Personalized tutoring for special needs
Specialized Academic Coaching (SAC) is an educational solution designed for students with any type of learning difficulty.
We tutor students with conditions including, but not limited to:
If your child is having difficulty in school, he or she may simply have a different way of learning. Parents are often the first to notice that “something doesn’t seem right,” but sometimes knowing what to do and where to find help can be confusing.
SAC can provide you with the right supports and interventions in order for your student to succeed in school and in life.
Benefits of SAC
Students who work with an SAC Coach experience marked improvements in these areas:
Other SAC Services
Our academic mentors can assist your special needs student with all of the following and more:
What is Executive Function Coaching?
It’s not always easy to identify when your child may be struggling with Executive Function skills. Sometimes it’s perceived as being lazy or unmotivated, but really it’s that the student is currently lacking the skills to complete tasks efficiently. Executive Function issues can effect a student overall, not just academically, and may be attributed to anxiety and ADHD issues.
Through Executive Function Coaching, we’ll identify the areas they’re struggling with and teach them the effective ways to complete tasks that works best for them and will work long-term. Our Coaches will support the development and strengthening of Executive Functioning skills, establish goals, identify challenges, and find the connection between academic issues and Executive Function issues. The goal is for students to become more efficient by teaching them skills that they will apply way beyond school for the rest of their lives.
With Executive Function Coaching, we strive to change the student’s perspective, increase motivation, and to gain confidence.
What can a Reading Specialist do for your Child?
Reading Specialists are certified to work with all students, including those with dyslexia, decoding difficulties, and other reading disabilities. They use curriculum from interventions, such as Orton-Gillingham and Wilson. By performing a set of pre-assessments, our reading specialists will make recommendations about what type of interventions should be put in place. These interventions can include fluency, decoding, comprehension or writing skills. They will develop a comprehensive literacy plan by creating goals and strategies to help meet those goals.
Reading Specialists make a long-lasting impact on your child’s ability to read and comprehend for life.
By partnering with the student and incorporating BrainStorm’s core values of customization, enthusiasm, and relationship, the specialized academic coach will empower your child with the strategies and skills necessary to conquer his or her unique challenges.
Kathy
Kathy, BrainStorm’s Director of SAC, earned her B.A. in Psychology from Ramapo College of New Jersey, the went on to receive her Masters of Social Work degree from Fordham University.
Kathy has extensive experience working with children and families struggling with anxiety, adjustment issues, learning challenges, spectrum disorders and attention deficits.
Marissa
Marissa DiPetrillo graduated from Villanova University with a BA in Elementary Education. She then received two Master's Degrees from Fordham University, in Literacy Education (Literacy Specialist) and Special Education. She also holds a Learning Disability Teacher Consultant certification.
Marissa loves children and has been teaching first grade for fifteen years. She even coauthored and published a children’s book!
David
David earned both a B.S. in Psychology and a B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Delaware. During his time there, he worked in a neurobiology research lab to advance understanding of the human brain.
David has worked as a neurological assistant, aiding children in recovery from traumatic brain injuries. He also has teaching experience in a title nine classroom in the Lodi school district.
Alex W
Alex, BrainStorm's SAC Program Coordinator, earned her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Marist College.
Alex has worked with students struggling with developmental delays, learning disabilities, and mental illness. As a Mental Health Counselor, Alex has helped students overcome challenges and find the motivation to reach their goals.
Christi R
Christi earned two Master’s degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University in Educational Psychology and School Psychology.
In both school and clinical settings, Christi has worked with students with ADHD, learning disabilities, and mental health difficulties. As a School Psychologist, Christi has expertise with IEP’s, 504’s, as well as Educational and Cognitive Evaluations.
Marlene
Marlene holds a Master's degree in Educational Leadership and is a New Jersey Reading Specialist.
As an educator, it has always been Marlene's mission to assist students of all ages to be successful human beings and lifelong learners. Reading, writing, and communicating with success and confidence are her most heartfelt goals!
BrainStorm believes that every human being has a unique genius and, with the right mindset and skill set, is capable of incredible success. For students with learning difficulties, no one is better at promoting signature strengths – and equipping to overcome challenges – than BrainStorm’s SAC coaches.
For a free learning evaluation, contact Alex W at 201.739.3823 or email sac@stormthetest.com
