You know that your child does not learn exactly the same way other children her age do. Her reading is below grade level, yet, her vision is good and her social skills are as they should be. What's going on? At Developmental Pediatrics of Central New Jersey, pediatrician Dr. Alison Smoller and her team pinpoint learning disabilities in children across Monmouth County and beyond, helping families not only cope, but thrive.

What is a learning disability?

A learning disability is a term used to describe any condition that affects how an individual acquires academic skills. A difference in how the mind is wired rather than a developmental delay, a learning disability cannot be cured, nor can a child grow out of it. However, children (and adults) with these issues can be encouraged in their strengths, be supported at home and in school, and successfully learn ways to excel academically.

The National Institute for Health (NIH) states that one in seven people in the United States has a learning disability, although not all of them are correctly diagnosed or helped. Often, these issues run in families, meaning that children with learning problems likely have parents or siblings with a similar disability to one degree or another. Accordingly, a learning disability truly impacts everyone in the household, requiring that everyone in the family help each other cope and succeed.

Getting help in Monmouth County

If you suspect that your child is struggling with a learning disability, contact Developmental Pediatrics of Central New Jersey. Dr. Alison Smoller can observe and test your child by way of neuro-psychological and learning assessments. She can then recommend strategies that will allow your young one to acquire skills and reach educational goals with or without an IEP, or Individualized Education Program.

Dr. Smoller sees and helps with disabilities such as:

• Dyslexia, a language-based issue which affects reading, math, and organizational skills
• Dysgraphia, which impairs handwriting
• Dyspraxia, which affects motor skills (clumsiness)
• Dysphagia, an impairment involving speaking and understanding speech

Please don't wait

If you see that your child is struggling to progress in school, please contact Developmental Pediatrics of Central New Jersey. Here you will receive compassionate and knowledgeable help in a pleasant and welcoming environment. Call (732) 660-0220 for more information or to arrange a consultation.

We proudly serve patients from all over the state of New Jersey, as well as Pennsylvania!

Your child has been diagnosed with a learning disability, and you know they will need accommodations at school to academically succeed. You've heard the term IEP before, but need details on what it is and how it will help your child successfully navigate their school environment. At Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey, located in Oakhurst, NJ and serving Monmouth County and Pennsylvania, developmental pediatrician Dr. Alison Smoller and her team help parents—and children—understand Individualized Education Programs (IEP). Read their answers to these common IEP questions.

What is an IEP?

An IEP contains a plethora of information about a child's need for special education. More importantly, it clearly details how the child's educational program reflects their special needs, current levels of performance, and modifications such as extended time for taking tests. This document is updated annually or as needed. The completed or updated IEP is distributed to the child's teacher or teachers, parents, and the special education department.

How long can a child have an IEP?

The age limit is twenty-one years old, or as long as it is needed.

Does my state education department have input on the IEP?

Yes, it does. Your child's IEP should line up with the state standards for reading, math, and so on. While not every child can reach state education goals, the IEP helps parents and teachers do everything possible to help them thrive.

What is an IEP team?

The Federation for Children with Special Needs states that an IEP team is composed of parents, teachers, administrators, parent advocates, and individuals who have evaluated the child or have an interest in his or her educational success.

Can an IEP be contested or changed?

Yes, it can, and a parent or guardian can request a meeting with the IEP team to achieve that. In fact, Dr. Alison Smoller makes recommendations for educational programs and accommodations, giving an opinion on the validity and completeness of your child's IEP. As an expert in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Dr. Smoller has wide-ranging expertise and experience in learning and behavioral disabilities. She knows how best to mainstream and accommodate a child with special needs in an educational environment.

Learn more

Getting your child the education they deserve presents unique challenges. At Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey, located in Oakhurst, NJ, Dr. Alison Smoller provides astute evaluations and compassionate help with your child's health, education, personal relationships, and more. To learn more about IEPs, please call our office for a consultation. Call (732) 660-0220. We proudly serve patients from all over the state of New Jersey including Pennsylvania.

How your developmental pediatrician in Monmouth County, New Jersey can help

You want your child to be healthy, both medically and developmentally. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical to your child’s continuing good health. Autism is a developmental disorder which can be difficult to detect. That’s why it’s important to schedule a visit with your child’s developmental pediatrician at the first signs of a problem. Dr. Alison Smoller at Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey in Oakhurst, New Jersey can help you and your child. She proudly serves residents from all over the state of New Jersey including Pennsylvania and she can help your family too.

