Learning 101

When diagnosing and treating your child, Dr. Hale's objective is to understand his or her potential and to teach parents practical ways to achieve success at home. He also works with your child's teacher and school to implement classroom interventions that will optimize learning, increase motivation, and reduce frustration.

Dr. Hale's evaluations are comprehensive. When conducting a neuropsychological assessment, he evaluates cognitive, emotional, social, & motivational factors, including:

Dr. Hale emphasizes many areas of functioning that are not assessed during traditional school evaluations. His background in neuropsychology helps him to understand each child's unique way of learning and processing information.

Dr. Hale assesses information processing in two ways. He evaluates bottom up types of processing, which involves basic skill development, attention, memory, and related skills, as well as top down processing, which involves reasoning, problem solving, and self-direction.

Dr. Hale also focuses on meta-cognition, which involves "learning how to learn." Schools usually teach children what to learn, but not necessarily how to learn. Meta-cognitive skills will help your child to slow down, stop and think, and choose the "right tool for the job." Kids with good meta-cognitive skills are more aware of how they learn and how they correct mistakes. They are also more likely to be aware of what motivates them to do well in school.

Dr. Hale has a strong interest in memory and mnemonic techniques. He utilizes dual encoding techniques, which help improve memorization skills by linking images to words. Rote memorization, or simply repeating information over and over again, is a poor way to learn. Mnemonic techniques provide better retention with less effort. He focuses on teaching mnemonic principles that children can apply to many learning situations. Students in elementary, middle, or high school, as well as college students, can benefit from these techniques.

Dr. Hale also utilizes multi-sensory learning techniques, including specialized programs for reading, math, and writing. He teaches methods of staying organized and attentive when doing homework.

He views every child as a special, wonderfully-made creation of God. He believes that each child has been given unique gifts and talents to serve in the name of Jesus Christ.

They are not due to visual problems, ADHD, sensory problems, low intelligence, or being “lazy.” Children with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) exhibit difficulty with alphabetic principles and phonics, phonemic awareness, sounding out & blending words, word reading, recognition, & fluency, reading comprehension, spelling, writing, note taking, numerical operations, story problems, listening in class, and expressing ideas clearly.

If these concepts raise questions about learning or development, a conversation can help clarify how they may apply to your situation.