Understanding Reading Fluency, Comprehension and Math Levels

Understanding Reading Fluency, Comprehension and Math Levels

Students today are often struggling with reading fluency, reading comprehension and/or math.

Three of the greatest educational risks are:

  • Parents often do not know what their child’s present level of reading fluency, reading comprehension  and math skills are at
  • Students who learn differently (i.e. neurodivergent, right brain and kinesthetic learners) often fall behind — as neither school based or home school curriculum may be consistent with how they learn best
  • Without testing, parents may not be aware of how their child learns best, where their child is strong and where their child struggles

The opportunities for parents include:

  • There are real benefits with an assessment that shows you::
    • How your child learns best
    • What are your child’s strengths and challenges
    • What is your child’s present level of performance for reading fluency, reading comprehension and math
    • If needed, the assessment can help educators to tailor a program to:
      • Capitalize on how your child learns best
      • Improve their reading speed, reading comprehension and math skills
      • Help you to be the coach your child needs
    • How you can help your child be all they can be

How 3D Learner Assesses for Success

Mary called and was not sure about her child’s reading fluency, reading comprehension and math skills were at.  She had tried two years of dyslexia treatments.  Mary was not interested in labeling, but she was very interested in knowing:

  • How her daughter learned best
  • What her daughter’s strengths and challenges were
  • What was her child’s present level of reading comprehension, reading fluency and math
  • If there were significant gaps, could we help her daughter get to grade level or above
  • Whether what we offered could improve her child’s baseball and soccer skills.  Mary knew that her daughter would be even more interested in help, if it could make her better at baseball or soccer.

Mary shared a few of her frustrations, that included, her daughter:

  • Understood stories when Mary read them to her, but struggled with silent reading comprehension
  • Read more fluently, but often had difficulty remembering words she had seen and not mastered
  • Was good at math, but was now struggling with math word problems.

We then asked Mary what her daughter was good at, Mary shared that her daughter:

  • Had an excellent memory for things she had seen and experienced
  • Was a good person — who loved playing with younger kids and cared about seniors
  • Was good at baseball and soccer but was inconsistent. Three area of concern were:
    • Her daughter would sometimes lose focus during a game
    • In baseball, she would sometimes hit the ball well, but too often she would pull the ball foul 
    • In soccer, her shots often went to the right side of the goalie
    • Her daughter was frustrated that she was not doing as well as she wanted to

We shared this infographic with Mary and explained how we assess for how the student learns best and whether they have a visual processing, executive function, dyslexia and/or anxiety challenge.

  • Many smart struggling  kids learn differently.  They are often a neurodivergent, right brain or kinesthetic learner, who learn best when they see and experience information.  This is important to know, because if they learn differently, it alters the way you teach them, the curriculum you may choose, how you parents them and how one coaches them in sports.
  • 74% of the students we see have a visual processing issue – they may see the whole field or the whole room, but their eyes have difficulty converging.  This often results in their skipping words and/or liens when reading and having difficulty catching a ball.  
  • The executive function challenges we often see may include:
    • Difficulty sustaining attention and either being hyperactive or impulsive.  When we assess a student with the Interactive Metronome ®, we often see that a student’s body moves faster than their brain.  In sports, this results in hitting the ball too early. In baseball that would explain pulling it foul or for a right footed kicker, hitting the soccer ball to the right of the goalie. In life, the attention issues may results in a child losing focus when doing work or during a game
    • The working memory assessment often shows a student has an excellent visual memory, but has difficulty remembering what they have heard or read
  • The Dyslexia Assessment shows where a child is strong and where they struggle.  We can assess for Dyslexia and we can also tailor a program that focuses on the key issues
  • The reading comprehension assessment shows two different challenges:
    • A number of students are below grade level
    • Some students are at grade level, but the assessment shows they should and could be well above grade level
  • Our math assessment shows us where a student is at and where they struggle
  • The anxiety assessment often shows the student gets very anxious in certain situations

Mary asked about the tools we use and whether it is different from what schools and psychologists assess for.  We shared that:

  • The key assessment tool we use is the Structure of Intellect Assessment ® that shows how a student learns best, where they are strong and where they struggle. 

