Client Vignettes

Meet B... a handsome, extremely personable 15- year-old young man from Hialeah, who is in the 7th grade for the third time. Although he has been in ESE programs since the second grade, he has only recently learned that he was dyslexic during testing from a caring School Psychologist from an” A” school. This reevaluation had been requested from an MDFT therapist prior to the Isicoff Program’s inception. Putting a name on his difficulty has meant the world to B; upon intake, when asked why he needed Isicoff services, he said "CUZ I can’t read! I’m dyslexic.” 

His honesty and ironic humor is present in all his sessions. Currently he is reading on a 3.9 level. He enjoys his sessions: the one-to-one non-judgmental attention. In fact, he is so involved in tutoring he once called the Program complaining about his tutor being late. He stated he “was starting to get p***** because she hadn’t shown up yet”. Happily, he had confused the date of his appointment but what a proactive young man. The Program has such high hopes for him.

Meet S... an athletic 16-year-old African American young man from Liberty City. S has been placed at an opportunity school due to fighting and other behavior problems. S is in the 9th grade. Upon Isicoff intake, S was at first volatile and defensive but underneath so sweet and sorely in need. When asked during intake why he was here, he stated "I want to go back to my regular school, I like school but I really need a tutor because I can’t read. I have problems with blends."

When tested at the Program, S was right. S does have a problem with blends and addition and many other academic areas. S. tested on a first grade reading and a first grade math level. S is not at an “A” school. When first asked by UM caseworker about S’s academic history, the school reported us that he was not in an ESE program. When confronted with the findings at the Isicoff Program, they recanted, “Oh yeah. He is in the ESE program but we need to do a new evaluation.” To date, the school had been avoidant and uncooperative.

Educational advocacy, through the Isicoff program, has begun for S. This program will ensure S gets all the services he so clearly needs. S has a long road ahead of him, but due to the philosophy of the Isicoff Program, he will not be alone. We will be with him.