Children With Learning Disabilities

Children build their lives and their future using all materials they come across on their life path. They use whatever skills we teach them, as well as the habits we attempt to shield them from. They also use whatever they may get from their peers and some of what their teachers tried to install in them. However, the main building blocks are the children’s natural predispositions and abilities they were born with and later had a chance to develop and expand. A child who was born with excellent hand-eye coordination and a deep intuitive understanding of visual-spatial relationships will most likely develop a nuanced and enjoyable connection to the world of visual art. The same is true for musically, mathematically, or otherwise gifted children – they were given something in excess of what their average peers were given (even though no one has even seen an average child, we can pretend she exists). These children have more building blocks, which they may or may not utilize in shaping their future.

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About TEMA Therapy

TEMA Therapy offers Diagnostics & Testing services for anyone wishing to learn more about their symptoms, find their possible causes, and get guidance on their next steps.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our unique approach to assessment and testing.

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How To Validate A Child

Children with learning disabilities or chronic physical illnesses were given less of these building blocks in some areas, even though in other areas they may be very gifted. Telling these children that their difficulties do not exist, or that “everybody is born the same,” creates a situation where their experience of the world is negated and devalued, which exacerbates their problems.

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Our Therapeutic Approach

My goal when working with children with any kind of chronic problem is to help them learn who they are, as well as who they are not, which presupposes developing their strong sides while accepting their limitations. The “accepting their limitation” cliche has been used so many times that we don’t really think about the meaning of it anymore and what it entails. The essential part of acceptance is love and respect, combined with knowledge of the person. The very same is true for self-acceptance.

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Focus On The Strength

Self-acceptance is nurtured when a child is learning what she can and cannot do, as well as how she tends to think, how she makes her decisions, what she desires in life, and what she is fearful of. When the child learns all of the above in an atmosphere of respect and kindness, she can incorporate this attitude toward herself into her personality structure, which makes her more resilient, active, and ultimately more successful in life.

First, Explore

In order to understand the child’s learning profile, we do detailed psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluations. In the course of such an evaluation, we will learn about the child’s intellectual abilities, how those abilities are reflected in their reading, writing, and math achievements, and which part of neuropsychological functioning are likely to present obstacles to the child’s learning abilities.  

Then, Treat

Upon completing such an evaluation, we have a very detailed picture of what is going on and what needs to be done for the child to achieve their maximum potential. We encourage the parents to share the information with the school. We also provide help in finding an appropriate educational environment for the child. We can help the school to develop an IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) or ISP (Individual Service Plan) for private schools, if needed. 

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It Takes A Village

A child with learning disabilities needs a team approach to be healthy, happy, and completely fulfilled. We create and manage such teams of therapists, educators, tutors, and coaches, so that nothing falls through the cracks, and the parents have a healthy sense of control over multiple facets of the child’s life. 

OUR STAFF

Meet our Therapists

For more online therapist profiles

Dr. Irina Volynsky, PhD.

Clinical Director

Specialty: Clinical psychologist working with adults, children and families. Testing and Therapy

Licenses: New York, New Jersey PSYPACT

Languages: English, Russian, Ukrainian

Dr. Emile T. Berk, PhD.

Psychologist

Specialty: Clinical psychologist performing testing for adults, adolescents, and children.

Licenses: New York, New Jersey PSYPACT

Languages: English

Irina Bashkirov, LPC

Licensed Professional Counsellor

Specialty: Adult and child therapy. Group therapy for adults

License: Licensed Professional Counsellor

Languages: English, Russian, Hebrew

Andrew Roetman

Supervised Therapist

Specialty: Therapy and testing performed under the supervision of clinical director

Languages: English and Spanish

Natalia Rowe, CCC-SLP

Language and Feeding Specialist

Specialty: Speech-Language/Disphagia Therapist, PROMPT Therapist

Licenses: New York, New Jersey 

Languages: English, Russian

Amaury Hernandez

Behavioral Conditioning Coach

Specialty: Sensory Integration, Emotional Regulation, Competitive Sports Training

Certificates: Personal Trainer, Sensory Integration, Parkour

Languages: English, Spanish

Zhanna Beyl, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Specialty: Psychotherapist working with teens, adults, couples, and families 

Licenses: New York, New Jersey

Languages: English, Russian

Katya Chizhova, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Specialty: Psychotherapist working with the elderly and people with acute and chronic medical conditions

Licenses: New York, New Jersey

Languages: English, Russian

Darina Konstorum, APC

Associate Professional Counsellor

Speciality: Psychotherapist working with children, teens, and adults. Group therapy for adults.

