Start Preparing for the New School Year Early

To help reduce anxiety, preview what the new school year will look like with your child ahead of time. You may want to practice the drive or walk to school, visit the school building if possible, and show your child a picture of their new teacher. Familiarizing them with these details can make the first day feel less intimidating and more predictable.

You can also talk to your child about what a typical school day will look like, including arrival, classes, lunch, activities, and dismissal. You may want to review the school calendar together and help your child enter important dates, events, and days off school into a planner or assignment book. This gives them a clearer picture of what lies ahead and will help them feel calmer and more prepared.

For children who struggle with anxiety, including those with special needs, uncertainty can be very stressful. The more you can preview the routines, people, places, and events they will encounter during the new school year, the more familiar and manageable the transition is likely to feel.

Discuss What Is Worrying Them

Your child may begin showing increased signs of worry as the new school year approaches. Rather than simply waiting for these feelings to pass, encourage them to talk about what is making them nervous. Understanding the source of their anxiety can help you provide the right reassurance and support.

Try asking specific questions rather than general ones. For example, instead of simply asking, “Are you worried about school?” consider questions such as:

• “Are there certain parts of the first day you’re worried about?”
• “Are there any subjects you think might be difficult for you?”
• “Are you concerned about how much homework you’ll have?”
• “Are you worried about making friends or who will be in your class?”
• “Is there anything about your new teacher or classroom that makes you nervous?”
• “What could we do to make the first week feel easier and less stressful?”

Questions like these can help uncover what is really behind your child’s anxiety. They may not be worried about school in general, but rather about a specific challenge, such as keeping track of assignments, finding their classroom, making friends, reading aloud, completing difficult schoolwork, or remembering to bring home the materials they need. Some children may also feel self-conscious about receiving extra help or being pulled out of class for additional support.

Once you understand what is causing your child’s anxiety, you can work with them to address those concerns before the school year begins. Identifying specific worries and developing a plan for handling them can help your child feel more prepared and confident.

Restart Routines Gradually

When the school year begins, many children go from less structured summer days to highly structured school schedules. Rather than introducing a completely new routine on the first day of school, try to make these changes gradually in the days and weeks leading up to the new school year.

Start by talking to your child about what time they will need to go to bed and wake up once the school year begins. Then gradually shift their bedtime and wake-up time earlier until they reach their school-year schedule. This can make the transition easier and help prevent the first few school mornings from feeling rushed and overwhelming.

It can also be helpful to establish consistent morning and evening routines ahead of time. Children with special needs, including those with ADHD or executive functioning challenges, often respond best to routines that are simple, concrete, and easy to follow rather than long or overly complicated ones.

For younger children, consider creating a visual schedule on a poster or whiteboard that they can easily reference. For example:

Morning Routine

• Wake up
• Eat breakfast
• Brush teeth
• Get dressed
• Pack backpack
• Go to school

Evening Routine

• Come home from school
• Have a snack
• Complete homework
• Eat dinner
• Take a shower
• Pack backpack for the next day
• Get ready for bed

If your child has sports, tutoring, clubs, or other after-school activities on certain days, you can adjust the schedule accordingly. Each day might not look exactly the same, but the goal is to give your child a predictable framework for what their days and weeks will look like. The more familiar the routine feels before school begins, the easier it will be for your child to adjust to the structure and expectations of the new school year.

Create a Consistent Homework Routine

Before the school year begins, help your child establish a consistent homework routine. Start by choosing a designated study space where they will complete their homework each day. This might be a desk in their bedroom, or it can be a shared space, such as the kitchen or dining room table. Ideally, the area should be comfortable, organized, and free from unnecessary distractions.

Stock the study space with the supplies your child is likely to need, such as pencils, pens, paper, highlighters, and other school materials. Keeping these items readily available and replenishing them when they run low can prevent your child from wandering around searching for supplies when it is time to work.

Next, decide together when homework will typically be completed. Some children work best immediately after school, while others benefit from having a snack and a short break first. Another option is to complete homework after dinner. There is no single schedule that works best for every child. The key is to choose a routine that works for your child and follow it as consistently as possible. Over time, a predictable homework routine can make it easier for your child to get started, stay focused, and complete assignments more independently.

Set Up an Organizational System

Before your child starts school, help them set up an organizational system. You can try a color-coded approach, where your child chooses one color for each class, like green for science, blue for math, etc. Then when you purchase school supplies with them, select green notebooks and folders for science, blue for math, and so on. In their assignment book (which they should also use throughout the school year), they can even color-code their assignments by highlighting their homework tasks in the color corresponding to each subject. For example, they might highlight their science assignments in green, math assignments in blue, and other assignments in whatever color corresponds to that subject.

Make Sure Academic Supports Are in Place

Before the school year begins, it’s important that you ensure the academic supports your child needs are in place. If they have an IEP or 504 Plan, make sure your child’s school and teacher receive the document. Set up a team meeting, so their teacher and any other service providers understand the services and accommodations your child needs.

It is also helpful to establish a system for communicating with your child’s teachers and service providers throughout the school year. Regular communication can help you stay informed about your child’s progress, identify potential concerns early, and work together to address challenges before they become more significant.

Closing Thoughts

A new school year can bring excitement and the opportunity for a fresh start, but it can also come with uncertainty and anxiety. By putting these strategies into place before school begins, you can help your special needs child feel more prepared, confident, and ready for a successful year ahead.

EBL Coaching specializes in one-on-one in person and virtual tutoring for students in grades pre-K-12 with specialized learning needs. They use research-based, multi-sensory techniques, including the Orton Gillingham method, to develop students’ reading, writing, math, note taking, test taking, and executive functioning skills. Each student is evaluated and then receives an individualized learning plan to address their specific academic needs. Learn more at http://www.eblcoaching.com/. Dr. Emily Levy, Founder & Director, is happy to hear from anyone who is in need for their child. You may reach her thru her website, and mention you heard of her thru MotherhoodLater.

The post How to Ease Back-to-School Anxiety for Your Special Needs Child appeared first on EBL Coaching.

How can you help your child with dyslexia prepare for the new school year?

1. Establish a Back-to-School Routine for Your Child with Dyslexia

In addition to reading challenges, some students with dyslexia may also have difficulty with executive functioning skills, including planning, organization, and time management. Helping them set predictable routines can reduce the number of tasks your child needs to remember and can make busy school days feel more manageable for them.

Before school starts, establish consistent routines for waking up, getting ready for school, completing homework, and going to bed. Encourage your child to prepare as much as possible the night before by packing their backpack, choosing their clothes, and organizing any materials they will need for the following day.

You may want to even create visual checklists for recurring tasks, both for the morning and after-school hours. Over time, these strategies can help your child become more independent and organized.

2. Create a Homework Space That Supports Your Child with Dyslexia

To build organizational skills and prepare your child for the new school year, help them set up a designated place where they will consistently complete their homework and study. Ideally, the area should be quiet, organized, and free from distractions.

Make sure you stock this space with supplies they will need for completing their schoolwork, including pens, pencils, highlighters, paper, and folders. Having everything readily available can minimize interruptions and make it easier for your child to get started and finish their work.

If your child has difficulty staying focused for long periods, try breaking homework into shorter work sessions with brief breaks in between. Additionally, a long assignment can also be overwhelming to them, so try dividing it into smaller, clearly defined steps.

3. Help Your Child with Dyslexia Manage Back-to-School Anxiety

Children with dyslexia may feel anxious about challenges they may face during the new school year, such as reading aloud, completing writing assignments, keeping pace with their classmates, or adjusting to a new teacher’s expectations.

Talk to your child about these concerns. Instead of just reassuring them that everything will be okay, help them identify specific situations they are worried about and develop strategies for handling them. For instance, if homework was particularly difficult last year, discuss strategies that can help make the process more manageable this year.

Giving your child a voice in these conversations can help them feel more prepared and less anxious about starting the new school year.

Learn more about dyslexia tutoring and the different approaches that may support reading and writing development at Best Tutoring for Dyslexia: Orton Gillingham, Reading, and Writing Support for Children – EBL Coaching.

4. Talk to Your Child’s Teacher About Dyslexia Before School Starts

For students with dyslexia, communication with teachers is important. Don’t wait until your child starts to struggle to establish communication with their teacher.

At the beginning of the year, introduce yourself and share relevant information with them about your child’s dyslexia, learning style, strengths, and areas of difficulty. If your child has an IEP, make sure their teachers and service providers receive the document and are familiar with the accommodations and services your child needs.

You may also want to establish a system for ongoing communication so you can learn about and address any concerns early, before they become larger challenges.

5. Make Sure Your Child’s Dyslexia Accommodations Are in Place

Accommodations can help students with dyslexia demonstrate what they know without being limited by challenges with reading, spelling, or writing.

While it can vary based on a child’s individual needs and educational plan, accommodations might include extended time, access to audiobooks or text-to-speech technology, reduced copying demands, or preferential seating.

Accommodations should always be individualized to the needs and profile of each student. The idea is to provide appropriate access to instruction and allow your child to demonstrate their knowledge.

6. Watch for Early Signs of Academic Difficulty

The beginning of school can provide important information about whether your child’s current supports are sufficient.

Take notice if your child:

• Takes an unusually long time to complete reading or writing assignments
• Often avoids reading
• Has significant challenges with spelling
• Struggles to sound out words
• Reads slowly or inaccurately
• Has trouble remembering information they read
• Becomes increasingly frustrated when completing schoolwork
• Makes comments like, “I’m bad at reading,” or “I’m not smart”
• Shows a decline in confidence

One challenging homework assignment or poor grade doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem. However, a consistent pattern of difficulty shouldn’t be ignored.

Learn what to look for when choosing a reading specialist in NYC at What to Look for in a Reading Specialist in NYC- EBL Coaching.

7. Provide Structured Reading Support

Children with dyslexia typically benefit from reading instruction that is explicit, structured, multi-sensory, and cumulative.

Structured literacy approaches, including Orton-Gillingham instruction, can provide explicit, systematic instruction in foundational reading and spelling skills. It incorporates multi-sensory tools while explicitly teaching sound/letter relationships, decoding, spelling, syllable types, and other foundational literacy skills.

For a child with dyslexia, don’t assume that additional reading practice alone will resolve their challenges; it’s important to determine the specific areas of difficulty and provide instruction targeted to those needs.

At EBL Coaching, we provide individualized, one-on-one tutoring to students with dyslexia and other learning challenges. The specialized tutoring sessions integrate structured, research-based, multi-sensory techniques, including the Orton Gillingham approach, that target each student’s specific reading and spelling needs.

Students can receive support at our learning centers in New York City and New Jersey, at your home, or virtually.

8. Focus on Your Child’s Strengths

When a child struggles with reading and other academic skills, those difficulties can easily become the focus of conversations about school.

Try to make a conscious effort to recognize and emphasize your child’s strengths. A student who has difficulty decoding words may be an excellent problem solver, athlete, artist, musician, or creative thinker.

Remember to praise their effort, persistence, and improvement, rather than focusing exclusively on grades.

Your child should understand that dyslexia describes a particular pattern of learning challenges, but it doesn’t define their intelligence or their potential.

9. Don’t Wait Too Long to Seek Additional Help

Some parents may think that a challenging start to the school year will resolve once their child becomes adjusted to a new teacher and routine. While that may sometimes be the case, persistent reading difficulties shouldn’t be ignored.

