Interview with Colleen Bain, M.A.
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How long have you been doing what you do and how did you get to be a Student Transformation Expert?
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What happens if you haven't worked with a child like mine yet?
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What type of personality do you work best with and what is expected of me?
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What exactly is The Student Transformation System and what does it include?
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Can I contact some of your former clients to see what it's like to work with you?
How long have you been doing what you do and how did you get to be a Student Transformation Expert?
To answer this question, it's probably best that I share with you a defining moment and resulting "compelling story" that brought me to where I am today, helping parents like you transform their child into strong independent learners. Your child will undoubtedly believe in themselves and recognize there is something much bigger than themselves at work in their life.
That defining moment in my life happened in April 1998. My daughter, Shannon was sick again with a bad cold, double ear infection and was only 11 mos. old. During this illness, her eyes literally started to bounce around like a pinball within a pinball machine. Her pediatrician rushed us to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. It was there that Shannon was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, children's cancer and a rare neurological disorder called Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome (OMS).
OMS is an auto immune disorder where Shannon's antibodies cross her into her brain and cause injury. Apparently the Shannon's antibodies were attracted to the tumor from the neuroblastoma and the brain. They both contained the same cells/tissues. We removed the tumor but were left with minor brain injury. Shannon went into remission at age 3. She has just recently, at age 11 come out of remission.
After years of battling the schools and blaming the teachers for not helping my child to learn instead of just "survive," another mom with a child who has OMS inadvertently introduced me to one of the main programs within my Student Transformation System. This program is known as Processing and Cognitive Enhancement (PACE.) She kept me updated on how her son was making progress.
At that very moment, I made a commitment to immerse myself in absolutely everything that had to do with this program, cognitive skills, brain injury, the learning process. I read and continue to read just about every book on brain plasticity, cognitive skills, learning, behavior, etc. that I could get my hands on. I received my Masters in Education in 2007. I received my cognitive training certification, license and provider status in 2008. I essentially decided to become an expert on cognitive training transforming students from mediocre to powerhouse.
The thing that I enjoyed MOST about helping my daughter was the freedom and confidence this program gave her. Helping my own child become aware of the great potential that resides within her and then watching her take off and begin to fly was a great joy.
Soon my friends and family heard about my success and started asking me "Colleen, how did you do this? How does this work? Can you help me understand? "Can you help my child?" I'd give their child a cognitive assessment and provide an evaluation and that was that! The parents would
I have since made a commitment to dedicate the rest of my professional life to helping other parents transform their child into a powerful independent learner in record time.
Since then, I've worked with many students, held teleseminars and created The Student Transformation System; a series of 10 important steps every student and parent needs to apply to get improved grades, confidence, study and organizational skills in record time.
My Student Transformation System has evolved from using one tool to many tools and supplemental resources. There is a very special program within the transformation system that I've created to help students become aware of their "inner game" and how to best overcome and be a winner.
I work with people just like you who are very involved in their child's educational journey; however, have never been made aware about the connection between cognitive skills and education. That said, the type of student that I've worked with includes just about everyone. You can see the chart below. However, I specialize in using brain training to help children ages 8-18 enhance their ability to learn and read.
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What happens if you haven't worked with a child like mine yet?
I have worked with many students that may come to me with no diagnosis, a main diagnosis or classification. However, they have several comorbidities (additional issues) that allows me to state that even though your concern may not be listed, it may have been a comorbidity of one of the above. What my current and former clients have found exceedingly helpful is that I bring an extremely new perspective to helping their child succeed and give them resources they'd never heard of before. Because of this, their child stands out in school showing ease of learning, good grades, self-confidence and more.
How are you different from other "brain trainers?"
Although we use some of the same programs, the approach and supplemental pieces are different. You have me as a special education / cognitive trainer expert and consultant. After all, I've lived it now for over 12 years with my daughter. I specialize working with students who are struggling with reading and comprehension from ages 8-18. Only on very rare occasions will I take on other than these students. I refer clients outside my area of specialization to other trainers. What that means to you is that I am very focused on anything and everything that works for children struggling to learn and especially within reading. Because my focus is very narrow, what you get with me is no-nonsense, easy to understand expertise on what works for these students and their families. I've become an expert at helping students and that's why my clients get great results. I am also encouraging, understanding, fun and offer a lot of praise. By doing so, the student is kept motivated and eager to receive the end goal!
At ELS4KIDS, you will find that I don't just train the brain. You will begin to recognize that I integrate existing difficult academic situations into the program to help your child take action with their new skills set. You will experience training, teaching and then transforming when you work with me! You can work with me to reintroduce difficult academics or you can use your favorite tutor. You can receive a specific individualized "roadmap" for your tutor to navigate your child to success if additional academic instruction is needed.
