Simmons
School of Education and Human Development
(2010 Undergraduate Catalog)
Client Services
www.smu.edu/reading
The Learning Therapy program administers the Diagnostic Center for Dyslexia and Related Disorders, which was established in response to a community need for services that evaluate individuals for learning disorders related to reading acquisition and comprehension. Dyslexia is involved in most disorders of this type, which can also include developmental spelling disability, developmental auditory imperception, dysgraphia and dysphasia. The center is dedicated to providing comprehensive initial and follow-up evaluation services and appropriate medical, psychological and educational referrals and recommendations to children, adolescents and adults who are at risk for dyslexia and related disorders.
Comprehensive initial evaluation services are available to individuals who exhibit symptoms of dyslexia. Based on the evaluation results, the center helps these clients secure appropriate remediation and/or accommodations (e.g., a time-modified SAT or the rival ACT exam) and provides medical and psychological referrals if warranted.
Re-evaluation services are available to individuals who have previously been diagnosed with dyslexia but who require a follow-up evaluation and diagnosis in order to continue receiving remediation and/or accommodations. Again, the center provides clients with appropriate recommendations and assistance in securing educational accommodations.
Top 
www.smu.edu/CAPS
CAPS offers tutoring services for school-age children who are experiencing difficulty with reading, vocabulary development, writing, math and spelling. The center's tutoring methods and tools have been designed by researchers from the University's nationally renowned Institute for Reading Research. Tutoring sessions are individualized, providing one-on-one instruction that is explicit, intensive and specifically designed to address learning differences and disabilities in children.
Top
www.smu.edu/MediationClinic
Mediation services are available to parties involved in a dispute. Alumni and current students of the Dispute Resolution Program who have completed at least 200 training hours serve as volunteer mediators.
Parties may use SMU's mediation services either before or after a lawsuit is filed. Parties may contact SMU directly to arrange for mediation services, or if a lawsuit has been filed, a judge may order mediation and appoint the SMU center as the mediator. Parties have an equal say in the mediation process and the settlement terms. The mediator has no authority to impose a settlement, and there is no determination of guilt or innocence in this process. Both sides are able to exchange information, express expectations and propose solutions for reaching a resolution.
The mediator facilitates this process by helping the parties communicate clearly and appropriately. Most mediated settlements are completed in one meeting, saving time and expense. Legal or other representation is permitted in the mediation but is not required. An agreement reached in mediation can be binding to both parties. If no agreement is reached, the lawsuit continues or is filed. However, the mediation process is strictly confidential and settlement discussions cannot be used as evidence in any future court proceeding. Both parties pay a minimal fee.
Top
www.smu.edu/FamilyCounseling
The Center for Family Counseling delivers developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive counseling services for families, couples, adults, adolescents and children undergoing varying life circumstances, while providing SMU graduate counseling students with meaningful training experience via supervised therapeutic interactions. Counseling services are designed to assist individuals and groups seeking to enhance their overall life functioning, interpersonal relationships, self-understanding and career satisfaction for optimal well-being.
Top
www.smu.edu/cccd
The Center for Child and Community Development is dedicated to the cognitive, affective/social, and cultural development of children in ethnically diverse communities. With both a national and international reach, the center serves this mission through the provision of research-related educational programs and services to schools, families and community organizations.
Top
Share