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Supporting and Guiding
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
February is a time to celebrate Black History Month and honor the remarkable achievements of African Americans who have overcome great challenges to leave lasting legacies. Icons like Harriet Tubman, who relied on her exceptional courage and ingenuity to lead countless others to freedom despite her struggle with epileptic seizures from a traumatic brain injury; Harry Belafonte, who turned his passion for music into a platform for activism, and Magic Johnson, who transformed struggles with dyslexia into a springboard for unparalleled success in sports and business, remind us of the power of perseverance. Their stories teach us an essential lesson: while we must address areas where children struggle—whether academically, socially, or emotionally—we must also nurture their unique strengths and talents. As parents, recognizing when to seek support for our children is vital, but so is helping them build confidence in the gifts they already possess, paving the way for them to write their own extraordinary stories.
February is usually the month schools offer a second round of parent-teacher conferences. Are your children thriving, or is it time for direct intervention and support? As parents, it’s easy to feel uncertain about whether it's time to step in or pull back. When do we push harder, pull back and let them struggle, or make a necessary phone call to seek help? Remember, you are not alone. Seeking help is not a sign of failure; it’s a step toward empowerment—for both you and your child. I hope this month’s newsletter provides you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to advocate for your child’s success.
Last but not least, since we also celebrate Valentine's Day in February and typically indulge in handfuls of delicious red candy throughout the month, I've included a bonus in the Health and Wellness section. Last month, the Food and Drug Administration made the decision to ban the use of red dye No. 3, a synthetic dye that gives food and drinks its vibrant red cherry color. I'm not taking sides, but I understand how important it is to be informed when it comes to parenting and navigating the various wants and needs during any holiday celebration.
Here’s to a month of growth, understanding, and positive steps forward.
Congratulations to our Chiefs! Bring on the Super Bowl -It's 3 Peat Season!!!!
With A Grateful Heart,
Jodie Maddox, Parent Coach and Education Consultant
How Do I Know If I Should Have My Child Evaluated For Support Services At School?
If your child struggles socially, emotionally, or academically, you may feel unsure where to turn for help. Navigating these challenges can leave parents feeling vulnerable and frustrated. If your child is in school, start by working with their teachers and other school resources. Maintain open and transparent communication, trust their guidance and professionalism, but also remember that you know your child best. It’s okay to ask questions and trust your instincts.
By staying informed and proactive, you can help ensure your child receives the support they need to thrive. Wherever you are in the process, it’s important to know what to ask, what to look for, and what to expect. Here are four key steps to follow if you’re concerned about your child's social, emotional, or cognitive growth and are considering a professional evaluation:
1. Start by Asking Yourself Key Questions:
Consider these questions to clarify your concerns and determine the next steps:
Do the issues or concerns consistently disrupt my child’s social, emotional, or academic growth, overall school performance, or daily family life?
What are my concerns? Are they age-appropriate?
What interventions or strategies have we tried as a family? At school? Have they helped? Why or why not?
Does my child seem stressed by their behavior or performance? Are they asking for help or aware of their struggle?
Are these behaviors or concerns ongoing and pervasive?
How will an evaluation help our situation? What am I hoping to learn as a parent? What help am I willing to accept or provide?
2. Learn About the Evaluation Process:
Understanding what an evaluation involves can prepare you for the process and its' outcomes. Schools and private agencies use a variety of assessment tools and strategies, including input from parents and classroom teachers. Evaluations typically include cognitive, behavioral, developmental, and physical factors. Information is gathered in the following areas:
General health, vision, and hearing
Speech and language
Social and emotional status
General intelligence
Academic performance
Communicative status
Motor abilities
3. Decide How to Pursue an Evaluation:
As a parent, you have two main options for an evaluation:
Private Evaluation: You can hire a licensed child psychologist for a private evaluation. These professionals can perform assessments to diagnose conditions such as autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, dyslexia, anxiety disorders, and other neurological conditions.
School Evaluation: You can request a free evaluation from your school district. Typically, multiple professionals within the school will conduct the evaluation. Schools are required to consider private evaluation results; they may also conduct their own evaluation, but these results do not guarantee eligibility for any service. To qualify for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), and to receive services through your school district, a child’s educational performance must be adversely affected by a diagnosed disability.
It’s important to note that school psychologists are not authorized to provide medical diagnoses. They can identify gaps in achievement, behavior, or cognitive growth, but a formal diagnosis requires a private practitioner. Your child can only be formally evaluated for special services with your consent, and you should be included in all decisions throughout the process. Sometimes, the school may initiate the evaluation, but you may need to take the lead to get the process started.
