My Child Is Struggling in School. How Parents in Columbus, Ohio Can Get Help.
When children begin their academic journey, in preschool, kindergarten, and the early elementary years, we hope school feels exciting and engaging. We want them to build friendships, learn how to ask for help, develop healthy coping skills, and gain the academic foundations they’ll need to grow and succeed.
But what happens when that isn’t the experience you or your child is having?
If school feels stressful, confusing, or discouraging for you or your child, you’re not alone. This post is designed to help parents of school-age children understand the next steps and feel empowered to ask the right questions when collaborating with their school team.
(Note: Preschool referrals work a bit differently. A future article will focus specifically on preschool and early childhood services.)
When School Struggles Feel Unexpected
Children can struggle in school for many reasons, and sometimes those struggles are unexpected. That’s because we often assume children naturally have the skills needed to learn and perform at grade level. When progress doesn’t match expectations, it can raise concern and frustration.
As parents, it’s natural to want our children to succeed and excel. Sometimes that leads to expectations like straight A’s, advanced coursework, or placement in honors, AP, or IB classes. When those expectations aren’t met, children may be labeled as “lazy” or “not trying hard enough.”
(Let’s pause here for a moment. Laziness is one of the most misunderstood terms used to describe children. It’s often a sign of something deeper, not a lack of effort.)
This isn’t about lowering expectations. It’s about creating realistic and attainable goals that align with your child’s abilities, strengths, and challenges.
Why Expectations Matter
Not every child will earn top grades, even when they are trying their best. When expectations don’t align with what a child can reasonably achieve, children may struggle to experience success. Over time, this can reduce motivation, increase anxiety, and create a discouraging cycle, especially in middle school and high school.
Supporting children emotionally means adjusting expectations to reflect their true potential, not just what we imagine for them. That shift can be hard, but it often reduces anxiety and helps children regain confidence in their abilities. We want our kids to be happy, healthy, and confident in themselves.
Factors That Can Impact Learning and School Performance
Many factors can affect a child’s ability to learn and demonstrate what they know. These may include (but are not limited to):
Academic skill gaps (reading, writing, math)
Attention, organization, or executive functioning challenges
Emotional or behavioral regulation difficulties
Anxiety, depression, or challenges in managing stress
Social challenges or peer relationships
Health or attendance concerns
When concerns persist, schools often use structured systems of support to help identify and address student needs.
What Is Response to Intervention (RtI)?
Response to Intervention (RtI) is a framework schools use to provide targeted academic, behavioral, social, and emotional support to students.
The goal of RtI is to:
Identify areas of need early
Provide research-based interventions
Monitor progress over time
Adjust supports based on how the student responds
Supports may focus on reading, writing, math, behavior, emotional regulation, organization, or social-emotional skills.
When Is a Child Referred for RtI?
A referral to an RtI team may happen when a child continues to struggle despite classroom interventions and parent-teacher collaboration.
An RtI team may include:
You, the parent (always a key member)
Classroom teacher
RtI coordinator or chairperson
School administrator
Specialists (reading, math, mental health)
School counselor or school psychologist
During the meeting, the team reviews data, observations, and concerns. Together, you’ll develop an individualized intervention plan that clearly outlines:
What intervention will be provided
Who will provide it
Frequency and duration
How progress will be measured
When the team will meet again to review progress
Your voice matters. Ask questions. If something doesn’t make sense, speak up. Collaboration is essential.
Possible RtI Outcomes
After implementing interventions, the team may determine:
Adequate progress → Continue the intervention
Goal met → Student may be dismissed from RtI
Limited progress → Adjust the intervention approach
Minimal response → Consider a special education evaluation
(A future post will explore special education evaluations in more detail.)
Final Thoughts for Parents
Above all else, work with your school team. Educators want to support your child, and collaboration leads to better outcomes.
If you notice your child struggling with schoolwork at home, appearing overwhelmed, or not progressing as expected, ask questions. Schools have extensive resources and experience—and so do mental health professionals outside of the school setting.
You don’t have to figure this out on your own.
How Warburton Family Practice Can Help
If you’re concerned about your child’s learning, attention, emotional well-being, or school progress, Warburton Family Practice offers therapy and psychological evaluations for children and adults in Columbus, Ohio.
We work closely with families to:
Clarify learning or emotional concerns
Provide comprehensive psychological evaluations to help determine learning differences such as Dyslexia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Support children through therapy and skill-building
Help parents understand school recommendations and next steps
If you’re in the Columbus, Ohio area and wondering whether a psychological evaluation or therapy could help your child succeed in school, we’re here to answer your questions and guide you thoughtfully through the process.
Contact Warburton Family Practice to learn more or schedule a consultation.