If your child continues to struggle with decoding, reading fluency, spelling, comprehension, or writing, you may want to speak to their teacher and seek additional individualized support.

Early intervention can prevent academic gaps from becoming even greater and can help protect your child’s confidence.

Helping Your Child Start the School Year with Confidence

A new school year can be an exciting time, offering children with dyslexia an opportunity for a fresh start. By establishing predictable routines, communicating with your child’s teachers, ensuring appropriate accommodations are in place, and providing targeted reading intervention, you can help make your child’s transition to school much smoother.

Remember not to measure your child’s success solely by how quickly they read or the grades they receive. Help them recognize their progress (and be proud of it!) and understand that they can become successful students even when certain academic skills require additional effort and support.

If your child with dyslexia is struggling with reading, spelling, writing, or executive functioning, EBL Coaching can help! We offer individualized tutoring for students with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning challenges in NYC and New Jersey. We create customized tutoring plans based on each student’s specific learning needs and use structured, research-based, multi-sensory approaches to help students strengthen their academic skills and self-confidence.

Learn more about Orton Gillingham tutoring for students in Manhattan at  Orton Gillingham Tutoring in Manhattan for Dyslexia & Reading Success.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dyslexia Intervention 

How can I prepare my child with dyslexia for a new school year?
To help prepare your child with dyslexia for the new school year, start by establishing school-year routines before classes start, like creating visual checklists and moving bedtime and wake up times earlier. You can also help your child set up a homework space and communicate with their teachers and other service providers early.

Should I tell my child’s new teacher that they have dyslexia?
Yes! Teachers should know about your child’s diagnosis along with their learning needs and any accommodations or services included in their IEP or 504 Plan. You may want to also share information about strategies that have worked well for them in the past (and even those that haven’t worked) to help their teacher support your child from the start of the year.

Which accommodations can help students with dyslexia at school?
Accommodations vary based on the needs of each student, but some accommodations that many students with dyslexia benefit from include extended time, audiobooks, text-to-speech technology, reduced copying requirements, and additional time for writing assignments. Accommodations should be based on your child’s individual needs.

What are signs that my child with dyslexia needs additional reading support?
If your child has difficulty sounding out unfamiliar words, reads slowly, has persistent spelling challenges, avoids reading, or takes an excessive amount of time to complete homework, additional support may be helpful for them.

Is the Orton Gillingham approach helpful for children with dyslexia?
Yes! The Orton Gillingham approach uses explicit, structured, sequential, and multi-sensory instruction to teach students foundational reading and spelling skills. These principles align with the type of structured literacy instruction that students with dyslexia often need.

How often should a child with dyslexia receive tutoring?
There is no set schedule that is appropriate for every student. The frequency of tutoring should vary based on your child’s individual needs, including their reading level, severity of difficulties, and school-based services they may be receiving. Consistent instruction is important when a student is receiving Orton Gillingham tutoring or reading remediation to develop academic skills effectively and help close significant skill gaps.

Can tutoring help a child with dyslexia become more confident?
Yes! Individualized dyslexia tutoring can help students build skills that previously caused frustration. As children begin to develop their reading skills and experience success, they often become more confident and willing to take on challenging academic tasks.

Where does EBL Coaching provide dyslexia tutoring?
EBL Coaching provides individualized tutoring for students with dyslexia and other learning challenges in New York City and New Jersey. Sessions can be provided at their learning centers, at the home, or virtually.  Tutoring sessions use research-based, multi-sensory techniques that are individualized to each student’s specific needs.

Dr. Emily Levy, the founder and director of EBL Coaching, has helped thousands of students with dyslexia improve their academic skills over the past twenty years. She is the author of the Strategies do Study Success student workbook series, the Flags and Stars Orton Gillingham student workbook program, and the Flags and Stars Multi-Sensory Math student workbook series. She speaks nationally at educational conferences and frequently appears on podcasts as an educational expert. She has also been featured in publications including Newsweek, Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine, Epoch Times, and Macaroni Kids.

The post Back-to-School Tips for Children With Dyslexia: A Parent’s Guide appeared first on EBL Coaching.

Students with ADHD often struggle with executive functioning skills such as organization, time management, planning, and task initiation. After the less-structured days of summer, adjusting to early mornings, full school days, homework, and new routines can feel especially overwhelming for them. However, there are practical steps you can take to ease the back-to-school transition for your child with ADHD. By putting the right routines and supports in place, you can help your child start the school year feeling more confident, organized, and prepared for success.

Why Is Back-to-School Challenging for Students With ADHD?

ADHD affects more than a child’s ability to focus. It can also impact the executive functioning skills they need to effectively manage their daily responsibilities and stay on top of their schoolwork.

A student with ADHD may be bright and understand the material being taught in class, yet still struggle to keep track of assignments, remember to bring home necessary materials, manage their time, or get started on their work.

These challenges can become especially noticeable at the beginning of the school year, when students are adjusting to new schedules, routines, teachers, and academic expectations.

Back-to-school challenges that students with ADHD often face include:

• Forgetting their assignments and important materials
• Losing papers or school supplies
• Struggling to get ready in the morning
• Procrastinating getting started on homework
• Becoming easily distracted when working on assignments
• Struggling to transition from one activity to the next
• Estimating how much time assignments will take to complete
• Forgetting upcoming quizzes, projects, or deadlines
• Feeling overwhelmed by a multitude of assignments
• Struggling to adjust to new classroom expectations

Learn more about how to find the right executive functioning coach in NYC for your child at Best Executive Functioning Coach in NYC: How to Choose – EBL Coaching.

11 Back-to-School Strategies for Students with ADHD

Instead of waiting for missing assignments and poor grades to pile up, use the start of the school year as an opportunity to put strategies in place that strengthen these skills and help your child stay on track. Try the ideas detailed below:

1. Reestablish a Daily Routine

Students with ADHD often benefit from predictable routines and consistent schedules. Knowing what to expect throughout the day can reduce the number of decisions they need to make and make it easier for them to manage transitions and responsibilities.

Before school begins, gradually start shifting your child back to a school-year schedule. Move bedtime and wake-up times earlier and begin establishing consistent times for meals, homework, and extracurricular activities.

Once the school year is underway, try to keep the general structure of each weekday as consistent as possible. A predictable routine can help your child stay organized, manage their time, and feel more prepared for each part of the day.

An after-school routine for your child might look like:

• Come home from school
• Have a snack
• Take a short break
• Complete homework
• Organize materials for next day
• Eat dinner
• Enjoy relaxation time
• Get ready for bed

The specific routine you create should be tailored to your child’s individual needs. Some children may benefit from physical activity or downtime right after school, while others may do best starting their homework while they are still in “school mode” before they become tired or distracted.

The idea is not to create an overly rigid schedule, but to establish enough consistency that important tasks and responsibilities gradually become part of your child’s daily routine.

2. Create a Morning Checklist

Mornings can be particularly challenging for students with ADHD. Your child may become distracted while getting dressed, forget to pack an important item in their backpack, or suddenly remember something they were supposed to complete the night before.

A visual morning checklist can help your child stay on track and complete each step of their routine more independently, while reducing the number of reminders you need to give them.

While it may vary based on your child’s age, a visual checklist might look like:

• Wake up
• Get dressed
• Eat breakfast
• Brush teeth
• Pack lunch
• Check backpack
• Pack sports or activity equipment
• Put on shoes
• Leave for school

You may want to hang up the checklist up in a visible place where your child will see it every morning.

As your child gets older, try to encourage them to take more responsibility with completing the items on their checklist independently, without you reminding them to do so.

Read our parent guide to executive functioning skills in children at What Are Executive Functioning Skills? A Simple Guide for Parents – EBL Coaching.

3. Create One Place for School Materials

Many students with ADHD struggle with organization and time management. They might spend fifteen minutes completing their homework and another thirty minutes looking for it the next morning.

To help with these struggles, create a designated “organization station” near the door.

Select one location where your child puts everything they need for the following day, including their backpack, completed homework, lunch, sports equipment, and other materials.

Encourage your child to place their belongings in this area the night before rather than in the morning, to avoid morning chaos.

By minimizing the number of details that your child needs to remember in the morning, you can make leaving for school much smoother.

4. Set Up an Organization System

Some parents start the school year by helping their child create a detailed organizational system, only to find that it is abandoned within the first few weeks.
For students with ADHD, simpler systems are often easier to maintain and more effective over time.

Try using:

• One folder for papers that need to come home from school
• One folder for assignments your child has completed
• Color-coded folders for each subject
• A backpack organization system, with a designated clean-out day
• One planner for all assignments and activities

Try to avoid creating a complex organizational system with too many steps. If maintaining the system requires too much effort, your child will be less likely to use it consistently.

You can also designate one day each week, such as Tuesday or Friday, for your child to clean out their backpack and folders. This weekly routine can help prevent papers and clutter from piling up and make their organizational system easier to maintain.

5. Encourage Your Child to Use a Planner

Writing down assignments in a planner may sound simple, but it actually involves multiple executive functioning skills.

A student must record their assignments accurately, remember to look at their planner, bring home the materials needed for completing their homework, finish their assignments, and remember to turn them in.

Students with ADHD often struggle with their executive functioning skills and may need explicit instruction and repeated practice with this process.

When using a planner, encourage your child to record:

• Homework assignments
• Tests and quizzes
• Project deadlines
• After-school activities
• Appointments
• Holidays
• Important school events

For long-term projects and assignments, your child shouldn’t just write down the final due date. Instead, they should work backward to create smaller deadlines for individual steps.

For example, if they have a social studies project to complete, they might write the following steps in their planner:

• October 12: Choose research topic
• October 14: Find relevant sources
• October 17: Finish outline
• October 20: Create first draft
• October 22: Edit draft
• October 24: Turn in project

By breaking down large assignments into smaller steps, the assignment will feel much more manageable for your child.

Read more about ADHD homework strategies for better focus and organization at Homework Help for ADHD: Strategies That Actually Work – EBL Coaching.

6. Create an ADHD-Friendly Homework Environment

Students with ADHD are often easily distracted by their surroundings. A phone notification, television playing in another room, nearby conversation, or even clutter in their workspace can pull their attention away from schoolwork.

To help your child stay focused, create a designated homework area with as few distractions as possible. Keep commonly used supplies, such as pens, pencils, paper, highlighters, and a calculator, fully stocked and within easy reach. This can prevent your child from repeatedly leaving their workspace to search for something they need.

Keep phones and other distracting devices out of reach unless they are necessary for a particular assignment.

The ideal homework environment will vary from child to child. Some students work best in complete silence, while others concentrate better with quiet background noise. You may need to experiment with different setups to determine which environment helps your child stay focused and productive.

7. Break Homework into Manageable Pieces

Students with ADHD can easily feel overwhelmed by large amounts of homework. Avoid telling them to just “do your homework,” since they may not even know where to begin and might avoid starting their work all together.

Instead, help your child break larger assignments and homework tasks into smaller, manageable steps. For example, rather than saying, “do your book report,” break the assignment down into specific actions, like review the assignment, choose a book, read the directions, create an outline, and begin working on the first section.

