Welcome to the NeuroAffirm Family community — our first newsletter!
David and I began this journey to offer other families the support we wished we’d had 17 years ago. Navigating what insurance covers, finding the right neuropsychologists and therapies, understanding IEPs, securing school supports, accessing legal help, choosing best-fit schools, and planning transition services has been a long, often challenging process for our family—and we’re still learning every day.
We hope to provide you with a little relevant information each month to help make your own journey a bit easier.
Our goal is to help families understand their options so they can access the right support at the right time—efficiently and cost-effectively. We look forward to your feedback, and your suggestions and recommendations are always welcome.
Sarah Hauser, CEO — NeuroAffirm Family
The Crisis:
Funding Cuts, Staff Shortages, and Undiagnosed Students
After federal cuts California will cancel nearly $168 million in school-based mental health grants that fund hundreds of school social workers, counselors and wellness coaches in California. Where schools are already facing severe shortages of school psychologists, special-education teachers, and evaluators. Many districts operate with twice the recommended caseload—often 1,200 students per school psychologist, instead of the recommended 500:1. These shortages delay evaluations, overwhelm staff, and reduce the support schools can offer.
$168M
Funding Cuts
In school-based mental health grants canceled in California.
1200:1
Current Student Ratio
Students per school psychologist in many districts, far exceeding recommendations.
500:1
Recommended Ratio
The ideal student-to-school psychologist ratio for effective support.
A Perfect Storm Brewing
The combination of severe staffing shortages, reduced funding, and a growing population of undiagnosed students creates a critical intersection—a perfect storm that disproportionately impacts those most in need.
Why Bright Kids Are So Often Missed
Kids who are bright, articulate, or high-performing can still have dyslexia, ADHD, autism, or other learning differences. But they are harder to identify because their intelligence masks their struggles.
Strengths Hide Struggles
Strong vocabulary, reasoning, or creativity can mask significant learning or attention challenges.
They Compensate on Their Own
Many 2e and bright students work twice as hard to stay afloat, making it appear as though everything is fine.
They Perform "Well Enough"
If a student isn't failing, schools—especially understaffed ones—often postpone or deny evaluations.
Behavior Gets Misunderstood
Anxiety, perfectionism, boredom, or avoidance may be seen as personality traits rather than symptoms of unmet needs.
5 Signs You Should Learn More About Your Child's Needs
These warning signs don't mean something is "wrong" with your child—they mean your child might benefit from additional support to unlock their full potential. Trust your parental instincts.
1
Homework takes much longer than it should
If your child is bright and capable but homework turns into hours of struggle, tears, or avoidance, it may signal an underlying learning difference, attention challenge, or anxiety—not a lack of effort.
2
Big emotions over small problems
Frequent frustration, perfectionism, shutdowns, or emotional outbursts (especially around schoolwork) can be signs of unmet learning or social-emotional needs. Kids often express stress behaviorally before they can express it verbally.
3
Strong skills in some areas, real difficulty in others
A child who reads above grade level but can't spell, or who solves complex problems but forgets simple steps, may be "twice exceptional" (2e) and need a different type of support.
4
Teachers see potential but also notice something "off"
Comments like "smart, but inconsistent," "needs to focus," or "works hard but struggles more than expected" are gentle signals that something deeper might be going on—especially if this feedback repeats year after year.
5
Your child is anxious, overwhelmed, or losing confidence
School should be challenging—but not crushing. If your child complains of stomachaches, worries about going to school, or feels "not good enough," social-emotional needs may be going unmet.
What These Signs Really Mean
Early Recognition Changes Everything
Recognizing these signs early is the first step toward getting your child the right support. When learning differences, attention challenges, or social-emotional needs are identified and addressed, children thrive.
You know your child best. If something feels off, trust your instincts and seek a comprehensive evaluation. The right assessment can reveal strengths and challenges that open doors to appropriate accommodations, therapies, and educational plans.
Not a Diagnosis, But a Signal
These signs suggest your child might benefit from evaluation—not that anything is definitively "wrong."
Multiple Signs Are More Significant
One or two signs might be typical development. Several together warrant attention.
Early Intervention Prevents Bigger Struggles
Addressing challenges now prevents academic, social, and emotional difficulties later.
We're Here to Help
If you recognize any of these signs in your child, you don't have to navigate this journey alone. Our integrated team of specialists is here to provide comprehensive evaluation, clear guidance, and coordinated support across all the systems your family needs to navigate.
Who pays? How do navigate all the systems?
Insurance? Schools? Private?
Along the way, we've learned how complicated it can be to understand when to use insurance, when to pay out of pocket, and when should the school district be responsible
This balance can be overwhelming for parents, especially when juggling multiple providers or systems that don't always communicate with one another.
Remember: School should be challenging—but not crushing. Your child deserves to thrive, not just survive. We're here to help make that happen.
Thank you for being part of our community. Your feedback, suggestions, and recommendations are always welcome as we continue learning together.
Learn more at neuroaffirm.org