While it’s normal for children to need some time to adjust to a new teacher, routine, and set of expectations, persistent academic difficulties shouldn’t necessarily be dismissed as part of the adjustment period.

Identifying these challenges early can help prevent small difficulties from developing into larger learning gaps as the school year progresses. The sooner you understand where your child is struggling, the sooner you can find the right targeted support to help them strengthen their skills, become more independent, and build confidence in school.

How can you tell if your child is simply adjusting to a new school year or may need additional academic support? Here are 10 signs your child may be falling behind in school.

1. Homework Takes Much Longer Than It Should

The amount of time it takes your child to complete their homework can be an early indication of how well they are managing grade-level expectations.

If short assignments consistently take hours to complete, your child may be struggling with the academic skills required to complete the assignment. They might also be having difficulty understanding the directions, or they may have attention or executive functioning difficulties.

Try to observe whether your child:

• Needs a lot of prompting to complete their homework
• Takes much longer than expected to finish their assignments
• Becomes easily frustrated when completing their homework
• Needs you to clarify directions
• Struggles to work independently
• Tries to avoid assignments that involve reading, writing, or math

Some academic struggles are normal, especially at the beginning of a new school year. However, if these challenges continue or begin to interfere with your child’s ability to complete their work, they may deserve closer attention.

Students who struggle with organization, task initiation, time management, or completing homework independently may benefit from executive functioning coaching in NYC. Learn more at Best Executive Functioning Coach in NYC: How to Choose – EBL Coaching.

2. Your Child Is Struggling With Reading or Is Avoiding Reading

If your child struggles with reading, they may try to find ways to avoid it.

Young children may resist reading aloud. They might also guess at unfamiliar words or rely on pictures and context clues instead of actually decoding words. Older students may try to avoid reading assignments. They may skim their assignments rather than reading carefully, or they may have difficulty remembering what they read.

Signs of a reading challenge might include:

• Slow, laborious reading
• Trouble sounding out unfamiliar words
• Frequent guessing at words when reading
• Skipping or replacing words
• Challenges with spelling
• Poor reading comprehension
• Avoidance of reading tasks

Students with dyslexia and other reading challenges may benefit from Orton Gillingham tutoring in Manhattan, which provides systematic, multi-sensory instruction in reading and spelling. Learn more at Orton Gillingham Tutoring in Manhattan for Dyslexia & Reading Success.

3. Writing Assignments Are Becoming a Struggle

Writing demands increase as children progress through school. Students are expected to do more than just spell words and write sentences. They must organize their thoughts, develop paragraphs, provide supporting details, revise and edit their work, and complete increasingly complex writing assignments.

Some students can clearly explain their ideas when speaking but have difficulty expressing those same ideas in writing. They may know what they want to say but struggle to organize their thoughts, get started, or put their ideas into complete, well-developed written responses. When these difficulties persist, additional writing support may help children strengthen their written expression skills and become more confident writers.

Look for writing difficulties such as:

• Trouble getting started on writing tasks
• Short sentences or paragraphs
• Poor sentence structure
• Weak organization of ideas
• Spelling, capitalization, or punctuation errors
• Challenges with developing paragraphs
• Difficulty organizing ideas before writing
• Frustration with writing tasks

These difficulties can become more noticeable as the school year progresses and writing demands increase.

If your child consistently struggles with written expression, writing tutoring for learning disabilities can provide targeted support with sentence construction, organization, paragraph development, and written expression. Learn more at Why Smart Kids Struggle with Writing and How Writing Tutoring Helps.

4. Your Child Is Struggling with Math Skills

Forgetting some math skills that were taught during the prior school year can be normal. However, if your child has forgotten key concepts or continues to struggle even after those math skills have been reviewed, there may be gaps that need to be addressed.

Watch for challenges with:

• Basic math facts
• Addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division concepts
• Fractions or decimals
• Multi-step calculations
• Solving word problems
• Retaining previously learned concepts
• Selecting the correct operation
• Articulating how they arrived at an answer

Math demands increase as students progress through school and concepts build upon one another. By addressing foundational gaps early, you can make it easier for your child to learn the new concepts that will be introduced later in the year.

Learn more about dyscalculia and math struggles at What Is Dyscalculia? Signs, Symptoms & Treatment for Children – EBL Coaching.

5. Your Child Struggles with Organization and Assignments

Some students can easily grasp new academic concepts but struggle with their executive functioning skills.

Your child might finish a homework assignment but forget to turn it in, study the wrong material for a test, lose important papers, or start their assignments right before they are due.

Signs of executive functioning challenges can include:

• Forgetting assignments regularly
• Losing papers and materials
• Forgetting to use a planner or calendar
• Waiting until the last minute to start assignments
• Underestimating how long tasks will take to complete
• Difficulty getting started on tasks
• Needing frequent reminders from parents

As your child’s workload increases, these executive functioning challenges can make it harder for them to keep up with schoolwork, even when they understand the material.

6. Your Child Understands the Material at Home but Performs Poorly on Tests

Your child may seem to understand the material when studying for a test but still consistently receive lower grades on tests and quizzes. If this happens, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your child isn’t trying hard enough.

Some students simply need to learn more effective ways to study. Others may have difficulty with memory, focus, reading comprehension, test-taking strategies, or understanding and following multi-step directions.

Simply rereading notes or looking over a textbook may not be enough. Many students benefit from learning specific study strategies, such as self-quizzing, using memory techniques, creating study guides, breaking information into smaller parts, and spreading their studying out over several days. These strategies can help students feel more prepared and confident when it’s time to take a test.

7. Your Child Is Losing Confidence in School

Try to pay attention to changes in the way your child talks about school.

When they make comments like “I don’t know,” “I’m bad at reading,” “I hate writing,” or “I’m just not smart,” pay attention, as these kinds of comments sometimes reflect more than just temporary frustration.

When children consistently struggle with schoolwork, they may begin to lose confidence in their abilities. They may become hesitant to try challenging tasks or give up quickly because they are worried about making mistakes or not being successful.

The right academic support should be more than simply getting homework done. It should help children build the skills, strategies, and confidence they need to approach schoolwork more independently and feel successful in the classroom.

8. Your Child Is Becoming Increasingly Anxious About School

Academic struggles may not appear on quizzes or tests right away.

Some children start to complain about school, become easily upset when doing homework, worry excessively about quizzes and tests, or try to avoid certain classes or assignments.

If this behavior occurs regularly around specific academic tasks, you may want to look into whether your child may have an underlying skill deficit that is contributing to their stress.

If a child finds reading extremely difficult, for example, they may become anxious when asked to read aloud. A student who struggles to organize their thoughts may avoid writing tasks. Addressing underlying academic challenges early can help reduce the frustration surrounding them and prevent continued challenges.

