Charlotte physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy
Our Mission
Educational Services
meet our staff
 

Educational specialists have a unique role at Child & Family Development.  They work closely with psychologists and other developmental therapists to understand the learning needs of school-aged children.  Educators provide a variety of evaluation and treatment services for clients with difficulties including but not limited to:

  • ADHD and other attention difficulties
  • Homework difficulties
  • Dyslexia
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Dysgraphia
  • Non-Verbal Learning Disorder

We provide direction and support in determining and meeting the learning needs of every student, from elementary school to the college years.  We assist parents in identifying and addressing initial concerns and then developing comprehensive recommendations to move forward, often including Individualized Education Plan (IEP) development with the public school system.  Educators also collaborate with schools and community agencies and offer follow-up meetings as parents proceed with their plans.  Services can include direct treatment, assessment, consultation and parent advocacy.

Our team offers diagnostic education therapy.  Most kids have weekly appointments, but intensive and consultative sessions are also available.  
 

Both the Educator and the Psychologist are often part of our comprehensive evaluation process. 
 
Educational Services Staff
Mary 'Mo' Froneberger, M.A.T., received a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Masters of Arts in Teaching from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In addition, she holds a graduate certificate in Special Education and a North Carolina Teaching License for Learning Disabled. In addition to her tenure at C&FD, her professional experience includes work as a Diagnostician and an Exceptional Children’s Teacher in the public schools. She enjoys assessment and treatment of children with learning difficulties. Over the last few years, her ongoing training has focused on autism, dyslexia, and special education law.  Mo has an excellent working knowledge of the public and private schools in the area as well as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Individualized Education Plans (IEP),  and school accomodations.  She has been with us since 2006 and is based at our South Charlotte office.
Dawn S. Keller, M.Ed., has 30+ years of clinical experience in reading and related learning disabilities and has worked at C&FD for 23 years. She earned a Master’s degree in reading disorders from Towson State University in Maryland in 1976. Her breadth of teaching experience spans the preschool to college levels. She was the program developer and director of the Norbel School in Baltimore, Maryland, a school serving learning-disabled children. Years ago, Dawn collaborated with community pediatric neurologists and psychiatrists to establish Child & Family Development’s ADHD Family Clinic. She consults routinely with private schools in North and South Carolina. She is active in local advocacy groups, having served as president of the Learning Disabilities Association of Charlotte and has served as secretary of the Learning Disabilities Association of North Carolina. Dawn is the senior member of our psychological and educational disciplines.  Since 1986, Dawn has been an asset to the C&FD team and she is based at our Midtown office.
Martha Knight, M.Ed., received a Bachelor’s degree in English from Davidson College and a Master of Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her background in both private and public settings spans the kindergarten to high-school levels. Her professional experience includes curriculum planning and multi-sensory instruction for children with learning disabilities and developmental delays. Martha is knowledgeable of accommodation planning and enjoys consulting with area schools to meet the individual needs of students. Additionally, she is a member of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and participates in ongoing training in the areas of dyslexia and special education law. For the last 2 years, Martha has been based at our Midtown office.