Breaking assignments into smaller steps can reduce the demands on your child’s working memory and make tasks feel less overwhelming and easier to start.

It can also be helpful to divide homework time into shorter work periods followed by brief breaks. For example, your child might work for 20 minutes, take a five-minute break, and then begin the next task. This approach can make longer homework sessions feel more manageable and help your child maintain their focus.

8. Focus on Task Initiation

Many students with ADHD spend more time avoiding or putting off assignments than actually completing them. This tendency is often related to difficulties with task initiation, an executive functioning skill that involves being able to begin a task efficiently without excessive procrastination.

One way to make getting started easier is to keep the first step as small and manageable as possible. For example, instead of saying, “Start your math homework,” try saying, “Open the assignment and review the instructions.”

Once your child takes that first step, it may be easier for them to build momentum and continue working.

Timers can also be helpful for overcoming the initial resistance to starting a task. Try challenging your child to work for just seven minutes. Knowing they only need to focus for a short period can make an overwhelming assignment feel more manageable, and once they get started, they may find it easier to keep going.

9. Build in Movement

For many students with ADHD, movement helps them improve their focus.

Rather than asking your child to sit at their desk for several hours straight, build in short movement breaks between homework assignments.

During these breaks, your child might:

• Go for a short walk
• Stretch
• Jump in place
• Take the dog out
• Have a quick snack
• Kick a ball for a few minutes

Try to keep these breaks brief and structured. The goal is to give your child a chance to reset and refocus without becoming absorbed in another activity that makes it difficult to return to their work.

10. Communicate With Your Child’s Teachers Early

For students with ADHD, regular communication between home and school can make a significant difference. If you notice that your child is struggling, don’t wait until the first parent-teacher conference to reach out to their teacher.

At the beginning of the school year, connect with your child’s teacher and share any relevant information, including strategies or supports that have helped your child succeed in the past.

As the year progresses, look out for patterns that may indicate a specific area of difficulty. Is your child completing homework but forgetting to turn it in? Is writing taking them much longer than expected? Do long-term projects make them feel overwhelmed? Are assignments frequently missing or incomplete?

Identifying these specific patterns can help you and your child’s teacher better understand where they are struggling and determine which strategies and supports may be most helpful.

11. Encourage Independence Gradually

You may feel that you are helping your child by reminding them about every assignment or stepping in to prevent a poor grade. However, doing too much can result in you managing their schoolwork rather than helping them learn to manage it independently.

While guidance and support are important, the ultimate goal is to help your child develop strategies and systems they can gradually take ownership of and eventually manage on their own.

Instead of telling your child what to do from the start, ask them questions like:

• “Do you have a plan for getting your assignments done?”
• “Which materials do you need to bring home from school today?”
• “When should you start studying if your quiz is on Thursday?”
• “What’s the first step you need to do for your science project?”

These types of questions will help your child learn how to plan and problem-solve rather than rely on your reminders.

When Does a Student with ADHD Need Extra Support?

Some students gradually adjust to the school year after a few weeks of consistent routines and structure. Others, however, may continue to struggle despite receiving support at home.

You may want to consider additional academic tutoring or executive functioning coaching if your child consistently:

• Loses or forgets their homework
• Has trouble starting tasks
• Takes significantly longer than expected to complete schoolwork
• Struggles to organize their materials
• Waits until the last minute to start studying or working on projects
• Has difficulty managing multiple classes and assignments
• Becomes easily overwhelmed by schoolwork
• Understands core concepts but receives grades that don’t reflect their abilities
• Depends on you to manage their schoolwork and academic tasks

If these challenges continue despite consistent routines and support at home, your child may benefit from ADHD tutoring or executive functioning coaching. Individualized support can help students learn specific strategies for organization, time management, planning, task initiation, study skills, and completing assignments more independently.

ADHD Tutoring and Executive Functioning Coaching in NYC and New Jersey

EBL Coaching provides individualized ADHD tutoring and executive functioning coaching to students in New York City and New Jersey. Our one-on-one programs help students strengthen the academic and executive functioning skills that can make school challenging for children with ADHD.

Our instruction is highly individualized to each student’s specific needs and can target skills such as:

• Organization
• Planning
• Time management
• Prioritizing
• Task initiation
• Task completion
• Note taking
• Test preparation
• Academic skills development

We help students with more than just completing their homework. We teach them concrete, research-based strategies for managing their assignments, preparing for tests, organizing their materials, planning long-term projects, and becoming more confident learners.

Some students with ADHD also struggle with specific academic skills in reading, writing, or mathematics. EBL Coaching provides individualized academic tutoring based on each student’s specific strengths and needs. We begin by evaluating the student to identify areas that need support and then develop an individualized instructional plan.

If your child is struggling with organization, time management, homework, study skills, or other ADHD-related academic challenges, EBL Coaching can help! Families seeking ADHD tutoring or executive functioning coaching in NYC or New Jersey can contact EBL Coaching to discuss their child’s needs and learn more about our individualized one-on-one programs.

Learn what to look for when choosing an ADHD tutor in NYC at Best ADHD Tutors in NYC for Executive Functioning & Academic Support.

Helping Your Child Start the School Year with Confidence

Students with ADHD do not need to be perfectly organized to have a successful school year. The goal is to establish practical routines, teach effective strategies, and gradually help your child take greater ownership of their academic responsibilities.

With consistent routines, individualized support, and direct instruction in executive functioning skills, students with ADHD can develop the tools they need to manage their schoolwork more independently and approach the new school year with greater confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions About ADHD and Back-to-School Strategies

Why is the beginning of the school year difficult for children with ADHD?
The transition from summer to school presents many changes in structure, schedules, and responsibilities. Students with ADHD may have difficulty adapting to these changes, since those with ADHD often struggle with executive functioning skills including organization, working memory, planning, time management, and task initiation.

How can I help my child with ADHD get organized for school?
To help your child with ADHD become more organized, start with a simple organizational system. Set up designated locations for homework and school materials, encourage them to use a consistent planner, help them create morning and evening checklists, and schedule a weekly backpack and folder cleanout. Try to avoid complicated systems with multiple steps.

How can I make mornings easier for my child with ADHD?
To make mornings easier for your child, prepare as much as you can the night before. Have your child pack their backpack, organize their homework, choose the clothing they plan to wear the next day, and place necessary items in a specified location. A visual morning checklist can also reduce the need for repeated reminders.

Why does my child with ADHD take so long to do homework?
ADHD can affect sustained focus, working memory, task initiation, and the ability to process multi-step directions. Students may become easily distracted and overwhelmed by a large volume of assignments. Help your child break their homework assignments into smaller tasks and use structured work periods to help them complete their homework efficiently.

Should students with ADHD use a planner?
Yes, but just giving your child a planner is probably not enough. Students with ADHD often need direct instruction and practice on how to record assignments, when to check their planner, and how to prioritize tasks, estimate time, and plan ahead for exams and projects.

What executive functioning skills are important for students with ADHD?
Executive functioning skills include organization, planning, prioritization, time management, working memory, task initiation, and self-monitoring. These skills become increasingly important as students progress through school, so the sooner your child can develop these skills, the better.

When should I consider executive functioning coaching for my child?
If your child consistently struggles with organization and time management and these challenges begin to interfere with their academic performance, it may be helpful to consider additional support. Signs that your child may need extra help include frequently missing assignments, procrastinating on schoolwork, taking significantly longer than expected to complete homework, struggling to prepare for tests, or having difficulty keeping their materials organized.

Can ADHD affect reading and writing?
Yes. ADHD can make reading and writing more challenging, particularly when tasks require sustained attention, working memory, organization, planning, and self-monitoring. While ADHD itself is not a reading or writing disability, some students with ADHD also have dyslexia or another learning disability. These students may benefit from targeted academic instruction in addition to executive functioning support.

Where can I find ADHD tutoring and executive functioning coaching in NYC?
EBL Coaching provides one-on-one ADHD tutoring and executive functioning coaching to students in New York City and surrounding areas, as well as in New Jersey. Instruction can target organization, planning, time management, task initiation, study skills, test preparation, and academic skills, based on each student’s individual needs.

Dr. Emily Levy, the founder and director of EBL Coaching, has helped thousands of students with ADHD improve their academic and executive functioning skills over the past twenty years. She is the author of the Strategies do Study Success student workbook series, the Flags and Stars Orton Gillingham student workbook program, and the Flags and Stars Multi-Sensory Math student workbook series. She speaks nationally at educational conferences and frequently appears on podcasts as an educational expert. She has also been featured in publications including Newsweek, Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine, Epoch Times, and Macaroni Kids.

The post Back-to-School With ADHD: 11 Strategies for a Successful School Year appeared first on EBL Coaching.

Students with learning disabilities are bright, capable learners who benefit from specialized instruction and support tailored to their individual strengths and needs.

If your child has dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, autism, processing challenges, or executive functioning difficulties, the start of a new school year is an ideal time to seek the tools, strategies, and support they need to feel confident and succeed.

What Are Learning Disabilities?

Learning disabilities are neurological differences that affect how an individual learns, processes, stores, or retrieves information. Learning disabilities can affect skills such as reading, spelling, writing, math, organization, and memory.

Common learning disabilities include:

Dyslexia

Dyslexia typically affects reading and language processing. Students with dyslexia often have difficulty with decoding words, reading fluency, spelling, and reading comprehension.

Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia affects a student’s writing skills. Students with dysgraphia often struggle with organizing their thoughts, forming letters properly, handwriting, spelling, or expressing their ideas in writing.

Students with dysgraphia may benefit from specialized writing instruction and strategies that help them organize their thoughts and express their ideas more effectively. Learn more at Why Smart Kids Struggle with Writing and How Writing Tutoring Helps.

Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia affects a student’s ability to understand math concepts. Students with dyscalculia may have difficulty with number sense, math facts, or word problem solving.

Learn more about the signs and symptoms of dyscalculia in children at What Is Dyscalculia? Signs, Symptoms & Treatment for Children – EBL Coaching.

Students may also struggle with:

Executive Functioning Challenges

Executive functioning skills help students plan, organize, manage time, initiate tasks, retain information, and finish homework assignments.

Many students with learning disabilities also struggle with executive functioning skills, including organization, time management, task initiation, and completing assignments. Learn more about the executive functioning skills students need for the school year at Executive Functioning Skills Every Student Needs This School Year – EBL Coaching.

10 Back-to-School Strategies for Students with Learning Disabilities

What are some strategies that can help your child with a learning disability start the school year strong?

1. Review Last Year’s Challenges

You can help your child start the school year on a positive note by reflecting on strategies that worked and did not work for them in the past.

Ask yourself questions such as:

• Which subjects were easiest for your child?
• Which homework assignments created frustration for them?
• Did homework take them longer to complete than expected?
• Did they struggle with organization?
• Did they need frequent reminders to stay on task?

Understanding what did or did not work in the past can help you create a better plan for your child for the new year.

2. Create an Organized Homework System

Many students with learning disabilities struggle with managing their assignments and overall workload.

Before the school year starts, help your child develop systems for:

• Recording homework assignments
• Organizing their folders and binders
• Breaking large tasks into smaller steps
• Tracking assignment and project deadlines
• Packing the materials they’ll need for the next day

The goal is to help your child become more independent and gradually transfer responsibility from you to your child.

