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Questions to Ask Learning Specialists

Learning Specialists work with students who are experiencing academic difficulty or who have diagnosed learning differences. They identify learning styles, analyze and interpret tests (and sometimes administer them). review other pertinent information, prescribe specific, appropriate, and practical learning strategies, and coordinate a team effort which usually includes teachers, other educational professionals, physicians, and the student and parents. They may also tutor and help in the areas of time management, organization, and study skills.

Specific Questions:

1. Have you ever been a classroom teacher?

2. Have you ever worked for any schools in an official capacity as a learning specialist?

3. If you do testing, what tests do you typically administer? What do they measure?

4. What approaches do you use to help students improve time management, organizations, study skills, and test taking?

5. How do you decide which strategies will work best for my child?

6. If you tutor, how long are sessions, how flexible is your schedule, and what is your policy on cancellations?

Adapted from "Learning Problems: Where to Find Help, A Directory of Professional Resources" Woodlynde School, Strafford, Pennsylvania [This copyright material is reprinted with permission of LD Online]



	HIGHLIGHTS Parents should consider having their child evaluated when they are worried that their child is not developing at the same rate or in the same way as other children of the same age. Read more of Dr. Leslie Rubin's advice.