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Sorry about the blurriness!

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I currently work as a social worker at Lakeland Elementary School.

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I currently work as a social worker at Lakeland Elementary School.

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Go Elks!

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Ms. Samantha Abeel

Hello and Welcome!

My name is Samantha Abeel, and I am the Elk Rapids Elementary School Social Worker. It is truly an honor for me to be a member of the Elk Rapids school family, and to be a part of this important chapter in your child's growth and development.

My role at school is a varied one, but every day I work to provide social and emotional support to our elementary students and their families. During the school year I connect with students for a wide range of reasons, some of these include: struggles with anxiety and or depression, parental divorce or family change, friendship concerns or difficulty fitting-in, the death or illness of a loved one, and academic or behavioral concerns.

The supports I provide come in many forms: meeting with students one on one and in small groups, conducting whole class instruction, helping to link students and parents with outside resources, attending mental health appointments, consulting with teachers and educational support staff, providing behavior support and assessments, and being an available touch-point for students and parents.

In other words, I am here to HELP! Please feel free to contact me anytime at the phone numbers and e-mail listed, or stop-by in-person to chat.

Attached to this page please find: school social work permission forms and release forms available for you to print and fill out as needed. I have also attached links to some resources that parents and guardians may find helpful!

Sincerely,

Samantha Abeel, LMSW
Elk Rapids Elementary Social Worker
Mill Creek / Lakeland
Biography:
I was lucky enough to grow up in Northern Michigan with lots of winters spent snow shoeing and summers spent building sandcastles and playing in the water. Throughout my time in school I struggled with a significant learning disability that presented many challenges. With the help of supportive parents, many supportive teachers, important mentors, and a school counselor, I successfully graduated from the Traverse City Public Schools and went on to get my undergraduate degree in English from Mount Holyoke College. Inspired by my personal experiences with challenge, I decided to pursue a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan and I obtained my clinical licensure. I have many years of experience working with children, adolescents, and their families, in residential and private practice settings. I was the elementary school social worker for Suttons Bay Public Schools for four-and-half-years before becoming the elementary school social worker for the Elk Rapids Public Schools. I am passionate about the work I do, and I feel lucky to have the opportunity to play a meaningful role in so many young lives. I am the author of two award-winning books that center around my experiences growing up with a learning disability, and I travel the country to speak on the topic. I still greatly enjoy my time outside in the woods and on the water!
Weekly Schedule:
Lakeland Elementary School: M,TH,F

Mill Creek Elementary School: T,W

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Abeel, Samantha | Lakeland Elementary School-Elk Rapids, MI

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Hello and Welcome! My name is Samantha Abeel, and I am the Elk Rapids Elementary School Social Worker. It is truly an honor for me to be a member of the Elk Rapids school family, and to be a part of this important chapter in your child's growth and development.

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A really good book trailer of My Thirteenth Winter.

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A really good book trailer of My Thirteenth Winter.

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Sorry it's blocked on chromebooks!

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My Thirteenth Winter by Samantha Abeel: A Memoir  (6 Word Memoir Review edited by Lexi Eddy)

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"Self Portrait", a poem from Reach for the Moon.

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"Self Portrait", a poem from Reach for the Moon.

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I was honored when The Los Angeles Times displayed one of my poems from Reach for the Moon called "Self Portrait"

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To show you who I am

I crawled inside a tree, became its roots, bark and leaves,

listened to its whispers in the wind.

When fall came and painted the leaves red and gold

I wanted to shake them across your lawn

to transform the grass into a quilt, a gift spread at your

feet,

but their numbers eluded me,

so I turned a piece of paper into my soul

to send to you so that you might see

how easily it can be crumpled and flattened out again.

I wanted you to see my resilience,

but I wasn't sure how to arrange the numbers in your

address,

so I danced with the Indians in the forest

and collected feathers that fell from the eagle's wings,

each one a wish for my future,

but I lost track of their numbers, gathered too many,

and was unable to carry them home

so I reaped the wind with my hair,

relived its journey through my senses, and

felt its whispered loneliness, like lakes in winter,

but it was too far and you could not follow me.

Now I've written out their shadows

like the wind collects its secrets

to whisper into receptive ears, and I

will leave them at your doorstep,

a reminder of what others cannot see,

a reminder of what I can and cannot be.
From "Reach for the Moon" by Samantha Abeel, watercolors by Charles R. Murphy. (Pfeifer-Hamilton Publishers: $17.95; 48 pp.) In eighth grade Samantha Abeel was recognized as learning disabled. Special education meant that she could, as she puts it, "raise her hand and say 'I don't get it.' " Her message to other disabled children in this book is: "Find what you love, what you're good at, and then do it. Never let your disability stop you from doing what you are good at or want to do." 1994 Reprinted by permission.

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To show you who I am I crawled inside a tree, became its roots, bark and leaves, listened to its whispers in the wind.