What type of personality do you work best with and what is expected of me?
The Student Transformation System, products and programs were created for parents and students who are excited and hopeful about finding this solution. However, I also require commitment and dedication throughout the program. Its intense but I make it fun. If you and your child commit to being their for each other and through working the program with me, you will be rewarded. I usually attract those parents who are eager to end their worrying about there child's learning situation. The System was created for transformation to occur within a few months. Not to just show a gain in one or two or three skills but to show gain in all skills required to learn.
I'm a passionate, high-achieving leader. I'm known to work best with other high achieving go-getters who are super-ready to get going and just want to know exactly what steps to take to help their child. The student must be able and willing to participate.
Consider what you'll do with me to be a life changing event. Your child will be expected to take serious and consistent steps in life. No excuses anymore, just a very different way of thinking and full support while working towards receiving their goals: better grades, easier learning, self-confidence, awareness and management of the Inner Game (that little voice inside that says-I can't do it, I'm not good enough).
For what type of student is this NOT going to work?
Basically if your child is assessed and has weak cognitive skills, the system will be helpful and work well. All of the programs are supported upon over 30 years of research and clinical trials. However, I specialize in children 8-18 years old.
Please know I'm very selective in who I work with. I will not put your family or child through this intense program unless we are a match and I am confident the program will be beneficial. I have been known to (gently) turn away people who aren't suited for my programs and won't get the results for which they would have paid. Its just not right or fair to the family and student.
The Student Transformation programs are NOT for those students who have behavioral diagnosis. Especially, where the student is unable to interact with me.
Also, students who do not know their letters or numbers are not a good fit. Although the programs are not academic, your child needs to know their alphabet (phonemes) to work on beginning sounds. Your child will also benefit from knowing their numbers for basic elementary calculations.
If you fall into the category of not knowing letters or numbers, than here's what you can do:
- Sign up for the free Student Transformation Ezine over email (Click here to subscribe.) The free information will get you started towards understanding how the brain learns, what cognitive skills are and more until you are ready to work with me.
- Make a point to listen to the free teleseminars at the bottom of the ezine. These seminar downloads will give you a LOT of information and education on my approaches, the science behind it, success stories and more.
Doing these two things will really help you get ready to work with me. When you're ready, call me and I'll get you started. I'm in no rush, so take the time to educate yourself. When you are ready, I'm here for you. 
Another type of person I won't work with (without exception) is the student who is not open to the help. Really, the only reason they are doing the program is because you said they have to do it or else. I hope you understand if your child is not willing and able to be motivated through the program then changes will not occur. Research proves that certain chemicals are released in the brain when focused, alert and motivated which allows for brain plasticity (new pathways) to take place.
What exactly is The Student Transformation System and what does it include?
Transforming a student from F's, D's, C's into a student capable of receiving A's, begins with understanding what skills are required to learn; what your child's major cognitive strengths and weaknesses are, and what will keep them motivated to succeed. Then it means making a serious commitment to helping your child succeed. The following is a list of the 10 steps and a brief description of each which come into play after a cognitive assessment has been completed.
- Create an individualized program based on your child's cognitive assessment
We will examine exactly where your child's cognitive strengths and weaknesses are in relation to school, what your child's medical history is, what will motivate your child to work and which program(s) will be the best match given the many variables that come into play (interest, dedication, budget, time, etc.)
- Make Student Transformation a priority
We examine when in the day (and how) you and your child will make the time for strengthening cognitive skills, we create a flexible schedule, prioritize your child's daily task lists, put a pause on non-essential activities so you can fully invest your child's time and mental energy.
- Baseline your child's present challenges
We will also work on determining what benefits and goals we are preparing your child to receive. Essentially, we map out where your child is residing now and the best ways to help your child receive their goal. I will help your child get from here to there!
- Baseline your child from the teacher's perspective
At this point, we craft a letter to your child's school. The teacher will lock in on one or two priority concerns about your child in the classroom. We will work with the school so they will reach to you with updates instead of you chasing after them! If you are homeschooling your child, you will choose a few issues as the baseline to watch for improvement.
- Reassess 30 hours into the program
We reassess your child's cognitive skills to monitor progress and ensure success. The assessment results will help guide the remainder of the program.
- Integrate existing school work
We do some research to understand how your child currently studies, organizes and manages time. I will integrate present school assignments and tests to begin applying newly learned strategies with strengthened cognitive skills. If working during the summer months, you can use work from the previous year or I will provide work.
