Response: The Carson Smith Special Needs Scholorship program provides scholorships to qualified students with disabilities... The scholorship is awarded for a term of three years and may be renewed. To find out more or to obtain an application form, please visit the State of Utah Office of Education's webpage at http://www.schools.utah.gov/admin/specialneeds.htm.
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Question: Why use a tutor?
Response: There are a number of circumstances when using a tutor can be beneficial. A tutor can 1) help a student catch up with schoolwork, or 2) work ahead for personal enrichment. A tutor can 3) coach a student who has difficulty understanding written or spoken instructions. A tutor can 4) teach a student strategies, like how to take tests.
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Question: What is Dyslexia?
Response: The term "dys" means inability and "lexia" means to read. So, dyslexia means "an inability to read." There are multiple types of dyslexia, the least prevalent but most publicized of which is letter reversal. Dyslexia is a specific learning disability, but usually does not occur in isolation. So, a more accurate term for an individual who has an "inability to read" would be "an individual with learning disabilities."
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Question: My preschooler is not talking and has a history of ear infections. My pediatrician tells me not to worry. What should I do?
Response: Do not wait. A child should use all the parts of speech by age three. (The child does not have to use the parts of speech correctly, just use them.) First, you should have your child's hearing assessed by an audiologist. An audiologist can determine if your child has a hearing impairment, a hearing impediment, or an auditory processing problem. If so, consult your pediatrician to determine whether ear tubes would be appropriate. At the same time, you should consult a speech-language therapist or a preschool program that can teach you how to do Indirect Language Therapy to build your child's language skills, even if your child does not talk.
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Question: I am an adult who does not read. Is it too late to learn?
Response: First, have a professional assessment done. This knowledge will prepare you to find the most appropriate help. Current research shows that our brains have greater plasticity than once thought which means it is never too late to learn, although learning takes more time as we (and our brains) age. Adult learners may qualify to receive assistance through vocational rehabilitation programs offered by the Veteran's Administration, the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, or the Center for Students with Disabilities at most colleges and universities. SEPS Learning Center also offers programs for adults who want to learn or improve their reading skills.
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Question: I have been told I should have my child tested. What does this mean?
Response: To be beneficial, "testing" should be part of an individual "assessment," which means a qualified individual administers a series of tests to your child and interprets the results. This process is also referred to as an individual "evaluation." An evaluation includes a personal history and a number of tests, which measure: 1)cognitive ability (to see how you learn), 2)academic achievement (to see what you know and what you have learned), 3)oral language ability, and 4)fine motor skills. An evaluator may refer the client to other specialists (such as an audiologist, psychologist, or psychiatrist) as indicated by the results of the evaluation.
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Question: The teacher says my child stares into space all the time during class. What does this mean?
Response: Your child may have difficulties with sustained attention. This could be indicative of attention deficit disorder, but not necessarily. Your child may be gifted. Gifted children grow bored if they frequently finish their seatwork ahead of the other students. Creative children are often turned off by classroom work and may go off into their own thoughts. Some children who stare into space may not be able to hear or understand what is being said, so they have no reason to listen. Children with emotional problems (depression, abuse, anxiety) may find it difficult to pay attention to what is going on in class. To determine why your child is not paying attention, you should seek a professional evaluation. The evaluation should take into consideration the child's entire life history.
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Question: The school told me my son has attention deficit disorder (ADD). I do not want to give him medication. Are there any alternatives?
Response: Medication may be part of the answer, but you can also have your child participate in activities that build focusing skills, such as theater, swimming, tai chi, and/or chess. Today's medications have been proven to be very therapeutic when monitored by a physician. Research shows that appropriate medication does help the brain of an individual with attention deficit disorder to function more normally. Short-term counseling can also help your son learn to advocate for himself -- a skill that will help him throughout his life.
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Question: Even though my daughter has been a good student, she is failing her high school classes. The school says she does not qualify for special services. Why not?
Response: The special education law has two criteria for qualifying for special education services: 1)a disability, and 2)that special education services are required in order for the student to succeed in school. To document the need for services, your daughter has to have a long history of failure in school. Otherwise, it is presumed that the problem is a temporary one and the student is not in need of special services. As a parent you may elect to seek services, such as tutoring, from a private source. SEPS Learning Center offers tutoring services.
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Question: My first grader is struggling with reading, but his teacher tells me not to worry until next year. Is this true?
Response: This not true. Get help immediately. Research has shown that plasticity is greater in younger brains, which means the younger the person the easier it is to learn. The sooner your child receives help, the less catching up your child will have to do. Research has shown that children who receive early intervention experience greater success over the long run. On average, children who do not learn to read by 3rd grade can improve their reading skills, but not to the same extent as their peers.
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Question: I have been told my daughter is gifted. So why doesn't she get her seatwork done in class?
Response: She may be choosing not to do her work because she is not challenged. Gifted children often finish their work ahead of their classmates and then are given more work to do, which they may perceive as "busy work" and do not want to do. It is also possible that your daughter's behavior is indicative of some other problem. Being "gifted" does not exclude someone from also having depression, attention issues, or learning disabilities. Your pediatrician or family doctor is the place to start, then have her evaluated by a professional for learning disabilities. Once the cause has been identified and understood, you can seek advice from a psychologist or psychiatrist, and seek appropriate modifications to her school program.