According to the National Autism Association, the signs and symptoms of autism can vary, ranging from mild to severe. A child can appear completely normal up to age 2 and then lose any developmental achievements, resulting in regression to anti-social symptoms. There are some early signs of autism that are important to recognize. You need to pay attention to when your child:

• Doesn’t respond to their name being called
• Doesn’t show any interest in objects or things
• Avoids eye contact and wants to be alone
• Doesn’t understand feelings of others or their own
• Doesn’t speak or shows delayed speech
• Repeats the same words and phrases
• Gets upset by changing events
• Performs actions repeatedly like hand clapping, spinning, or rocking
• Has problems socializing and talking with others
• Doesn’t like physical contact with others
• Exhibits fears and anxiety about unusual things
• Has obsessive habits like lining up toys or playing with toys the same way

If your child exhibits any of the signs of autism, your developmental pediatrician Dr. Smoller can administer a screening procedure specifically to identify autism. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should receive the screening at both 18 months and 24 months old. The screening can easily be included in regularly scheduled well-child visits.

If you believe your child is demonstrating the early signs of autism, it’s important to seek out help from an expert at diagnosis and treatment. Don’t try to tackle autism alone. To get help, just pick up the phone and call Dr. Alison Smoller at Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey, serving residents from all over the state of New Jersey including Pennsylvania. Call today!

Is your child struggling to get a proper education because of a learning disability? If so, contact your Oakhurst, NJ, developmental pediatrician, also serving Monmouth County and Pennsylvania, Dr. Alison Smoller at Developmental Pediatrician Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey.

IEP in Monmouth County, Oakhurst, and PA

Individualized Education Program (IEP) helps children integrate in a school setting by providing them with the right kind of schooling needed.

Starting the IEP

Your developmental pediatrician will begin by providing an initial evaluation. They need to assess how best to approach your child's needs in terms of teachers and other academic providers, like paraprofessional educators. Specialist need to know how to accommodate lectures for your child's learning disability.

More on IEP

Comprehensive and in-depth assessments of disabled students help provide suitable and well-constructed academic goals and objectives for their special needs.

An IEP consists of three aspects:

• How the student learns
• How they demonstrate that learning
• Finding academic providers who can provide the student with the proper academic settings.

Advantages of IEP:

• IEPs help children succeed in their schoolwork.
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• IEPs help students enjoy a "normal" school culture with academic success. 
   
• Successful IEPs help children achieve independence, but special assistance is provided if need be.
   
• Aside from the assistance provided, children are free to socialize in normal social circles on campus.

If you need more information about IEPs and how they can help improve the academic lives of your child, don't hesitate to give Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey a call today at (732) 660-0220. The office proudly serves patients from all over the state of New Jersey including Pennsylvania.

Are you concerned that your son or daughter may have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? Our Monmouth County, NJ, developmental pediatrician Dr. Alison Smoller of Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey, can answer a few commonly asked questions about the disorder.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes children to react more impulsively, be unable to remain still for even short periods of time, or have difficulty paying attention. Approximately 11 percent of U.S. children have the disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Boys are more likely to be affected than girls.

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

Although "hyperactivity" is included in the disorder's name, not all children who have ADHD are hyperactive. In fact, your child may have an ADHD sub-category, such as primarily inattentive or primarily hyperactive/impulsive. Some children have a combination of symptoms.

If your child has difficulty paying attention due to ADHD, you may notice that he or she is often distracted, makes mistakes in schoolwork due to lack of focus, doesn't turn in homework even though it's completed, or loses homework and belongings. Children may also find it difficult to listen to teachers for long periods of time or follow multi-step instructions.

Children who experience hyperactivity may constantly fidget, find it difficult to stay in their seats in school and seem to be constantly moving. If impulsivity is a problem, your child may interrupt other people, have trouble taking turns, exhibit poor decision-making skills or have difficulty with social boundaries and relationships.

Is medication the only treatment option if my child has ADHD?

Medication can be a very effective option for some children, but it's not the only treatment option. When your son or daughter visits our Monmouth County office, we'll use a variety of assessment tools to develop a diagnosis, then make recommendations that will help your child manage his or her behavior.

If your son or daughter has trouble making or keeping friends, we may suggest a social skills group. Talk therapy can help children handle their frustrations, while behavioral therapy sessions can be invaluable in developing coping skills. We can also recommend educational supports that may make school less stressful and offer advice regarding parenting a child who has ADHD.

Your child can enjoy a full, satisfying life, thanks to ADHD treatment options. Call Dr. Smoller of Developmental Pediatrics of Central Jersey at (732) 660-0220 to schedule an appointment for your child. Dr. Smoller proudly serves patients from all over the state of New Jersey including Pennsylvania in her Monmouth, NJ, office.