4. Watch for Red Flags and Follow-Up:
If your child struggles in several of the following areas, take note and consult with your school and pediatrician to better understand developmentally appropriate milestones for their age:
Trouble regulating emotions, moods, or behavior
Behaviors consistently disrupt daily routines and situations on an ongoing basis
Pervasive difficulties with social skills
Intense emotions (fear, anxiety, sadness) that impair day-to-day functioning
Difficulty making friends
Lack of focus or hyper-focused on specific items/topics/individuals
Difficulty with multi-step directions
Consistent and disruptive inflexible behavior
Impulsive behaviors
Poor time management or follow-through
Extreme disorganization
Ongoing delays in reading, writing, or math
Delayed speech or trouble with pronunciation (varies by age)
Difficulty memorizing or remembering common words
Confusing letters or struggling to alphabetize
Trouble rhyming words
Poor spelling, pencil grip, or handwriting
Understanding IDEA and How It Can Help Your Child
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a U.S. federal law that ensures students with disabilities are provided with a free appropriate public education (FAPE) tailored to their individual needs. First enacted in 1975 as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) and later renamed IDEA in 1990, the law has been revised multiple times to expand rights and protections for students with disabilities and their families. IDEA applies to children and young adults from birth through age 21 who have one or more of 13 specified disabilities that affect their ability to learn.
It’s beneficial to familiarize yourself with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which governs special education services. Under IDEA, IEPs must be reviewed annually, and students should be re-evaluated every three years. If necessary, parents and schools can agree to conduct a new evaluation sooner.
Strategies That Support Struggling Students
Simple actions and strategies that help support students who struggle with organization, academics, or social skills at school:
Supporting Organization:
- Use a daily planner or agenda
- Break tasks into smaller steps.
- Create a consistent routine
- Provide visual schedules
Supporting Academics:
- Offer graphic organizers
- Provide extra time on assignments
- Use multi-sensory learning strategies
- Give reminders, be patient
- Answer questions with questions, help children problem solve on their own
Supporting Social Skills:
- Model appropriate social interactions
- Play group games and give opportunities to practice social skills
- Teach conflict-resolution skills
- Pair students with peer mentors
General Strategies:
- Provide a quiet, structured workspace
- Check-in regularly
- Encourage goal setting
- Collaborate with parents and support staff
- Create a consistent and encouraging environment
Red Dye
It's February; get ready for a parade of red and pink yummy treats to fill every store aisle, break room, and Valentine's party (not to mention this year's Superbowl parties!). But these tasty treats have a limited shelf life, at least as we know them today. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a ban on Red No. 3, a synthetic dye that gives food and drinks their vibrant red color. Red No. 3 has been linked to cancer in animal studies. This dye, found in over 9,200 food items like candy, cereals, and strawberry-flavored milkshakes, has been under scrutiny for decades. While the ban marks a significant step for consumer safety, other artificial dyes, such as Red No. 40, remain approved despite concerns about their potential effects on children's behavior.
Red No. 3 has a long history of concern. Approved for food use in 1907, it was found to cause tumors in male rats during studies conducted in the 1980s. Despite this, its use continued until now. Advocacy groups like the Environmental Working Group have commended the FDA’s decision but emphasized that the ban is long overdue. It is important to note that some food manufacturers in the U.S. voluntarily removed the dye from their products over the years, recognizing the potential risk on their own.
Red No. 3 will no longer be allowed in any U.S. food item; the ban is finally aligned with nations such as those in the European Union, Australia, and Japan, where the dye is already restricted or banned. Food manufacturers now have until January 2027 to reformulate their products, with an additional year granted to those making ingested drugs like dietary supplements.
Original article written by Berkeley Lovelace Jr. and Elizabeth Chuck, CNBC news
15 Actions That Say I Love You
Listening attentively
Offering a warm hug
Leaving a thoughtful note
Cook a favorite meal
Give the gift of time
Helping with a task
Saying, “I’m proud of you.”
Making eye contact and smiling
Surprising them with something small
Being patient
Forgiving quickly
Laughing together
Checking in on them
Create weekly traditions together
Saying “I love you” out loud
Feeling alone? Overwhelmed with the amount of decisions you need to make for yourself, your family, and your job? Ready for change but you don't know where to start? I am here to help! I partner with parents and schools to help them create space for strategic change. Together in 10 short weeks, we will discover, dream, design, and make a plan that supports and empowers you!
Contact me today for your free consultation jodiemaddoxicoach@gmail.com
Looking for support? Need a fresh perspective?
5 Great Reasons to Hire an Instructional Coach
- Provides systematic support
- Promotes professional growth
- Weekly accountability
- Neutral outside perspective & guidance
- Easy way to learn and practice new strategies
Let's work together to make a difference for teachers and kids! For a description and full list of topics I am currently offering click here.
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Email: jodiemaddoxicoach@gmail.com
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