Thinking Outside the Box: Understanding potential interventions for struggling students

As a parent, you want to see your child thrive in school. However, even the brightest kids
can sometimes find themselves struggling academically. It’s hard to know what interventions might be
most effective for your student’s particular challenges. Some parents end up tossing time
and money at the first option that presents itself. Unfortunately, your first, or even second
guess doesn’t always provide an effective solution.

To help you start your search for alternative interventions for you’re struggling learner, we’ve
put together a list of some interventions, including how they work and who may benefit from
each type of program.

• Classroom accommodations
  Although accommodating a student’s special learning needs can be beneficial, it can also be
  detrimental to a child’s self-esteem. Giving a student more time for a test, for example, may
  leave them feeling excluded from the next activity. Likewise, sending a student to a room alone
  to prevent distractions doesn’t address the root cause of their struggle with attention. Consider using accommodations as a short-term solution but continue to look for interventions that tackle the root of the learning struggle.
• Tutoring
  While tutoring has its place in helping students get caught up within their grade level, it’s important to note that this is largely an academic solution to a knowledge-based
  issue. Think of tutoring as teaching or reteaching material that was missed the first time, such
  as due to an extended illness or a mid-school year move. The tutor is there to present history
  facts, math formulas or general instruction on information. But if the student’s cognitive skills
  prevent them from learning quickly and easily, “rehashing” information may still not help them
  retain, understand or remember the material.
• Test prep courses
  Designed to increase students’ performance on standardized tests, such as the SAT or ACT, test
  prep courses serve a specific purpose. This effective intervention provides mock tests to allow
  students to familiarize themselves with time management, content and format before taking
  the actual exam. Some test prep courses include strategies such as identifying context clues,
  using visual aids, narrowing down multiple-choice questions to improve your chances of
  guessing correctly, and mnemonics. But again, as is the case with classroom accommodations
  and tutoring, test prep courses aren’t designed to get to the root cause of learning struggles.
• Neurofeedback
  Also known as “EEG biofeedback,” neurofeedback helps exercise the brain and train neural
  pathways to improve learning. The noninvasive and painless technique uses technology to bring
  abnormally fast or slow brain waves into the “normal” range. Taking advantage of
  neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to form and reorganize synaptic connections), neurofeedback
  has proven to be a successful intervention for a variety of brain-related conditions, including
  ADHD, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and much more.
• Personal brain training
  Sometimes referred to as “one-on-one cognitive skills training,” personal brain training
  programs use a series of games, drills and mental exercises to target and train the root cause of
  learning struggles: the brain’s learning and thinking skills. Programs are custom designed for
  each student based on the results of an initial Brain Skills Assessment, which identifies what
  cognitive skills are strong and which ones could benefit from training. Each student is paired with
  their own brain trainer, who uses a personalized learning plan to target and train any brain skills
  in need of a boost. Think of it like a personal trainer at the gym—but for the brain! Using
  science-backed techniques, such as loading, repetition, positive feedback and intensity,
  students quickly build confidence as they make progress through the fun but challenging
  exercises. And because personal brain training targets the root cause of each student’s unique
  learning struggle, the programs have helped children, teens and adults with a spectrum of
  learning differences, including ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and even
  memory-related issues caused by concussions. Cognitive skills training can be done in person or
  online with a personal brain trainer.
• Occupational therapy
  One of the most holistic approaches to helping children with learning struggles is occupational
  therapy (OT). This intervention addresses the physical, cognitive, psychosocial and sensory
  components of performance. In a school setting, OT practitioners focus on not only academics,
  but also social participation, self-care skills, play and leisure, transitions, and academics.
  Occupational therapists may combine multiple interventions to help with everything from fine
  motor skills and sensory processing, to self-help skills and self-regulating arousal levels.
  Practitioners often work in a school environment to integrate accommodations inside and
  outside the classroom.

If you’re searching for help to maximize your student’s learning potential, it’s worth doing your
homework to better understand the types of interventions that are available in your area. If
you’ve tried something in the past without the results you were looking for, don’t give up! You
may have just tried to put a square peg in a round hole. The right solution may be right around
the corner waiting to give your student their best year yet!