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Educational Consultants & Therapists

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ADHD coach for 21 year old

Sept 2007

My 21 year old Berkeley High graduate daughter has ADHD and other learning issues, and has made several false starts at community dollege. To break this cycle I would like to find a coach for her who can give her feedback and point the way for her to be successful. If you know of such a person please let me know. anon


I'm not sure what you're looking for in saying "coach" but if you want someone who is experienced working with kids with ADHD and with people with learning differences you might want to have your daughter see Phyllis Koppelman who is a educational therapist and has loads of experience with learning differences. She can help your daughter get organized, learn how to get started on assignments, how to schedule her work, and can help with writing skills. She is very kind and accessible. I know both boys and girls who have worked with her, with many different things they wanted to develop. She isn't cheap but even a few sessions can make a difference. You can check out her website at www.strategiesforlearning.com. Her office is on Grand Ave. in Oakland. She has a pretty full schedule. another mom of teens

Educational Therapist to work with 12-year-old

Feb 2006

I'm looking for a patient, creative educational therapist to work with my 12 year old on core issues such as math concepts, organization, etc. Recommendations please! mother of math hater


My 12-year-old daughter has worked with Alan Perlberg for three years. He has helped her immensely to get over her fear of math and her feeling that she just can't get it. Alan also works with her on organization, and serves as a general academic coach. He has initiated meetings with her teachers and the school's learning specialist. He is a kind and caring man, and my daughter really vaules her time with him. You can reach Alan at aperl[at]juno.com anon
I have sent my son to Educational Services Associates for 3 years for fine motor challenges in writing, organization and writing skills. He is a gifted child who needed help accessing his abilities and learning new skills to work around the challenges. ESA works with children of all ages and challenges. All of the kids love it there. They are treated with respect and have fun there. The kids may come in grumpy with their parent(s), but they leave after their sessions happy and empowered. Ann Gordon is the director and her staff are all wonderful. I highly recommend them. ESA is located at 230 Grand Avenue in Oakland, next to Lake Merritt and St. Paul's. The phone number is 510 -873-0801. You may contact me if you wish to talk more about further. Good luck. tola
I recommend Linda Lawton. You can find her listing on the UC Parents website (Oct. 8 2005), and also several parent recommendations of her services. I am an early childhood teacher, and have known Linda as professional collegue since 1980. She is caring, conscientious, and knowledgeable. Paula
For a little while longer, you can find an educational therapist or intern educational therapist through the UC Learning Clinic. If they have an opening with an intern that is the first choice for placement, but if there are no interns available they will refer you to graduates of the program. The coordinator of the clinic, Michelle Ross, will post your request. Her email is mross@unexberkeley.edu. They post a weekly referral list that goes to the graduates of the seven cohorts the program has admitted. Unfortunately, UC Extension has decided that the program is not cost-effective and intends to close the clinics, in San Francisco and Berkeley. This is really unfortunate for people who need low cost assessments and remediation. The clinic was able to offer these services at fees below market rate by using supervised interns. It is a significant resource for the community that has made a big difference in many lives. They even received an award from the Chancellor in 2003 for community service. If you are inclined to express an opinion on this, you can send a letter to Diana Wu, Academic Dean of UC Extension, 1995 University Ave., Berkeley, CA 94720. Linda Lawton
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Tutor to help dyslexic/APD child learn to read

June 2005

I'm looking for a literacy tutor who can help a child with dyslexia and APD learn to read. I'd like someone who can give me guidance on how to work with my daughter as well as meet with her.


I think it's admirable that you want to work with you child. That didn't work for us because our son got very emotional and was easily frustrated when we did much beyond homework with him. Also, we realized that when you hire an academic therapist, you have someone who can help you navigate the LD maze at school and at home. Finally, I think it's helpful to work with someone close by so they can attend parent/teacher conferences and/or IEP meetings at your son's school.

Here are three resources I can recommend to find someone in your area who can work with your son:

(1) There is a wonderful section on how to locate, screen, and work with Academic Therapists on this website: http://www.dyslexia-ncbida.org/resources.html

(2) One of the first Educational Therapists I consulted with had great things to say about the Reading Revolution program. I found them to be a bit cheaper than going with a private ed therapist but they didn't have any clinics near our home. Their main clinic is in Walnut Creek. They also have a center in Oakland. http://www.readingrevolution.com/CENTERS/locations.php

(3) Pam Scribner is the Director of the New Learning Clinic at UC Extension. Her phone number is 643-8727. We called her, gave her our zip code, and she gave me phone numbers for 3 educational therapists in our area. Be prepared to pay $60-80/hour for someone who has a Master's in Special Ed and a good amount of experience.

Best of luck with your journey!


ADD coach for 8-year-old girl

July 2003

I am seeking a coach or tutor for an eight yearold girl with mild attaention difficulties. Am looking for someone that has worked with kids with attention problems and know how to help them with academics but also knows toold to asist with attention problems.

Recommendations received: Linda Lawton

you could also contact the ability resource center, which works with children (& their families) w/ learning & attentional differences. ask for glenn gelfenbein @ 510-528-6095 or glenn AT abilityresourcecenter.com good luck! lisa


Educational Therapist or "coach" for ADD Teen

May 2003

I have a bright but poorly focused son who is going into 9th grade at Berkeley HS. Although he's been shown on evaluations to have attentional problems, he did not respond well to medication and we'd like to provide him with a personal coach instead to help him transition to the world of HS.

We're having a hard time even figuring out what sort of professional we need since we're looking for somebody who understands learning styles and can help him develop organizational skills (i.e., an educational therapist) but also can deal with all the emotional issues that relate to motivation, behavior and self-esteem (more of a psychologist) and knows how to negotiate the high school world (add school counselor to the mix).

On top of that, as a bright 14-yr-old, our son is pretty resistant to working with anybody who seems to be babying him or underestimating his abilities. The metaphor of a COACH (he's very into sports) fits what we need --- somebody ''cool,'' with high expectations and lots of knowledge who can help him in a fun, respectful, no-nonsense and suportive way. How's that for a tall order? Any suggestions?
frustrated Berkeley mom

Recommendations received:

  • Linda Lawton
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