Confident, happy and thriving in high school. Her eyes glistened as she spoke with pride about her daughter. But I remember a time when tears came into her eyes because of pain––the heartache and frustration of a child desperately struggling to keep up with her peers and learn to read at grade level. The teachers all commented on how smart she was and told her that her daughter just needed to try harder and apply herself. They needed to practice reading more. But moms always know when there’s something wrong, and they are wise to listen to that little voice inside.
Yes, her mother was right! There was a deeper problem causing her smart daughter to struggle…like auditory processing and basic word attack skills. All the practice and “trying harder” in the world will not fix an auditory processing problem.
We began training her using specific, intensive programs and techniques to develop her ability to process sounds accurately and her word attack skills started to improve. We continued until she gained the skills to read independently and at grade level.
I smile as I think of the progress she has made. Smart kids DO struggle in school and there are reasons for it. And that’s why I do what I do.
written by Brenda Lana
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