ISO academic tutor who remediates dyslexia, writing, executive functioning issues

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's up with the Lab School? I can't get anyone to return my call and all I get is voice mail when I try again.

Interestingly, I called them a while back for admissions info and no one from that office ever returned my call either.

email...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: School gives no services. I can't afford more than 2x/week so am hoping I can supplement by doing some work myself.

Talked with Stixrud's group and they don't travel to Virginia. Left messages with Lab School, but haven't heard back.

Any other suggestions? Anyone have experience with Ann Dolin's services?

I don't have direct experiences with Ann Dolin but I've heard her speak a number of times at CHADD (ADHD non-profit) events and am currently reading her book Homework Made Simple. I've been very impressed with her.

I've recently learned the educational consultant (also an advocate) and the ADHD coach my DH is working with belong to a 'network' of education professionals. You might think about contacting one of them. My experience with that this is a fairly small community and that people in it know who's good and who is best at what. If one of them can't help you, they can likely recommend someone who can - and who may be closer to you. Good luck.

http://www.alexandriansr.com/

[Anonymous]

PP here. I meant to gently ask you if you've tried to get an IEP for your DC? My DS's IEP has goals related to all of the things you're looking for. I'm not discouraging you from doing this privately as well but we've found reinforcement at home and at school yields better results. Doing this privately is also costly and it may be more effective to get something set up with the school first - even if you have to spend the money on getting a consultant/advocate (we used Ruth Heitin) to make it happen. Just a thought.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the link to the professional network site. I will check them out.

Yes, we have an IEP but the services we get are bad. In fact, my poor child's academic skills have been declining. So something's not right. I figured it's easier to go ahead and pay privately than fight the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the link to the professional network site. I will check them out.

Yes, we have an IEP but the services we get are bad. In fact, my poor child's academic skills have been declining. So something's not right. I figured it's easier to go ahead and pay privately than fight the county.

11:22 here. I'm so sorry your DC's needs aren't being met. I know what it's like to see the lack of progress, how horrible that feels and the emotional drain. If you can muster the resources, I really do encourage you to seek an advocate to get things straightened out with the school. We hired Ruth Heitin because the screening committee at DS's school (we're also in FCPS) declined to evaluate him or even accept the results of the extensive private testing we had done. We were somewhat in a panic because DS was falling further behind and his confidence was falling just as fast. She was exactly what we needed. No one shows up late or unprepared anymore and she knows better than some of the school staff what can be done. We also feel that using her has allowed us to maintain a positive relationship with the staff/teachers. We're involved in the meetings but we're not leading the charge, so to speak. I can't tell you what a relief it is have someone like her in our corner. Of course, she's not the only one who can provide these services, I just hate to see you not get what your DC is entitled to by law (all the while FCPS basks in its vaunted repuation...) It so hard to hear of things like this, especially since I've experienced it myself. Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for your support. I, too, hate that FCPS has this great reputation when really it's all about high income parents producing kids who do well on standardized tests. And no one cares about the special needs kids -- they only seem to help the ones who act out in the classroom and disrupt the teacher, not the ones who suffer silently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for your support. I, too, hate that FCPS has this great reputation when really it's all about high income parents producing kids who do well on standardized tests. And no one cares about the special needs kids -- they only seem to help the ones who act out in the classroom and disrupt the teacher, not the ones who suffer silently.

You got that right! My kid is another one who suffers in silence and would fall through the cracks if we weren't screaming.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried a Lindamond Bell center???