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Writer's pictureStacy Zebrick

My child is struggling academically, now what?

When a child is struggling in school it can be frustrating for the child, the teacher, and you, the parent. Additionally, the reason for the struggle can be a number of reasons. For example do any of the following sound familiar:

  • trouble memorizing things

  • working at a slow place

  • trouble following directions

  • difficulty staying focused

  • lack of or too much attention to detail

Well, each of those things can be attributed to either ADHD or a specific learning disability (SLD). Specific learning disabilities (previously known as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia) affects up to 15% of school aged children.


Reading disorders are the most common concern and can impact all other subjects. It affects males and females equally. Teachers tend to notice academic struggles in the classroom when children are not able to work on grade level standards, even with extra support.


Here are some things to look for as a parent if you have concerns:

  • Kindergarten & 1st Grade:

    • difficulty with phonics

    • difficulty with decoding

    • difficulty with spelling

    • poor handwriting

    • confusing sequences of letters

    • forgetting letters and letter sounds after learning them

    • difficulty processing information auditorally

    • academic levels are below expected levels

  • 2nd & 3rd Grades (in addition to those concerns above):

    • slow or inaccurate reading

    • comprehension issues

    • avoiding reading or writing

    • trouble retrieving words

    • omitting or mixing up suffixes

  • 4th Grade and above (in addition to the concerns above):

    • difficulty sequencing events

    • mixing up or trouble remembering sight words

    • trouble pronouncing long words

    • reading words or letters in the wrong order

    • has difficulty decoding unfamiliar words

    • difficulty expressing ideas

This list is not exhaustive, but provides a starting point if your child is struggling academically. If a few of these areas above describe what your child is going through and you feel as though a full evaluation would provide you with some answers and specific interventions, don't hesitate to contact Stacy at the site below





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