3. Create Consistent Routines

Summer often brings a more relaxed schedule with fewer routines and expectations. However, many children with learning disabilities benefit from the consistency and predictability of a regular routine.

Set up an after-school routine for your child before the school year starts, which may look like the following:

1. Take a short break after school
2. Review assignments that need to be completed
3. Prioritize tasks and create an order for completing them
4. Break down homework in manageable chunks
5. Prepare materials for the next day

A consistent schedule can help your child feel more prepared, reduce stress, and know what to expect each day.

4. Communicate With Your Child’s Teacher Early

Try to set up a line of communication with your child’s teacher early in the school year. Don’t wait until your child starts to struggle to reach out; it’s always better to be proactive early on than reactive once the challenges become more severe.

Setting a communication plan early with your child’s teacher can help them understand your child’s strengths, challenges, and learning needs.

Set up a meeting and share helpful information like:

• Strategies that have worked well in previous years
• Accommodations that have been effective
• Areas where your child needs continued support
• Ways your child learns best

Whether your child attends a public, private, or specialized school in New York City or New Jersey, establishing clear communication with their school team can help ensure everyone understands how to support their learning needs.

5. Teach Self-Advocacy Skills

As students move through school, it’s important that they become active participants in their education and learn to advocate for themselves, especially if they have a learning disability.

To help them advocate for themselves, teach your child how to:

• Ask questions when they are unclear
• Request clarification on concepts or directions
• Use accommodations effectively
• Communicate their learning preferences

Self-advocacy is an important skill for students to develop before they finish high school and move on to college and adulthood.

6. Focus on Strengths, Not Just Challenges

Children with learning disabilities often notice that a lot of attention is focused on the areas where they struggle. Yet it’s just as important to recognize and celebrate their strengths, talents, and unique abilities.

Students with learning disabilities may excel in areas such as:

• Creativity
• Innovative problem solving
• Big-picture thinking
• Storytelling
• Visual reasoning
• Coming up with unique solutions

Helping your child become confident and motivated can play a significant role in their long-term success.

7. Build Strong Study Skills

Students with learning disabilities often need explicit instruction on how to develop effective study skills.

Helpful study skills strategies may include:

• Using graphic organizers before writing
• Creating visual study guides
• Learning strategies for retaining information
• Breaking studying into shorter blocks
• Developing organizational strategies

Effective study skills can be learned and strengthened, and they become increasingly important as students advance through school.

8. Monitor Homework Without Taking Over

When a child has a learning disability, their parent often becomes their “homework manager” to help ensure they complete their assignments effectively. However, the goal is to gradually build your child’s confidence and independence so they can take increasing responsibility for managing their homework as they get older and progress through school.

Instead of asking questions like:

“Did you finish your homework?”

Try asking:

“Do you have plan for completing your homework assignments tonight?”

Aim to help them become more independent rather than being dependent on you.

9. Look Out for Signs Your Child Needs Additional Support

If your child continues to struggle despite receiving support at home, it may be time to consider specialized tutoring. For families in NYC and New Jersey, working with a local tutoring provider who understands learning disabilities can provide your child with individualized academic and executive functioning support.

Some signs that suggest they may need additional support include:

• Homework takes them much longer than expected to complete
• Grades do not reflect their effort
• Your child avoids certain skills and subjects
• Your child becomes easily frustrated or overwhelmed with academic work
• Your child frequently forgets to turn in their assignments
• Your child needs constant reminders to start their homework or stay on task to complete it
• Your child lacks confidence in their abilities

Seeking the right support early can prevent small challenges from turning into larger struggles. Learn more about the signs your child may benefit from tutoring at 7 Signs Your Child Needs a Tutor: How to Know When to Get Help – EBL Coaching.

10. Help Your Child Start the Year with Confidence

The first few weeks of school can set the tone for the year ahead, so help your child start the school year feeling confident, supported, and ready to learn.

Encourage your child to focus on:

• Progress and effort, not perfection
• Building effective habits
• Asking for help when needed
• Celebrating small successes

Positive, encouraging language can make a big difference in your child’s performance.

Learning Disability Tutoring in NYC and New Jersey

EBL Coaching provides individualized tutoring and academic support to students with learning disabilities throughout New York City and New Jersey. Our individualized tutoring programs help students develop the skills they need to become more confident, independent learners.

We help students with:

• Dyslexia
• Dysgraphia
• Dyscalculia
• ADHD
• Autism
• Executive functioning challenges
• Reading difficulties
• Writing challenges
• Math struggles
• Study skills difficulties

We don’t just focus on homework help; we teach students the skills they need for success across all subjects.

Through one-on-one instruction, students in New York City and New Jersey receive individualized strategies tailored to each student’s learning profile, academic needs, and goals.

EBL Coaching works with families throughout New York City and New Jersey to provide individualized tutoring and executive functioning support for students with learning disabilities and other specialized learning needs.

Where does EBL Coaching provide tutoring?

EBL Coaching provides one-on-one academic tutoring and executive functioning coaching to students in New York City, New Jersey, and surrounding areas. Programs are tailored to each student’s learning profile, academic needs, and goals.

Academic Support for Students with Learning Disabilities in NYC and NJ

Finding the right academic support can make a significant difference for students with learning disabilities. EBL Coaching works with families throughout New York City and New Jersey to provide individualized tutoring and executive functioning coaching to students who learn differently.

Our programs can support students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, reading difficulties, writing challenges, math struggles, and study skills difficulties.

Whether your child needs support with specific academic skills, homework management, or executive functioning, our one-on-one approach is designed to build both skills and confidence.

Closing Thoughts

A new school year is a great opportunity for students with learning disabilities to strengthen their academic skills, develop confidence, and apply strategies that work for them.

At EBL Coaching, we help students in NYC and NJ build the academic and executive functioning skills they need to thrive in school and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions About Learning Disabilities and Back-to-School Success

What are signs my child may have a learning disability?
There are several signs that may indicate your child has a learning disability. These signs can include challenges with reading, spelling, writing, math, organization, memory, completing homework assignments, or struggling in school despite putting in consistent effort.

Does having a learning disability mean my child is not smart?
Absolutely not! Learning disabilities are not related to intelligence. In fact, many students with learning disabilities have average or above average intelligence, but need specialized approaches to learning.

Should my child receive tutoring if they have a learning disability?
Many students with learning disabilities benefit from specialized one-on-one tutoring that focuses on academic remediation and skills development, not just homework help. The right support can help students with learning disabilities improve their academic skills while becoming more confident and independent learners.

What is the difference between tutoring and executive functioning coaching?
Tutoring typically focuses on academic subjects, such as reading, spelling, writing, or math. Executive functioning coaching focuses on skills such as organization, planning, time management, task initiation, and finishing assignments.

Many students benefit from a combination of both academic skills tutoring and executive functioning coaching.

When should parents seek help?
Don’t wait until your child is struggling significantly before reaching out for support. If your child is consistently struggling, frustrated, overwhelmed, or losing confidence and motivation, early support can help them build their skills and develop effective strategies before these challenges increase.

How can I help my child with a learning disability become more independent?
You can help your child become more independent by gradually transferring responsibility from you to them. Teach your child systems for organization, planning, problem solving, and homework completion and give them the opportunity to practice managing their own responsibilities.
Dr. Emily Levy, the founder and director of EBL Coaching, has helped thousands of students with specialized learning needs build their academic skills over the past twenty years. She is the author of the Strategies do Study Success student workbook series, the Flags and Stars Orton Gillingham student workbook program, and the Flags and Stars Multi-Sensory Math student workbook series. She speaks nationally at educational conferences and frequently appears on podcasts as an educational expert. She has also been featured in publications including Newsweek, Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine, Epoch Times, and Macaroni Kids.

The post Back-to-School Tips for Students with Learning Disabilities appeared first on EBL Coaching.

Does your child lose papers, forget to turn in their homework, or wait until the last minute to start a project? If so, they may have weak executive functioning skills. Many students are bright and capable but struggle with organization, time management, planning, and following through on tasks. As academic demands increase, these skills become just as important as subject knowledge for success in school. By teaching your child strategies for building these skills now, you can help set them up for long-term success.

What Are Executive Functioning Skills?

Executive functioning skills enable students to plan, organize, regulate their behavior, and achieve goals. They help students learn and recall information, solve problems, and self-monitor their actions.

As schoolwork becomes more demanding, developing these skills can help your child become more confident, independent, and successful both in and out of the classroom.

What are Some Executive Functioning Strategies You Can Teach Your Child?

Time Management

Many students struggle with predicting how long they think an assignment will take to complete, often underestimating the required time commitment. They might think a book report can be completed the night before it’s due or assume a math sheet will only take ten minutes to finish when it actually requires an hour.

One technique you can teach your child is the ET vs. AT, or Estimated Time versus Actual Time strategy. To use this strategy, your child should select an assignment they need to complete and predict how much time they think it will take to finish that assignment. They should write down the ET, or estimated time. Then they should track how long the assignment actually takes to complete and write down the AT, or actual time. When students first use this strategy, there is often a significant discrepancy between the ET and AT. However, the more they practice the strategy, the more realistic they become about estimating their time, and the more their time management skills improve.

Organization

Many students struggle with their organizational skills and have difficulty managing their belongings, including their papers, digital files, and homework assignments. Teach your child this 3-tier organizational system to help them improve their organizational skills:

Tier 1 is the binder or folders/notebooks they take to school on a regular basis. They should designate one day per week to clean out their folders, notebooks, and backpack (perhaps every Friday or another day during the week), removing the papers and materials they no longer need to be carrying with them on a regular basis. They can either toss what they don’t need or file the papers they want to keep into Tier 2, which is an accordion file they keep at home. This accordion file should have three sections for each class: homework, notes, and test/quizzes. For example, they might have sections for math homework, math notes, math quizzes; social studies homework, social studies notes, and social studies tests/quizzes; and so on. When they clean out their backpack and notebooks, they should file the papers into the appropriate section of the accordion file and refer to them when it’s time for midterms or finals, or when they need to reference them for a project or assignment. Tier 3 is a filing drawer where they can put projects or assignments they are proud of and want to keep for the long run.

Planning and Prioritization

As students move through school, assignments typically become longer and more complex. Instead of having one homework sheet to complete per night, for example, they may need to juggle several long-term projects, homework assignments, and exams.

Help your child with planning and prioritizing these tasks by asking questions like:

• Which assignment do you need to complete first?
• Which task will likely take the longest?
• Which deadlines are coming up first?
• How can I break down this project into smaller steps?

Encourage your child to create simple checklists and come up with 1-2 priorities each day to help them feel less overwhelmed with their workload and more on top of what they need to get done.

Attention and Focus

In our current tech-filled world, it’s easy for students to become distracted, especially when working on their school assignments. One strategy they can use at home to help maintain focus and avoid distractions is called the Pomodoro Technique. To use this strategy, rather than trying to complete all their homework in one sitting, students can break down their work into timed segments, as follows:

They should start by setting a timer for 20 minutes and should work on their assignments for this time period, without taking any breaks and trying to avoid all distractions. Then, when the timer goes off, they should take a 5-minute break. This 25-minute window is called one Pomodoro Cycle. They should then set their timer again for 20 minutes, work for that time period, then take another 5-minute break. Once they have completed four Pomodoro Cycles, they should take a longer, 30-minute or so break.