9. Your Child’s Teacher Is Already Expressing Concerns

If your child’s teacher gives you feedback early in the school year, don’t ignore it! They might mention that your child is having difficulty keeping up, completing independent work, following multi-step directions, reading at the expected level, writing organized responses, or grasping new math concepts. If that’s the case, try to gather more information.

You may want to ask questions like:

• Which skills are my child struggling with the most?
• Is my child performing below their peers?
• Have these challenges been observed consistently?
• Have any interventions already been tried? If so, which ones?
• What can I do at home to help?

The more specific information you have, the better you’ll be able to understand where your child is struggling and what type of support may be most beneficial.

10. The Same Challenges Keep Appearing Year After Year

Pay attention if your child’s struggles are repeating year after year.  Perhaps they struggled with spelling last year and continue to struggle with it this year. Maybe their teachers have consistently mentioned difficulties with reading, writing, math, focus, or organization.

When the same challenge continues across grades, just waiting for your child to “catch up” likely isn’t the best approach.

Consistent academic challenges may indicate that your child needs more targeted instruction than they are currently receiving.

Don’t Wait for the First Report Card

Some parents wait until the first progress report, parent-teacher conference, or report card before seeking additional help for their child. If your child is struggling, don’t delay taking action! Try to be proactive rather than reactive.

Grades are only one indication of how a student is doing. Study habits, self-confidence, independence, teacher observations, and the amount of effort exerted can all provide important information well before the first progress report arrives.

Early intervention also can help address specific areas of weakness before the demands of school continue to increase.

Finding the Right Academic Support

The best support for your child depends on what they are struggling with and their overall academic profile.

A child with dyslexia may need explicit, research-based, multi-sensory reading instruction, such as Orton Gillingham tutoring. A student who has dysgraphia or struggles with writing may benefit from structured tutoring in sentence construction, paragraph development, writing organization, and self-checking.

Students with executive functioning difficulties may need direct instruction in planning, organization, time management, and task initiation. Other students may need targeted math intervention to help them develop foundational concepts before progressing to more advanced math concepts.

Instead of just focusing on homework help, effective academic intervention should identify the skills your child is struggling with and teach them strategies to help them become a stronger, more independent student.

If you’re wondering whether your child’s struggles are significant enough to warrant additional support, you may also want to read about signs your child may need a tutor. Learn more at 7 Signs Your Child Needs a Tutor: How to Know When to Get Help – EBL Coaching.

Academic Tutoring for Learning Disabilities in NYC and New Jersey

EBL Coaching provides individualized, one-on-one academic tutoring to students in New York City and New Jersey, including at our Upper East Side Manhattan and Englewood, New Jersey learning centers. We work with students throughout Manhattan, Bergen County, and surrounding areas who have dyslexia, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, learning disabilities, and other academic needs.

Our instruction is customized to each student’s unique learning profile and can focus on reading, writing, math, organization, time management, executive functioning, and other areas of academic development.

For students with reading and spelling challenges, EBL Coaching offers systematic, multi-sensory instruction using the Orton Gillingham approach. Students who struggle with writing, math, organization, or executive functioning receive targeted strategies designed to address their specific areas of need.

The beginning of the school year is an ideal time to identify academic challenges and give your child the appropriate support. By addressing difficulties early, you can help your child strengthen their essential skills, keep up with academic expectations, and tackle the rest of the school year with greater confidence and independence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if my child is falling behind?
To gauge whether your child is falling behind, look for consistent patterns rather than an occasional difficult assignment or low grade. Spending an excessive amount of time completing homework, showing repeated difficulty with certain academic skills, avoiding assignments, teacher concerns, weak test performance, or increasing dependence on parents may suggest that additional support may be helpful.

Should I wait until the first report card before seeking a tutor for my child?
If your child is struggling, try to avoid waiting until the first report card before seeking a tutor for them. If you are noticing consistent academic difficulties, you may want to find support before report cards are issued. Early intervention may prevent small challenges from becoming more significant difficulties as the school year progresses.

What type of tutoring is best for a child with a learning disability?
The tutoring your child receives should be individualized to their specific learning needs. Students with dyslexia, for example, often benefit from explicit, systematic, multi-sensory reading instruction, such as Orton Gillingham tutoring. Students with executive functioning challenges may need direct instruction in organization, planning, time management, and task initiation.

What are early signs of dyslexia?
Potential signs of dyslexia can include trouble sounding out unfamiliar words, slow or laborious reading, guessing at words, poor spelling, challenges with remembering sound-symbol relationships, and reading avoidance.

Can executive functioning struggles make a child appear to be falling behind?
Yes. Some students understand academic material but struggle to manage their homework assignments, remember due dates, organize their materials, start tasks, plan out long-term projects, or study efficiently. These challenges can negatively affect their academic performance.

Where can I find learning disability tutoring in NYC or New Jersey?
EBL Coaching specializes in providing individualized tutoring to students with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, executive functioning difficulties, and other learning challenges in New York City, New Jersey, and surrounding areas. The instruction uses research-based, multi-sensory techniques and is customized to each student’s specific academic needs and learning profile.

About the Author

Dr. Emily Levy is the founder and director of EBL Coaching and has more than 20 years of experience helping students strengthen their reading, writing, math, study, and executive functioning skills. She has worked with thousands of students with dyslexia, ADHD, learning disabilities, and other academic challenges.

Dr. Levy 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. Her expertise has also been featured in publications including Newsweek, Autism Parenting Magazine, The Epoch Times, and Macaroni KID. Read more about Dr. Levy at About Dr. Levy ADHD treatment New York City.

The post 10 Signs Your Child Is Struggling in School and May Need Help appeared first on EBL Coaching.

While occasional difficulty with writing is common, persistent struggles may indicate that a child needs additional support. In some cases, these challenges may be associated with a written expression disorder or a learning disability that affects written expression.

Understanding the signs of written expression difficulties can help you recognize when your child may need extra support or benefit from specialized writing instruction.

What Is a Written Expression Disorder?

A written expression disorder is characterized by significant difficulty expressing ideas clearly and effectively through writing. These difficulties may be diagnosed as a Specific Learning Disorder with impairment in written expression.

Writing is a very complex process. To create even a short paragraph, a student needs to come up with ideas, construct well-written sentences, spell words accurately, use correct punctuation, organize information, and use proper grammar rules – all at the same time.

For students with written expression difficulties, managing all these writing demands can be challenging and overwhelming.

Your child may be bright, creative, and articulate, but putting their ideas into writing can still be incredibly challenging.

10 Signs of Written Expression Disorder in Children

Writing difficulties can appear differently from one student to another. Some children just struggle with spelling and sentence writing, while others have difficulty organizing their thoughts and expanding their ideas.

Learn more about how writing tutoring can help your child at Why Smart Kids Struggle with Writing and How Writing Tutoring Helps.

Here are some challenges you may notice:

1. Your Child Can Explain an Idea but Struggles to Write It Down

One of the most noticeable signs of a writing difficulty is when a child has great ideas and can express them orally but struggles to write them on paper.

