Joining us for this episode of the podcast is Dr. Vindia Fernandez, who has been on the show before back in episode 3. Dr. Fernandez earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Houston and completed her APA-accredited internship and fellowship at UCLA, specializing in neurodevelopmental issues like autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities. As founder of the Center for Pediatric Neuropsychology and director at UCLA’s Cultural Neuropsychology Program, her focus is on culturally appropriate evaluations for Latino/a children and teaching social skills to neurodiverse youth.

Dr. Fernandez discusses how bilingualism in children is often misunderstood and that it’s usually good for cognitive development. She also elaborates upon some red flags when it comes to identifying possible learning disabilities such as dyslexia and how her procedures differ depending on whether or not the bilingual child is in an English-only classroom or if the child is in a dual language immersion program. She reflects on some of her frustrations around how bilingual children are assessed and what she hopes to see change in the future.

While we have certainly seen great strides and progress in this area, there is still much work to do, such as honoring heritage languages, increasing integration, and identifying problems earlier. Dr. Fernandez is a wealth of knowledge on this topic, and her passion truly shines through.

[2:40] - Assessing bilingual children is a true passion for Dr. Fernandez.
[3:44] - She feels that bilingualism in children is often misunderstood.
[5:22] - Learning another language is incredibly dynamic and complex and is different for every child.
[7:06] - Vindia reflects on a recent change of more children engaged in dual language immersion programs.
[9:55] - What red flags should be paid attention to that don’t tend to be problems with monolingual children?
[13:11] - Vindia explains why her procedures differ depending on whether the bilingual child is in a dual language immersion program.
[15:46] - Vindia explains why assessments might need to be done in both of a child’s languages.
[18:07] - What role do language disorders play in bilingual children?
[21:28] - We ultimately want these children to be confident and to reach milestones.
[24:15] - “You teach to the skill that you want to see improvement in.”
[27:16] - Dr. Fernandez mentions that 50-75% of behavior therapy involves parents.
[30:55] - She gives some helpful advice to parents.

• Episode 3: Neuropsychological Evaluations Through a Cultural Lens with Dr. Vindia Fernandez

• Episode 214: Private Neuropsychological Evaluation vs. School Evaluation

• How to Initiate a Special Education Assessment

• Get on our Email List

• Book a Consultation

• Get Support and Connect with a ChildNEXUS Provider

• Register for Our Self-Paced Mini Courses: Support for Parents Who Have Children with ADHD, Anxiety, or Dyslexia

• Dr. Vindia Fernandez’s Website

• Dr. Fernandez’s ChildNEXUS Page

• Email: center@pediatricneuropsych.com

The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc. or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

Join Karen this week as we sit down with Dr. Emily Levy, founder and director of EBL Coaching, to explore the complexities of reading comprehension, a skill crucial for learners of all ages. While phonics and decoding often dominate discussions around reading challenges, Dr. Levy highlights the often-overlooked significance of comprehension, explaining that it’s the very essence of why we read.

Tune in to learn about common signs parents notice when their children struggle with comprehension and how these challenges often emerge as students transition from "learning to read" to "reading to learn." Dr. Levy shares actionable strategies, such as the tri-colored highlighting method, which helps students become active readers by identifying topics, main ideas, and key details.

From auditory techniques for younger learners to practical interventions for high school students tackling complex subjects, Dr. Levy emphasizes the importance of tailored, research-based approaches, and she also addresses how attention challenges like ADHD can compound comprehension issues and offers ways to adapt strategies accordingly, so whether you're a parent, educator, or simply curious about enhancing reading skills, this episode provides valuable insights into fostering a lifelong love of reading and learning.

[1:52] - Many students struggle with reading comprehension, especially during the grade 3 to 4 transition.
[4:25] - Research-based strategies like tri-colored highlighting help students actively engage and comprehend material.
[6:30] - Emily discusses how younger students benefit from auditory-focused comprehension strategies, while older students apply strategies to coursework.
[8:50] - Teaching students to form mental images while reading significantly enhances their comprehension skills.
[10:21] - With the right methods, most students show reading progress within a month, aided by multimedia tools.
[12:29] - Dr. Levy argues that active reading strategies improve focus and comprehension but are customized for each child's needs.
[14:24] - Parents can enhance comprehension by reading together, asking questions, and encouraging discussions about content.
[16:43] - Engaging struggling readers with topics they enjoy builds confidence and fosters a love for reading.
[19:12] - Emily points out how encouraging regular reading and providing classroom accommodations supports comprehension and standardized test performance.
[22:42] - One-on-one multisensory tutoring supports special education students, available both locally and globally.

• EBL Coaching - Website

• Get on our Email List

• Book a Consultation

• Get Support and Connect with a ChildNEXUS Provider

• Register for Our Self-Paced Mini Courses: Support for Parents Who Have Children with ADHD, Anxiety, or Dyslexia

The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.