by Naomi Aldort

Q: I have read your first column on labels in the last issue and I understand that most labels are useless at best. But what about symptoms like dyslexia? Isn’t that physical? And don’t drugs offer a great relief in some situations when a child simply cannot sit still or learn?

by Shelley Tzorfas

Question: My child’s “meltdowns” have become more explosive and embarrassing both in private and in public as he/she has gotten older. I have tried using various methods; I have used behavior modification such as stickers, rewards, and charts, but it does not work. Can you help me with this growing problem?

Answer: Using behavior modification techniques are fine, until more action is necessary. Upon reaching this point, another method is called for.

by Shelley Tzorfas

Question: My child can talk for hours on the phone with a friend,  but when I ask him or her to write a few sentences or a paragraph,  they are unable to do so.  Is this because they are stubborn?  What could I do?

Answer: We all know kids who can talk endlessly,  but cannot write,  not even a single sentence. There are many reasons for this.  Sometimes it is a form of Dyslexia. (See previous articles.)  Sometimes they gaze around the room or out the window.

by Shelley Tzorfas

QUESTION:  I have heard the term Dyslexia. Some experts say my child does not have it because he does not simply reverse letters or confuse a "d" with a "b". So what is it really?

ANSWER: The term Dyslexia was once mentioned in a dictionary as reversing letters or seeing backwards nearly 100 years ago. Other well-meaning definitions such as "phoneme problem", are wordy, hard to interpret, or to understand. Some terms make it seem as if dyslexics have little problems once the school day ends.

by Shelley Tzorfas

QUESTION:  I have heard the term Dyslexia. Some experts say my child does not have it because he does not simply reverse letters or confuse a "d" with a "b". So what is it really?

ANSWER: The term Dyslexia was once mentioned in a dictionary as reversing letters or seeing backwards nearly 100 years ago. Other well-meaning definitions such as "phoneme problem", are

by Shelley Tzorfas

My child will pick up a magazine like “Sports Illustrated”, “Teen USA” or even “People Magazine”. It is funny because as soon as I tell them it's time to read a real book or a novel, they procrastinate or seem reluctant no matter what I do. Is it because they like the pictures or because I ask them to read?