Elena Ostroy

Navigating the NYC educational system is notoriously complex, particularly when your child is struggling. Whether your child attends a local Brooklyn public school or a private school in the city, seeing them struggle with focus, reading, or behavioral challenges is stressful. When seeking help for academic, behavioral, or emotional hurdles, parents, sometimes on the teachers’ advice, consider an evaluation. This is when most parents hit a fork in the road: Should you request an evaluation...

As my own kids reach the end of their high school journey and prepare to head off to college this fall, the concept of the "college transition" has been front and center in my mind. It is a milestone filled with excitement, anticipation, and, let’s be honest, a fair amount of anxiety for any parent. However, for families of children who received support in high school through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or an accommodations plan (known as a 504 plan in public schools), ...

Students with learning, psychological, or developmental differences often have the ability to succeed on standardized tests—but the standard testing format may not accurately reflect their true skills. Testing accommodations exist to create a level playing field. As a neuropsychologist, one of my key roles is helping document when accommodations are appropriate and why they are necessary. What Are Testing Accommodations? Testing accommodations are modifications to the standard testing process...