Barranco Educational Assessment Svcs., PLLC

11/21/2025

FREE statewide Webinar- School-Based Behavior Supports: A Guide for Families Webinar December 10, 2025 12:15 p.m.

This webinar is designed to support parents, guardians, and caregivers of students with disabilities who require behavioral support in school settings. All individuals supporting a child, regardless of background or role, are welcome to attend. Learn more and register here

This webinar is designed to support parents, guardians, and caregivers of students with disabilities who require behavioral support in school settings. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of how Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) are developed and implemented, explore evidence-based....

11/20/2025

✨ Did you know dyslexia can look different depending on the language a child is learning?
A recent article shared by Dyslexia Help at the University of Michigan tells the story of a student who struggled with English reading — but could read Japanese with no difficulty at all.
Why? Because different languages rely on different reading skills!

🌍 In languages like Spanish, Czech, Finnish, and Welsh, kids often learn to read faster than English speakers. English is full of spelling variations, which can make dyslexia more challenging to spot and support.

💬 Parents & teachers:
If your child is bilingual or learning multiple languages, their reading strengths (and struggles!) may vary from one language to another — and that’s completely normal. Early assessment in the languages they use is incredibly important.

Read the full article here ⬇️

A BBC article outlines how dyslexia may vary in other languages. This BBC article begins by following a student who is a native English speaker who also spoke Japanese at school. It was described that he was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 13 and his English reading level was that of a 6-year-...

11/18/2025

Grammar: is it a forgotten rulebook, or the foundation of strong writing?

Join the upcoming workshop sponsored by the Dyslexia Center of Austin: Grammar Don’t Matter, or Do It? Where you’ll receive a thought-provoking and practical workshop exploring the critical role grammar plays in written expression—and why it absolutely matters for the students we serve. Designed for Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALTs), educators, interventionists, and specialists, this session dives into how grammar instruction supports clarity, coherence, and confidence in student writing.

You’ll explore how explicit, structured grammar instruction connects directly to improved writing outcomes—especially for students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences.

Learn more here:

Grammar—the Bridge to Written Expression Format : Virtual via Zoom Date: Tuesday—January 20, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CST Host: Kari Steward, M.Ed., LDT, CALT-QI Grammar: is it a forgotten rulebook, or the foundation of strong writing? Join us for a thought-provoking and pract

11/14/2025

Are you a parent navigating private school options for your child — or an interventionist/therapist seeking to become an approved service provider under the new TEFA school-choice initiative?
There’s a free virtual workshop — What Parents & Interventionists Need to Know About the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA)
Thursday, December 4, 2025
7:00 PM CST
Hosted on Zoom by Tara Cevallos, M.Ed., LDT, CALT-QI, Co-Founder of the Dyslexia Center of Austin

There will be a live Q&A at the end!

Upon registering you’ll receive a confirmation email and Zoom link. A recording will also be made available online.

Learn more here:

Dyslexia Center of Austin, Texas, is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization with the mission to support educational, emotional, and social well-being of students with dyslexia and related disorders. We offer training for teachers and therapists, free after-school therapy for students, and reduced rate e

11/13/2025

✨ Sensory-Friendly Nutcracker Performance in Houston! ✨
Looking for a magical holiday event that supports sensory needs?
Houston Ballet is hosting a sensory-friendly performance of The Nutcracker designed especially for children and adults who benefit from a more relaxed theater environment.

📅 Friday, November 28, 2025
🕐 1:00 PM
📍 Wortham Theater Center – Houston, TX

What makes it sensory-friendly?
🌟 Softer lighting & sound
🌟 House lights remain dimly on
🌟 Freedom to move, take breaks, and re-enter as needed
🌟 Trained volunteers throughout the theater
🌟 Quiet areas available
🌟 Social narrative guide available before the show

This is a wonderful way for families to enjoy a holiday tradition—without the stress.

Learn more and get tickets here:

Houston Ballet's Sensory-Friendly performances are modified for audience members with neurological differences. Trained volunteers staff the event to ensure a positive experience for all.

11/06/2025

Join our team!!

11/06/2025

Calling all educators, specialists, and advocates for diverse learners!

Join the 26th Annual Region 4 Dyslexia Conference — “Brilliantly Wired”
🗓 Thursday, December 4, 2025
📍 Region 4 McKinney Conference Center (Houston, TX)
💻 Attend in person or virtually with on-demand access!

This year’s keynotes include:
🎤 Dr. Fumiko Hoeft – neuroscientist & global leader in dyslexia research
🎤 Dr. Anson Koshy – developmental & behavioral pediatrician

Topics you’ll love:
• “Dyslexia 101: Understanding, Advocating & Driving Systems-Level Change”
• “Don’t Wait to Intervene”
• “Cracking the Code: Handwriting Observations That Matter”
• “Will My Students Ever Learn to Spell?”