- Examine your child's Inner Game
I will share with you and your child how we think and believe is crucial to continued success. Your child will have an opportunity to unmask any negative thought patterns that may be blocking progressing. We will discuss ways of removing and managing these barriers. - Implement the strengthened cognitive skills and new strategies
Your child will begin to implement new strengths giving them ease of learning and reading. Homework will be better, studying will be less time consuming and organizing their day will be less daunting. I will be alongside you and your child each step of the way.
- Reassess with your child's progress with their teacher
As your child is completing the program, we will reach to the teacher to acknowledge that progress has been made and a true before/after has been accomplished.
- Post assess your child's cognitive skills
You will receive a final assessment of your child's cognitive skills once the program has been completed. This will ensure that progress was made in all cognitive skills.
These are the steps of The Student Transformation System that I've created after working with many students over the last few years. ELS4KIDS offers a variation of programs that cater to in-person, online or combination of both types of training.
What exactly are cognitive skills ?
Cognitive skills impact the ease of learning. The brain’s core mental abilities are known as processing speed, attention, memory, auditory and visual processing and problem solving. These skills are the foundation for successful learning and usually the cause of struggling learners. If overlooked, the weak skills can create lifelong problems. Read more on cognitive skills now.
How do you assess cognitive skills ?
Cognitive skills are assessed using the Gibson Cognitive Assessment. Both in the in-person and online assessments will target specific cognitive skills required to learn. For background information on why and how to assess, click here.
What can a client expect in an in person Session?
In Person Sessions are one-on-one with a certified trainer and usually last 60 minutes. Your child is provided with a kit consisting of a workbook and additional materials. Your child is given an individualized program based upon the assessment results, history (medical and academic), and daily performance assessments.
The non-academic training procedures are made up of tasks that are designed to meet specific goals. The tasks are related, make repetitive demands on a deficient skill, and progressively increase in difficulty. This is a process-specific approach to training (as opposed to a general stimulation approach). A process-specific approach targets the same function systematically and repetitively with related tasks. You can see videos on this now.
How long are cognitive brain training programs?
Many clients ask how long will it take to complete the programs to see results? Your child does not need to wait to complete the program to begin seeing results. Actually, the client can see results anytime. Most cognitive programs require a standard 60 hours with a trainer. Typically, results are seen after 30 hours into the program. However, it depends on your child. Some children finish the program earlier than 60 hours and others may take longer. I offer a varietyof programs and options to best meet your needs.
Yes! The programs are based on over 30 years of research and clinical trials. Typical gains are usually 3.6 years gain in cognitive skills.
The skills developed are used each day the student is in school or at home. They are constantly being used and therefore don't regress. This retention is reflected in a study that showed that 98.7% of the one year follow-up cognitive test scores were at least as high as they were at the completion of the training.
Working with me 1-on-1 is the ultimate opportunity for your child. This is where I can be there in person to coach and monitor progress. There is opportunity to integrate in-person and online programs to offer your child the best of everything. If online programs are chosen then I rely more on the parent as the coach along with me monitoring progress daily over the internet, providing weekly conference calls and progress reports. You can also review success stories.
You can expect your child to:
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Be more self-confident and empowered
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Become an active participant in school (raise hand and know answers, volunteer to read, etc.)
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Be more interested in their school work
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Read easier and more efficiently. No more guessing at words based on first and last sounds or visual imagery.
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Read and remember information
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Improved comprehension
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Improve in their spelling without the need to memorize words
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Express their thoughts better and faster
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Process faster
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Follow multi-step directions
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Do homework in less time
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Do homework independently
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Study efficiently
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Become more organized
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Demonstrate and work with improved attention
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Increase their grades in school
Can I contact some of your former clients to see what it's like to work with you?
Yes, I encourage you to do this! Please go to the Client Testimonials page and read all of them. See which ones you resonate with either because the student has gotten the results you want your child to receive, or perhaps because that person has a child with a similar diagnosis or classification. Then feel free to email or call them and ask the family what changes their child received from working with me and my programs.
How quickly can I expect results?
Well, that depends on your child and their commitment. You can expect to see results in a matter of weeks to months rather than years. Therefore, you and I will help to keep your child motivated to keep up the commitment. The whole program is non-academic and your child will enjoy going through the sessions. You will be thrilled with saving so much time and seeing the substantial measurable gains made in your child's learning skills. You will have an expert coach helping to keep your child motivated and dedicated for success.
How are you different from tutoring?
Tutoring restates academic learning in different ways so the student is able to learn and be successful. However, you should be wondering why your child was unable to learn the way the teacher presented the material. Tutoring will be expensive and frustrating because your child will always need the tutor in order to learn if their cognitive skills are weak. Go to more information on tutoring versus brain training.
