Weekly Recap: Helping Your Neurodivergent Child Become More Independent
Weekly Recap: Helping Your Neurodivergent Child Become More Independent
+ Penn & Kim Holderness' forthcoming book "ADHD is Awesome"
Notes from the therapy room…
Hey, Y’all,
I just LOVE a conference. A day outside the classroom to learn more about helping students inside the classroom. I had the privilege of being the keynote speaker at the North Carolina Association for Independent Schools Neurodiversity Conference yesterday at The Hill Center in Durham, NC. We talked all about how anxiety impacts the learning of our neurodivergent students and I led a breakout session specially on how ADHD impacts student learning. It was a great day of connecting and sharing ideas together!
I’d love to do more of this so if you have a favorite conference you think I’d be a fit for, just hit reply and let me know. If you’d like to bring me to your school for in-person professional developmental on these and other related topics see the link about fall scheduling at the end of this email.
Let’s keep learning together,
~Dr. Emily
On the blog…
Helping Your Neurodivergent Child Become More Independent
If you are raising a neurodivergent child, the uncertainty of their future can feel very anxiety-provoking. Will they learn to drive? Will they be able to live on their own? Will they be happy?
One gift of parenting a child developing on their own path and time frame is that you learn to let go of any plans beyond a school year’s span of time. You learn to remain present in solving the problems and celebrating the wins of today. You appreciate small milestones because you have watched your child struggle to do things and you notice the relief and pride on their face when they are finally able to do it. The flip side of this experience, of course, is not knowing if and when your child will become independent with various skills.
Announcing…
“ADHD is Awesome” by Penn and Kim Holderness
If you have been following me for a while, most of you know that I hosted Penn Holderness on Season 1 of the podcast where we talked about his experience growing up with ADHD.
What you might not know YET is that Penn and his wife Kim have written a book giving a new perspective on living with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
For more on the book and pre-ordering your copy, click the link below:
“The world isn’t built for people with ADHD and navigating it can wear us down. But we’ll let you in on a little secret: Having ADHD doesn’t have to be a burden. It can actually be a superpower that propels you to creative heights and allows you to achieve more than you ever thought possible. With the expertise of doctors, our first-hand experience, and a colorful layout built for the ADHD brain, we hope this book shows you that.”
Join our community on Substack
I love substack because it is more than just a platform for my writing. It is an online community where you can join me and other awesome parents & teachers nurturing neurodivergent youth by sharing our ideas in the comments and chat threads. See what people are saying below and subscribe for free at the link!
"I appreciate your work to help educate teachers, etc. to understand “there are no bad kids”. Kids who have different needs, different neurology, and different experiences are not bad. When we understand this, we are more capable to show up in a way that first is compassionate and co-regulated, so we can meet the underlying need and bring balance back to the individual."
“Love your work! Thrilled to have discovered your newsletter.”
“I support your work as a mental health clinician with 17 years working with individuals, couples, parents, and families. I now have 3 school-aged, neurodivergent children of my own. I value the information and support you offer to parents and teachers doing our best to help our kids with brain based differences”
Resource for teachers….
FREE Reframing Behavior Worksheet
If you’re looking for a more positive way to figure out student behavior, I’m here for you. Think of this resource as your brainstorm session before the Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA).
The Reframing Behavior Worksheet will help you:
Identify what’s going on underneath the behavior: Brainstorm what might be happening within the student’s nervous system that may have led to the behavior
Organize your observations: Make notes of what you notice in the student but also what you notice in yourself to determine if you need any additional support with this student
Brainstorm when students are successful: When we notice the moments that students CAN do things, we can apply lessons of what works into other areas of need to better support for them
Adjust the environment to meet needs: Rather than asking students to do all the changing to meet a goal, we can also meet the child with adjustments in the environment that can lift them closer to success
For schools…
Now scheduling professional development for Fall 2024
If you’re a school administrator who loves watching students thrive, but your teachers need more guidance to meet the needs of such a diverse group of learners, I’m here for you.
You’ve provided professional development to support an understanding of social-emotional learning, but your teachers need more coaching on what to do when met with student behavior.
If you’re excited about the opportunity to create a school culture where your entire staff feels confident in supporting the neurodivergent needs and mental wellness of all students, you’re in the right place!