Developmental Learning Solutions (DLS) offers the following services to help those with learning disabilities. To recognize that a learning problem may exist, one should heed the early warning signs of a learning disability and determine when to seek help.

Assessments

An Assessment is a six-hour process that is broken into two, three-hour increments. A follow up visit for additional testing, at no further charge, is sometimes necessary.

An Assessment has two primary purposes. One is to determine cognitive and processing styles, how their styles interact with the students′ learning skills and performance. Second, is to assess learning behavior (emotional and psychological), attending issues (ADHD) and how these conditions are impacting skill development and overall academic performance. These conditions and how they relate to learning are also screened. If a language delay ⁄ disorder is suspect, an additional language test is scheduled. If more than one language assessment is needed, there will be an additional charge.

Educational Therapy and Specialties

DLS offers a variety of year-round remediation programs for learning different ⁄ disabled students. After an Intake or an Assessment, the appropriate research-based program is identified and implemented by one of our learning specialists. Sessions are 50 minutes long and are offered on a one- or as needed weekly-basis, depending on individual client needs. Progress is carefully monitored through re-evaluations with the director.

Year-round remediation sessions can include work on previously identified learning disabilities or on delays as identified through a DLS Assessment ⁄ Intake. Students continue their remediation programs at DLS during the summer months to ensure progress and to prepare for the upcoming school year.

Enrichment Program

Enrichment sessions are offered to children who may or may not have learning disabilities and focus on any subject of interest to the student. For example, if a home schooled child is interested in the influence of global warming on weather patterns, a science tutor/ teacher would be assigned to work with the student on that topic. If approved in advance, credit can be generated for the student′s home school transcript. Enrichment classes are booked the same way as tutoring sessions and are offered throughout the year. DLS currently offers summer enrichment classes in sign language and math.

Independent Living Skills

Life Skills instruction encompasses personal ⁄ social skills, domestic tasks, financial management and community involvement. Specific skills include, but not limited to, health care, relationships, meal preparation, household safety, money management, community safety, shopping and time management. Life Skills instruction provides support in the home and community for individuals needing intensive instruction to prepare for future independent living.

A Life Skills assessment is highly recommended, but is not required. The assessment evaluates people for readiness to live independently. The assessment also provides a baseline of strengths and difficulties and subsequently, tailored objectives are developed. Without the assessment, specific objectives can still be met with success. For instance, an individual may only want to work on social skills, cooking and budgeting. Life Skills instruction and support is continuous and consistent until the individual meets his or her objectives.

Mobility instruction is also provided to instruct individuals with disabilities in the use of public transportation. It is individualized instruction in all skills related to using public transportation.

Skills taught include:

• Identification of buses
• Identification of landmarks
• Street crossing skills
• Awareness of surroundings and people in the community
• Emergency procedures
• Courteous public behavior

Destination instruction is provided for specific routes. The individual learns at his or her own pace and assistance from the instructor slowly fades. Instruction is tailored, repetitious and consistent. Mobility instruction continues until the individual has mastered independence in this area.

School Placement

Assisting in school placement and school planning – Our first step in addressing school placement is to understand, as much as we can, about the individual student from a variety of different ways. We work to combine the students needs, parents desires and the institutions abilities and then look at programs within the county that would be the best suited. School planning involves developing a long term plan that looks at the purpose of high school for the student, their academic goals and how diverse and flexible their school experience needs to be. We work with the students to uncover their intrinsic and extrinsic abilities to help them to best achieve their academic pursuits.