When Learning Disabilities Arise
As children begin school, parents expect that their child will progress through the grades with minimal issues. If learning issues should arise for their child, parents expect to resolve them by working with the teacher and supporting their child. Sometimes the child’s learning needs are greater than what the teacher can provide. Most often, a learning disability is identified through the school’s processes when a student needs more academic support.
Rosemarie Pérez has worked with English learners and their families in public education for more than twenty years. She has served as a bilingual teacher, professional developer, and district administrator. Administrative roles included serving as the Director of English Learners for an elementary school district and as a Coordinator of Reading and Language for the San Mateo County Office of Education. Rosemarie continues to work with families as she leads the Santa Clara County Office of Education’s Parent Engagement Initiative during the past three years. Ms. Pérez provides expert guidance to teachers, school site staff, and school administrators in creating culturally sensitive parent training modules and academic curricular units. She facilitates parent education and Common Core Standards workshops. Engaged parents are further trained to become parent leaders and advocates. Rosemarie is the mother of five adult children and three grandchildren.
Catch a Bad Case of the Travel Bug
When children get to those double digit years, they change. The sweet, playful, mischievous children become challenging, moody, argumentative preteens. Parenting becomes more difficult because these new changes wear on parents’ patience. They want to argue back, meet challenges by asserting their authority, and adjust that negative attitude. 
It is difficult when we see our middle and high school children disengaging with school. They could be struggling academically, socially with their friends, or in their relationships with their teachers. Possibly, something going on at home may be weighing on their mind and causing them to lose focus. This disengagement sometimes reveals itself as problematic behavior. When the behavior is addressed in a punitive way without looking deeper for the reason behind it, behavior will get worse.