TAL Academy proudly launched the TAL Resource Center with a well-attended lecture given by Dr. Lydia Soifer and Mrs. Brocha Kresch, entitled “Language-Based Learning Disabilities: What This Means for a Child.” Dr. Soifer, Language and Methodology Consultant at TAL Academy, is a language pathologist with over 50 years of experience in clinical and private practice. Dr. Soifer’s engaging presentation and humorous anecdotes kept the audience captivated as she described the experience of a child with language processing challenges both at home and at school.
Mrs. Brocha Kresch, Director of K’riah at TAL Academy, has developed her own multisensory reading program that is being used in schools across the country. Mrs. Kresch explained the research that lays the foundation for the science of reading to the audience comprised of professionals and parents. She described some of the challenges a child with language-based learning disabilities might encounter when learning to read Hebrew. Mrs. Taib, principal of TAL Academy, closed the presentation with further examples of difficulties that children with language-based weaknesses experience within a Judaic Studies classroom.
When TAL Academy opened in September 2023, it was the realization of a vision to create a yeshivah for students with language-based disabilities who have the potential to return to their neighborhood schools once these weaknesses have been remediated. The launching of the TAL Academy Resource Center is the realization of a related vision, to educate our communities so that these students can be better understood and can be identified at earlier ages, before their self-esteem has been eroded.
The lecture can be viewed at the TAL Academy website, www.talacademy.org. Dr. Soifer will also be presenting a three-part webinar series over the next few weeks that is geared for parents, but all are welcome to attend. Please register at the website or call 516-218-1929 for more information.