    Comments from a principal, a special educator and a psychologist

    • A principal asked a special educator why their public school stopped using this assessment.  The special educator said “We are required to find a disability in order to provide services.  This assessment does not do that.  3D Learner has the luxury of focusing on tailoring a program to help  a student succeed
    • A psychologist commented, “I wish we could shift our focus from labeling to how to help a child succeed”
  • The Visagraph ® we use to show if there is an eye tracking issue can show both the initial challenge and can be used post training to show the results  Here is a video that shows a student’s eye tracking before and after training.  He commented,. “I now enjoy reading and do much more of it”
  • We use the Mindprint Assessment ® developed by by the University of Pennsylvania to assess executive function skills
  • We use a Woodcock Johnson ® Reading Comprehensive Assessment
  • We use the Core Dyslexia Assessment ® developed by the University of Florida to assess phonics, phonemic awareness and reading fluency.  It also helps us to see if the child has dyslexia,
  • We use the Perceptions Math Assessment ®
  • We use Heartmath ® to assess for anxiety

When we assessed Mary’s daughter we did find that:

  • She was a neurodivergent, right brain or kinesthetic learner who learns best when she sees and experiences information
  • Her daughter had a number of skills that were well above grade level, but struggled with a few key skills
  • She did have a significant visual processing issue
  • Attention was an issue and her daughter’s body was racing faster than her mind  This explained some of the self-control and sports related issues
  • Her visual memory was excellent, but her auditory memory was weak
  • She no longer has significant issues related to reading fluency, but there were some areas where she could benefit from additional training
  • Her reading comprehension was a year below grade level
  • Arithmetic was not an issue, but that word problems were
  • Anxiety was an issue

Mary has the flexibility to prioritize training and her daughter was able to make significant gains over the next six months in reading comprehension, math, attention, visual processing, and self-esteem.  Her baseball and soccer skills improved too. Mary commented that knowing my daughter was a neurodivergent learner with visual processing and executive function challenges changed everything, and addressing the whole child changed her life.  She also added that by helping to improve my daughter’s baseball and soccer skills, you engaged her in the process.

If you would like to discuss your child’s situation and learn more about how we Assess for Success, you can call us at 561-361-7495 or click here to schedule an Assess for Success Conversation.  Note, these assessments can be done in person or via zoom.

 

Why Math Word Problems Are so Difficult and How Visual Parenting Can Help

Why Math Word Problems Are so Difficult and How Visual Parenting Can Help

Difficulty with math word problems is one of the most common academic challenges our students are experiencing. If a child is struggling with reading, it is an even bigger frustration, but even for those good readers- trying to solve word math problems is frustrating. We often hear “This isn’t math– this is reading!!” This blog post will cover five main points that are often overlooked when approaching these problems:

  • If your child is struggling with math word problems, they are not alone. We think that most of these problems are written by math whizzes who do not really think about the words they used. It is vital that students understand the necessary math vocabulary that they can relate to. (What does “Susie has 4 less apples than Bobby has” mean?)
  • Virtually every student we have worked with can do far better in math with a visual kinesthetic approach that allows them to see and experience the problem.  This works well for all students, and especially for the right brain kinesthetic learner who learns best when they see and experience information. We are seeing so many students who just have no number sense. They haven’t had sufficient time to “just play” with numbers. Looking for patterns, mastering the various combinations that make 10. We are pushing math “reading problems” before these kids have mastered playing with numbers.
  • Visual processing issues are quite common, and students often make what appear to be “silly” mistakes. They might not line up the columns of numbers correctly, or they make computation errors in one of the multiple step problems, making the final answer wrong.
  • They HATE to show their work!!! “I can do this in my head… Why do I have to write it down?”
  • Problems with language, visual processing, working memory, processing speed and anxiety often make the situation worse. They just have a difficult time knowing what they are supposed to do. It is important to identify and address the relevant issues.
    Calm visual parenting helps.  By this we mean:
    • Do not assume your child understands your words.  Use pictures where possible. Have them “teach” you what they think they are supposed to do. Gently guide them to what is actually supposed to be done. “That’s not the way my teacher does it”- might be their response. Make sure you get clarification from the teacher.  Students ARE BEING SHOWN multiple ways to solve a problem– often in a different way than you learned it. This is not a battle! Try to keep those emotions and comments to yourself. (I know. It’s hard!)
    • Kinesthetic learning really helps.  Using flashcards when teaching math facts does not create a picture they can relate to.  Laying out rows of M&Ms, or clay balls can help them.

