What is the Zone of Proximal Development?
It’s a challenge for teachers to keep track of all of their students’ exact levels of performance at all times. Still, it’s important information for teachers to have in order to deliver appropriate instruction. Knowing students’ levels helps teachers determine their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). The ZPD refers to a student’s academic “sweet spot” […]
How Dyslexia is Evolving
Dyslexia is an often misunderstood and misrepresented learning difference. Unless you have dyslexia, love someone who has dyslexia, or have an academic background in learning disabilities, you probably have some misconceptions about it as well. To make things more complicated, we are also consistently learning more about dyslexia through research. Here are some of the […]
6 Strengths of Dyslexia
It’s true that dyslexia often presents students with academic challenges. But the “learning disability” facet of dyslexia is only a small part of it. There are so many other characteristics of a dyslexic brain, and many of them are gifts. Here are some of the strengths many dyslexics share: Outside-the-Box Thinkers Individuals with dyslexia tend […]
The Dyslexia Iceberg
Dyslexia is a common condition. But as common as it is, it also varies greatly from person to person. How it manifests in dyslexic individuals and how that manifestation affects academics and other areas of life widely differs. The “dyslexia iceberg” analogy visually represents the “obvious” traits that many (not all!) dyslexics share, as well […]
Is My Child on “the Spectrum” and Does it Matter?
If your child has been showing signs of developmental delays or engaging in behaviors that are not age-appropriate, you might wonder if he or she is on the autism spectrum. Some common signs of autism are lack of eye contact, repetitive movements or noises called “stimming,“ and apparent disinterest in socializing with peers. While these […]
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Are you a passionate educator? Join our team and become a Braintrust tutor today! Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that can affect a broad range of skills, including social, communicative, and academic. ASD can be hard to diagnose as there is no medical test to determine whether a person has autism. Doctors […]
Resources for Supporting Your Child With Special Needs
Being the parent of a child with special needs is not a job any of us should have to do alone. Luckily, there are countless resources out there with the specific purpose of helping you navigate the stressful and amazing world of having a kid with special needs. Wading through all of the resources to […]
Deciding on the Best Setting for Your Child With Special Needs
Today’s parents of students with special needs have a lot of options. This is great, but wading through all these options can also feel overwhelming. How do you know what the best setting is for your child? You will undoubtedly receive recommendations from teachers, related service providers, school administrators, or even your child’s doctor. However, […]
What is an Educational Evaluation?
When we think of an evaluation, many of us picture a sit-down test. Maybe we picture a verbal component and a written component. Maybe we even picture a component that requires movement. While these things are often part of an educational evaluation, the entire process is much more complex. One student’s evaluation may look completely […]
Is a Special Education School Right For Your Child?
In deciding on a placement for your child with special needs, you may be considering a specialized school. These schools typically serve students with the same general disability classification. For example, some schools specialize in autism, while others cater to students with dyslexia or another learning disability. Before you make the leap and enroll your […]
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