Rebecca Mannis, PhD - Ivy Prep Learning

Screen time. What's the trade-off? 📱 Speaking with CBS News, I discuss a Japanese study of more than 7,000 children, published in JAMA Pediatrics, that linked screen time at age one with delays in communication and problem-solving at ages two and four. The more screen time children had, the more likely they were to show delays. Newer research points the same way. A large 2026 UK study of toddlers from University College London, reported in The Guardian, found that 2-year-olds with the most screen time (about 5 hours a day) could say 53% of the test words, compared with 65% for children with the least (about 44 minutes a day). Reading, play and drawing together were linked to stronger language skills. Neither study proves cause and effect, but both raise an important question: What is screen time replacing in a child's day? Talking, playing, reading together? At Ivy Prep Learning Center, we work with families to understand each child's development, learning needs, and the support that will help them build their skills. 👉 Concerned about your child's language or learning? Learn more and reach out at ivy-prep.com Read more: theguardian.com/society/2026…

Extended time on the ACT? Don’t let a missed deadline derail your child’s testing plans. 📅 ACT accommodations requests, including appeals, are now due by the regular registration deadline, rather than the late registration deadline. For the December 12, 2026 ACT, the accommodations deadline is November 6. Start the conversation with your school counselor or testing coordinator early so there’s time to gather documentation, submit the request, and address any follow-up questions. Swipe for the 2026–27 deadlines and steps to request ACT testing accommodations. Save this post and share it with a parent planning ahead for college admissions. Need help understanding your child’s learning needs and testing accommodations? Contact Dr. Rebecca Mannis at [email protected].

📷📷 Years ago, Marc Brown sat with a group of children at a birthday celebration and told them how he dreamed up Arthur. Those children are now doctors, lawyers, engineers, sports media leaders and psychologists. Their paths went in different directions, but their curiosity started with stories like his. That's the power of great children's books: characters who help kids see themselves, understand others and ask big questions. As a learning specialist, I see every day how a love of reading and strong early literacy skills shape the way children learn and think. When kids enjoy ideas and stories, literacy becomes the foundation for everything that follows. Happy 30th, Arthur, and thank you, Marc Brown, for inspiring generations of curious readers! 📷 What was your favorite childhood book? 📷 #Arthur #MarcBrown #ChildrensBooks #LoveOfReading #Literacy

Misdiagnosed with ADHD? Sometimes it's something else. 👀 Part 4 of our Dyslexia & ADHD Awareness Month series One of the happiest endings I've seen: an adult student was on the verge of being counseled out of her doctoral program. She'd been diagnosed with ADHD, but deep down she knew it wasn't right. It turned out she had a reading disability that her hard work had masked for years. Once we built the right systems for reading long words, fluency and tracking comprehension, everything changed. She graduated with a Dissertation of the Year award. 🏆 Working hard can actually delay a proper diagnosis. You know yourself and your child best. If something doesn't sound right, talk to someone who can connect the dots. Wondering if a diagnosis fits? DM me or visit ivy-prep.com to set up a consultation. Save this for later, and share it with someone who's been told "just try harder."

Are ADHD and autism being over-diagnosed? 🧠 A new independent review for the UK government, led by Professor Peter Fonagy and reported in The BMJ (British Medical Journal), found recorded autism diagnoses among 12-17 year olds rose more than 40-fold from 2000 to 2025, while the underlying rates have barely changed. I see the same pattern in my practice: some children are finally getting the right diagnosis, some are misdiagnosed (a language disorder mistaken for autism, for example), and some are still being missed. It's even more complex when there are co-occurring learning and emotional issues, like anxiety or dyslexia, which can complicate proper diagnosis and care. The answer isn't more labels. It's support based on what each child needs, working with parents as a team. Worried your child's ADHD or autism evaluation missed something? Let's talk. Link in bio. Read more in The BMJ: bmj.com/content/395/bmj-2026…

