Although the term “learning disorder” sounds quite scary, the reality is that millions of students in America are diagnosed with some form of it.  Sometimes even the best student in school has a diagnosed learning disorder.  So how do you know if your child has one?

Let’s dive into something that makes all the difference for adults diagnosed with ADHD: executive function. These are the essential mental skills that guide your ability to plan, organize, and manage your life. For adults with ADHD, this can feel like an uphill battle—but it’s one you can absolutely win.

Applying to college can be a daunting process.  Before you start narrowing down your list of potential colleges, you should familiarize yourself with the college application process.  The following year-by-year guideline can help make this process smoother and give you a leg up.

Pathological Demand Avoidance is a widely recognized condition throughout the world. However, despite is acceptance, very little is known or understood about this condition. In today’s post, I want to examine the origins of PDA, its clinical features, and how to identify and treat PDA. 

If your child is experiencing any social, emotional, behavioral, or academic difficulties in school, consider a neuropsychological evaluation. The beginning of the school year may be the perfect time to schedule, and you will have your results back on plenty of time to support your child.

High school is a fast and furious four-year experience. Although there are many obstacles during these years, parents are still an invaluable source of support and strength. Today I want to examine the main hurdles to a successful high school transition and outline some steps to ensure a smooth and successful entry into and advancement through the high school world.

“Are virtual evaluations effective?” Well, that question has been answered: YES! Virtual evaluations are not only valid and reliable, but they are also highly effective at identifying ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and other social/emotional difficulties, such as anxiety and depression.

As a former middle school principal, I can say that the majority of disciplinary issues I had to handle involved peer-to-peer relationships. In order to transition successfully to middle school, it is important to understand the challenges sixth graders typically face.

When considering the successful navigation of the middle and high school years, we must first understand the inherent obstacles children and adolescents experience during these times. While there are countless theories that breakdown the development of children and adolescents, my two favorites have stood the test of time: Jean Piaget and Erik Erikson.

If you are trying to make progress in a certain area of your life then I encourage you to think about your goals as a process. Making changes in your routine takes time, but if you set a realistic goal and stick with it, I guarantee you will learn a great deal about yourself.

Learning differences come in many forms. Some students struggle with reading and writing while others have difficulty with math concepts, attention issues, auditory processing, and numerous other educational impacting conditions. Although the following strategies are identified for specific diagnosed learning disorders, any student can implement them to help overcome struggles they may have.

Dysgraphia is a relatively unknown learning difference that does not get as many headlines at ADHD and dyslexia. However, many students, especially those with ADHD and/or dyslexia suffer from dysgraphia and may not even know they have it. It is important to understand exactly what dysgraphia is and how it affects students in the classroom.

Drawing on current research, Dr. Mike Brooks lays out a very balanced approach to screen time for kids.  He believes that “balance is key” to raising healthy kids when it comes to screen time.  So what does “balance” mean?  According to research, up to two hours of screen time is allowable.  Any more than that, and kids start experiencing the negative side effects more rapidly.

Students diagnosed with ADHD naturally find it harder to concentrate in class, so they are already prone to lapses in focus and attention. A lack of sleep only exacerbates this issue, and can make school an absolute nightmare for students with ADHD.

Symptoms of ADHD and Auditory Processing Disorder can look remarkably similar. If your student is displaying signs or symptoms of ADHD or APD, I strongly recommend you see a psychologist or psychiatrist who can evaluate for both. Receiving an accurate diagnosis through a thorough evaluation is imperative to your student’s success.

A “Learning Disorder” only pertains to significant reading, writing, and math difficulties associated with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Identifying the source of the difficulties is critical to the treatment, as each disorder has its own treatment plan.

While anxiety can be a crippling emotional challenge, we are fortunate to live in a time when anxiety is widely recognized and understood. There are more supports for individuals diagnosed with anxiety than ever before, including therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. If you or your child experience any symptoms of anxiety, make sure to seek professional consultation. Identifying the source of your challenges is the first step to overcoming them.

Section 504 pertains to students diagnosed with a learning disorder or other educational-impacting condition such as ADHD. These students are entitled to fair treatment in school based on their diagnosed disability, hence the term “accommodation.” 504 accommodations allow flexibility within the classroom setting to help meet the student’s needs.

An Individualized Education Program may be an important piece for students diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD, or other social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. The IEP may provide classroom modifications for your student based on his or her diagnosed disability.

Research consistently shows that executive function skills are just that: skills. Like any skill, humans do not simply obtain them. In order to develop executive function skills, we must practice, practice, practice. One of the biggest challenges for students diagnosed with ADHD are the skills associated with executive functioning.