Abacus Mom

Parent Thanks Toby Glick for Helping Special Needs Child Find the Perfect School

My colleague Toby Glick helps students who are underperforming (because or not because of a special need) do better in school.  Toby just received this email today from a recent client (with identifying details removed):

Dear Toby,

Last Spring you met my son and recommended <prestigious special needs school>. I wanted to tell you that my son was accepted at the school and we moved in July so that we could be closer to the school. The second week of 6th grade at his new school, <son> told his psychologist that out of a scale of 1-10, he rated his new school "between 10 and 11." This past fall, he was awarded "Student of the Month" and was showcased in the school's newsletter. He just got on Honor Roll for the first time.

I can't thank you enough for recommending <school> for my son. If it wasn't for you, I never would have heard of it. Thank you a million times, Toby!

Sincerely, <mom's name>

To help your underperforming child find the right school and special support, call Toby now at 646-300-1881 or contact her at toby(at)parentconfidante.com  Toby's 2012 schedule is filling now.

More on When Should My Child Start Kindergarten

Thanks to Jessica Kelmon of GreatSchools for her excellent article, When should kids start kindergarten?  Kelmon writes:

Yet another part of the equation with today’s high-stakes testing is that we expect more of kindergartners. Unfortunately, they’re less prepared for success. "Kindergarten is much more academic than ever," says Emily Glickman, a Manhattan-based educational consultant. "Many people feel that kindergarten is the new first grade."

Kelmon has also written a worthwhile new story about When Should Kids Repeat a Grade.

Help for Hyperlexia (Thoughts on Gilman's The Anti-Romantic Child)

If you have, or work with, hyperlexic or other special needs children, you will be interested in Priscilla Gilman's new memoir, The Anti-Romantic Child. The book is about Gilman's experience shepherding her young hyperlexic son, Benj, through babyhood, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school.  Gilman covers in great detail Benj's developmental delays, social skills deficits, experiences with pediatricians, therapists, mainstream and special schools, and relationships.  Some of the unnamed schools Gilman references are on Manhattan's Upper West Side which adds an extra layer of interest as readers can try to guess which schools they are.

At one point, Gilman applies to twenty NYC private and public schools.  (Thank goodness, Benj is accepted to one.)  A developmental pediatrician tells Gilman,

"You can't be average and you can't be difficult or probematic to get into a private school in New York City.  Schools in New York City don't want average kids, and they also don't want kids who cry and break down, they don't want fragile kids.  You have to have at least 84 percent composite score on the ERBs (the standardized test required for admission to private school in New York.)"

Reading the book, I felt sorry for Gilman that she did not have access to Toby Glick, an extraordinary special needs educational consultant who specializes in helping families understand their children's problems and get the right therapists and schooling.  A year or so ago, I referred a hyperlexic child to Toby.  Right away, after Toby read the child's evaluations and spoke to his teachers, she was able to help the boy get into an appropriate school.  (And that family did not have to apply to twenty schools.)  If you have a special needs child or know someone who does who needs help, you can reach Toby at 646-300-1881 or Toby(at)ParentConfidante.com.

Free, Expert Information on NYC Private School Admission

We have just emailed out the April edition of our exclusive monthly newsletter, News about Schooling, Enrichment, and Parenting.  It's not too late to get your free copy. 

Simply email info(at)abacusguide.com or click on newsletter sign up form We'll send your copy right out.  You'll learn about NYC (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Riverdale, Westchester) private school admission for kindergarten, middle school and high school, enrichment, tutoring, ERB, including WPPSI, WISC and ISEE, educational toys, and latest education news.

Shut Out Because Your Child May Have "Special Needs"?

This is a tough time of year for families whose preschoolers are developing at their own pace.  Sometimes preschool directors and others suggest to parents that children were shut out of schools because they have special needs.