Licenses: New Jersey

Languages: English, Russian

Tamara Kapustina

Coaching

Specialty: Health & Wellness Family Executive functioning Coach.

Languages: Russian, Ukrainian, English (Intermediate)

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NEWSLETTER

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Who benefits from our service?

I can't thank Tema Therapy enough for their incredible support in managing my ADHD. The therapists here are compassionate, knowledgeable, and understanding. They took the time to truly understand my struggles and provided me with effective coping strategies. The therapy sessions have made a significant positive impact on my life, helping me regain focus, improve productivity, and boost my self-esteem. Tema Therapy is a game-changer for anyone seeking assistance with ADHD.

Emily R

Tema Therapy has been an essential part of my journey in overcoming anxiety disorders. The therapists are empathetic, patient, and highly skilled in providing the right tools to manage anxiety effectively. The sessions were tailored to my specific needs, and the techniques I learned have been instrumental in reducing panic attacks and daily anxiety levels. While there's always room for improvement, I can confidently say that Tema Therapy is a place where anxiety disorders are truly understood and addressed.

Jason L

Tema Therapy has been a ray of hope in my battle against depression. The therapists here create a warm and nurturing environment, allowing for open and honest discussions. Their compassionate approach helped me feel safe while exploring the root causes of my depression. Through their guidance and evidence-based techniques, I've experienced significant progress in my emotional well-being. Tema Therapy is a beacon of light, reminding us that recovery from depression is possible.

Samantha H

Tema Therapy provided me with invaluable support during the most challenging period of my life—grieving the loss of a loved one. The therapists demonstrated exceptional empathy and understanding, creating a safe space for me to express my emotions and navigate the complexities of grief. Their expertise in grief counseling helped me find healthy coping mechanisms, allowing me to gradually heal and honor the memory of my loved one. Tema Therapy is an oasis of compassion during times of profound loss.

Daniel M

Tema Therapy has been instrumental in unlocking my true potential despite learning disabilities. The therapists here possess an in-depth understanding of different learning challenges and provide personalized strategies that cater to individual needs. Their patience, encouragement, and innovative techniques have empowered me to overcome obstacles and succeed academically. Although progress can take time, Tema Therapy has proven to be a transformative resource for individuals with learning disabilities, offering a path towards brighter futures.

Olivia K

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? Email us at [email protected] for further queries.

What Are the Signs of Learning Disabilities?

Indicators include slow reading, difficulty with math concepts, trouble writing or organizing thoughts, memory issues, distractibility, and inconsistent school performance. Assessments help confirm if these behaviors are due to specific learning disabilities or other underlying factors.

How Long Does the Learning Disabilities Assessment Take?

The full evaluation typically spans 4 to 6 hours over two sessions. This includes testing cognitive processing, academic skills, memory, attention, and follow-up reporting to ensure comprehensive insights.

Will My Child Qualify for an IEP Based on This?

Yes, many of our assessments support special education eligibility decisions. Results are formatted to meet school documentation standards and assist in IEP or 504 Plan applications.

How Are Learning Disabilities Different From ADHD?

Learning disabilities specifically impact academic skills like reading, writing, and math, while ADHD affects attention, hyperactivity, and impulse control. We use differential diagnosis methods to identify one or both conditions and guide appropriate supports.

What Happens After the Assessment?

You’ll receive a detailed written report outlining diagnosis, strengths, academic challenges, and recommended strategies, accommodations, and interventions. We also offer a feedback session to help you advocate for your child’s needs in school and at home.

Who Administers the Evaluation?

Assessments are conducted and interpreted by licensed clinical or school psychologists trained in learning disability diagnosis. They follow best practices set by professional organizations to ensure accurate, trustworthy results.

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