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Samantha Abeel's College Journey by Aubrey Premock

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Samantha Abeel's College Journey by Aubrey Premock

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I am probably best known for is the book I wrote for called Reach for the Moon.

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I am probably best known for is the book I wrote for called Reach for the Moon.

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I wrote this when I was 13 years old with support from my English teacher. The watercolor paintings were painted by Charlie Murphy, and the poetry was written by me. I've been on tour for Reach for the Moon and the stories I have heard have given me hope and happiness that I could positively affect their lives.

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Reach for the Moon has 22 ratings and 1 review. Elizabeth said: The poetry written by a young girl who is both gifted and learning disabled, Reach for th...

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I have learned to accept my disability, even after I thought I learned to accept it in junior high.

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I have learned to accept my disability, even after I thought I learned to accept it in junior high.

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Here's is me talking about my LD in the present, at 39 years old.

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that's pronounced dis-cal-cyoo-lee-ah
My dyscalculia causes me to have trouble with the understanding of even some of the most basic math. My mind just doesn't get it. For more information written by a real doctor, I have attached a website below:

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Dyscalculia is a learning disability in math. People with dyscalculia have trouble with math at many levels. They often struggle with key concepts like bigger vs. smaller. And they can have a hard time doing basic math problems and more abstract math.

Snapshot: What dyscalculia is

Dyscalculia is a condition that makes it hard to do math and tasks that involve math. It's not as well known or as understood as dyslexia. But some experts believe it's just as common. That means an estimated 5 to 10 percent of people might have dyscalculia.

There are different terms for dyscalculia. Mathematics learning disability is one. Mathematics learning disorder is another. Some people call it math dyslexia or number dyslexia. This can be misleading. Dyslexia is a challenge with reading. Dyscalculia is a challenge with math.

People don't outgrow dyscalculia. Kids who have a hard time with math may continue to struggle with it as adults. But there are strategies that can help them improve math skills and manage the challenges.

Difficulty with math happens at all levels. It can be as hard to learn addition as it is to learn algebra. Basic concepts like quantities can also be a challenge.

That's why dyscalculia can make it hard to do everyday tasks. Cooking, grocery shopping, and getting places on time all involve these basic math skills, which are known as number sense.

Dyscalculia signs and symptoms

People with dyscalculia can have trouble with math in different ways. Signs may vary from person to person. And they can look different at different ages.

Problems with number sense may show up as early as preschool in some people. In other people, the challenges become clear as math gets more complex in school.

Common signs of dyscalculia include trouble:

Grasping the meaning of quantities or concepts like biggest vs. smallest

Understanding that the numeral 5 is the same as the word five, and that these both mean five items

Remembering math facts in school, like times tables

Counting money or making change

Estimating time

Judging speed or distance

Understanding the logic behind math

Holding numbers in their head while solving problems

Some people overlook dyscalculia as just being "bad at math." But it's a real challenge that's based in biology, just like dyslexia is.

Possible causes of dyscalculia

Researchers don't know exactly what causes dyscalculia. But they believe it's at least partly due to differences in how the brain is structured and how it functions.

Here are two possible causes of dyscalculia:

Genes and heredity: Dyscalculia tends to run in families. Research shows that genetics may also play a part in problems with math.

Brain development: Brain imaging studies have shown some differences between people with and without dyscalculia. The differences have to do with how the brain is structured and how it functions in areas that are linked to learning skills.

Researchers aren't just looking into what causes dyscalculia. They're also trying to learn if there are strategies that can help "rewire" the brain to make math easier.

How dyscalculia is diagnosed

The only way to get a diagnosis is through an evaluation. This can happen at any age. Evaluators use different tests for adults than for kids.

Kids can get an evaluation for free at school. There are also specialists who do private evaluations of kids and adults. Private evaluations can be costly. But there are local resources that offer free or low-cost evaluations.

Evaluators use a set of tests just for dyscalculia. But evaluations also involve testing for other challenges. That's partly because people with dyscalculia often also struggle in other areas, like reading or working memory. But evaluations don't just point out challenges. They also show strengths.

A diagnosis (schools use the word identification) lets kids get supports and services at school. For example, kids might get special instruction in math. The school might also give accommodations to make learning math easier.

Adults with dyscalculia may get accommodations at work. The law requires employers to give supports to people with disabilities. That includes people with learning disabilities.

A diagnosis of dyscalculia can sound scary. But many people find it a relief to know that their challenges with math are real. Plus, getting the right supports can help them thrive in school, work, and everyday life.

Educators: Do you have a student who's struggling with math or who has an IEP for dyscalculia?

About the author

About the author

The Understood Team is made up of passionate writers and editors. Many of them have kids who learn and think differently.

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Daniel Ansari, PhD is a professor in developmental cognitive neuroscience at Western University, Canada.

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Dyscalculia is a math learning disability that makes it hard to make sense of and work with numbers. Read about what dyscalculia means, symptoms, and how to help.

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by Samantha Abeel