Your child might give you elaborate details about what happened in a story or describe exactly what they want to say in an essay. However, as soon as they sit down to begin writing, they can only come up with a few short sentences.

The difference between their verbal abilities and written work can be significant.

2. Writing Assignments Take an Extremely Long Time

A writing assignment that takes most students a short time to complete may take a student with writing difficulties several hours. The additional time and effort required can make writing assignments particularly frustrating and overwhelming.

Your child may stare at a blank page, repeatedly erase what they have written, lose focus, or need frequent encouragement and reminders to keep working.

This struggle can make completing homework particularly stressful, especially when it involves writing.

3. Your Child Has Trouble Getting Started

Many students have great ideas but don’t know how to begin.

They may make comments like:

• “I don’t know how to start.”
• “I don’t know what to say.”
• “I can’t think of anything to write.”

The challenge often isn’t a lack of ideas; your child may have trouble organizing those ideas and figuring out where to start in the writing process.

4. Sentences Are Very Short or Incomplete

Students who struggle with writing often produce short, simple sentences.

For example, instead of writing:

“Ella ate lunch with her friends and enjoyed eating a toasted grilled cheese sandwich on sourdough bread.”

A student might write:

“Ella ate lunch. She liked it.”

Direct instruction can help students who struggle with writing learn how to write longer, more detailed sentences, and communicate complex ideas.

Read about 10 signs your child may need a writing tutor at 10 Signs Your Child Needs Writing Tutoring – EBL Coaching.

5. Paragraphs Are Poorly Organized

Your child may understand how a basic paragraph is structured but struggle to create one on their own.

Their paragraphs might be missing a clear topic sentence, include information unrelated to the topic, jump between ideas, or end without an appropriate concluding sentence.

Older students may have similar difficulties when writing longer paragraphs or multi-paragraph essays.

6. Your Child Has Trouble Developing and Expanding Ideas

When writing is challenging, students may limit their responses to the bare minimum rather than fully developing their ideas.

If they are asked to write a paragraph, they might produce one or two sentences. When writing an essay, they may struggle to come up with enough information to support their main idea. They may need explicit instruction on how to add details, write deeper explanations, give specific examples, and add supporting information.

7. Spelling and Grammar Errors Interfere with Writing

While many students make occasional spelling and grammar mistakes, frequent errors may become an issue when they interfere with a student’s ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Your child may struggle with capitalization, punctuation, sentence structure, spelling, or self-checking their work.

8. Your Child Has Difficulty Organizing and Sequencing Ideas

Many students have plenty of ideas but have difficulty sequencing these ideas appropriately.

A story they create might jump from the beginning to the end and then back to the middle. An essay they write may include information that is relevant to the topic but lacks a logical structure.

Students who struggle with sequencing their ideas often benefit from brainstorm webs, outlines, graphic organizers, and explicit instruction on how to organize their thoughts before they start writing.

9. Your Child Avoids Writing

Many children avoid tasks that they find to be challenging.

Your child may complain when they receive writing homework; they might procrastinate starting their writing work; or they may rush through assignments to get them “over with.” They might also tell you that they hate writing.

For some children, continued struggles with writing can affect not only their performance at school, but also their self-confidence.

10. Your Child’s Writing Does Not Reflect Their Abilities

Some parents may say their child makes comments like:

“My son knows so much more than he expresses on paper.”

This discrepancy between oral ideas and written output can be an important indicator.

Your child may have strong comprehension, creativity, and verbal reasoning skills, yet their written work may not reflect their overall abilities.

Why Do Some Students Struggle with Writing?

There can be many reasons why students struggle with writing.

Writing difficulties may occur alongside other challenges, like dyslexia, ADHD, executive functioning difficulties, language-based learning disabilities, or other learning differences.

For example, a student with dyslexia may exert so much energy when spelling words that it becomes harder for them to focus on developing their ideas when writing.

A student with ADHD or executive functioning challenges may have great ideas but struggle to organize their ideas, start a writing task, sustain attention, or self-check their work. Other students might just need more explicit writing instruction to improve their writing skills.

Effective writing intervention can help target your child’s specific areas of need.

How Can Specialized Writing Instruction Help?

Students who struggle with writing often benefit from direct, systematic instruction rather than simply being given more opportunities to write. Written expression tutoring can provide students with explicit strategies for brainstorming, organizing ideas, developing sentences and paragraphs, and revising their work.

Instead of telling your child to “just get started,” or “elaborate on their ideas,” an effective writing tutor can teach them exactly how to do so.

While it may vary based on your child’s needs, writing instruction might focus on:

• Creating well-written sentences
• Brainstorming ideas
• Organizing thoughts before writing
• Constructing well-structured paragraphs
• Integrating topic and concluding sentences
• Adding salient details and supporting information
• Writing multi-paragraph essays
• Improving spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Self-checking
• Breaking down longer assignments into manageable steps

As students learn concrete tools they can apply to their writing, the task of writing can begin to feel much more manageable for them.

When Should Parents Consider Getting Help?

You may want to seek additional support for your child if their writing challenges are consistent, interfere with their performance at school, cause a lot of frustration, or appear much different from what you would expect based on their age and abilities.

You might also want to consider speaking to your child’s teacher to learn how their writing compares to classroom expectations and whether their teacher is noticing similar challenges at school.

For some students, a formal evaluation may help to better understand their learning profile and determine whether they have a specific learning disability that could be contributing to their difficulties.

Writing Tutoring for Learning Disabilities in NYC and NJ

At EBL Coaching, we specialize in providing individualized, one-on-one writing tutoring in NYC and New Jersey to students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, executive functioning difficulties, and other learning disabilities. We provide writing tutoring in NJ at our Englewood learning center, writing tutoring in NYC at our Manhattan learning center, as well as in students’ homes and virtually.

Our written expression tutoring focuses on sentence development, paragraph writing, essay organization, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and other foundational writing skills. We use structured, multi-sensory techniques that are tailored to each student’s individual needs.

EBL Coaching offers tutoring at our learning centers on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and in Englewood, New Jersey, as well as in the home and virtually.

If your child has strong ideas but struggles to express them effectively in writing, specialized writing instruction can help them communicate their thoughts more clearly and effectively.

Learn more about finding a private tutor for your child in NYC at How to Find the Best Private Tutor in NYC for Your Child – EBL Coaching.

Helping Your Child Become a More Confident Writer

Writing difficulties can be frustrating for children, especially when they have strong ideas and knowledge but struggle to communicate them on paper. Identifying the specific skills that are getting in the way can help you find the right targeted support for them. With appropriate instruction and practice, children can learn strategies that make writing more manageable and help them communicate their ideas more effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions About Written Expression Difficulties

What is a written expression disorder?
A written expression disorder involves persistent difficulty expressing and communicating ideas effectively through writing. Students may struggle with sentence structure, grammar, spelling, organization, developing ideas, or other important writing skills. In some cases, these difficulties may be diagnosed as a Specific Learning Disorder with impairment in written expression.

