A strength-based, whole-child approach is an effective approach to beat grade retention — which often shows up in first grade retention, second grade retention, or third grade retention risks. It is often possible to turn a grade retention risk into a significant improvement in reading comprehension —especially when parents take the lead and adopt a strength-based whole-child approach. Many kids facing grade retention risks learn differently — they are often either a right-brain learner, a visual spatial learner or a kinesthetic learner.
Below is a video where we discuss how you can turn grade retention risk into an opportunity to significantly improve your child’s reading fluency, reading comprehension and self-esteem.
Here’s a focused 5-step strategy to help.
1. Reject the Status Quo and Reframe the Narrative
Grade retention is often recommended when a child is reading well below grade level and scores poorly on assessments. But rather than seeing this as a dead end, reframe it as a red flag and a turning point:
Your child isn’t “failing”—they are not being taught the way they learn best.
Use this moment to recommit to your child’s potential, not lower expectations.
Consider the possibilities if you use a Strength-based whole child approach and partner with the right professionals
2. Assess for Success—not Just for Deficits
Go beyond a standard reading test or dyslexia screen. Assess for:
Reading Fluency and. Comprehension (often treated as the same—they’re not!)
Visual and Auditory Processing
Working Memory, Attention, and Processing Speed
Strengths like visual-spatial skills, problem solving, or creativity
3D Learner uses the following tools:
UFLI® CORE Assessment for decoding and fluency
Mindprint® for assessing executive function skills
Structure of Intellect Assessment ® and visual skills screenings
These reveal why your child is struggling and what will unlock their learning.
3. Set BOLD Goals
Don’t settle for “some improvement.” Create BOLD but achievable goals:
“Improve reading comprehension by 2 to 3 grade levels in 6 months”
“Understand and answer ‘why’ questions after reading a story”
“Read a chapter book and explain the key ideas”
Also include goals for:
Confidence and self-esteem
Enjoyment of reading
Non-academic strengths (sports, music, building)
4. Choose the Right Intervention—a Strength-Based Whole Child Approach
Traditional phonics-heavy programs may not help you achieve your goals for right-brain learners, visual-spatial learners , or kinesthetic learners. Choose an intervention that:
Uses visual, hands-on, and movement-based strategies
Addresses the core issues (e.g., visual tracking, attention)
Builds comprehension from the start, not just decoding
Includes parent coaching, so you can reinforce learning at home
Will deliver significant results that will avoid grade retention and prepare your child to succeed
5. Take Massive, Coordinated Action
Time is of the essence. Act quickly and decisively:
Assess for how your child learns best, Set BOLD Goals and get the help your child needs to succeed
Engage daily at home with comprehension-building games, read-alouds, and interactive discussions
Monitor progress weekly with small wins (e.g., retelling, journaling, drawing)
Communicate with teachers to align strategies and expectations
Celebrate effort and resilience, not just outcomes
When you treat this “grade retention risk” as the moment to pivot, and intervene with insight, intensity, and encouragement, many children move from frustration to thriving.
Most smart struggling students learn differently. That is, they learn best when they see and experience information. They may be labeled a right-brain learner, a visual-spatial learner or a kinesthetic learner.
Do this with your child, their answers may surprise you.
Every child deserves the chance to thrive — especially those who learn differently. At 3D Learner, we’ve helped thousands of bright, creative kids who were struggling in school break through the barriers and succeed.
Our 5-stepPathway to Success empowers parents to take charge, get the right help, and unleash their child’s full potential.
Our 5-Step Pathway to Success for Your Child Who Learns Differently
Reject the Status Quo Stop waiting for things to get better on their own. Traditional systems often focus on what your child can’t do. Instead, recognize the risks of inaction — and the incredible upside your child has. For a child who learns differently, it is important to recognize the improvement that is possible when one teaches to their strengths, identifies and addresses their challenges and boosts their self-esteem. Step into your role as the Make the Difference Parent your child needs.
Assess for Success Go beyond labels. Discover how your child learns best. Identify their unique strengths, specific challenges (like dyslexia, ADHD, visual processing, or anxiety), and get a clear picture of where they stand in reading fluency, reading comprehension, attention, and confidence. It is critically important to understand how your child learns best.
Set BOLD Goals Set BOLD Goals that inspire and stretch your child — goals that aim for Outrageous Success. We’re talking about dramatic gains in reading, a real love of learning, stronger self-esteem, and more time to pursue what lights them up — whether it’s sports, music, or art.
Get the Right Help Partner with professionals who specialize in smart kids who learn differently. Choose those who will build on your child’s strengths, tackle their challenges, and work with you to become the powerful coach and advocate your child needs.
Start Now The sooner you act, the greater the results. Your child is at a critical window of opportunity. Let’s turn their struggles into strengths — and their potential into real progress.
