If your child’s teacher has brought up the same concerns more than once—about focus, handwriting, behavior, or social skills—you’re not alone. Many parents hear feedback like “He has trouble staying on task” or “She doesn’t speak up in class,” and aren’t sure what it means or what to do next.
These repeated comments can be stressful to hear. But often, they’re signs your child could benefit from support in specific developmental areas—support that occupational therapy (OT) or speech therapy (ST) can provide.
Let’s break down the most common school-related concerns and what might be behind them.
As parents, we’re constantly wondering:
“Is this normal?”
“Will they grow out of it?”
“Should I be worried?”
It’s completely natural to ask these questions—especially when teachers start raising concerns about your child’s behavior, focus, communication, or learning.
Here’s what’s important to know: every child develops at their own pace, and some differences are part of typical growth. But when a child’s challenges persist over time, affect their ability to learn or connect with others, or create frustration at home or in school, it may be a sign that they need extra support.
Let’s clarify a few terms that often get confused:
What matters most is not the label—but the impact on your child’s daily life. If challenges are getting in the way of learning, friendships, or confidence, it’s worth getting curious—not critical.
When your child’s teacher shares concerns—again—it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed or even a little defensive. After all, you know your child best. You see their brilliance, creativity, humor, and potential. So when feedback sounds like:
“She's always distracted.”
“He’s disrupting the class again.”
“They’re behind in reading and writing.”
—it can feel like a list of problems instead of a path forward.
The truth is, most teachers have seen it all. They’re experienced, observant, and deeply committed to helping children grow. And they’ve likely noticed patterns that suggest your child is struggling—not because they’re misbehaving or not trying, but because something deeper might be getting in the way.
That said, teachers also have limited time and resources. They’re juggling dozens of students and managing a busy classroom. So while their feedback is valuable, it’s often focused on what’s happening on the surface—disruptions, delays, or disengagement—rather than what’s causing it.
This is where you, as the parent or caregiver, play a powerful role. By staying engaged, asking questions, and bringing in support—like your child’s pediatrician, school administrators, or specialists—you can help uncover the root of the issue and make sure your child gets the help they need.
In many cases, schools have access to supportive services: classroom accommodations, special education evaluations, counseling, or referrals to therapy. But these systems often rely on parental advocacy to get started or stay on track.
If you’ve been hearing the same feedback repeatedly, it might be time to look beneath the surface. Here's what those common teacher comments could really mean—and how occupational or speech therapy can help.
If your child avoids writing, has messy handwriting, or takes a long time to complete assignments, it might be more than just disinterest. They could be having trouble with fine motor skills (OT) or language formulation (ST).
Possible signs:
Support that helps:
Occupational therapy can build hand strength and coordination, while speech therapy can help your child express themselves more clearly in writing and speech.
Inattention and constant movement aren’t always behavioral—they can stem from sensory processing challenges or executive functioning delays.
Possible signs:
Support that helps:
OT can help kids regulate their bodies and focus, and ST can assist with understanding and processing spoken instructions.
Some kids are hard to understand, speak in short or incorrect sentences, or don’t feel confident talking. These could be signs of speech or language delays.
Possible signs:
Support that helps:
Speech therapists help kids speak clearly and confidently and understand what’s being said to them.
Emotional outbursts may be your child’s way of coping with overwhelming situations—like transitions, loud environments, or difficult tasks.
Possible signs:
Support that helps:
OT can support kids with self-regulation, helping them feel more in control and less reactive during the school day.
Social difficulties aren’t just “shyness.” If your child avoids group play, misunderstands social cues, or has trouble joining in, they might benefit from therapy to build communication and social-emotional skills.
Possible signs:
Support that helps:
Speech therapists and OTs can work on social communication, empathy, and peer interaction skills.
If your child struggles with things like buttoning shirts, opening containers, or keeping track of their belongings, it might be time to look into OT support.
Possible signs:
Support that helps:
OT helps kids become more independent and confident in their daily routines.
If your child’s teacher raises concerns, the school may be able to offer supportive services such as:
These can make a big difference — but there are important things to know:
It’s not an either/or choice — the best results often come from using both.
When school therapists and private therapists work together, your child gets consistent support in every environment. At All Care Therapies, we regularly collaborate with teachers, IEP teams, and school-based providers to make sure progress is steady and skills transfer from therapy to the classroom — and beyond.
If you’ve been hearing the same concerns from your child’s teacher—about focus, behavior, communication, or social skills—it’s not about labeling your child. It’s about understanding them.
Many challenges that show up in the classroom have underlying causes that teachers aren’t equipped to diagnose, but that therapy can address. Without support, these struggles often continue year after year, affecting not just learning—but confidence, friendships, and emotional well-being.
That’s where All Care Therapies comes in. We provide specialized occupational and speech therapy assessments that get to the root of the issue—and create a clear, compassionate plan to help your child succeed. With bilingual services and flexible options including in-home, telehealth, and school-based care, we make it easy for families to get the support they need, fast.
Your child doesn’t have to struggle alone. And you don’t have to figure it out on your own.