What does your child choose to read when no one is assigning it? 📚 A mystery, a graphic novel, a book about their favorite animal: those choices matter. A recent TIME article looks at research linking reading for pleasure with stronger thinking skills and well-being. It's a good reminder to leave room for reading that follows a child's curiosity. But an interesting topic is only part of the picture. If reading each word takes huge effort, or the story is hard to follow, a different book may not be enough. That's often the key to the "Decline by Nine" trend. I spoke with @scholastic about their research: 57% of 8-year-olds read for fun at least five times a week, but by age 9 that drops to 35%. Kids read less when reading is hard. At Ivy Prep Learning Center, we get to the root of your child's reading difficulty, so they build the skills they need to succeed in school and feel good about themselves. 📩 Contact [email protected] to set up a program built around your child's learning profile. purewow.com/family/decline-b…

What signs of ADHD and dyslexia might parents notice early on? In Part 3 of our series for this month’s ADHD Awareness Month and Dyslexia Awareness Month, Dr. Rebecca Mannis joined News 12’s Kristie Reeter to discuss what to look for and why a child’s developmental history matters. Difficulty waiting a turn or following instructions in sequence may point to attention challenges. For some children with dyslexia, a history of speech and language difficulties may offer early clues. These observations are a starting point for understanding a child’s needs. At Ivy Prep, we look at the whole picture, including their developmental history, existing support and accommodations, and how their school’s curriculum and culture fit the way they learn. For more on early signs and individualized support, read Dr. Rebecca Mannis’s interview with New York Family, “Dyslexia Early Intervention: Tips from an Expert”: newyorkfamily.com/dyslexia-e… For individualized learning support, contact [email protected].

Today’s students have both more to keep track of and more technology available to help them. For students with ADHD, managing coursework and deadlines can be stressful, even when they’re bright and motivated. Dr. Rebecca Mannis reflects on how expectations have changed and how educational technology can help students access information in different formats, practice skills, and stay organized. Choosing a tool is only the beginning. Students also need to learn how to use it effectively for their coursework and specific learning needs. Over time, this process increases their confidence, skills and metacognitive awareness about how they learn. To learn more about individualized learning support with Ivy Prep, contact [email protected].

When a child is struggling at school, parents want to understand why and how to help. Though no one is more invested in a child’s growth than a parent, it can be confusing when what a child or school reports doesn’t line up with a parent’s instincts. Dr. Rebecca Mannis and the Ivy Prep team help families understand their child’s learning profile and turn that understanding into practical strategies for schoolwork. Central to that process is understanding the parent’s perspective to connect the dots between school, home and Ivy Prep. Knowing how your child learns can make conversations with teachers more productive and help you find the right support. So trust your instincts as a parent, especially in October as academic demands increase. To learn more about individualized learning support, contact [email protected].

Reading a chapter is one task. Staying focused, following directions, and using what you’ve read adds another layer. For those with co-occurring ADHD and dyslexia, everyday school and work demands can involve challenges with both reading comprehension and executive functioning, including organizing information and completing tasks. In part two of our four-part series for ADHD Awareness Month and National Dyslexia Awareness Month, Dr. Rebecca Mannis speaks with News 12 Long Island’s Kristie Reeter about how these challenges interact and why effective learning support needs to address both. Explore ADHD resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and dyslexia resources from the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). For individualized learning support through Ivy Prep, contact [email protected].

Thank you, Chris Rock, for speaking openly with The New York Times about your experience with nonverbal learning disability (NVLD). I’ve worked with bright students whose strong verbal skills mask difficulties with visual-spatial processing. Understanding those challenges helps us teach strategies that fit how they learn. Having shared my perspective on Chris Rock and NVLD with Psych Central, I’m glad to see this conversation continue. Early identification and thoughtful, individualized support can make a meaningful difference. At Ivy Prep, I help learners develop practical systems that reflect their strengths, needs, and goals. For more information about individualized learning support, contact [email protected].

At the UN’s October 7th memorial event, Dr. Phil shared an important reminder for parents: children absorb not only what we say, but also the emotions, stress, and reactions around them. When children are exposed to trauma or uncertainty, resilience is built through honest, age-appropriate communication, reassurance, routine, and boundaries. With so many outside voices competing for their attention, it matters that ours remains steady and grounding. Thank you to Ambassador Danon and the Israel Mission to the UN for this meaningful experience.