    • Most students learn best when they discover the pattern.  Math is all about patterns! 
    • Stay calm.  When your child does not understand something — it is because it has not been explained in a way that works for them.  Try another more visual kinesthetic approach.

 

With math word problems, what is possible for the right brain kinesthetic learner

Our expertise is with the student who learns best when they see and experience information – what we call a right brain kinesthetic learner.


For Alex, progress was relatively quick.  He thought he understood the words but had visual processing and working memory challenges. It was difficult for him to figure out what he was supposed to do. He was impulsive and did the problems far too quickly. He made a number of mistakes.  

After our assessment showed the visual processing, working memory and impulsivity issues, we worked on improving his visual processing and working memory and slowed him down.

We also changed his name to Inspector Alex — he loved it. We had to explicitly show him ways to check his work. He was rewarded if HE found a mistake before we did!!

We also worked with his parents and helped them to be calmer and more visual.  

Calm visual parenting both makes you more effective and reduces the stress on your child and you.  In this case, Alex was able to reduce the average time to do math homework from 75 to 30 minutes.

Alex did get accommodations at school.  We were able to improve the accommodations to allow for less problems on a page, the use of wide margin graph paper and extra time

Within a few short months his math grades went from a 53 to a 97. He soon thought of himself as “good at math”!


Jennifer had more of a challenge. She needed to go back to basic math patterns and understand math concepts as well as the words that were being used.  She also needed to improve her working memory and visual processing.

We helped her parents to better understand how to be calmer and more visual. 

Jennifer did get accommodations at school.  We were able to improve the accommodations to allow for questions to be read to her, less problems on a page,have her draw out the question and the use of wide margin graph paper as well as extra time

She was able to improve her performance from the 1st percentile to the 47th percentile.  Math may be harder for her than other subjects will be — but she now has confidence in her ability to lay out problems and know when to ask for help. 


Challenges with math word problems do not need to be lifelong challenges.  By teaching to your child’s strengths,and identifying and addressing their challenges, performance can improve in months.  For the right brain kinesthetic learner — calm visual parenting helps

If you would like to discuss your child’s challenges with math word problems and/or other issues, you can call us at 561-361-7495 or click here to schedule a Calm Visual Parenting conversation.

 

Parenting Tips for Public and Charter School Parents, Especially if Your Child is a Right Brain Kinesthetic Learner

Parenting Tips for Public and Charter School Parents, Especially if Your Child is a Right Brain Kinesthetic Learner

Right brain kinesthetic learners face huge risks this school year.  Many teachers will be new, schools may be understaffed, and special educators may be overwhelmed.  In this blog, we will discuss:

How to expedite a special education evaluation
Why and how to improve an IEP
Why more may be necessary to have your child reach his or her potential.

Note, many public and charter schools have invested in dyslexia treatments. This will help student’s reading fluency, but it often does not significantly improve reading comprehension.

We have had parents who asked their child’s school to evaluate their child for special education services.  We have heard many excuses, with the most common being, we need to complete the RTI or Response to Intervention Process first — some schools now refer to this as MTSS, or Multi-tiered System of Support.

This is not acceptable.  Back in 2011, Dr. Melody Musgrove, the Federal Director of the Office of Special Education Programs, developed a policy that “RTI Cannot Be Used to Delay or Deny an Evaluation”.  Click on this link and you will get a more in-depth discussion of this issue, a copy of Dr. Musgrove’s letter.  RTI Cannot Be Used to Delay or Deny an Evaluation “.  Here is a link to a sample letter you can tailor to your situation. We have used this hundreds of times and it works virtually every time.  Mary used this note and made sure to give her informed consent for an evaluation.  It was approved 1 week later, the evaluation was completed, and an IEP was developed within 60 days.  It is doable.

Most Individualized Education Plans or IEPs we read anger us.  There has been a trend to focus on reading fluency, how well a student reads out loud, and even when there are reading comprehension goals, they rarely close the gap.