If 20 minutes of work time is too long for your child initially, have them start with a shorter work period followed by a slightly longer break, with the goal being to ultimately reach the 20 minutes on, 5 minutes off work cycle. This will help them complete their schoolwork more efficiently and effectively.

Self-Monitoring

Many students rush to complete assignments and then submit them without taking time to review their work. Self-checking is an important executive functioning skill that helps students identify careless mistakes, correct their errors, and make sure they have completed all parts of their assignments.

Teach your child to self-monitor by asking questions like:

• Did I follow the instructions correctly?
• Did I answer all the questions?
• Did I make any careless errors?
• Do I need to revise my work?

Teaching your child to pause, review, and reflect on their work can help them minimize careless mistakes and become stronger, more independent students.

Closing Thoughts

Executive functioning skills play a role in essentially every subject. As students move through school, they are expected to organize their materials, manage their time, plan ahead, solve increasingly complex problems, and balance the demands of multiple classes and activities.

By teaching your child strategies to build their executive functioning skills, you can help them become more organized, confident, and independent students.

EBL Coaching specializes in one-on-one in person and virtual tutoring for students in grades pre-K-12 with specialized learning needs. They use research-based, multi-sensory techniques, including the Orton Gillingham method, to develop students’ reading, writing, math, note taking, test taking, and executive functioning skills. Each student is evaluated and then receives an individualized learning plan to address their specific academic needs. Learn more at http://www.eblcoaching.com/. Dr. Emily Levy, Founder & Director, is happy to hear from anyone who is in need for their child. You may reach her thru her website, and mention you heard of her thru MotherhoodLater.

The post Executive Functioning Skills Every Student Needs This School Year appeared first on EBL Coaching.

At EBL Coaching, we specialize in providing individualized executive functioning coaching to students throughout New York City, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. We work with elementary school, middle school, high school, and college students to help them strengthen their organization, planning, time management, and other executive functioning skills.

What Is Executive Functioning?

Executive functioning refers to a set of mental skills that help students plan, organize, manage their time, stay focused, remember instructions, and complete tasks. These skills are essential for success in school and life.

Students with weak executive functioning skills may:

• Consistently forget to turn in their homework
• Miss project and assignment deadlines
• Struggle to plan long-term projects
• Lose papers and personal belongings
• Have difficulty managing their time effectively
• Feel overwhelmed by large assignments
• Struggle to get started on homework
• Lose focus easily
• Have challenges following multi-step directions

Executive functioning weaknesses are common in students with ADHD or autism, but they can also occur in students without a formal diagnosis.

Learn more about executive functioning skills, including how they affect organization, planning, working memory, and self-control at What Are Executive Functioning Skills? A Simple Guide for Parents – EBL Coaching.

Why Executive Functioning Coaching Matters

Many students know what they need to accomplish but struggle to plan, organize, and complete tasks efficiently and consistently.

Executive functioning coaches can teach students concrete strategies that they can apply to their schoolwork and everyday tasks. With this coaching, students can learn research-based tools to help them improve their performance across all subjects.

With the right coaching, students can learn to:

• Organize their school materials
• Use planners and digital calendars effectively
• Break down large assignments into smaller steps
• Prioritize tasks
• Improve their time management skills
• Develop better homework routines
• Prepare for tests efficiently
• Reduce stress, frustration, and anxiety surrounding school

Stronger executive functioning skills can help students improve their grades, strengthen their confidence, and increase their motivation.

How to Choose the Best Executive Functioning Coach in NYC

Not all executive functioning coaches in NYC have the same background, training, or experience. When choosing an executive functioning coach in New York City, it’s important to consider several key factors to ensure your child receives the right support.

Learn more about how to choose the right ADHD tutor in our guide, How to Find an ADHD Tutor Near You, at How to Find an ADHD Tutor Near You – EBL Coaching.

Experience Working with Students of Various Ages

Executive functioning strategies vary based on the age, grade, and skill level of students. Look for executive functioning coaches who have experience working with students in NYC schools and who understand the academic expectations of different grade levels, school environments, and educational settings.

Knowledge of Learning Differences

Many students throughout NYC who struggle with executive functioning also have a diagnosis such as ADHD, autism, or a specific learning disability. An experienced coach who understands the needs of students in New York City schools can individualize strategies to support each child’s academic success.

Learn more about our ADHD tutoring and executive functioning coaching services at Best ADHD Tutors in NYC for Executive Functioning & Academic Support.

Individualized Instruction

Every student has unique strengths, challenges, and learning needs. Effective executive functioning coaching should be personalized to each student’s individual goals and skill level, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Concrete, Research-Based Strategies

The best executive functioning coaches teach students strategies that they can apply in school, including:

• Planning systems
• Organizational tools
• Time management strategies
• Note taking techniques
• Study skills
• Test preparation strategies
• Self-monitoring tools

Collaboration with Families

Parents can play a helpful role in reinforcing executive functioning techniques at home. Strong coaches should communicate regularly with parents, providing updates and recommendations to support continued progress.

Who Benefits from Executive Functioning Coaching?

Executive functioning coaching can help different types of students, including those who attend NYC public schools, private schools, independent schools, and colleges who need additional support managing increasing academic demands. Students who can benefit from executive functioning coaching includes those who:

• Have ADHD
• Have a learning disability
• Have autism
• Are disorganized
• Forget to turn in assignments
• Procrastinate tasks
• Struggle to complete homework independently
• Become easily overwhelmed by school demands
• Have difficulty preparing for tests
• Have poor study habits

Students don’t need an official diagnosis to benefit from executive functioning coaching.

Executive Functioning Skills We Help Students Develop

At EBL Coaching, we specialize in helping students strengthen their executive functioning skills such as:

Organization

With executive functioning coaching, students throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island can learn strategies for organizing their binders, folders, notebooks, backpacks, digital files, homework assignments, and school materials.

Time Management

Students learn how to predict how long tasks will take, create realistic schedules, and avoid last-minute cramming.

Planning

Students learn how to break down large assignments into smaller, more manageable steps with clear goals.

Prioritization

Executive functioning coaches can help students decide which assignments they should complete first and how to balance their other tasks and responsibilities.

Study Skills

During executive functioning coaching sessions, students can learn effective note taking tools, memory techniques, and test preparation strategies.

Self-Monitoring

Students learn to evaluate their own work, identify mistakes, and adjust accordingly.

Why Families Choose EBL Coaching

For over twenty years, EBL Coaching has helped students throughout New York City, including families in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, build the academic and executive functioning skills needed for long-term success.

Families often choose EBL Coaching because we offer:

• Highly experienced tutors
• Individualized executive functioning coaching
• Evidence-based instructional methods
• Specialized support for students with ADHD and learning disabilities
• In-person and online sessions with flexible scheduling
• Collaboration with parents, teachers, and schools
• Individualized strategies catered to the needs of each student

We do more than just homework support; we help students develop lifelong habits to become more confident and independent learners.

Helping Students Build Skills for Lifelong Success

Executive functioning skills can affect essentially every subject at school. When students learn how to organize their work, manage their time, plan ahead, and study effectively, they often become more independent and successful students.

If you’re looking for specialized, research-based executive functioning coaching in NYC, EBL Coaching provides individualized support for students throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and surrounding New York City communities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Executive Functioning Coaching in NYC

What is the difference between executive functioning coaching and tutoring?
Tutoring typically focuses primarily on academic skills such as reading, writing, and math. Executive functioning coaching teaches students concrete strategies for skills such as organization, planning, time management, and study skills that can help them excel across all subjects.

Does executive functioning coaching help students with ADHD?
Yes! Many students with ADHD struggle with their executive functioning skills and benefit from executive functioning coaching. They often need to develop their planning, organization, working memory, and time management skills.

At what age should executive functioning coaching begin?
Executive functioning coaching can benefit students as early as elementary school, but many students begin receiving support during middle school and high school years, when the academic demands increase.

How often should students receive executive functioning coaching?
The frequency of executive functioning coaching varies based on the needs of each student. Some students benefit from one or two sessions per week, while others need more frequent weekly sessions, depending on the severity of their needs.

Does EBL Coaching offer executive functioning coaching throughout NYC?
Yes. EBL Coaching provides executive functioning coaching to students throughout NYC, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and surrounding areas. We work with students from a variety of educational settings and also offer online executive functioning coaching for students outside the NYC area.

Where can I find an executive functioning coach in NYC?
Families looking for an executive functioning coach in NYC for their child can choose EBL Coaching for individualized support. Our coaching help students throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and surrounding areas develop organization, planning, time management, and study skills.

Dr. Emily Levy, the founder and director of EBL Coaching, has helped thousands of students improve their executive functioning skills over the past twenty years. She is the author of the Strategies do Study Success student workbook series, the Flags and Stars Orton Gillingham student workbook program, and the Flags and Stars Multi-Sensory Math student workbook series. She speaks nationally at educational conferences and frequently appears on podcasts as an educational expert. She has also been featured in publications including Newsweek, Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine, Epoch Times, and Macaroni Kids.

The post Best Executive Functioning Coach in NYC: How to Choose appeared first on EBL Coaching.

Writing is a complex process that requires many skills working together, including memory, organization, attention, handwriting, language, and executive functioning. Even very bright children can struggle with writing.

In this guide, we’ll explain why smart students struggle with writing, the most common underlying causes, and how specialized writing tutoring can help.

Why Is Writing So Difficult?

Writing requires students to use many different skills at the same time. As they write, they must:

• Come up with ideas
• Organize their thoughts
• Identify the right vocabulary words to use
• Use correct grammar, capitalization, and punctuation
• Spell words correctly
• Write letters properly or type efficiently
• Use correct sentence structure
• Self-edit their work

Some students can write with ease, even with all the tasks involved. Other students, however, struggle with one or more of these skills, making writing challenging and overwhelming, even when they understand the topic and directions.

Common Reasons Smart Kids Struggle with Writing

There are many reasons why smart kids may struggle with writing, including:

Weak Executive Functioning Skills

Executive functioning skills help students plan, organize, and monitor their work. Some students have strong ideas but struggle to structure them into well-organized sentences, paragraphs, and essays.

Students who struggle with their executive functioning skills often:

• Have trouble getting started with writing assignments
• Leave out important details that support their ideas
• Move from one idea to the next without a logical flow
• Struggle to organize their paragraphs and essays
• Turn in incomplete writing assignments
• Neglect to self-check their work

Are you wondering whether your child needs extra support? Learn the 10 signs your child may benefit from writing tutoring at 10 Signs Your Child Needs Writing Tutoring – EBL Coaching.

Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects a student’s ability to express their thoughts clearly and effectively when writing.

Signs that you child may have dysgraphia can include:

• Slow writing
• Poor letter formation
• Trouble spacing words properly
• Frequent spelling errors
• Writing avoidance
• Writing the “minimum” required

ADHD

Students with ADHD frequently have difficulty with writing since it requires sustained attention, planning, organization, and executive functioning skills.

Students with ADHD often:

• Lose track of their ideas when writing
• Speed through assignments to finish them quickly
• Struggle to organize their ideas effectively
• Neglect to self-check their writing
• Create writing pieces that don’t reflect their verbal ideas

Language Processing Difficulties

Some students can articulate their ideas well when speaking but struggle to express their thoughts effectively when writing.

