many factors can be involved. Learning is a complex activity and there are many places in the process where a difficulty or inability can prevent success. These might include: problems with word retrieval, visual processing, a lack of focus, auditory a small-motor immaturity and the like — all are potential culprits.

John has worked with hundreds of children and their families as a child and teenage coach in understanding the nature of learning challenges and providing interventions and practices that are research-based and effective. His services have included the following:

John jams with young friend

• Psychoeducational evaluations: a full day of testing that looks at all areas of learning and provides a complete written report with detailed recommendations for success. Includes a follow-up meeting with parents and/or school personnel to ensure a complete understanding of the results and an effective implementation of steps outlined in the report. John has recently begun doing evaluations for A Total Approach, a full-service organization for children with learning needs. He also works closely with professionals who can provide tutoring and specialized learning support (Bridge to Learning).

• Student coaching for classroom success: student and parent coaching sessions that provide step-by-step techniques that develop study skills, executive functioning and attention skills that allow students to make the most of their cognitive gifts.

• Teacher consultation: the development of a close working relationship with your child’s teacher, providing techniques and strategies (such as my behavior change chart).

John believes that all students can be successful in school with the right mixture of ability, support and understanding. Learning how our children learn so that we can provide the most effective strategies to meet our children’s learning style is at the center of John’s commitment to educational excellence.