What are the signs of a written expression disorder?
Common signs of a written expression disorder include challenges with getting started on writing assignments, incomplete sentences, poorly organized paragraphs and essays, frequent spelling errors, difficulty elaborating on ideas, slow writing, or a significant discrepancy between what a child can articulate verbally and what they can communicate when writing.

Is written expression disorder the same as dysgraphia?
While the terms “written expression disorder” and “dysgraphia” are sometimes used interchangeably, they don’t necessarily refer to the exact same challenges. Dysgraphia can involve handwriting and the physical production of written work, while difficulties with written expression often involve higher-level skills like sentence construction, grammar, and the organization of ideas. A student may experience difficulties in one or more of these areas.

Can a child be a strong reader but a weak writer?
Yes. While reading and writing involve related skills, they are distinct from one another. Some children read and understand text well, but struggle to organize their thoughts on paper, write well-constructed sentences, spell effectively, or create written responses.

Can a child be very smart and still have a writing disability?
Yes. Writing difficulties are not a reflection of intelligence. A student may have strong verbal reasoning, vocabulary, and content knowledge but experience significant difficulty expressing these abilities in writing.

Is difficulty starting writing assignments a sign of a learning disability?
If your child has difficulty getting started on writing assignments, it does not necessarily mean they have a learning disability. Difficulties with task initiation, executive functioning, attention, planning, or language skills can also make it challenging to begin. Understanding your child’s strengths and areas of difficulty can help determine what kind of support may be most beneficial.

Can ADHD affect writing?
Yes. Writing requires planning, organization, sustained focus, working memory, and self-monitoring, which are skills that can be challenging for students with ADHD. A student may understand material but struggle to organize and express their thoughts effectively on paper.

Can writing tutoring help a child with written expression difficulties?
Yes! Specialized writing tutoring can help students learn concrete strategies for brainstorming, sentence construction, paragraph and essay development, organization, self-checking, and other writing skills. Instruction is most effective when it is tailored to the student’s specific areas of need rather than just giving them extra writing practice.

How do I know if my child needs a writing tutor?
You may want to consider specialized support if your child consistently struggles with writing assignments, takes an unusually long time to complete writing tasks, avoids writing, has trouble expanding their ideas, or produces written work that doesn’t reflect their knowledge and abilities.

Where can I find specialized writing tutoring in NYC or New Jersey?
EBL Coaching provides individualized instruction with experienced writing tutors in NYC and New Jersey. They have learning centers on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and in Englewood, NJ, and provide one-on-one instruction at their centers, at the home, and virtually, based on each student’s specific learning needs.

Dr. Emily Levy, the founder and director of EBL Coaching, has helped thousands of students improve their writing 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 Written Expression Disorder: 10 Signs Your Child May Struggle with Writing appeared first on EBL Coaching.

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 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.

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.

The best reading tutors in NYC should do more than just help students complete their homework assignments. They should identify specific skills challenges and academic gaps, and use research-based, multi-sensory techniques to help students build these skills and become stronger, more confident readers.

What Makes a Great Reading Tutor?

The best reading tutors in NYC should have several qualities, as follows:

Expertise in Orton Gillingham Tutoring

Students who struggle with reading typically require more than traditional tutoring. They need specialized instruction using research-based techniques such as the Orton Gillingham method, which teaches reading skills in a structured, multi-sensory manner. Research indicates that Orton Gillingham tutoring is one of the most effective approaches for helping struggling readers build their reading skills, including those with dyslexia.

Learn more about Orton Gillingham tutoring in NYC for dyslexia and struggling readers at What Is Orton-Gillingham Tutoring? Multi-Sensory, Structured Help | EBL Coaching.

Experience Working with Learning Challenges

Students with ADHD, dyslexia, and other language-based learning disabilities generally respond best to individualized one-on-one instruction. When looking for a tutor in NYC, try to find someone who specializes in working with neurodiverse students and will create an individualized tutoring plan using evidence-based techniques that specifically address their needs.

Confidence-Building Approach

Many children who struggle with reading lose confidence and start to feel that they are incapable of reading well. A strong tutor should focus on reading development along with helping students strengthen their self-confidence and develop a positive attitude toward learning.

Individualized Instruction

Each child has their own unique profile and needs. Effective reading tutors should start with an initial assessment to gauge your child’s strengths and weaknesses and then come up with an individualized learning plan that targets their specific areas of weakness using evidence-based techniques that are most appropriate for them.

Learn how to choose the right reading specialist in NYC for your child at What to Look for in a Reading Specialist in NYC- EBL Coaching.

Signs Your Child May Need a Reading Tutor

Some parents feel their child will “catch up” on reading with time and practice. However, most struggling readers need the right intervention to effectively develop their reading skills. Some common signs that suggest your child may need a tutor are:

• Trouble sounding out words when reading
• Slow or choppy reading
• Weak reading comprehension
• Reading avoidance
• Trouble learning sight words
• Frustration with reading homework
• Poor self-esteem
• A diagnosis of ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or another learning disability

The earlier you can find the right tutor for your child, the more you can prevent future challenges. Research indicates that early intervention can help students make stronger progress than those who wait until their reading difficulties become more severe.

What Reading Tutoring Should Include

An effective reading tutoring program should integrate multiple aspects of reading based on the student’s areas of need, including:

Phonological Awareness

Strong phonological awareness is a key component of reading success. It covers skills such as rhyming; recognizing sounds; manipulating sounds in words, phonemic blending; combining sounds to form words; and other related skills.

Decoding

To read effectively, children need to learn the names of the letters and their corresponding sounds, and how to blend those sounds together to form words. During tutoring sessions, they should learn how to decode words independently with accuracy.

Reading Fluency

Reading tutors should help students build their fluency skills, including reading text accurately and at an appropriate pace with proper expression. This helps students comprehend material more effectively.

Vocabulary Development

Strong vocabulary skills are an important component of reading tutoring and can help further strengthen reading comprehension skills.

Reading Comprehension

Being able to effectively comprehend material is a key aspect of successful reading. During reading tutoring sessions, students can build this skill with strategies such as learning to visualize information; highlighting the topic, main idea, and important details; summarizing information; making inferences, and other related strategies.

Explore our guide to dyslexia tutoring in NYC using the Orton Gillingham approach at Best Tutoring for Dyslexia: Orton Gillingham, Reading, and Writing Support for Children – EBL Coaching.

Why Families Choose EBL Coaching for Private Tutoring in NYC

For more than 20 years, EBL Coaching has helped students throughout New York City develop their reading skills and enhance their self-esteem.  At EBL Coaching, we specialize in helping students with specific learning needs, including those who have ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities, build their core academic and executive functioning skills.

