Does a student with ADHD show up without an IEP or a 504 Plan (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973)? They benefit from being actively engaged. What happens if they don’t get acccommodations? Traveling on the Wayback machine to the world of math… Ahhh…heaven. Pre-algebra for 6th graders. What could be better than…
ADHD – Autism: Warning Signs for Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities. Do you know what they are? Probably. Did you know that 50% of Autistic people have a learning disability? How about 50% of children and adolescents with ADHD have at least one learning disability. Let’s learn about it. Defining learning disabilities is a challenge. It depends on who’s asking. There are several types…
10 Autism Tips: Vocabulary to Increase Communication
Estimate: 1 in 54 children in the United States have Autism. Do “our kids” on the Autism spectrum have vocabulary problems? Maybe yes. Maybe no. It depends on how you define it. I found 3 definitions on Dictionary.com. The body of words used in a particular language. Words used on a particular occasion. The body…
What Happens When Kids Live on Their SmartPhones?
Screen Time How much time do you spend on your phone every day? Answer? More than family time. How about your kids? Less than you! Dinner Parties Work Games Social Media Believe it or not, adults spend more screen time than kids. Luckily, there are apps that can track duration, identify apps, and research notifications….
ADHD Related Burnout – Yes, it’s Real!
Exhaustible! Exhaustion! Fashionable complaint? Nope. Burnout is an official diagnosis. Yes…it’s legitimate. Especially people with ADHD. Legitimate symptoms are used to qualify for burnout. There are feelings of exhaustion or energy depletion. There is an increased mental distance from one’s job or negativism related to one’s job. Evaluating the job performance, there is reduced…
“Hocus Focus” – Creative Learning Through the Arts
Hocus Focus (Magic to learn) Hocus Pocus –‐> Hocus Focus What is it? It’s creative learning through the arts. It’s a program for at-risk learners. Yes, students with Autism too. Magic tricks address challenges that face students with Autism. This includes behavior, linguistics, and social cognition. Autism (ASD) is a serious developmental disorder that impairs…
The Brain – Adolescents With ADHD
People with ADHD have different brains than non-ADHD brains. No kidding! It has a smaller brain volume. There’s a different structure, function, and chemistry. What else? The smaller volume of ADHD brains impacts emotional processing. This impacts behavioral control and executive functioning. What does this mean for “our kids” with ADHD? Act on impulse. Get…
ADHD and Autism: Emotions What Do You Need to Know?
Meltdown! We’re hanging around “our kids” with ADHD and Autism. Behavior goes up. Then it’s sIowly down. Yelling. Crying. As a former teacher, I’ve got this long enough to know the issue. It’s called emotional self-regulation. Emotional-control is the ability to respond to ongoing intense demands. It establishes a range of emotional experiences in socially…
Autistic Adults Making Friends: How Can We Help?
Adults with Autism (ASD) are notorious for having inappropriate social skills. More than 50% do not have friends at work. The first step is to learn what a “real friend” looks like. Chill out Cheer up People to have fun with Likes you for being you Stands up when others attack Causes People with…
Homework Strategies for ADHD and Autism
Homework: What is it? It’s designed to help students taught in class. Learn content that goes beyond what was introduced in class. It also reinforces course content.