ADHD is a recognized condition under IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education ACT) under ‘Other Health Impairment (OHI)’. Here are the conditions on How ADHD May Qualify Your Child for Special Education Services:
Your child must be diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder with or without hyperactivity or impulsivity) by a medical professional or by a school psychologist
ADHD must significantly impact your child’s academic performance
Your child will benefit from special education services
In this video — we share “How ADHD May Qualify Your Child for Special Education Services”
NOTE:
The quickest way to achieve the goal of getting an IEP for a child with ADHD is to get a medical diagnosis from a psychologist, psychiatrist, pediatrician or a neurologist. It helps if the diagnosis includes the key words :
“has ADHD”,
“It significantly impacts his/her academic performance”, and
“he/she would benefit from special education services”.
Schools are legally required to evaluate when there is suspected disability and educational impact
Document concerns. Gather report cards, teacher comments, and test scores
Collect notes from parent-teacher conferences or behavior logs
Track home observations (e.g., struggles with homework, focus, frustration)
5 Steps on How ADHD May Qualify Your Child for Special Education Services
Submit a Written Evaluation Request. Address the letter to the school principal or special education coordinator. Attach an outside diagnosis if you have one.
State that you are formally requesting a full evaluation for special education and giving your child your informed consent to do so
Mention that your child has ADHD and is struggling in school
Sign and date the letter and keep a copy. Sample sentence: “I am requesting that my child, [Name], be evaluated for special education services due to ADHD, which is impacting their ability to succeed academically and behaviorally in the classroom, and we believe he/she would benefit from Special Education Services”
. Participate in the Evaluation Process
Note:
In some cases, schools regularly use ADHD to qualify a student for Special Education Services and an IEP. In other cases, we have been told that their school does not qualify a child for an IEP and Special Education Services. That is where a Parent Advocate can help.
Getting it right by third gradeor sooner is our passion!!! After helping kids since 1997, we have decided to change our focus to help many more parents to help their child achieve Success by Third Grade or Sooner
Our new focus is on helping many more Parents to Get It Right by Third grade or Sooner, especially for kids who learn differently because:
Most kids who learn differently will struggle for years, even very smart and gifted kids.
These kids often have significant upside potential
Informed, empowered and proactive parents can and often will make the difference.
If your child learns differently, both the video below and our Parenting Guide to Get It Right By Third Grade or Sooner will be even more valuable.
Watch the video below to listen to our Why Getting It Right By Third Grade or Sooner is our passion for your child and others, especially for kids who learn differently.
When you enter your information below, we will provide you with a 5-part series focused on Parent Guide to Getting It Right By Third Grade or Sooner for Your Child
Our Story and Why We Focus on Getting It Right by Third Grade or Sooner
Does your child learn differently? This is a question no one ever asked me. Nor did I consider this question to be important until…
We were told our 8th grade daughter was not college material, and I became a mom on a mission. I had my Master’s in Education, years of teaching experience and had tried dyslexia programs, reading tutors, learning centers, helping my daughter with what I knew, and it had not worked.
I knew my child learned differently – and wound up developing the 3D Learner Program ® that helped our daughter to improve her reading comprehension 4.2 grade levels in 7 months, earn her college degree, Master’s and Doctorate in Education, and become the teacher she never had.
Note, while we have helped thousands of students with our 1–on-1 program, we are starting a new initiative to help many more parents with insights and tools to help students get it right by third grade or sooner for your child.
Key points
We know the anxiety and frustration that comes with not Getting It Right By Third Grade or Sooner
Most smart struggling kids learn differently have challenges that might include dyslexia, executive function issues, ADHD, auditory and/or visual processing issues and/or anxiety
If your child learns differently and has related challenges
–They face significant risks of challenges with reading comprehension, math word problems, anxiety and much more
–They often have significant upside potential
–You the parent are the best positioned to make the difference
When you enter your information below, we will provide you with a 5-part series focused on Parents Getting It Right By Third Grade or Sooner for Your Child
As we work on ourParenting to Get It Right By Third Grade or Sooner Course, we continue to seek input from parents.
If you would like to engage in a 30-minute no cost conversation, call us at 561-361-7495 orclick here to schedule a mutually agreeable time to have a conversation.
The Parenting Guide to Get It Right By Third Grade or Sooner is a 5-installment series that addresses:
Recognizing that it often gets worse for smart struggling kids who learn differently, the upside which is far greater than most people think it is and the pivotal role that you the parent plays
Identifying your child’s strength, challenges and present level of performance. While many people inquire about a student’s challenges, at 3D Learner we focus on a student’s strengths and interests to engage and connect to the student, to generate more significant gains and to build a child’s self-esteem. We also assess for dyslexia, executive function and visual processing issues.
Goal Setting for small and significant gains. While others may focus on Dyslexia, ADHD or Executive Function issues, we set goals that might include improved Reading Fluency, Reading Comprehension, Executive Function Skills, Self-esteem and the sport or activity your child enjoys the most.
Help that is needed — both from school-based and outside professionals
Taking massive action to really make the difference
When you enter your information below, we will provide you with a 5-part series focused on Parents Getting It Right By Third Grade or Sooner for Your Child.
