If a child is struggling academically or has a diagnosis like ADHD or dyslexia – they may qualify for accommodations via an IEP or 504 plan. These accommodation strategies can be helpful in the short-term but are not ideal as a long-term strategy.
Why Accommodations Should Not Be a Long-Term Strategy
If we constantly accommodate a child’s weak cognitive skills, they never get the chance to build up that “mental muscle.” Think of it like a weak muscle in your body: if an injury or circumstances leave you weak in one leg, you can compensate for it—to a point. You can get by with crutches, taking breaks, or limiting your options. But you can also strengthen the muscle to get yourself back to full capacity, so you do not need crutches or aids.
The same is true of the brain. If your or your child’s weaknesses are hindering their ability to keep up in school or life, it’s critical to address the root cause. For example, if a student struggles with attention or has an ADHD diagnosis, common IEP strategies are to allow the child to complete work in a quiet area, sit near the front of the class and have more time to complete tests. These strategies can help accommodate the attention weakness, but it is not improving attention skills. This is important as, when students advance to higher grade levels or are in the work world, they need to be able to cope as they do not receive an IEP in life.
At LearningRx Eagan, we provide cognitive support for people of all ages. We identify the root cause of these struggles and create a 1-on-1 training plan to strengthen these skills.
David’s Story – Strengthening Skills vs. Accommodations
David came to LearningRx because he had significant academic struggles and his school recommended accommodations. His mom appreciated the offer, but she also wanted to focus on strengthening these weaker skills with the hope that he would not need extra help.
His mom shared, “We had such a positive experience with LearningRx! Prior to training, we were told by the school district that David would need all kinds of aids and cheat sheets to progress in school due to deficits in memory and processing speed. After completing training, our son does not need these supports, and he is beginning to learn basic math facts and proceed to higher levels of learning in math and comprehension. Our son also has skyrocketed in his perseverance and self-confidence skills, leading to him trying tasks that he would previously avoid. We cannot recommend this program enough! It has given our son the chance to learn at a higher level and pursue any future he desires. Thank you!!”
Where To Start
The first step is to call LearningRx in Eagan to schedule an assessment which will help identify the root cause and enable a 1-on-1, individualized training plan to help your loved one. We can also answer any questions you may have regarding how our training complements the strategies your school may be employing like accommodations (IEPs or 504 plans).
You or your loved ones may or may not achieve the same outcomes, but you can learn more about our research and results here.