These students may:

• Have difficulty expanding their ideas
• Use sentences that are repetitive
• Write incomplete paragraphs or essays
• Struggle with transitions between thoughts

Working Memory Weaknesses

Working memory involves holding information in one’s mind while completing a task, and it plays a large role in writing effectively. When writing, students need to remember:

• The topic they are writing about
• Supporting details they want to include
• Correct grammar rules
• Spelling rules
• Correct sentence structure

Having a poor working memory can make writing laborious and mentally tiring.

Learn more about executive functioning skills in children, including how they affect writing, organization, planning, and school performance at What Are Executive Functioning Skills? A Simple Guide for Parents – EBL Coaching.

Perfectionism

Some students who are bright dislike writing because they want every sentence and word to be “perfect.”

These students might:

• Spend an excessive amount of time choosing words
• Erase words and sentences frequently
• Become easily distracted
• Turn in incomplete assignments
• Avoid writing altogether

Students with perfectionism may benefit from learning that writing is a process that includes many steps, including brainstorming, writing, and editing.

Read about how to choose the best private tutor in NYC at How to Find the Best Private Tutor in NYC for Your Child – EBL Coaching.

Signs Your Child May Need Writing Support

Your child may benefit from specialized writing tutoring if they:

• Avoid writing assignments
• Become easily frustrated with writing tasks
• Write “the minimum” amount they can
• Have messy or disorganized writing
• Have trouble organizing their ideas
• Create work that doesn’t match their verbal skills
• Need a lot of support starting and completing writing assignments

The earlier your child starts working with the right writing tutor, the faster they can gain confidence, improve their writing, and close skill gaps before they widen.

How Specialized Writing Instruction Can Help

If your child finds writing challenging, there’s encouraging news: writing is a skill that can be taught and improved. With research-based writing tutoring, your child can learn how to:

• Brainstorm ideas
• Organize paragraphs and essays
• Develop well-structured supporting details
• Use transitions effectively
• Integrate more sophisticated vocabulary
• Self-check their work
• Write paragraphs and essays with stronger confidence

With individualized instruction and guided practice, your child can become a more organized, confident, and proficient writer.

Writing Tutoring in NYC for Students with ADHD, Dysgraphia, and Executive Functioning Challenges

If your child is struggling with writing, one-on-one tutoring can make a significant difference. At EBL Coaching, we specialize in providing one-on-one writing tutoring in NYC that is individualized to each student’s areas of needs. If your child has ADHD, dysgraphia, executive functioning challenges, a specific learning disability, or just needs extra writing support, we can help! We create personalized instructional plans that can help your child become a stronger, more effective writer.

At EBL Coaching, we teach students how to:

• Brainstorm their ideas before writing
• Write clear, well-structured sentences
• Create effective paragraphs
• Write organized essays
• Expand their ideas
• Improve their grammar, punctuation, and spelling skills
• Self-check and revise their work
• Build self-confidence through improved writing

We help elementary, middle school, high school, and college students develop stronger skills, customizing the instruction to each student’s needs and overall learning profile. The tutoring sessions are highly individualized and use research-based, multi-sensory techniques, helping students make meaningful progress.
Whether your child needs help with school-related writing assignments, standardized test essays, or foundational writing skills, our evidence-based writing instruction can help your child thrive.

Families throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester County, Long Island, and northern New Jersey choose EBL Coaching for individualized writing tutoring. We also provide online writing tutoring for students across the country.

How EBL Coaching Helps Students Become Stronger Writers

At EBL Coaching, we know that writing difficulties are usually not a reflection of poor intelligence. Many of the students we work with are very bright but need explicit tutoring to develop the skills needed for effective writing.

Our individualized writing tutoring programs are customized to each student’s strengths and areas of weakness. We help students improve:

• Sentence structure
• Paragraph writing
• Essay writing
• Writing organization
• Spelling
• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Self-checking and revision
• Executive functioning skills

If your child has dysgraphia, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, or just needs additional writing support, our research-based instruction can help your child become a more proficient writer.

Help Your Child Become a More Confident Writer

If your child has strong ideas but struggles to express them on paper, they may benefit from individualized writing instruction.  Writing involves multiple skills that can be developed with the right individualized instruction.

At EBL Coaching, our specialized research-based writing tutoring in NYC helps students improve their planning, organization, grammar, and overall writing skills. With one-on-one support, students can learn to communicate their ideas effectively, develop stronger writing skills, and thrive in school.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my child so smart but struggles with writing?
Writing requires many different skills beyond just intelligence, such as organization, planning, working memory, focus, handwriting, and executive functioning skills. A child may be very bright and excel at skills like reasoning and problem solving but still struggles with written expression.

Do kids with ADHD often struggle with writing?
Yes. ADHD can make it challenging for students to organize their ideas, stay focused, plan out their assignments, and self-check their work effectively. Many students with ADHD benefit from individualized writing catered to their areas of weakness.

Can writing struggles be a sign of dysgraphia?
Writing difficulties can be a sign of dysgraphia, but these struggles don’t necessarily mean your child has dysgraphia. While dysgraphia is one possible cause of writing challenges, these difficulties can also result from executive functioning struggles, language processing difficulties, ADHD, or ineffective writing instruction. Your child will need a comprehensive evaluation to determine if they have dysgraphia.

Can writing skills improve with tutoring?
Yes, absolutely. With individualized, evidence-based tutoring, many students develop stronger organization, grammar, sentence structure, executive functioning, and overall writing skills.  Explicit instruction can significantly improve their writing skills and overall confidence in their abilities.

Does EBL Coaching provide writing tutoring in NYC?
Yes! EBL Coaching specializes in providing individualized writing tutoring in NYC for elementary, middle school, high school, and college students. We offer personalized instruction in writing skills, including sentence structure, paragraph development, essay writing, grammar, spelling, and organization. We work with students who have ADHD, dysgraphia, executive functioning challenges, learning disabilities, and students who just need specialized writing instruction.

Dr. Emily Levy, the founder and director of EBL Coaching, has helped thousands of students improve their writing skills through specialized writing instruction for over twenty years. She is the author of the Strategies do Study Success student workbook series, the Flags and Stars Orton Gillingham student workbook program, and the Flags and Stars Multi-Sensory Math student workbook series. She speaks nationally at educational conferences and frequently appears on podcasts as an educational expert. She has also been featured in publications including Newsweek, Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine, Epoch Times, and Macaroni Kids.

The post Why Smart Kids Struggle with Writing and How Writing Tutoring Helps appeared first on EBL Coaching.

If you’re looking for the best Orton Gillingham tutor, it’s helpful to understand more about this instructional approach, which students benefit from it, and how to choose the best Orton Gillingham tutor for your child.

What Is Orton Gillingham?

Orton Gillingham is a research-based, multi-sensory teaching approach that is designed to help students develop their reading, spelling, and writing skills. While it was originally developed for students with dyslexia, it has proven to be effective for most students who struggle with reading, even if they don’t have a dyslexia diagnosis.

Unlike traditional reading tutoring, Orton Gillingham lessons are individualized to each student’s specific needs and levels. The sessions are systematic and cumulative, building skills in a sequential, step-by-step manner. Students learn how to decode words accurately and strengthen their spelling, writing, and reading comprehension skills, helping them excel across all subjects in school.

Read more about what Orton Gillingham tutoring is in our guide to the structured literacy approach at What Is Orton-Gillingham Tutoring? Multi-Sensory, Structured Help | EBL Coaching.

Who Benefits from Orton Gillingham Tutoring?

Orton Gillingham tutoring in Manhattan can help many struggling readers, especially students with dyslexia or other language-based learning differences. It is typically recommended for students who:

• Have dyslexia
• Struggle with decoding words
• Have difficulty spelling words accurately
• Read slowly
• Reverse letters past the early elementary years
• Struggle to remember and apply phonics rules
• Avoid reading due to struggles
• Have dysgraphia or writing challenges
• Benefit from a structured, multi-sensory approach to teaching

Many students who struggle with decoding, spelling, or writing show significant improvement with Orton Gillingham tutoring in Manhattan, even if they don’t have a specific diagnosis.

Read more about how Orton Gillingham tutoring supports students with dyslexia and reading challenges at Best Tutoring for Dyslexia: Orton Gillingham, Reading, and Writing Support for Children – EBL Coaching.

What Makes a Great Orton Gillingham Tutor?

Not all reading tutors specialize in Orton Gillingham tutoring. Finding the right tutor for your child is key. When searching for tutoring in Manhattan, look for these qualities:

Orton Gillingham expertise

The right Orton Gillingham tutor for your child should have expertise with the Orton Gillingham approach and extensive experience using this approach for reading tutoring sessions, especially with students at your child’s grade level.

Individualized Instruction

Effective reading intervention in Manhattan should always begin with an initial evaluation that should be performed prior to the start of tutoring. An individualized instructional plan should then be created based on your child’s needs, and lessons should begin at your child’s current reading level and advance as they master new skills.

Multisensory Tutoring

The Orton Gillingham approach builds reading and spelling skills by engaging visual, auditory, and tactile-kinesthetic learning modalities. During structured literacy tutoring lessons, tutors may use tools such as magnetic tiles, shaving cream, colored sand, and mini white boards to help students learn and master new concepts.

Progress Communication

Tutors should provide regular updates on your child’s progress with their reading tutoring in NYC and share strategies and activities you can use at home to reinforce skills between sessions. Consistent practice at home often helps students make faster progress.

Experience Working with Learning Disabilities

Look for a tutor for your child who has experience teaching students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, and other language-based learning disabilities. Because students with these learning profiles often require individualized support, it’s beneficial to work with an Orton Gillingham tutor who has experience teaching students with similar needs and provides dyslexia tutoring in NYC.

Why Manhattan Families Choose EBL Coaching

For over 20 years, EBL Coaching has provided Orton Gillingham tutoring in Manhattan for students in prek-12, helping them develop stronger reading, spelling, and writing skills.

Our reading intervention programs in NYC are designed for students who struggle with reading, spelling, and writing, including those with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities. Before the tutoring sessions begin, each student is assessed to identify their current skill levels and specific areas of need. Based on the results of this assessment, we create a personalized Orton Gillingham instructional plan tailored to the student’s specific challenges. Through structured, multi-sensory instruction, our Orton Gillingham tutoring program helps students develop stronger phonemic awareness, decoding, spelling, reading fluency, reading comprehension, and writing skills, leading to improved confidence and long-term academic success.

At EBL Coaching, we specialize in helping students who have:

• Dyslexia
• Dysgraphia
• ADHD
• Language-based learning disabilities
• Reading difficulties
• Spelling challenges
• Executive functioning weaknesses

Our personalized Orton Gillingham tutoring sessions incorporate research-based, multi-sensory teaching methods to strengthen the skills students need to succeed, including:

• Phonemic awareness
• Decoding
• Reading fluency
• Reading comprehension
• Spelling
• Writing
• Vocabulary

If your child is struggling with reading or has fallen behind grade level, early intervention is important. Reading difficulties often become more challenging as academic demands increase in school. Individualized Orton Gillingham tutoring can help strengthen your child’s core reading and writing skills, build their self-confidence, and help foster their long-term academic success.

