succeed in school. Comprehensive neuropsychological
assessment is essential for identifying the neurocognitive
and environmental underpinnings that impact a student’s
academic or social-emotional functioning, and then
utilizing such evaluative information to make informed
recommendations to remediate that student’s areas of
true vulnerability. For example, what looks like ADHD
may be the result of the anxiety that arises from reading
difficulties, and not ADHD at all. Even more important
may be identifying a student’s assets and areas of resilience.
We all have unique sets of strengths and weaknesses, and
often those strengths are overlooked when they are less
traditional, or when learning or behavior issues take the
main stage. While it is important to support and remediate
learning difficulties, the Saint David’s “Renaissance” man
in me also ensures that students understand what they can
do and realize all that they can be.
Unfortunately, many children with academic challenges
focus on what they can’t do, and feel that these issues mean
that they are “not smart enough to get it.” However, most
learning difficulties are not a reflection of intelligence – in
fact, they are typically defined as a gap between a student’s
ability and current achievement level. Some youngsters
with learning disabilities can keep up with their peers, at
least for the first few grades, but they typically run into
trouble at some point.
helping patients rediscover that they are smart and capable,
since many have stopped believing in themselves. One
of the best ways to support students is to encourage an
activity that makes them feel good, whether it is playing
music, joining a sports team, or anything else to build self-
efficacy. I also recommend setting concrete, achievable
goals; when a child sees proof of progress, he or she will
be more motivated to continue putting forth extra effort.
Every child has a talent, and developing a sense of mastery
and accomplishment fosters confidence, self-esteem, and
happiness over time.
Academics play an integral role in the lives of children
and adolescents. For some, the academic environment
can be an exciting challenge, full of the hope of learning
something new and