Let’s take the case of Alex.  He was a 6th grader.  His IEP said he was reading at the 5th grade level.  His homework, which should have been taking an hour, was now taking 3 hours and sometimes more.

When we assessed his reading comprehension, we found his reading comprehension was at the 3rd grade level.  For comprehension, his goal was to answer who, what, where, why and how questions correctly 4 out of 5 times at his independent reading level.  

Mom asked for an interim IEP meeting and asked the school to evaluate his reading fluency and his reading comprehension.  The school assessment showed his reading fluency and reading comprehension were at the 5th and 3rd grade levels respectively.  Mom got an interim IEP and they adjusted his reading comprehension goal to make 1.5 grade level improvement in a year.  



 

For The Right Brain Kinesthetic Learner, Schools Rarely Address 5 Key Issues 

While reading fluency has gotten a great deal of attention with the focus on dyslexia, 3 issues that are often not addressed in a comprehensive way include:

  • Reading comprehension.  Note, if a student is 3 years below grade level and over the next year they improve their reading comprehension 1.5 grade levels, they will still be 2.5 years below grade level.
  • Vocabulary.  The right brain kinesthetic learner often does not master vocabulary the way schools teach.  Looking up the definition, writing the word and using flash cards to master the words rarely helps the right brain kinesthetic learner.
  • Executive function issues are often identified but not addressed.  We have seen students who have IEPs for years where.
    • Attention continues to be a major issue
    • They have an excellent visual memory, but have great difficulty remembering what they hear or read
    • They read very slowly
  • Visual processing issues often get worse as the words get smaller.  This may result in skipping words and lines when reading, making careless mistakes in math and having difficulty copying off the board.
  • Too often the right brain kinesthetic learners are both frustrated and anxious. 

 

At 3D Learner, our goals often include:

  • Targeted efforts to improve reading fluency, based on the specific needs of a student.
  • Improving reading comprehension by 2, 3 and even 4 grade levels within 4 to 6 months.
  • Significantly improving vocabulary, first with a focus on the small words that often confuse a right brain kinesthetic learner.
  • Identifying and addressing the relevant executive function and/or visual processing issues.
  • Lowering anxiety and frustration, while boosting self-confidence.


If we can help in any way, call us at 561-361-7495 or click here to
schedule a conversation.

Parenting Your Right Brain Kinesthetic Learner. The Value of Assessing for Outrageous Success

Parenting Your Right Brain Kinesthetic Learner. The Value of Assessing for Outrageous Success

Parenting a right brain kinesthetic learner can be rewarding and incredibly frustrating.  We lived through years of frustration, before we realized our daughter was a right brain kinesthetic learner who could do far better with a hands-on and engaging learning process I developed.  We have helped thousands of other right brain kinesthetic learners to be far more successful than even their parents thought possible.  Our assessment process is designed to both identify your child’s learning style, their strengths and their challenges and their present level of performance – especially for reading fluency and reading comprehension.  After our assessment, we then discuss with parents their child’s unique profile, and what we think is possible with a tailored program for your child.

We start with four key thoughts:

  • Probably 75 to 85 percent of the smart struggling students are a right brain kinesthetic learner who can do far better when they are taught to their strengths
  • Too often assessments focus on one area or the student’s challenges.  We have found there is tremendous value in identifying the right brain kinesthetic learner and in identifying whether they have a visual processing issue, executive function issues and/or dyslexia.  We also know that reading fluency is used as a barometer of reading skill. We believe it is critical to assess for both reading fluency and reading comprehension.
  • Informed, empowered and proactive parents can and often do make the difference.
  • Comprehensive assessment can help you understand your child’s strengths, challenges and how you can make the difference.

Note, the 3D Learner Assessment can be completed live in either our Coral Springs, Florida, or Durham, NC locations or via zoom.

