More Great Articles

Tips for Disorganized Teens - Click Here

Know Your Child's Strengths - Click Here

Countdown to Back to School

Here is a great resource from The Understood Team - Back-to-School Countdown: A 4-Week Plan to Get Ready - Click Link

Encouraging Creativity

There has been a lot of buzz lately, on the news and online about the health benefits of being creative; from relaxation, to increased focus and attention.

Being an artist myself, my girls have grown up in a very hands-on arts and crafts household and love having that downtime outlet of self expression.

Here is an article that speaks about the benefits of encouraging creativity in ADHD kids.

The Upside of Downtime: Encouraging Creativity in ADHD Kids - Click Link

Taking the Lead at the IEP or 504 Plan

As the start of the new school year fast approaches, thoughts of your child(ren)'s IEP for the year may be in the forefront of your mind.

Attending and helping to guide an effective IEP can feel stressful and at times daunting.  Trust me I know, I attend these meetings multiple times a year and although I am far from an expert on the matter, I do know how to prepare for these meetings and how to take the lead during these meetings so that the best interests of my learning child are addressed.

Here are some helpful tips on preparing for your IEP meeting and easing your child(ren) into the coming school year -

10 Steps to Take BEFORE School Starts - Click Link

Myths and Misinformation about ADHD

I believe one of the most frustrating things about parenting a child with DCD/ADHD is coming up against the general ignorance that people have about these conditions.

I understand though, if you don't live with someone, work with someone, who has DCD or ADHD or have either yourself, your not going to make it a reading or research priority.

What I have found through personal experience as a parent with a child who has DCD/ADHD is there is a big difference between general ignorance and selective ignorance, especial among friends and extended family.  But that's a story for another day.

There are many myths about ADHD, for example ADHD "is merely an excuse for errant behavior." Or, that a child who has ADHD is the result of poor parenting.  Trust me, I've heard a lot comments like these.  I came across a couple of articles that bust the myths and misinformation about ADHD that I believe you too will find valuable.

ADHD Myths: Don't Believe Everything You Read - Click Link

What NOT to Say to the Parent of an ADHD Child - Click Link


 

8 Key Executive Functions

What is Executive Functioning?  According to Wikipedia, this is the technical explanation -

"Executive functions (also known as cognitive control and supervisory attentional system) is an umbrella term for the management (regulation, control) of cognitive processes, including working memory, reasoning, task flexibility, and problem solving as well as planning and execution."

If your child has executive functioning issues and challenges, the following article may be helpful to you:

8 Key Executive Functions - click here

Breaking Stigma

In the last decade or so, we have seen a number of celebrities come forward and speak about the special challenges, conditions, disabilities and  personal transformations that they live with.

I remember when our daughter was diagnosed with DCD (a.k.a. dyspraxia) in grade 1; it was not until grade 4 that she really became self-aware and self-conscience of what living with DCD meant for the long term and this really upset her.  However, when we explained that her dad also had DCD, and much like Howie Mandel's story to follow, grew up in a time where DCD was not formally diagnosed or even had a name, her dad was just called "slow", "clumsy", "awkward", etc.,  We went on to explain that one of her favorite movie stars at the time (girls are fickle when it comes to who their favorites are), Daniel Radcliffe a.k.a. Harry Potter, also has and lives with DCD.

By grade 5 our daughter was coming into a greater understanding of her condition and herself and even did a oral presentation in front of her entire class, with the Vice Principal in attendance, on what DCD is and what it is like to live with it.  Her acceptance of herself became challenged again in grade 6 when further formal assessments showed that she also had ADHD-inattentive type.  Even though she still struggles with the conditions, she is becoming more knowledgeable and more self-confident with the help of a fantastic school-based team, her doctors and her family.

Breaking the stigma of any disability is paramount.  Here are a couple of very interesting articles to read and share with your child.  I think it is important for them to know that even their favorite movie star can accomplish great things and reach their dreams despite having a learning disability.  The first article link is Howie Mandel's story.  The second link is about additional success stories of celebrities with learning disabilities.

I would like to hear from you personally about the challenges you face in helping your child(ren) break the stigma of DCD, ADHD and other conditions.

Howie Mandel's Story - Click Link 

Success Stories: Celebrities With Dyslexia, ADHD and Dyscalculia - Click Link