Earn 6 CPE/CEU credits while learning strategies that transform student success!
👉 Register now: https://esc4.net/event/dyslexia-conference-2025/

Brilliantly Wired. At the 26th Annual Region 4 Dyslexia Conference, we celebrate the brilliance of every learner. Discover how the science and strength of dyslexia inspire evidence-based practices, innovative tools,… Continue reading Region 4 Dyslexia Conference 2025

11/04/2025

Ever wonder why some students know the material but still struggle to finish assignments, follow directions, or stay organized? The answer often lies in their executive functioning — the set of brain-based skills that help us plan, focus, and follow through. EF skills are the brain’s air traffic control system — keeping thoughts, emotions, and actions on track.

At Barranco Educational Assessment Svcs.,, our evaluations can help identify strengths and weaknesses in executive function skills, to help support learning and independence.

Read this article from Fine Educational Solutions to learn how executive functioning impacts success not just in school, but in college and beyond — and what parents and educators can do to help.

Executive Functioning: What it is and Why it Matters in School, College, and CareerAccording to Harvard's Center on the Developing Child, “executive Fine Educational Solutions

10/31/2025

Want to help your student or child with ADHD improve their problem-solving and task completion? Check out this new resource from CHADD: “Retooling Strategies for Greater Success: Think Alouds” — the article digs into how using “think-alouds” (having learners verbalize their thoughts as they work) can build stronger executive function skills. 

Why this matters:
• Kids with ADHD often benefit when we make the invisible thinking process visible — when we model how to plan, monitor, and adjust. This article outlines how think-alouds support exactly that.
• It’s not just about “doing the work” — it’s how they approach the work (setting a goal, checking in, revising if necessary). When these metacognitive steps get built in, the outcomes often improve.
• As caregivers or educators, using think-alouds helps us shift from “do it for me” to “let’s do it with you” — making learning interactive and intentional.

Quick tip you can try this week:
Pick one task (homework, project, chore) and ask your child/student to walk through out loud what they’re doing:
1. “What’s our goal for this step?”
2. “What do I think will happen next?”
3. “Is this working — how do I know?”
4. “If this isn’t working, what will I try next?”
Doing this as a habit builds stronger self-regulation and less frustration.

Have you used think-alouds at home or in the classroom? Share what’s worked (or hasn’t).
And if you find this strategy helpful, tag a parent, teacher or support person who might benefit too!

Red the full article here:

ADHD NEWSSTAND FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS Retooling Strategies for Greater Success: Think Alouds by Margaret Foster, MAEd Attention Magazine October 2025 Download PDF Going deeper with executive function tasks that are resistant to intervention Students come to us-parents, teachers, academic co...

10/30/2025

How can schools truly accelerate learning while meeting the needs of every student?

The National Center for Systemic Improvement shared a fantastic short read —
“Five Considerations that Educators Can Employ for Accelerated Learning.” https://ncsi.wested.org/resource/five-considerations-that-educators-can-employ-for-accelerated-learning/

At Barranco Educational Assessment & Consulting Services, we see every day how thoughtful planning, data-based decisions, and collaboration can make all the difference for students with diverse learning needs.

Educators — we’d love to hear from you!
*What strategies have helped your students grow the most this year?
*Which of these five considerations do you think schools need to focus on most right now?
Comment below.

Get this Resource by Kathleen Pfannenstiel, NCSI Document Fast Five This Fast Five defines the role of accelerated learning to support all students, but specifically students with disabilities. This Fast Five provides considerations and ideas to support LEA’s to plan for and implement accelerated ...

10/27/2025

💻 Free Webinar: Stronger Brains, Brighter Outcomes

Join Partners Resource Network for a free statewide webinar focused on empowering families and educators to better understand how to support children’s learning and emotional growth.

🗓 Tuesday, October 28, 2025
🕛 12:15 PM (CST)
📍 Online via ZOOM
Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GHEn2DsSSLqiGe6AxMMdag #/registration

This session explores strategies for building stronger brains, emotional regulation, and brighter outcomes for children with learning differences, ADHD, autism, and mood or behavioral challenges.

With understanding comes better supports and interventions. We will discuss the ADHD brain and all the gifts it brings to the world, and how to help foster those gifts for better outcomes. Special Guest Presenter: Layne Pethick, Region 10 ESC If you have questions about our statewide or collaborativ...

10/20/2025

October is ADHD Awareness Month — a time not just to notice ADHD, but to understand it more deeply and support those who live with it every day. The latest article from ADHD Thrive Institute shines a light on breaking down myths and embracing real-life understanding and support:
👉 https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/10/adhd-awareness-month-beyond-myths-toward-real-understanding-and-support/

Here are a few key take-aways:
• ADHD isn’t just about hyperactivity or distractibility — it can affect sleep, emotions, routines and many parts of life.
• Some common myths still holding many families back: “It’s only a brain chemical issue”, “Medication is the only solution”, “Food doesn’t matter”. (And that’s not the full picture.)
• Real support means addressing the whole person — body, mind, environment — rather than expecting one “fix” to solve it all.
• You don’t have to face this alone. Sharing stories, educating others, showing up for change — all of that matters.

If you’re a parent, a teacher, a friend or just someone who cares — Share this post or the article and help replace misunderstanding with empathy.

by Dana Kay | Oct 4, 2025 | ADHD Co-existing Conditions, ADHD Kids, ADHD Life, ADHD Symptoms, Featured Topic Posts, Mindset, Natural Solutions, Parenting