Our reading tutoring in Manhattan includes:

• One-on-one individualized instruction
• Initial assessments before sessions begin
• Orton Gillingham tutoring
• Reading comprehension techniques
• Reading fluency and vocabulary development
• Multi-sensory learning strategies
• In-person and virtual tutoring
• Tutoring for students in grades PreK–12
• Home tutoring in New York City, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, Long Island, and New Jersey

While some tutoring programs may focus only on homework help or general skills building, our highly specialized reading tutoring sessions integrate diagnostic and prescriptive instructional plans that are individualized to the needs of each student.

Reading Tutoring for Students with Dyslexia

Parents seeking the best reading tutors in NYC are often looking for support for their child with dyslexia. Dyslexia can affect many aspects of reading, including decoding, reading fluency, and comprehension. It can also affect spelling and writing skills. However, with the right research-based, multi-sensory tutoring, students with dyslexia can make significant progress.

At EBL Coaching, we use multi-sensory techniques and Orton Gillingham instruction to help students build their decoding, spelling, reading fluency, comprehension, and writing skills. We also specialize in individualized intervention for students with dyslexia.

How to Choose the Best Reading Tutor in NYC

When searching for the best tutor in NYC, you may want to ask the following questions:

• Do you start with an initial assessment before tutoring sessions begin?
• Do you use research-based, multi-sensory techniques?
• Do you specialize in helping students with ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities?
• Are the tutoring sessions one-on-one?
• Do you provide tutoring in-person or virtually?
• Do you provide in-home tutoring?
• Are parents provided with regular progress updates?

The answers to these questions can help you identify the best tutor for your child, based on their unique needs and overall learning profile.

Review these important questions to ask before hiring a private tutor in NYC at What Questions Should You Ask Before Hiring a Tutor in NYC? – EBL Coaching.

Reading Tutoring Throughout New York City

Families in all areas of New York City turn to EBL Coaching for one-on-one reading tutoring and academic remediation. We provide reading tutoring to students in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, as well as nearby areas including Westchester County, Long Island, and northern New Jersey.

At EBL Coaching, we work with students who struggle with phonics, reading fluency, reading comprehension, as well as students who have dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and other learning disabilities. We help students who attend public schools, private schools, charter schools, and specialized schools, and create individualized tutoring plans tailored to each student’s unique needs.

Reading Tutoring in Manhattan

EBL Coaching provides individualized reading tutoring throughout Manhattan, including the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Midtown, Chelsea, Tribeca, SoHo, Greenwich Village, the Financial District, and surrounding neighborhoods. Our Manhattan reading tutoring helps students build their phonics and fluency skills, strengthen their reading comprehension skills, and become more confident readers.

Reading Tutoring in Brooklyn

Families throughout Brooklyn often look for reading tutoring for their children who need support developing their decoding, reading fluency, spelling, writing, and comprehension skills. We work with students who live in neighborhoods throughout Brooklyn and provide individualized instruction based on each child’s learning profile.

Reading Tutoring in Queens

Our reading tutoring helps students throughout Queens who need reading remediation, dyslexia intervention, executive functioning coaching, writing development, math enrichment, and help with other academic skills. We use research-based, multi-sensory techniques to aid students in becoming stronger, more effective readers.

Reading Tutoring in the Bronx and Staten Island

Students in the Bronx and Staten Island benefit from one-on-one reading tutoring that builds academic skills and helps remediate learning challenges. Through this one-on-one tutoring, students receive individualized support to help them improve their reading skills and overall academic performance.

In-Person and Virtual Reading Tutoring

EBL Coaching offers both in-person and virtual tutoring options. If you are looking for a reading tutor in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, Long Island, or New Jersey, we can help with individualized support that meets your child’s unique academic needs.

Through initial assessments, individualized tutoring plans, and evidence-based instruction, we help struggling readers develop stronger reading skills, strengthen their self-confidence, and achieve long-term success at school.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Reading Tutors in NYC

What is the best reading tutoring method for students with dyslexia?
The Orton Gillingham approach is an ideal method for helping students with dyslexia strengthen their reading and writing skills. At EBL Coaching, we have helped thousands of students develop their reading skills through Orton Gillingham tutoring

How often should my child receive reading tutoring?
The recommended frequency of reading tutoring varies based on each student’s needs and levels. An initial assessment can help determine the appropriate frequency; some students only need 1-2 sessions per week, while those with more profound learning needs may benefit from much more frequent weekly sessions.

Can reading tutoring in NYC help with reading comprehension?
Yes, absolutely! Reading tutoring can help students develop their reading comprehension skills using a variety of strategies, including visualizing; chunking information; highlighting the topic, main idea, and important details; making inferences; and other related techniques.

Does EBL Coaching offer virtual reading tutoring?
Yes!  EBL Coaching offers both in-person and virtual tutoring for students throughout NYC, New Jersey, Long Island, Westchester, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and surrounding areas.

How long does it take to see progress?
The rate of progress varies based on each student’s needs and overall profile. However, with the right evidence-based techniques and appropriate frequency, many students show progress within the first month of tutoring.

Get Help from One of the Best Reading Tutoring Programs in NYC

If your child is struggling with reading, EBL Coaching can help! We specialize in providing one-on-one, research-based instruction individualized to the needs of each student. We have expertise in helping students with ADHD, autism, specific learning disabilities, and other specialized learning needs.
Contact EBL Coaching today to learn how our reading tutoring can help your child thrive in school.

Learn more about effective dyslexia remediation at The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity – Yale School of Medicine.

Dr. Emily Levy, the founder and director of EBL Coaching, has helped thousands of students build their reading skills over the past twenty years using research-based, multi-sensory techniques. 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 Best Reading Tutors in NYC for Struggling Readers appeared first on EBL Coaching.

While occasional writing challenges are normal, if your child consistently struggles with writing, they may benefit from specialized writing tutoring. Many families in New York City and New Jersey seek writing support when they notice that writing challenges are affecting their child’s academic performance and self-esteem.

What are ten signs that your child would benefit from writing tutoring?

1. Your Child Avoids Writing Tasks

One of the most common signs of a writing challenge is avoidance. You might find that your child:

• Procrastinates starting writing assignments
• Complains when asked to write
• Becomes easily frustrated when working on writing tasks
• Freezes and struggles to get started
• Prefers dictating their ideas instead of writing them

When writing feels challenging or overwhelming, many students avoid the task, become increasingly frustrated, and may see declining grades.

2. Writing Takes a Long Time to Complete

Some students may work at a slightly slower pace when completing writing tasks. However, when students take a significantly long time to write, they may benefit from specialized writing support to help them through the writing process.

You might find that your child:

• Spends an excessive amount of time on writing assignments
• Struggles to express their ideas on paper
• Needs frequent reminders to stay on task
• Has trouble finishing written work independently

The issue may not be that your child isn’t putting in the effort, but that they have real challenges with planning their ideas and expressing their thoughts when writing in an organized fashion.

Learn more about our writing tutoring services in NYC and New Jersey at How to Find the Best Tutor for Your Child in NYC – EBL Coaching.

