10 Professionals Who Can Help Your Struggling Child

There are many trained professionals who can help your child be successful despite any difficulties he or she may be encountering. The list below contains 10 professionals you might want to consider when exploring options to help your child.

1) Classroom teacher--works with your child on a daily basis and can provide insightful information related to how your child learns, how attentive he or she is in the classroom, etc.

2) Learning Disabilities Specialist--many schools have a teacher on staff with specific training and credentials to provide educational services above and beyond regular classroom instruction. This instruction my be one on one or in small groups.

3) Educational/Learning Consultant--Independent center or individual who administers educational evaluations and makes recommendations and/or implements intervention work in specific areas of need.

4) School Psychologist--gives and interprets psychological and educational tests; assists with behavior management; provides counseling or consultation with parents, school staff, and students.

5) Pediatrician--provides medical examinations and services, trained in overall child development.

6) Neurologist--a medical specialist that looks for possible damage or weakness to specific brain functions.

7) Psychologist--provides psychological and intellectual assessment and treatment for mental and emotional health. Also administers ADHD evaluations.

8) Psychiatrist--diagnoses and treats behavioral and emotional problems, most notably those requiring prescription medications.

9) Occupational Therapist--helps improve motor and sensory functions to improve ability to perform daily fine and gross motor tasks.

10) Speech and Language Therapist--can assess, diagnose, and treat disorders related to speech, language, and cognitive communication impairments such as attention, memory, and problem solving disorders.

While there are other professionals available in the community who might also be helpful, these 10 are a good starting point to think about.

Ahhhh, No Anxiety at Langsford

ABOVE: Christopher, one of Langsford's instructors, enjoys dinner before one of our Trimester meetings.
Twice a month, Langsford staff participates in ongoing training and three times a year we have a bigger "Trimester" meeting. At these meetings we often invite someone from the community to speak on a topic relevant to education and learning.

Last week's meeting focused on anxiety as it relates to learning struggles. Alison Johnson, LCSW, LMFT and Traci Simonsen, LCSW presented a wonderful program helping us to understand what happens in our bodies when experiencing any type of anxiety. They gave us specific actions we can do to help relax when we find ourselves in tense and anxiety-ridden situations. By the time they were finished, the entire staff was so relaxed we nearly slid out of our chairs. :)

We also discussed how anxiety affects students who are working so hard, yet still struggling to learn. This presentation will help us in many ways, not only for ourselves personally, but also as we work with students in our sessions.

Alison and Traci have 43 years of combined experience working with families to provide therapy and specialize in alternative healing methods. They provide a variety of group offerings as well, one example being a group for teenage girls and another for mid to late teen boys.

As these two ladies spoke, we could really feel the energy and enthusiasm in what they do.

If you would like more information about their group, Integrating The Heart, call or email Langsford and we will be happy to pass on their contact information.