If you would like to discuss your specific situation and whether your child might be a right brain kinesthetic learner, you can either:
–  Call us at 561-361-7495 or click on
–  Schedule a conversation to find a mutually agreeable time 

Most of our students are bright right brain kinesthetic learners, who learn best when they see and experience information.  These students often:

  • Are a lot smarter than present results would indicate
  • Benefit from special education and tutoring, which are both helpful, but rarely help the student to reach his or her full potential
  • Have some combination of visual processing, auditory processing and/or executive function challenges
  • Have dyslexia, but not always.  About 33% of our students have dyslexia
  • Can make far greater progress within months if their parents invest in a program that:
    • Leverages their strengths and engages them
    • Identifies and addresses their challenges
    • Has a clear understanding of the present level of performance on key items.  
    • Is tailored for their child. Every child is unique, and their learning style plays a crucial role in shaping their educational journey. Among the different learning styles, right brain kinesthetic learners stand out as individuals who absorb information best through hands-on experiences and visual aids. In this article, we’ll explore why it’s essential to assess the strengths and challenges of right brain kinesthetic learners, particularly concerning visual processing issues, executive function issues, and dyslexia. By understanding their learning profile, we can design a tailored program that nurtures their abilities for a successful learning experience.

 

Unraveling the Right Brain Kinesthetic Learner

The right brain kinesthetic learner is characterized by a preference for tactile experiences, physical movement, and visual learning. These learners thrive in an interactive environment, where they can touch, explore, and manipulate objects to understand concepts better. Identifying this learning style ASAP can significantly impact a child’s educational progress.  Note, we did not get it right until 11th grade.  It did help our daughter to improve her reading comprehension 4.2 grade levels in 7 months and improve her GPA from a 2.7 to a 4.4.  Note, the earlier the better, but it is never too late.

The Power of Assessing Strengths

Assessing a right brain kinesthetic learner’s strengths is the first step toward unlocking their potential. You want to identify areas where the child excels. Whether it’s artistic abilities, strong spatial awareness, or exceptional hand-eye coordination, recognizing these strengths can pave the way for a personalized learning approach.  The questions we ask and the Structure of Intellect Assessment ® we use helps us to identify how your child learns best.  A Boca Raton Principal commented, “I really liked the Structure of Intellect Assessment; why did we stop using it?”.  Her special education specialist said that the government requires us to label a child and the SOI Assessment does not label a child.  The SOI helps to tailor a program to meet the child’s needs, which is why 3D Learner uses it.

Understanding Visual Processing Issues

Visual processing issues can affect a right brain kinesthetic learner’s ability to comprehend visual information efficiently. These learners may struggle with tasks that involve reading, interpreting diagrams, or following instructions with visual cues. Identifying and addressing visual processing challenges early can lead to targeted interventions and improved learning outcomes.  We use a Visagraph to show how a student’s eyes track.  Here is a video that shows a student’s tracking before and after our program.  We find a significant visual processing issue in close to 70 percent of our students.  

Navigating Executive Function Issues

Executive function issues can pose additional obstacles for right brain kinesthetic learners. These cognitive processes are responsible for organization, time management, and impulse control. When executive functions are weak, students may face difficulties in planning, initiating tasks, and staying focused. Implementing strategies to bolster executive functions can support the learner in managing academic responsibilities effectively.  Note, we use the Mindprint Assessment ® developed by the University of Pennsylvania to assess Executive Function Skills for students reading at the 2nd grade level or higher.  We also use the Interactive Metronome ® to assess for attention.  This is an excellent tool to show an attention issue, and it is very effective at improving attention.

The Impact of Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disability that affects reading and language processing. For right brain kinesthetic learners with dyslexia, traditional reading approaches may not yield the desired results. Recognizing the presence of dyslexia is vital for providing appropriate accommodations, such as alternative reading methods, assistive technologies, and specialized tutoring.  We use the CORE Assessment, which is part of the University of Florida’s UFLI Program ® we are certified to provide.

Designing a Program for Success

By acknowledging the strengths, visual processing issues, executive function issues, and dyslexia in a right brain kinesthetic learner, parents and educators can design a comprehensive program tailored to their specific needs. Here are some strategies to consider:

  • Incorporate hands-on activities and visual aids into lessons to enhance learning engagement.
  • Use technology and interactive learning tools to support comprehension and retention.
  • Provide a structured and organized learning environment to address executive function challenges.
  • Seek support from educators, specialists, and support groups to develop targeted interventions for dyslexia.

The Value of Assessing for Success

Recognizing and understanding the learning style of a right brain kinesthetic learner is crucial for their educational success. By assessing their strengths, visual processing issues, executive function issues, and dyslexia, parents and our team can create a personalized program that nurtures their unique abilities and helps overcome challenges. Through a tailored approach, we can empower your child to thrive academically and develop a lifelong love for learning.

