Language is all about being able to communicate expressively and effectively not only through sounds but also through listening, reading, and writing. And for many children who struggle with language, this can lead to further issues with literacy, such as learning to write as well as peers.

Watch this video with Dr. Anthony Koutsoftas, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, speech-language pathologist and professor of speech-language therapy at Seton Hall University, and learn more about why writing is one of the most difficult skills to master and the pivotal roles that speech-language pathologists play in literacy.

Link: https://youtu.be/fpOM_-dcsRA

Lavinia Mancuso, native New Yorker, teacher, principal, and currently Executive Director of Everyone Reading, joins us to discuss her favorite topic- literacy! She explains why students are still illiterate in the US, and how we can solve this problem. Here are some of her tips: Parents and teachers must teach the five pillars of literacy and tackle all four modalities: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. When it comes to teaching decoding and spelling, keep it simple! Say the sound and write it. Practice and repetition are the key ingredients for success. Train students to use their inner ears and eyes to monitor themselves when they read. Come learn more about how to effectively teach literacy! Lavinia also recommends the Reading League to keep updated with the science of reading.

In many instances, learning disabilities are invisible. What many consider as typical behaviors, such as acting out or lack of focus, could turn out to be warning signs of underlying learning or attention difficulties. We have seen parents get caught off-guard when their child is diagnosed with a learning disability, and the process of seeking assistance from schools also adds another layer to these challenges. In this episode, special education advocate and consultant Miriam Nunberg, Esq., talks to us about students' rights and getting proper education for children with learning disabilities. Know more about these laws created to ensure equitable learning and what accommodations you can avail for your child. Miriam recently was on the "Nice White Parents" NY Times podcast. 

Hearing your child talk for the first time is one of the most magical moments of parenthood.  In this episode of the Craig Selinger Podcast, Dr. Michelle Macroy-Higgins, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, speech-language pathologist and associate professor of the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Program at Hunter College, New York, talks about how to diagnose a late talker and how to help them.

In this episode of the Craig Selinger Podcast, Micaela Bracamonte, founder of the first 2e (Twice Exceptional) friendly school in New York City talks about how The Lang School started sixteen years ago when her son was diagnosed as 2e at the age of four. She discusses the evolution of the Lang School and how it incorporates social-emotional learning and strength-based approaches, among other curriculums. In the early years, teachers notice students' talents and nurture them throughout their Lang School careers. For the 2019-2020 school year, the graduate class, all three Lang valedictorians, received financial merit-based college scholarships. The Lang School offers virtual free resources for families.

Learn more, please visit The Lang School website: www.thelangschool.org.

Dr. Deara Espinoza, author of Bubbles, Bubbles, Everywhere!,  discusses five ways to engage students, based on her doctorate research at the University of Southern California - Los Angeles.