Why Early Intervention is Key

Reading difficulties generally do not resolve on their own. As academic demands increase, students who struggle with reading often see their grades decline, their confidence decrease, and their overall academic performance suffer, since reading is essential across all subject areas.

Early intervention with Orton Gillingham tutoring can:

• Improve reading skills
• Strengthen spelling skills
• Build stronger writing skills
• Improve self-confidence
• Reduce frustration with homework
• Improve overall performance at school

The earlier students begin Orton Gillingham reading instruction, the more likely they are to achieve long-term academic success, making early reading intervention in Manhattan an important step in supporting your child’s future success.

Orton Gillingham Tutoring in Manhattan

Orton Gillingham tutoring in Manhattan is a systematic, multi-sensory approach to reading instruction designed to help students build stronger skills in reading, spelling, and writing. It is often used to support struggling readers, including students with dyslexia and other language-based learning challenges, by providing explicit, systematic, and individualized instruction customized to each student’s needs.

Why Families Choose EBL Coaching in Manhattan

Families choose EBL Coaching for Orton Gillingham tutoring in NYC because we provide:

• One-on-one tutoring
• Research-based Orton Gillingham instruction
• Initial assessments prior to tutoring
• Individualized learning plans
• Flexible scheduling
• In-person tutoring in Manhattan, at our learning center, or at your home
• Online tutoring options
• Tutoring in NYC for students in grades prek-12

We create customized learning plans for each student based on their individual needs, resulting in highly effective tutoring.

Schedule Orton Gillingham Tutoring in Manhattan

If your child needs Orton Gillingham tutoring in Manhattan or a reading tutor in NYC, individualized Orton Gillingham tutoring can make a significant difference in their academic performance. EBL Coaching offers personalized Orton Gillingham tutoring in Manhattan designed to strengthen reading and writing skills while helping students become confident, independent learners.

Our tutoring program uses evidence-based, multi-sensory instruction that is customized to each student’s unique needs and overall profile. Contact EBL Coaching today to learn more about our Orton Gillingham tutoring services in Manhattan and to find the right tutor for your child.

Learn more about how to find the best reading tutor in NYC for struggling readers at Best Reading Tutors in NYC for Struggling Readers – EBL Coaching.

Frequently Asked Questions about Orton Gillingham Tutoring in NYC

What is Orton Gillingham tutoring?
Orton Gillingham tutoring uses a structured, multi-sensory approach to help students develop stronger reading, spelling, and writing skills through explicit, systematic instruction. Research shows it is highly effective for students with dyslexia and other reading challenges.

Is Orton Gillingham only for students with dyslexia?
No. While the Orton Gillingham approach was originally developed for students with dyslexia, many students who struggle with reading can also benefit from Orton Gillingham instruction in Manhattan.

How often should my child receive Orton Gillingham tutoring?
The frequency of Orton Gillingham tutoring varies based on each student’s individual needs and profile. Students with mild reading challenges may benefit from two sessions per week, while those with more significant difficulties, including students with dyslexia, may benefit from more frequent sessions.

Should my child receive Orton Gillingham tutoring over the summer?
Yes. Summer is an ideal time for Orton Gillingham tutoring and targeted reading intervention in NYC. Research shows that many students lose 17–28% of their literacy gains over the summer months. Instead of falling further behind, students can use this time to close learning gaps and build their core reading and writing skills through structured, multi-sensory tutoring.

Learn more about Orton Gillingham summer tutoring and reading intervention benefits at Orton Gillingham Summer Tutoring: Why Summer Is the Best Time for Reading Intervention.

How long does it take to see results?
The time it takes to see results varies by student. However, with the right tutor, approach, and frequency, many students begin to show progress within the first month of Orton Gillingham instruction in NYC.

Can Orton Gillingham tutoring improve spelling?
Yes. Students who struggle with decoding words often also struggle with spelling. Orton Gillingham tutoring provides structured, multi-sensory instruction in sound-symbol relationships and the structure of the English language, resulting in improved reading and spelling skills.

Does EBL Coaching offer Orton Gillingham tutoring in Manhattan?
Yes. EBL Coaching specializes in one-on-one Orton-Gillingham tutoring for students in grades preK–12 throughout Manhattan. Each student begins with an initial evaluation, after which a customized tutoring plan is created based on their individual needs. EBL Coaching offers sessions at its Manhattan learning center, in students’ homes, and online.

Dr. Emily Levy, the founder and director of EBL Coaching, has helped thousands of students with specialized learning needs build their reading skills with Orton Gillingham tutoring over the past twenty years. She is the author of the Strategies do Study Success student workbook series, the Flags and Stars Orton Gillingham student workbook program, and the Flags and Stars Multi-Sensory Math student workbook series. She speaks nationally at educational conferences and frequently appears on podcasts as an educational expert. She has also been featured in publications including Newsweek, Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine, Epoch Times, and Macaroni Kids.

The post Orton Gillingham Tutoring in Manhattan for Dyslexia & Reading Success appeared first on EBL Coaching.

By learning more about dyscalculia, you can identify early signs and seek intervention for your child. With the right specialized instruction, students with dyscalculia can improve their math skills and become much more confident in their abilities.

Students with dyscalculia often benefit from specialized instruction. If you are seeking dyscalculia tutoring in NYC, working with a tutor who understands learning disabilities can make a significant difference in your child’s progress.

Learn more about finding the right support in our guide to special education tutoring at Special Education Tutoring Near Me: How to Find the Right Tutor – EBL Coaching.

What Is Dyscalculia?

Dyscalculia is a learning disability that affects a student’s ability to understand numbers, develop fluency with math facts, perform math calculations, and solve word problems. It is sometimes called “math dyslexia,” but it is very different from dyslexia, which affects reading and writing.

Children with dyscalculia often struggle with number sense, or the understanding of how numbers work and relate to one another. Struggling with number sense can make solving math problems more challenging.

Dyscalculia is considered a specific learning disorder in mathematics and is unrelated to a student’s intellect or capabilities.

What Causes Dyscalculia?

Research indicates that dyscalculia is related to differences in how one’s brain processes numerical information. It can be genetic, like dyslexia, often running in families.

Dyscalculia is not caused by:

• Poor effort
• Low intelligence
• Lack of motivation

Students with dyscalculia are often bright and excel at other academic skills, including reading and writing. They may also be creative and artistically talented.

Signs and Symptoms of Dyscalculia in Children

The signs of dyscalculia can vary by student. However, some common signs include:

Trouble Learning Basic Math Facts

Students with dyscalculia may struggle to learn and become fluent in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts even after extensive practice.

Poor Number Sense

Students might have poor number sense, including trouble understanding which number is greater, estimating quantities, or recognizing numerical patterns.

Difficulty Counting

Some students with dyscalculia may skip numbers, lose track when counting, or have trouble counting backwards.

Trouble Solving Word Problems

Word problems require students to move from language to arithmetic and back to language. This multi-step process can be very challenging for students with dyscalculia.

Difficulty Understanding Time and Money

Students with dyscalculia may have difficulty telling time, calculating change, understanding schedules, or estimating how long a task might take to complete.

Trouble Learning Math Procedures

Math problems with multiple steps, including multi-digit multiplication, long division, adding fractions, and solving algebraic problems can be particularly challenging for students with dyscalculia.

Math Anxiety

When a child struggles consistently with math, they may develop low self-esteem, increased frustration, and anxiety surrounding math.

Signs of Dyscalculia by Age

What are signs of dyscalculia by age?

Preschool

• Difficulty recognizing numbers
• Trouble learning to count
• Struggles with understanding quantities
• Challenges sorting objects

Elementary School

• Trouble developing fluency with math facts
• Difficulty understanding place value
• Challenges with solving math word problems
• Struggles with multiplication and division

Middle School and High School

• Difficulty understanding fractions, decimals, and percentages
• Struggles with solving algebraic equations
• Difficulty estimating time
• Avoidance of math tasks

Dyscalculia vs. Math Anxiety

Dyscalculia and math anxiety can look similar, but they are actually very different issues.

Math anxiety is an emotional reaction that leads to stress and fear when faced with math-related tasks. Dyscalculia is a specific learning disability that affects one’s ability to process and understand math.

Students with dyscalculia often develop math anxiety after extensive challenges with math. Oftentimes, both issues occur together.

Dyscalculia vs. Dyslexia

Dyscalculia and dyslexia are both learning disabilities, but they affect different skill areas.

Dyslexia affects reading, spelling, and writing, while dyscalculia affects math, including number sense, math reasoning, and math calculations.

Some students have both dyslexia and dyscalculia, while others have just one of these disabilities.

How Is Dyscalculia Diagnosed?

Dyscalculia is typically diagnosed through a comprehensive evaluation competed by a trained professional.

This comprehensive evaluation may assess:

• Math reasoning abilities
• Calculation skills
• Number sense
• Working memory
• Processing speed
• Executive functioning

Through this evaluation, the evaluator can determine if the student has dyscalculia. Parents in New York City who suspect their child may have dyscalculia often begin with a psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation to better understand their child’s math skills, academic profile, and overall educational needs.

Following a dyscalculia diagnosis, many parents seek specialized dyscalculia tutoring in NYC to develop skills including number sense, math reasoning, and problem solving. Early intervention can help students build stronger foundational math skills and improve their performance at school.

How to Help a Child with Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia never “goes away”, but specialized instruction can help students make significant improvements in their math skills.

Effective dyscalculia tutoring often includes:

Multi-sensory Math Instruction

A multi-sensory approach, which integrates the visual, auditory, and tactile/kinesthetic modalities, helps students with dyscalculia build a stronger understanding of math concepts.

Explicit Teaching

When tutoring a child with dyscalculia, concepts should be taught directly and systematically with clear explanations. Students should also be given ample practice with each concept before moving onto new ones.

Manipulatives

Math manipulatives, including number lines, counters, base-ten blocks, and fraction models, help make abstract concepts more concrete and easier to understand for students with dyscalculia.

Individualized Tutoring

One-on-one tutoring using research-based, multi-sensory techniques that is customized to the specific areas of difficulty for a child with dyscalculia is key. An initial evaluation prior to the start of tutoring can help identify which aspects of math the child needs the most help with. For students in New York City, individualized dyscalculia tutoring can provide customized support that they may not receive in a traditional classroom setting.

Developing Number Sense

Effective math tutoring programs should focus on helping students understand relationships between numbers, not just memorizing procedures for solving problems.

When evaluating tutoring options, it’s important to ask about a tutor’s experience working with students who have learning disabilities. See our guide on questions to ask before hiring a tutor at What Questions Should You Ask Before Hiring a Tutor in NYC? – EBL Coaching.

Can Students with Dyscalculia Succeed in School?

Yes! Students with dyscalculia can absolutely succeed in school.

Many highly successful adults have learning disabilities, including dyscalculia. With specialized tutoring, appropriate accommodations, and research-based instruction, students with dyscalculia can make significant progress in their math skills and develop stronger confidence in their abilities.

It is important to recognize the signs early and identify the right specialized tutoring for your child to help them thrive.

Where to Get Help for Dyscalculia

If your child is showing continued math difficulties despite consistent effort, they may have dyscalculia. Early intervention with the right math support can make a big difference.