Note, the 3D Learner Assessment can be done live in either our Coral Springs, Florida, or Durham, NC locations or done via zoom. 

If you would like to discuss your specific situation and whether your child might be a right brain kinesthetic learner, you can either:
–  Call us at 561-361-7495 or click on
–  Schedule a conversation to find a mutually agreeable time 

For Your Bright Right Brain Kinesthetic Learner, Why and How to Address Math Word Problems

For Your Bright Right Brain Kinesthetic Learner, Why and How to Address Math Word Problems

(Click here for a video on this subject)

For the bright right brain kinesthetic learner, math word problems have become a major issue.  While reading scores dropped after the pandemic, math scores dropped even further.  As shown below, the percent of 4th and 8th graders meeting grade level standards on the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress), dropped by 7 and 8 points respectively.  The bad news is that problems with math word problems rarely self-correct.  

The good news is that we have over 25 years of experience helping students to make dramatic gains in their math performance.  This includes:

  • A student who had been to 17 other math tutors and was operating at the1st percentile in math.  We were able to get her to the 47th percentile
  • A smart 4th grader, who we were able to get from the 48th to the 98th percentile

  • Many students who were getting Cs, Ds and Fs, who went to As and Bs within months

If your child is experiencing difficulties with math word problems and you want to discuss what can be done,
      Call us at 561-361-7495 or
      Click here to schedule a Math Stress to Success Conversation

The Bright Right Brain Kinesthetic Learner may do well in the lower grades in math, but …

When math shifts in third and fourth grades to math word problems, virtually all our students have problems.  This is often the result of many challenges, including:

Learning differences, visual processing issues and/or executive function issues are the multiple challenges that make math problems so difficult, and why remediation must address the relevant issues.

  • The bright right brain kinesthetic learner learns differently than the logical, sequential and auditory approach that schools may use.  They often have problems recognizing words, with the vocabulary and with the way the problems are worded.  The right brain kinesthetic learner often does not learn how to leverage their visualization skills to understand and solve the problems.
  • Visual processing issues are both common with the right brain kinesthetic learner and visual processing issues result in:
    • Number reversals
    • Not lining up the numbers correctly
    • Missing signs – especially negative and division signs
    • Making careless mistakes
  • Executive function challenges may cause:
    • Problems remembering math facts and the order of operation
    • Losing focus when doing homework, during class when they are lost and during tests
    • Difficulty finishing tests on time — the right brain kinesthetic learner
  • Anxiety and frustration with math.  We have heard too many students in the last year say, “I hate Math”.

 

For Bright Right Brain Kinesthetic Learners Struggling with Math Word Problems:

We Assess for Success looking 

  • How your child learns best 
  • Whether he or she has a visual processing issue
  • Whether there is an attention, working memory and/or processing speed issues

We offer an Integrated, Engaging and Effective Program that often results in significant gains within months, especially for the bright right brain kinesthetic learner.

If your child is experiencing difficulties with math word problems and you want to discuss what can be done,
      Call us at 561-361-7495 or
      Click here to schedule a Math Stress to Success Conversation

 

Is Your Child a Kinesthetic Learner with Executive Function and/or Visual Processing Issues — Assess for Success and for Disabilities

Is Your Child a Kinesthetic Learner with Executive Function and/or Visual Processing Issues — Assess for Success and for Disabilities

Many smart struggling students are either a Kinesthetic Learner, have Executive Function challenges and/or have a Visual Processing issue.

The Visual or Kinesthetic Learner often has Executive Function Issues and Frequently Has a Visual Processing Issue is Often Far Behind and has the Potential to Make Significant Gains in Months Not Years

Is your child a visual or kinesthetic learner with executive function &/or a visual processing challenge?
Our comprehensive assessment process is designed to tailor a solution to meet your needs

Three key differences to take note of in 2022 – 23 school year:

  • Reading comprehension and math gaps are wider than in prior years.  Math is now the most common issue.  Math word problems are often a huge problem for an older kinesthetic learner.
  • Executive function and visual processing issues are even more common and more severe
  • Anxiety and frustration are much bigger issues

 

7 Ways The 3D Learner Assessment is different than most:

1- Our end goal is to tailor a program to help your child succeed. 

