Hirsch Serman knows first-hand what it’s like to have a child struggle in school. His own son, at age 5, began acting out in class, something he says “was very out of character.” The school’s recommendation was simple, “You need to have him tested.” But getting tested to determine a child’s learning disability can be a perplexing process, as Serman, the executive director for Jewish Family Services, quickly discovered. That’s what prompted him to launch Educate Memphis. His aim was to bring together a team of professionals that parents access through one program to determine the kind of help a child needs to achieve and reach his or her full potential.
Their multi-disciplinary approach includes social workers, pediatric psychologists, a pediatric neurologist, speech pathologists, and vision specialists. And they work to go beyond just finding resources, “We help you understand what’s going on with your child,” says Serman. Once a child is tested for speech and hearing, other assessments take place, resulting in an action plan.
Educate Memphis is currently working with 12 students. While it isn’t a fit for every family, for those who qualify, it might just be an answer to a prayer.
To learn more, go to jfsmemphis.org or call 767-8511.