In twelve years of tracking, I have come to believe that much diagnosis of four-year-olds is faulty and often unnecessarily distressing to families.  That said, kids can often benefit from early intervention.  If you're looking for the right school placement or the right therapist for your child, a good ear and excellent advice, I strongly recommend that you call Toby Glick.  If you have a special needs child or know someone who does who needs help, you can reach Toby at 646-300-1881 or Toby(at)ParentConfidante.com. Many families around Manhattan, Brooklyn, Westchester and New Jersey are deeply grateful to Toby for the help and direction she has given them.

Private School Kindergarten Interviews: Books and Crayons to Help Your Preschooler Develop His Fine Motor Skills (Handwriting)

At the student interview, private schools typically ask preschoolers applying to kindergarten and prekindergarten to draw pictures and write their names.  Many parents, seeking to ensure that their children's fine motor skills make the cut, seek out books and tools that help develop handwriting and drawing skills.  Here are some that we recommend to our clients and friends:

The Write Start: A Guide to Nurturing Writing at Every Stage, from Scribbling to Forming Letters and Writing Stories  Ideas from a pediatric occupational therapist.

I Can Draw Animals (Kid Kits) Simple animal drawings that even the youngest child will enjoy copying.

I Can Draw People Who doesn't like drawing ice skaters, ballerinas, and football players?

Melissa & Doug Jumbo Triangular Colored Pencils 24 pack  Triangular pencils and crayons help little hands develop a proper grip.

Melissa & Doug Triangular Crayons - 24 pack  Melissa & Doug certainly have a good business going.

Melissa & Doug Jumbo Triangular Crayons  Like I said.

Kumon ABCs Uppercase Write & Wipe Flash Cards  Kumon takes it beyond workbooks.

 

NYC Private Schools: Counseled Out?

Sarah Maslin Nir scooped a fascinating New York Times article today, Private Schools ‘Counsel Out’ the Unsuccessful.  The first time this subject has been handled in print, the article details how kids with special needs--academic or emotional--are often counseled out of NYC private schools.

This is a key point of which to be aware.  Mainstream New York private schools often don't want to--and are often not able to--serve kids with issues.  Why should they, when there are so many presumably less troublesome kids from which to pick?

Every year I get calls from parents in this situation.  Sometimes, the parents themselves have been counseled out, often for ill advised comments to school administration and staff.

If your child has issues which concern you, I would think seriously about handling them privately versus through your school.  Private schools have a lot of power, and you need to do what is best for your child.  Toby Glick, a special needs school advisor and president of ParentConfidante has helped a lot of families in similar situations.  If you have a special needs child or know someone who does who needs help, you can reach Toby at 646-300-1881 or Toby(at)ParentConfidante.com.

 

Support for Your Child and For You this Season

Is your child struggling with academic, social, or emotional issues?  If so, you're struggling too.

There is nothing like the peace and happiness of knowing that you've found the right professional or school to help your child be happier and more successful.  That's why we're delighted to be partnered with Toby Glick of ParentConfidante.  Toby specializes in cutting through often confusing information from schools and doctors, and giving parents common sense solutions and support.  She'll help you make the right decision for your child, and put your child on the right road.  Give your family the most important present.  Call Toby today 646-300-1881 or toby(at)parentconfidante.com.

 

Educational Consultant / School Advisor for Kids with Special Needs

As many parents talk proudly about their children's achievements, families with kids who have or may have special needs often wonder: what about MY child?  How can I help him reach his maximum potential?  Where can I find the best tutors, therapists, and schooling support?

Consultant Toby Glick of ParentConfidante can help you.  This is the time to call her:  646-300-1881 or toby(at)parentconfidante.com.  Toby is an expert on Manhattan, Brooklyn, Westchester and New Jersey private and public schools and tutors.

Abacus Guide to Schooling, Enrichment, and Parenting

For a limited time, email info(at)abacusguide.com for your free subscription to our monthly newsletter, Abacus Guide to Schooling, Enrichment, and Parenting.  We'll keep you up-to-date on all the latest admissions, test prep, enrichment and parenting trends.