2- We identify your child strengths and how to use them in creating a program

3- We identify the key executive function issues that often hold a student back.  These may include attention, working memory, processing speed, etc.)

4- We assess for a visual processing issue.  For local clients, we use a Visagraph ® that shows you exactly how your child’s eyes track when reading

5- We assess for your child’s present level of reading comprehension, and we assess their writing skills

6- We identify key learning strengths and challenges.  The strengths often boost a student’s self-esteem and show potential.  The challenges show us where improvement is needed.

7- We tailor a program to meet your child’s needs and your goals.

We also recognize that anxiety is a major issue and …

3D Learner is now offering the Safe and Sound Protocol ® at no cost
for those investing in a Comprehensive Assessment by September 30th
Call 561-361-7495 or click here to book an Assess for Success conversation

Note, the 3D Learner assessments can be done remotely via zoom or at our Coral Springs office.  The only difference is we cannot do the Visagraph ®, that shows visual tracking, and the Interactive Metronome ®, that assesses for attention challenges, remotely,

As a transformational learning center, we use the assessment process to tailor solutions to meet our students’ needs.  Most parents are frustrated that their child struggles with 3, 4, 5, 6 or all 7 of the following challenges:

  • They are a lot smarter than their present level of reading comprehension would indicate
  • Math may be an issue, but math word problems are almost always an issue
  • Putting their thoughts on paper and/or handwriting Their child may be able to hyperfocus on video games, Legos or science, but their child often has difficulty paying attention to that which is boring.  A fraction of our students have ADHD, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder), others have an attention issue, and others do not
  • Spelling, remembering math facts and remembering simple auditory instructions is a challenge.  This is often called working memory
  • Their child reads and may respond slower than one would expect — processing speed.  People do not realize this is often caused by a visual processing challenge
  • Anxiety and frustration are all too common

Why We Assess for How Your Child Learns Best,
Executive Function, Visual Processing and other Challenges

Most smart struggling students learn best when they see and experience information.  We call this student a kinesthetic learner.  Others may call them a right brain or visual learner.  These students often struggle more than their more logical, sequential and auditory peers with remembering words seen and not mastered, not understanding high frequency words and with visual processing issues.  That is, they often have better peripheral vision, but they often skip words and lines when reading.

They also do far better with reading comprehension and with math with kinesthetic learning.  They find the work more engaging, it leverages their visual memory, and we make it more relevant.

Our comprehensive assessment includes:
The Structure of Intellect Assessment ® that identifies:
       – How your child learns best
       – Your child’s strengths and challenges
       – Whether there appears to be a visual or auditory processing issues

One principal at a school in Boca Raton asked her special education specialist during an IEP meeting, why they stopped using this assessment.  The ESE specialist said the assessment was great because it identified how a child learned best and their strengths and challenges.  She then added that the Federal Government requires public schools to focus on a label,(in order to get program funding) and the SOI does not do that.  She then added, that 3D Learner has the luxury of using this assessment because they are primarily interested in tailoring a program to help a student succeed

The Mindprint Assessment(R) that assesses Executive Function and identifies strengths and weaknesses for:

  • Working Memory
  • Processing Speed
  • Attention
  • Flexible Thinking
  • Abstract Reasoning
  • Spatial Perception
  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Verbal Memory

The MindPrint cognitive screener was developed by neuroscientists at University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine through a National Institutes of Health grant. This online assessment is so reliable and efficient NASA uses it to test the astronauts during long-duration space flights.  It is an excellent assessment, and where help is needed, we can provide it with the Brainware Safari Program ®, the Interactive Metronome ® and the core 3D Learner Program ®

For local clients, we use a Visagraph that shows how a student’s eyes track when reading.  Click here to see how a student’s eyes tracked before and after our program.

We use the Interactive Metronome ® to assess for attention.

We do a Woodcock Johnson Reading Comprehension ® assessment.

3D Learner is now offering the Safe and Sound Protocol at no cost for those investing in a Comprehensive Assessment by September 30th
Call 561-361-7495 or click here to book an Assess for Success conversation
View this video on the 3D Learner YouTube Channel
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