Three years later, October 7 remains a day of deep pain and remembrance. We remember the lives lost, the families forever changed, and all that Jewish communities in Israel and around the world have carried since that day. At Ivy Prep, Ami has long represented the students at the heart of our work. Today, his quiet presence also reflects something many children and families know well: that grief and growth can exist side by side. Even on difficult days, we continue to show up for the next generation with care, steadiness, resilience, and hope. We remember. We honor. We carry forward.

I was glad to reflect on the Mensch Podcast about the mentors who shaped my own path and why mentorship can be such an important part of preparing for college and beyond. As students think about choosing the right school, major, or career path, one of the most valuable parts of that journey can be much less visible: finding people who are both deeply knowledgeable and genuinely invested in your growth. I was fortunate to have that in my own career — from a neuropsychologist who encouraged me to study a particular approach, to a professor who helped me deepen that work. The right mentor can help you recognize strengths, develop expertise, and see possibilities you may not yet see for yourself. College readiness is about more than academics. It’s also about learning how to seek out the right guidance, ask thoughtful questions, and build relationships with people who can help you grow.

October is both ADHD Awareness Month and National Dyslexia Awareness Month, making it an important time to take a closer look at two conditions that are often misunderstood. This is the first in a four-part series on ADHD and dyslexia. Although ADHD and dyslexia are distinct diagnoses, they frequently overlap. An estimated 25–40% of people with one also have the other. Both can also be identified later than expected, particularly when a person’s strengths or coping strategies mask underlying difficulties until academic or workplace demands increase. Dr. Rebecca Mannis joined News 12’s Kristie Reeter to discuss the differences between ADHD and dyslexia, where they overlap, and why accurate identification matters. For additional information and resources, the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and the CDC are both important sources on dyslexia, ADHD, diagnosis, and support. More from the series to come.

A privilege to witness the joy of children experiencing Torah. That joy is always tempered by the anniversary of the Simchat Torah massacre and everything that followed. We will continue to grow, celebrate, educate, and remember. חג שמח. עם ישראל לנצח. לא מפחדים.

Anyone can call themselves a learning specialist. The real question is: what expertise is behind the title? At Ivy Prep, Dr. Rebecca Mannis looks beyond grades, homework, and surface-level struggles to understand how a student learns, what may be getting in the way, and what support will actually help. Her approach brings together learning science, executive function, neuropsychology, child development, and school strategy — then turns that understanding into practical next steps for students, families, and schools. Because the goal isn’t just to get through tonight’s homework. It’s to help students build the skills, self-awareness, and strategies they need for the long term. For support with ADHD, dyslexia, executive function, learning differences, school accommodations, or complex learning profiles, reach out to [email protected].

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. For some children, finishing treatment is only one part of recovery. When a child returns to school after a brain or central nervous system tumor, families may begin noticing impact of learning loss and changes in attention, memory, processing speed, stamina, organization, or confidence. That can be confusing, especially when a child looks “better” medically but is suddenly struggling in ways they didn’t before. This is where individualized support matters. It starts with understanding their experience and profile - and translating that to the school and team so that they child can get proper support, classification for services and accommodations. At Ivy Prep, Dr. Rebecca Mannis works with families, schools, clinicians, and other professionals to understand how a child’s learning profile may have changed and what supports will actually help them move forward. Recovery is not only about getting back to school. It’s about helping school fit the child they are now. #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth

What sets great educational support apart isn’t just identifying what a student is struggling with. It’s understanding why. At Ivy Prep, Dr. Rebecca Mannis looks beyond the surface to connect the dots between a student’s learning profile, development, school demands, and individual strengths, then turns that understanding into practical strategies that can actually be used. We’re grateful to our colleagues for putting that work into words so beautifully. For questions or support, reach out to [email protected].

Fun times are on the horizon. 🌿⚾️ With Sukkot here and the MLB playoffs underway, there’s plenty to celebrate, gather around, and enjoy together. Whether you’re holding a lulav or rooting for your team, we hope this season brings plenty of joy, connection, and memorable moments with family and friends. Chag Sukkot Sameach from Ivy Prep! 📷 Throwback to some serious Sukkot spirit and baseball fandom.