Webinar: Dr. Steven Feifer
THE NEUROPSYCHOLOGY OF WRITTEN LANGUAGE DISORDERS:Â
Developing Evidence-Based Interventions
A Webinar about Dysgraphia for Parents
This was a live webinar with Dr. Feifer on March 3rd, 2021. Handouts of the webinar slides are available here: ​
This presentation explores the neural underpinnings of written language disorders from a brain-based educational perspective. For years, parents and educators have struggled to cultivate more effective writing skills in children, and at times, missed early warning signs of written language disorders. While younger students often have difficulty with the motor demands of handwriting, older students often struggle stitching together their thoughts and ideas in a coherent manner when writing sentences and paragraphs. Therefore, any breakdown with motor skills, language skills, memory skills, or executive functioning skills can lead to various subtypes of writing disorders. The primary goals of this presentation are:
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Define the term developmental dysgraphia and discuss key warning signs of writing difficulties at all grade levels.
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Discuss some of the neural architecture responsible for written language development in children and learn key brain regions responsible for the organization and production of writing skills.
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Discuss three specific subtypes of writing disorders in children, and target specific strategies and interventions for each subtype.
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Introduce the Feifer Assessment of Writing as a more effective diagnostic tool to determine subtypes of dysgraphia in children.
Steven G. Feifer, D. Ed., NCSP, ABSNP has authored eight books on learning and emotional disorders in children. He has more than 20 years of experience as a school psychologist, and is dually trained in school neuropsychology with research stints at the National Institute of Health. Dr. Feifer has earned numerous distinctions throughout his career including being awarded both the Maryland School Psychologist of the Year, and the National School Psychologist of the Year. Dr. Feifer currently assesses children at the Monocacy Neurodevelopmental Center in Frederick, MD, and is a consultant to a variety of school districts. He has authored three tests on diagnosing learning disabilities in children, all of which are published by PAR.
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More information on the Feifer Assessment of Writing can be found here:
https://www.parinc.com/Products/Pkey/6539
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Dr. Feifer's textbook, The Neuropsychology of Written Language Disorders: A Framework for Effective Intervention, can be purchased at www.schoolneuropsychpress.com.
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