This week’s familiaRise segment comes from RISD Special and Gifted Education PTA (SAGE PTA).
Did you know that 1 in every 5 children in the United States has a learning or attention disorder, and nearly as many (17%) have a developmental disability? Sometimes, teachers are the first to notice that a child might need to be evaluated for a disability, but sometimes parents notice first.
Parents may also notice that their children may be struggling with anxiety or other mental health needs, or they may see that their child’s academic abilities are more advanced than grade level expectations. As a parent, if you are concerned that your child may have an undiagnosed disability, a mental health need, or above-level learning needs that require advanced instruction (gifted services), where can you go for help?
We recommend that parents start with their child’s school counselor. Your counselor can gather information and help guide you on the steps to request a disability evaluation, support for your child, or information on referrals for gifted services. For more information, please contact these RISD central office departments:
- RISD Child Find, for disability evaluations and services: 469-593-7523
- Counseling and Prevention Services, for counseling support: 469-593-9142
- Advanced Learning Services, for gifted assessments and services (for further questions, contact info is available through links)
Families can also receive support from fellow parents through the SAGE PTA, a districtwide PTA formed to support families of students with diverse learning needs, to advocate for students and teachers, and to educate the community. We encourage families to email us at risdsagepta@gmail.com to seek support or information. We are here for you!