At EBL Coaching, we provide specialized dyscalculia tutoring in NYC using evidence-based, multi-sensory instructional methods. Our individualized math tutoring program helps students strengthen their foundational math skills and achieve greater success in school.

Dyscalculia Tutoring in NYC

Students with dyscalculia typically respond well to specialized, one-on-one tutoring that targets number sense, math reasoning, math facts, and problem-solving skills. Unlike traditional tutoring or homework help, dyscalculia tutoring should use research-based, multi-sensory instructional methods customized to each student’s specific needs.

If you are seeking dyscalculia tutoring in NYC, you should look for tutors with experience working with students who have learning disabilities and who use evidence-based math intervention techniques.

At EBL Coaching, we specialize in providing research-based, multi-sensory math tutoring designed to help students with dyscalculia build their core math skills, improve their confidence, and achieve academic success.

Learn more about our private tutoring Services in NYC at How to Find the Best Private Tutor in NYC for Your Child – EBL Coaching.

FAQs About Dyscalculia

What are the main challenges associated with dyscalculia?
The main challenges associated with dyscalculia are difficulties with understanding numbers and math concepts. Students with dyscalculia often struggle with learning math facts, number sense, and word problem solving.

Is dyscalculia a form of dyslexia?
No. Dyscalculia and dyslexia are different learning disabilities. Dyslexia affects reading and writing skills, while dyscalculia affects math skills. Students with both dyslexia and dyscalculia, however, tend to respond well to a multi-sensory approach to teaching.

Can dyscalculia be cured?
Dyscalculia cannot be cured, but specialized tutoring can significantly improve a student’s math skills and overall performance at school.

How common is dyscalculia?
Research indicates that dyscalculia affects approximately 3% to 7% of the population.

Can a child be gifted and have dyscalculia?
Yes! Dyscalculia is unrelated to intelligence. In fact, many students with dyscalculia have above-average intelligence and excel in many other skills, including reading, writing, science, and art.

Does ADHD cause dyscalculia?
No, ADHD doesn’t cause dyscalculia. However, ADHD and dyscalculia can occur together. Students with ADHD often have attention and executive functioning challenges, which can impact their math learning.

Students with ADHD often have attention and executive functioning skills challenges that can impact math learning at What Are Executive Functioning Skills? A Simple Guide for Parents – EBL Coaching.

What type of tutoring helps students with dyscalculia?
Students with dyscalculia typically benefit from one-on-one, multi-sensory math tutoring tailored to their specific areas of weakness. Families seeking dyscalculia tutoring in NYC should look for tutors who have experience working with students with learning disabilities and who use evidence-based instructional approaches.

Where can I find dyscalculia tutoring in NYC?
When looking for dyscalculia tutoring in NYC, try to find a tutor who has experience working with students with learning disabilities and who uses evidence-based, multi-sensory instructional methods for the tutoring sessions. Effective dyscalculia tutoring should focus on developing number sense, strengthening math reasoning skills, building fluency with math facts, and teaching strategies for solving multi-step math problems.

Dr. Emily Levy, the founder and director of EBL Coaching, has helped thousands of students in New York City develop their math skills through specialized tutoring programs over the past twenty years. She is the author of the Strategies for Study Success student workbook series, the Flags and Stars Orton Gillingham student workbook program, and the Flags and Stars Multi-Sensory Math student workbook series. She speaks nationally at educational conferences and frequently appears on podcasts as an educational expert. She has also been featured in publications including Newsweek, Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine, Epoch Times, and Macaroni Kids.

The post What Is Dyscalculia? Signs, Symptoms & Treatment for Children appeared first on EBL Coaching.

By understanding the differences between an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and a 504 Plan, you can better understand your child’s needs, advocate for them, and ensure that they receive the support they need to succeed.

What Is an IEP?

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a special education plan that helps eligible students with disabilities receive the support, services, and specially designed instruction they need to make progress in school. This document is designed for students whose disability adversely affects their educational performance and who require specially designed instruction in addition to classroom accommodations. For these students, just having classroom accommodations is not enough.

An IEP is always individualized to meet the needs of each student and typically includes:

• Annual academic goals
• Related services, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, special education support, or counseling
• Classroom accommodations
• Testing accommodations
• Details about progress monitoring

An IEP is a legal document, and schools are required to provide the support and services indicated in a child’s IEP.

What Is a 504 Plan?

A 504 Plan is designed for students with disabilities who don’t require specially designed instruction but who do need accommodations in order to access the general education curriculum. It is provided under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a federal civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination.

While accommodations can vary based on each student’s needs, some that may appear on a 504 Plan include:

• Extended time on tests, quizzes, and assignments
• Preferential seating
• Testing in a room with reduced distractions
• Movement breaks
• Copies of class notes
• Assistive technology

Unlike an IEP, a 504 Plan typically does not include specially designed instruction or annual academic goals.

What Is the Main Difference Between an IEP and a 504 Plan?

The biggest difference between an IEP and a 504 Plan is the type of support that each document offers.

An IEP provides specially designed instruction, accommodations, and related services for students who qualify under IDEA because their disability affects their educational performance and they need special education support.

A 504 Plan provides accommodations that support students in accessing the general education curriculum but does not include special education instruction.

An IEP can include specially designed instruction that changes how a student is taught, while a 504 Plan focuses on providing equal access through accommodations.

Who Qualifies for an IEP?

To qualify for an IEP, a student generally must:

• Have a disability recognized under IDEA
• Demonstrate that the disability adversely affects their educational performance
• Need specially designed instruction to address their educational needs

Students with the following diagnoses, among others, may qualify depending on how their disability affects their ability to access learning:

• Dyslexia
• Dysgraphia
• Dyscalculia
• ADHD
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Speech and language disorder
• Emotional disabilities
• Intellectual disabilities
• Hearing or vision impairments
• Traumatic brain injury

Having a medical diagnosis does not automatically mean a child qualifies for an IEP. Schools must determine whether the disability affects the student’s educational performance and whether they need special education services.

Who Qualifies for a 504 Plan?

504 Plan eligibility is based on whether a student has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The school will evaluate the student’s needs to determine if they qualify for a 504 Plan. Students often receive 504 Plans for disabilities such as:

• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Medical conditions
• Certain temporary impairments

Many students who do not qualify for an IEP do qualify for a 504 Plan.

Can a Child with ADHD Have an IEP?

Yes. A student with ADHD may qualify for an IEP if their symptoms adversely affect their ability to learn and they require specially designed instruction.

Some students with ADHD, however, may only need accommodations without specially designed instruction, and therefore qualify for a 504 Plan instead of an IEP.

The decision ultimately depends on how ADHD is affecting the student’s academic performance rather than the diagnosis itself.

If your child has ADHD and needs additional academic support, learn more about finding an ADHD tutor near you at How to Find an ADHD Tutor Near You – EBL Coaching.

Can Students with Dyslexia Receive an IEP?

Yes! Many students with dyslexia qualify for an IEP because they require specially designed, evidence-based reading and writing instruction. Some students with dyslexia may qualify for a 504 Plan if they just need dyslexia accommodations, such as extended time or assistive technology, but not specially designed instruction.

Students with dyslexia may benefit from specialized support, including dyslexia tutoring using the Orton Gillingham approach. Learn more at Best Tutoring for Dyslexia: Orton Gillingham, Reading, and Writing Support for Children – EBL Coaching.

Can a Student Move from a 504 Plan to an IEP?

Yes. If a student’s needs change, they may receive a new evaluation to determine their updated needs.

In some cases, receiving accommodations alone is no longer enough, and the student needs more specially designed instruction; if that happens, the student may become eligible for an IEP.

Similarly, students who make significant gains may move from an IEP to a 504 Plan if they no longer need specially designed instruction and services.

What Should You Do If Your Child Is Struggling?

If your child is struggling in school, showing signs of academic difficulty, or you suspect a learning disability, ADHD, autism, or another condition may be affecting their learning, you may want to take these steps:

• Speak to your child’s teacher
• Request an evaluation in writing
• Review the results of the evaluation
• Attend eligibility meetings and make a list of questions to ask
• Research your child’s rights under federal law
• Seek additional tutoring or other support if necessary

Early intervention often leads to improved long-term outcomes. If you notice your child struggling, don’t wait! It’s better to be proactive as early as possible than reactive when your child’s challenges become even greater.

How Can Private Tutoring Help?

If your child has an IEP, a 504 Plan, or is still in the process of being evaluated, individualized special education tutoring can help strengthen academic skills, address learning gaps, and support students with IEPs, 504 Plans, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning challenges.

At EBL Coaching, we provide individualized one-on-one tutoring to students with learning disabilities, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, dyslexia, reading difficulties, writing challenges, and math struggles. Our tutoring is designed to complement school-based supports such as IEPs and 504 Plans by helping students strengthen their academic skills, build their self-confidence, and become more independent learners.

We use evidence-based, multi-sensory instructional methods that are individualized to meet each student’s unique needs. Contact us today to see how we can help your child thrive! We work with students in New York City and New Jersey, and offer tutoring at our learning centers, at your home, and virtually.

If your child needs additional support outside of school, learn more about how to find the right special education tutor at Special Education Tutoring Near Me: How to Find the Right Tutor – EBL Coaching.

Closing Thoughts

Understanding your child’s rights and navigating the world of special education can feel daunting, but understanding the differences between an IEP and a 504 Plan is an important part of advocating for your child. Both plans are designed to help students succeed; the right option for your child depends on their specific strengths and areas of need.

If your child needs additional tutoring beyond what their school provides, EBL Coaching can help! We specialize in one-on-one tutoring for students with learning disabilities, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, and other academic difficulties. We provide tutoring to students throughout New York City and New Jersey, helping them build the skills and confidence they need to thrive at school.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is an IEP better than a 504 Plan?
An IEP is not necessarily better than a 504 Plan; the right plan is based on your child’s specific needs and profile. Students who require specially designed instruction generally benefit from an IEP, while those who mainly need accommodations may be better served by a 504 Plan.

Can parents request an IEP evaluation?
Yes. As a parent, you have the right to request an evaluation in writing if you think your child may have a disability that is affecting their educational performance.

Can my child have both an IEP and a 504 Plan?
Students who have IEPs are also protected by Section 504, so schools typically don’t create a separate 504 Plan. Their IEP includes the accommodations and services needed to meet their educational needs, so a separate 504 Plan is generally unnecessary.

Does ADHD automatically qualify a child for a 504 Plan?
No. A school must determine that ADHD substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as learning, concentrating, thinking, or communicating.

Does tutoring replace an IEP or 504 Plan?
No. Tutoring is usually designed to supplement the services and accommodations that a student receives at school through individualized instruction that addresses their areas of academic weakness.

Dr. Emily Levy, the founder and director of EBL Coaching, has helped thousands of students with IEPs and 504 Plans through individualized tutoring over the past twenty years. She is the author of the Strategies for Study Success student workbook series, the Flags and Stars Orton Gillingham student workbook program, and the Flags and Stars Multi-Sensory Math student workbook series. She speaks nationally at educational conferences and frequently appears on podcasts as an educational expert. She has also been featured in publications including Newsweek, Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine, Epoch Times, and Macaroni Kids.

The post IEP vs. 504 Plan: Understanding the Differences for Parents appeared first on EBL Coaching.