3. Their Writing Doesn’t Match Their Verbal Abilities

Your child may be very expressive when speaking but writes the bare minimum when expressing their ideas on paper.

You may notice that your child:

• Can share elaborate ideas orally
• Can discuss complex topics
• Is an active participant in discussions
• Writes minimally when asked to express in writing the same concept they can speak prolifically about

This discrepancy between oral and written expression is a sign that your child could benefit from specialized writing tutoring.

4. Their Writing Is Disorganized

Effective writing requires students to organize their ideas in a logical manner. If your child struggles with written organization, they may:

• Bounce around from one idea to another
• Neglect to include key details
• Write essays and paragraphs that lack structure
• Struggle to create well-organized introductions and conclusions
• Have difficulty sequencing ideas and events

These difficulties may be linked to executive functioning challenges, which play a large role in planning and organizing writing. Many students who seek writing tutoring in New York City and New Jersey struggle not with coming up with unique ideas, but with organizing their ideas into clear, well-organized sentences, paragraphs, and essays.

5. They Struggle to Start Writing Assignments

Many students have strong ideas and know what they want to say but struggle to get started with their writing.

They may make statements like:

• “I don’t know how to start.”
• “I can’t remember what I was going to say.”
• “I don’t know what to write first.”
• “I can’t think of an interesting opening.”

Your child’s challenge may not be in coming up with ideas but brainstorming their ideas and organizing them effectively on paper.

6. Their Sentences Are Short or Repetitive

Students who have writing difficulties often create written pieces that are shorter than what might be expected for their grade.

You may find that their writing:

• Is made up of short, simple sentences
• Doesn’t have descriptive details
• Uses repetitive words
• Contains minimal sentence variety
• Includes incomplete ideas

Writing tutoring can help your child learn how to write longer, more sophisticated sentences, use complex vocabulary words, and include more descriptive details, amongst other writing skills.

7. Spelling, Grammar, or Punctuation Errors Interfere with Communication

Some students have occasional spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes in their writing. However, if these errors start to occur frequently and consistently, your child’s writing may be hard to understand, making additional writing support very beneficial.

Your child may struggle to:

• Use proper capitalization
• Spell accurately
• Apply correct punctuation rules
• Self-check their work
• Recognize errors and correct them

Specialized writing tutoring can help your child develop these critical writing skills.

8. Writing Difficulties Are Affecting School Performance

Writing plays a key role in essentially all subjects. As students move through school, the writing demands increase quickly.

Your child’s writing challenges may start to affect their:

• Ability to complete homework
• Performance on tests and quizzes
• Participation in class
• Grades at school
• Academic confidence

Giving your child writing support early can prevent them from struggling even more as they progress through school. Research indicates that early intervention can help prevent academic challenges from becoming even greater over time.

EBL Coaching works with students who attend public schools, private schools, and independent schools throughout New York City and New Jersey and need additional support with writing.

9. Your Child Has ADHD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, or Another Learning Challenge

Students with ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, executive functioning challenges, or other learning disabilities often struggle with writing.

Your child might have difficulty with:

• Brainstorming their ideas before writing
• Organizing their thoughts effectively
• Structuring their paragraphs and essays
• Expanding their ideas then writing
• Staying focused during writing tasks
• Self-editing their work

Specialized writing tutoring programs in NYC and NJ can help students with ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and executive functioning challenges build stronger writing and executive functioning skills

Learn how ADHD tutoring or dyslexia intervention can help students improve organization, focus, and written expression at Special Education Tutoring Near Me: How to Find the Right Tutor – EBL Coaching.

10. Writing Is Hurting Your Child’s Confidence

Another sign of a writing challenge is reduced confidence.

Your child may begin to make comments like:

• “I’m terrible at writing.”
• “I don’t like school.”
• “I can’t do this.”
• “I hate grammar.”

With time, these continued challenges can affect your child’s self-esteem and increase their frustration with writing tasks.  Effective writing tutoring can help your child build their writing skills, reduce frustration, and increase motivation.

How a Writing Tutor Can Help Your Child

Specialized writing tutoring should be truly individualized to your child’s specific needs. An effective writing tutor can help your child:

• Brainstorm their ideas before writing
• Organize their thoughts on paper effectively
• Develop stronger sentences, paragraphs, and essays
• Improve their spelling, grammar, and punctuation skills
• Teach them strategies for self-checking
• Build their confidence when writing

Even children who previously struggled immensely with writing can become strong, confident, and effective writers with the right support.
EBL Coaching specializes in in-person and virtual one-on-one writing tutoring in New York City and New Jersey. Contact us today to see how we can help your child develop stronger writing and executive functioning skills and thrive academically.  Many families looking for a writing tutor in NYC reach out to EBL Coaching after noticing that their child avoids writing assignments or struggles to express ideas effectively.

Learn more about EBL Coaching’s individualized writing tutoring services in NYC and New Jersey at How to Find the Best Tutor for Your Child in NYC – EBL Coaching.

Signs of Dysgraphia in Children

If your child consistently struggles with handwriting, spelling, written organization, or written expression, they may have dysgraphia. Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects writing. Students with dysgraphia benefit from individualized research-based writing instruction catered to their unique needs.

How Executive Functioning Skills Affect Writing

Writing integrates a variety of executive functioning skills, including planning, organization, working memory, task initiation, and self-checking. Students with executive functioning challenges often have strong ideas but struggle to organize and express their ideas effectively when writing.

Writing Tutoring in NYC and New Jersey

Writing involves many different skills, including coming up with ideas, organizing thoughts, developing well-constructed sentences and paragraphs, applying grammar and spelling rules, and self-editing work effectively. Many students need individualized tutoring to build these skills and become stronger writers.

Why Families Choose EBL Coaching

EBL Coaching specializes in providing one-on-one writing tutoring to students in New York City and New Jersey. We help students in grades prek-12 and individualize the instruction based on each student’s unique needs.

We work with students who struggle with:

• Brainstorming ideas
• Sentence structure
• Paragraph organization
• Essay writing
• Grammar and punctuation
• Executive functioning challenges
• ADHD
• Dyslexia
• Dysgraphia
• Learning disabilities
• Study skills and self-confidence

Our individualized, one-on-one tutoring in NYC and NJ helps students learn how to brainstorm their ideas, organize their thoughts, strengthen their overall writing skills, and build confidence in their abilities.

EBL Coaching offers both in-person writing tutoring in New York City and New Jersey and online writing tutoring throughout the United States. We used individualized instruction and evidence-based strategies to help students become more effective, motivated, and confident writers.

Closing Thoughts

Many students exhibit occasional writing challenges. However, if writing tasks lead to consistent struggles, frustration, low motivation, and reduced self-esteem, you may want to consider finding the right specialized writing tutor for your child.

The earlier writing difficulties are identified and addressed, the easier it is to strengthen key writing skills and help students excel at school.