Knowing your child learns differently is helpful for your child, their teachers and you. As parents, we’re always learning about our kid; what makes them laugh, what foods they hate, how they act when they’re tired. But one thing that can truly change the game is understanding how they learn.
Some kids don’t follow the traditional path when it comes to school. Maybe they struggle with reading, can’t seem to follow directions, or zone out in class but light up when building something with their hands. These might be signs that your child learns differently—and discovering that ASAP can be one of the most powerful tools in your parenting toolkit.
Note, we did not capitalize on our daughter’s learning difference until 11th grade — it is never too late.
Here are 7 reasons why knowing if your child learns differently really matters:
Identifying a learning difference can change your perspective on your child’s potential.
Knowing your child learns differently provides a new perspective on why your child is not performing up to their potential. We have seen really smart and even gifted kids who learn differently struggle, despite IQs of 120, 130 and even 140. Once their parents knew their child learned differently and found the right program, their child was able to excel.
Knowing your child learns differently can change the type of learning program or tutor you choose.
Like many others, we invested in two dyslexia programs, a couple of reading tutors and a learning center. It was not until I developed what has become known as the 3D Learner Program ® that my daughter was able to improve her reading comprehension 4.2 grade levels in 7 months. Since then, I have found that most kids who learn differently have some combination of dyslexia, visual processing, executive function and/or anxiety challenges. If your child learns differently, it helps to leverage a program that:
Teaches the way your child learns best
Identifies and addresses their challenges and
Helps you to be the coach and advocate your child needs
It Changes the Way You Talk to Them
Ever feel like your kid just doesn’t hear you? You’re not alone. If your child has a learning difference, they might not catch multi-step directions the first time around. When you know what’s going on, you can switch up your communication—maybe using visual aids, fewer steps, or written notes. It’s not about simplifying; it’s about connecting in a way that works for them.
It Helps You Find the Right Teacher (and School Fit)
Some teachers naturally “get” kids who learn differently. Others, not so much. When you understand your child’s learning needs, you can advocate for teachers who use flexible methods and know how to bring out your child’s strengths. It might also guide you toward schools with support systems in place—whether that’s an IEP, smaller class sizes, or just a more creative approach to learning.
It Opens the Door to Better Explanations—and Provides Examples of Many Famous People Who Learn Differently
Here’s something amazing: many well-known creators, entrepreneurs, and innovators—think Richard Branson or Steven Spielberg—learned differently, too. Your child might struggle with traditional reading or writing but shine in storytelling, design, or problem-solving. When you understand how their brain works, you can explain things in a way that actually clicks and help them lean into the things they’re naturally great at.
It Helps When You Catch Related Challenges Early
Learning differences don’t always come alone. If your child has trouble with sight words, it might not just be about reading—it could be a visual processing issue, attention, working memory, processing speed and/or anxiety. Struggles with writing might link to fine motor delays or dysgraphia. Knowing your child’s learning style can help you spot patterns and get ahead of potential issues before they snowball.
It Can Be a Huge Boost to Their Confidence
This one’s big. When kids don’t understand why school feels so hard, they often start to think they’re “not smart” or that something’s wrong with them. But when they realize they just learn differently, everything changes. They begin to see themselves as capable, creative, and unique. And when a child believes in themselves? That’s when the magic really starts.
Parenting Takeaway: Knowing Is Empowering
Every child deserves to feel understood, supported, and confident in their abilities. If you suspect your child might learn differently, trust that little voice in your head. Talk to their teachers. Look into assessments. Learning more about how your child’s brain works doesn’t limit them—it empowers you to help them grow into their best self.
And honestly? There’s nothing more powerful than a kid who knows they’re not “less than”—just wired for something different and amazing.
If you would like access to our Parenting Guide for Kids Who Learn Differently, enter your information below
The Parenting Guide for Kids Who Learn Differently is a 5-installment series that addresses:
Recognizing that it often gets worse for smart struggling kids who learn differently, the upside which is far greater than most people think it is and the pivotal role that you the parent plays
Identifying your child’s strength, challenges and present level of performance. While many people inquire about a student’s challenges, at 3D Learner we focus on a student’s strengths and interests to engage and connect to the student, to generate more significant gains and to build a child’s self-esteem. We also assess for dyslexia, executive function and visual processing issues.
Goal Setting for small and significant gains. While others may focus on Dyslexia, ADHD or Executive Function issues, we set goals that might include improved Reading Fluency, Reading Comprehension, Executive Function Skills, Self-esteem and the sport or activity your child enjoys the most.
Help that is needed — both from school-based and outside professionals
Taking massive action to really make the difference
If you would like to engage in a 30-minute no cost conversation, call us at 561-361-7495 or click here to schedule a mutually agreeable time to have a conversation.
When you enter your information below, we will provide you with a 5-part series focused on Parent Guide for Kids Who Learn Differently
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