Insights
Perspective on evaluation, special education, and the questions families carry, written from more than two decades on both sides of the table.
These posts are shaped by Marcia Miller’s work—discovering how students learn best, supporting children and adolescents through counseling, and helping families navigate important conversations at the IEP table. Each is written to provide thoughtful, practical guidance you can use, whether or not you ever become a Crescent client.
Topic
A plain, non-adversarial explanation of how independent educational evaluations and school district assessments differ in scope, purpose, and process.
October 27, 2026
Read moreWhat separates an ordinary reading struggle from a specific learning disability, which signs matter most, and how evaluation answers the question.
September 15, 2026
Read moreA substantive look at the domains a psycho-educational evaluation examines and what those findings reveal about how a child learns, processes, and performs.
July 14, 2026
Read moreA thoughtful look at how families can prepare practically and emotionally for an Independent Educational Evaluation so the process supports rather than overwhelms.
July 7, 2026
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A plain, non-adversarial guide to who sits at the IEP table, what each person is responsible for, and which decisions belong to the team as a whole.
September 8, 2026
Read moreA plain-language explanation of what a functional behavior assessment involves, what it produces, and why understanding the purpose of a behavior changes what the team can do about it.
September 1, 2026
Read moreA calm, practical guide to what happens at a first IEP meeting and how parents can prepare to participate as informed, equal members of the team.
August 11, 2026
Read moreA grounded look at how parents and schools can move from friction to genuine partnership, built around the shared aim of helping a child thrive.
August 4, 2026
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An overview of the early indicators of dyslexia that families and schools commonly overlook, and why noticing them sooner makes a meaningful difference.
October 20, 2026
Read moreA look at how ADHD actually presents in children and teens, why the familiar stereotype leaves so many young people unrecognized, and what a thorough evaluation can answer.
October 13, 2026
Read moreHow high-ability students hide difficulty behind adequate grades, what masking costs them over time, and what parents can do when a capable child is quietly struggling.
September 22, 2026
Read moreA practical guide to what executive functioning is and how parents can strengthen these skills at home through everyday routines and supportive structure.
August 25, 2026
Read moreA grounded look at the strengths frequently found in autistic children and why a complete evaluation should illuminate them as carefully as it identifies challenges.
July 21, 2026
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A practical guide to distinguishing ordinary childhood worry from anxiety that warrants professional attention, including what to watch for and how to respond.
October 6, 2026
Read moreA compassionate, informed look at how to recognize school avoidance, understand the reasons behind it, and respond in ways that support your child.
August 18, 2026
Read moreA thoughtful look at why parental instincts matter, why they are so often dismissed, and how to move from a quiet sense that something is off to informed next steps.
July 28, 2026
Read moreStart with a conversation
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Marcia Lynn Miller, LEP #3015 · Independent practice
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