Frequently Asked Questions About Writing Tutors and Writing Tutoring

How do I know if my child needs writing tutoring?
Your child may benefit from writing tutoring if they have difficulty completing writing tasks, avoid writing, become easily frustrated when writing, struggle to organize their thoughts, or create writing pieces that don’t reflect their verbal abilities. If these writing challenges are consistent and become worse with time, specialized writing tutoring may be very helpful for your child.

At what age should my child start to receive writing tutoring?
Your child should begin to receive writing tutoring as soon as you notice consistent writing struggles. Writing tutoring can help students as early as pre-kindergarten, as long as it’s individualized to their specific needs. Early intervention with the right writing tutoring can prevent small writing challenges from becoming more profound difficulties. Students in middle school, high school, and even college can also benefit from targeted writing instruction.

Read more about when to find a tutor for your child at Is My Child Too Young for Tutoring? | Early Learning Support | EBL Coaching.

Can writing tutoring help students with ADHD?
Yes, absolutely!  Many students with ADHD struggle with executive functioning skills, including planning, organizing, starting, and completing writing assignments. Writing tutoring can teach students tools for breaking down writing tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, organizing their ideas, and improving their ability to effectively complete the writing process.

Can writing tutoring help students with dyslexia?
Yes! Students with dyslexia often struggle not just with reading, but also with spelling and written expression. Specialized writing instruction, ideally with a tutor who specializes in working with neurodiverse students, including those with dyslexia, can help strengthen these important skills.

Read more about how dyslexia tutoring can help your child at Best Tutoring for Dyslexia: Orton Gillingham, Reading, and Writing Support for Children – EBL Coaching.

What is dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects a student’s ability to write. Students with dysgraphia often struggle with handwriting, spelling, grammar, and organizing their thoughts onto paper. A comprehensive psychological pr neuropsychological evaluation can help determine whether your child has dysgraphia or another learning disability.

How long does it take for my child to show progress from writing tutoring?
The time it takes for a child to show progress from writing tutoring varies based on a variety of factors, including age, skill level, and specific areas of challenge. With the right tutor and frequency, many students see progress within the first month of tutoring, but others may need more time to show significant growth.

Which skills are taught in writing tutoring sessions?
Writing tutoring should be individualized to your child’s specific challenges. An initial assessment can help gauge your child’s unique needs. However, writing tutoring often focuses on:

• Brainstorming ideas
• Sentence structure
• Paragraph writing
• Essay writing
• Organization and planning
• Grammar
• Punctuation
• Self-checking

Can writing tutoring improve my child’s confidence?
Yes! Writing struggles often affect a student’s self-confidence. Students may see their peers excelling at writing while they continue to struggle. However, with the right support, as students develop their writing skills and see growth, they often become much more confident in their abilities.

Dr. Emily Levy, the founder and director of EBL Coaching, has helped thousands of students build their writing 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 10 Signs Your Child Needs Writing Tutoring appeared first on EBL Coaching.

As temperatures rise and the days get longer, it’s starting to feel like summer. With this season of fun just around the corner, many children may lose academic motivation and the discipline to focus on schoolwork. Don’t let your child’s grades and performance slip at the end of the school year; instead, help them finish the year on a strong, confident note. Try some of the ideas below.

Set short-term goals

Even though the school year is winding down, there’s still time for your child to set short-term goals to maximize their performance. Talk to them about goals they feel are realistic for this time of the school year, like reading for 20 minutes per night, raising one grade in each subject, or turning in missing assignments. When goals are smaller, they often feel more achievable and less overwhelming to children. For added motivation, you might want to even consider a small reward for meeting each goal, like a trip to the ice cream store or a special movie rental.

Create end-of-year routines 

It may feel like school is just about done, but it’s not too late to set routines! By taking the time now to establish routines that work, your child can use them in the fall to start the new school year strongly.  One routine that can help is setting a consistent homework time. At this point in the school year, your child may be doing their homework at erratic times – sometimes right after school, other times before dinner, and often late at night, when they should be getting ready for bed. Discuss with them a consistent homework time that is viable and encourage them to stick with it daily. You can also pick a “clean out my backpack day” – maybe every Wednesday or Friday (or any day that works best) – and on that day, have them clean out all papers or materials they don’t need to be carrying with them on a regular basis. They should also check their school portal (if their school has one) every day during their homework time so they don’t miss any upcoming projects, tests, or assignments. These routines can help build stronger executive functioning skills, which will continue to be important when the new school year begins.

Prioritize missing assignments 

At this point in the school year, many students have assignments piled up that they haven’t turned in and that are well overdue. These missing assignments can negatively affect their grades, so it’s important that they prioritize identifying which assignments need to be turned in and come up with a plan for completing them. You may want to help them with this plan. For example, have them estimate how much time they think it will take to complete each assignment and then come up with an allocated amount of time they need to spend each day to finish their work. Help them set a goal for which date they will turn in each assignment, prioritizing the ones that need to be turned in first.

Teacher communication 

To help advocate for your child, it’s a good idea to maintain regular communication with your child’s teacher. Don’t let this communication slide at the end of the school year! A lot can change – including your child’s grades and motivation – at this time of the year, and if those changes happen, you’ll want to know about them. You may want to reach out to your child’s teacher to check in and make sure your child is staying on top of their work. If your child’s teacher mentions challenges, ask them specific questions, like which assignments are missing, which ones should be turned in first, what to focus on for final exams (if there are any), and if there are any extra credit assignments your child can do to help improve their grades. This type of communication can have a big impact on your child’s overall performance at school.

Prepare for finals

Older students will likely have final exams to study for at this time of year. If this applies to your child, help them come up with a plan for preparing for these exams without procrastinating. Encourage them to ask their teacher if there are study guides for each test that they can use when preparing. Then help them come up with a plan for how to study for each test, ideally breaking studying down into shorter sessions with built-in breaks to avoid burnout.

This may also be a good time to introduce the Pomodoro Method to your child, which is a great study skills tool that helps with time management. To use this strategy, your child should set a timer for 25 minutes and study straight for that window. When the timer goes off, they should take a 5-minute break to relax and unwind. After the five minutes are up, they should study again for 25 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break, and so on. Once four of these “Pomodoro cycles” are complete, they should take a longer break, around 20-30 minutes. If 25 minutes of studying (or the 5-minute break) is too much or too little time, your child should adjust the time windows to ones that work best for them.

The end of the school year can be a challenging time for children to stay focused and motivated but slacking now can bring down your child’s grades and confidence. Encourage your child to use these strategies to help them end the year feeling encouraged, successful, and ready for a great summer.

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 Help Your Child Finish the School Year Strong appeared first on EBL Coaching.

What is summer learning loss and why is it more critical for students with dyslexia?

During the summer, many students experience academic learning loss, also known as the summer slide. This slide typically happens because students do very little (if any) academic work over the summer. In fact, research tells us at over 50% of students in the United States lose an average of 39% of gains from the school year over the summer.

