If your child is struggling in school, Response to Intervention (RTI) can generate valuable information before testing for learning disabilities. Jumping from “struggle” to “testing” is not the best way to make sure your child will get the help she needs to succeed in school. Response to Intervention (RTI) is a system or approach to delivering high-quality instruction to all students and making adjustments for those who struggle based on student data.
Another way to think about RTI is to focus first on the learning environment and the type of instruction that is being provided. Before assuming that your child may have a learning disability, take a very careful look at whether she has been afforded carefully designed and well-delivered instruction. Visit www.RTINetwork.org to learn more about RTI and how special education “testing” is incorporated into RTI approaches.
In the meantime, make sure your child's self-esteem does not suffer. Nothing boosts confidence in school like academic success, and given that RTI is a process, not an event, instruction and intervening services will take place over time. Reach out to school personnel and make sure that your child feels respected and appreciated for her hard work and her many areas of strength and talent.
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Reprinted with the permission of the National Center for Learning Disabilities. © 1999-2009 National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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