For students with dyslexia, summer learning loss is often even greater because:

• They typically need consistent instruction year-round
• They need regular repetition of concepts taught in order to retain them
• Gaps in reading and writing skills can widen quickly without consistent reinforcement
• Even a short break over the summer from consistent learning can lead to learning loss for students with dyslexia and can make the start of the new school year much more challenging for them.

Why is summer such an important time for dyslexia tutoring?

Some parents may feel that their child needs a break from academic work during the summer, but consistent learning is critical for students with dyslexia. They can still have fun during this time while continuing to build their academic skills. Additionally, during the school year, it can be challenging to find time to build foundational skills and fill in learning gaps, but summer is an ideal time for that work, when there are usually fewer homework and school constraints.

When students with dyslexia receive tutoring over the summer, they tend to start the new school year feeling more self-confident and prepared, instead of feeling nervous and behind their peers academically.

What does effective summer dyslexia tutoring look like?

Tutoring for students with dyslexia should follow evidence-based, multi-sensory techniques that are catered to the needs of each student. Most students with dyslexia don’t respond as well to traditional, non-specialized tutoring or homework help. The type of methodologies used in the tutoring sessions and the expertise of the instructor are key elements to successful dyslexia tutoring.

Read our guide on how to find the best dyslexia tutor in NYC for your child at How to Find the Best Tutor for Your Child in NYC – EBL Coaching
Structured, multi-sensory summer tutoring

Students with dyslexia respond best to structured, evidence-based tutoring methods such as the Orton Gillingham approach. This type of instruction breaks down reading into clear, sequential steps. It also integrates the visual, auditory, and tactile/kinesthetic modalities to help engage students in their learning and retain the information taught.

Learn how Orton Gillingham tutoring helps students with dyslexia at What Is Orton-Gillingham Tutoring? Multi-Sensory, Structured Help | EBL Coaching

Consistent tutoring sessions

Tutoring sessions that are occasional and inconsistent are not ideal for students with dyslexia. They need regular, consistent tutoring on a fixed schedule to make the most progress. Students with dyslexia often need multiple sessions per week, especially during the summer when there are fewer constraints of school and foundational skills building can be addressed.

Individualized one-on-one tutoring

Each student with dyslexia has an individual learning profile with unique needs. One-on-one tutoring that begins with an initial assessment and focuses on the specific areas that the student needs the most help with is most optimal for students with dyslexia.

Foundational skills building

During the school year, many students struggle to keep up with their schoolwork. However, because in the summer there are usually fewer school and scheduling limitations, and the tutoring can focus on filling in any learning gaps and building foundational reading and writing skills. Dyslexia tutoring sessions can focus on skills such as phonemic awareness, decoding, spelling, reading fluency, and writing expression. Building strong reading and writing foundations can help improve your child’s overall academic performance.

How much summer tutoring does a child with dyslexia need?

The frequency of tutoring sessions for students with dyslexia varies based on their individual needs. While some students may only need 1-2 sessions per week, students with more profound learning challenges often need multiple sessions per week to effectively build their reading and writing skills.

What are signs your child with dyslexia may benefit from summer tutoring?

You may want to explore summer tutoring for your child with dyslexia if they:

• Struggle with decoding words and reading fluently
• Have trouble spelling words accurately
• Show frustration around reading and writing
• Received poor grades during the school year
• Have an IEP or 504 plan
• Has low self-confidence related to their skills

Keep summer tutoring positive!

Some parents may feel like they are “punishing” their child with summer tutoring. Yet the opposite should be the case – with the right tutor, methodologies, and engaging approach, your child will see how much summer tutoring can help them. By providing your child with one-on-one tutoring, you are giving them tools and strategies to help them feel good about themselves and improve their academic performance. Just like soccer or baseball players receive coaching to improve their athletic performance, tutoring is like having a learning coach to help your child excel.

How can I find a summer dyslexia tutor near me?

Finding the right summer tutor for your child with dyslexia is important. Try to find someone who utilizes the Orton Gillingham approach (which is ideal for students with dyslexia) and who connects well with your child. When searching for a tutor, use specific search terms when looking online. Instead of searching just “tutor,” try searching:

• “Dyslexia tutoring near me”
• “Orton Gillingham tutoring near me”
• “Dyslexia summer tutor near me”
• “Special education tutoring near me”
• “Multi-sensory summer tutoring near me”
• “Summer tutoring for students with IEPs near me”

Discover what to look for in a one-on-one summer tutor near you at One-on-One Summer Tutoring Near Me: What to Look For

Closing thoughts

Summer should be a time filled with enjoyment and fun activities, but it should not be a time when learning is ignored. Students with dyslexia need continued learning over the summer to help reinforce concepts taught, continue building their academic skills, and avoid the summer slide.
Regular one-on-one structured tutoring during the summer can help students with dyslexia improve their self-confidence and start the new school year strong.

Are you looking for a summer dyslexia tutor for your child?

EBL Coaching can help! We specialize in providing one-on-one tutoring to students in grades prek-12 with specialized learning needs, including dyslexia. We use research-based, multi-sensory techniques to help students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, specific learning disabilities, and other academic skills challenges develop their reading, spelling, writing, math, and executive functioning skills.

Sessions can take place at our learning centers, located at 17 East 89th Street, Suite 1D, New York, NY and 50 East Palisade Avenue, Suite 201, Englewood, NJ 07631. We also provide virtual tutoring and in-person tutoring at your home.

Frequently Asked Questions about Summer Dyslexia Tutoring

Is summer tutoring necessary for all students with dyslexia?
While summer tutoring isn’t absolutely necessary, many students with dyslexia face significant learning loss without continuing learning over the summer. Instead of experiencing the summer slide, help your child continue developing their academic skills, reinforce content taught, and start the new school year on a positive note.

Can even just a few weeks of tutoring really help my child with dyslexia?
While longer stretches of tutoring time of the summer are ideal, even just a few weeks can help. The key is consistency and targeted instruction. If your child is only available for tutoring for a few weeks in the summer, you may want to consider a more intensive summer tutoring program for them.

What type of tutoring is best for dyslexia?
The ideal type of tutoring for dyslexia is systematic and multi-sensory, ideally using the Orton Gillingham approach. This technique is research-based, structured, and individualized to the needs of each student.

Should dyslexia tutoring be in-person or virtual?
Students with dyslexia can respond well to either in-person or virtual tutoring. Virtual tutoring typically offers more flexible scheduling and access to tutors who may not live in your local geographic area, while in-person tutoring offers face-to-face connections. Both modalities can be effective if the instruction is systematic, targeted, and engaging.

Learn more about virtual tutoring at Can Virtual Tutoring Help My Child? – EBL Coaching

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.

The post Summer Tutoring for Students with Dyslexia: How to Prevent Learning Loss appeared first on EBL Coaching.