Diverse Thinking Different Learning

There are countless opportunities built into a child’s everyday life that could be used for support in language development. The best parts are that they won’t even know they’re working on these skills and they’re fun! Today’s guest is Stefanie Trenholme, a Speech and Language Pathologist and children’s book author. In our conversation today, Stefanie explains some common misconceptions about speech and language development and disabilities. She describes the different areas of language development and the red flags that are often overlooked or misinterpreted. Did you know your daily routines could be used to help your child’s language development? In this episode, Stefanie really digs into the topic. Be sure to listen to the end to also hear about Stefanie’s fun book that can be used to enhance any child’s language skills and boost their motivation to read.   Show Notes: [2:18] - There is a misconception about what Speech and Language Pathologists do. [4:27] - Red flags for language development can look different for different kids at different ages, but Stefanie shares some common ones. [5:52] - There are different areas of language development and for some children, they could be impacted in one area or all. [7:00] - Some red flags are overlooked by parents. [8:47] - Although there are different areas of language development, they are connected and often one area’s deficit impacts other areas. [10:18] - Unaddressed language difficulties in young children can lead to behavior concerns as they are easily frustrated. [12:12] - Kids may have a difficult time sharing about their day. [13:27] - Language variation is another area of difficulty that is often overlooked. [14:51] - By the time a student is in high school, social language becomes more complex. [17:01] - Parents may not always see language difficulties when they happen most often at school. [18:45] - Executive functioning also plays a role. [20:50] - For all children, routines are great for language development. [22:46] - Kids won’t know they are working on language skills because they are focused on their routine. [25:00] - There are so many opportunities in a week to hone in on skills in daily routines. [26:23] - Make the child an active participant in learning. [27:42] - Stefanie has written a children’s book that parents can use to help with vocabulary and routines. [29:36] - It is a picture book typically for “little” kids, but picture books can easily be adapted to work with any age. [31:31] - Lola is a real dog and with her help, Stefanie demonstrates different language skills in a fun and motivational way. [33:17] - One more thing! Cooking together is great for language skills and executive functioning.   About Our Guest: Stefanie Trenholme is the owner of Trenholme Speech Therapy, a private pediatric practice in West Los Angeles. She has been practicing both in Canada and the United States for twenty years.  She has also been a guest speaker at various private schools in both Los Angeles and New York City discussing how speech-language pathologists can help support educators in the classroom. She also goes into schools to teach students how to treat animals. In addition to being voted one of Los Angeles’s top Speech Pathologists by Expertise.com 5 years in a row, she recently was featured as one of the “Top 30 Inspiring Women To Look Out for in 2022.” Stefanie also recently published her first children’s book, “Little Lola Frenchie Loves Bathtime” which stars her therapy dog Lola. The Little Lola Frenchie™️ book series was created not only because Lola is an amazing therapy dog and loved by all who meet and work with her, but also to help children learn language - especially language through daily routines. Stefanie is currently working on her second book which should be out at the beginning of 2023.    Connect with Stefanie Trenholme: Website ChildNEXUS Provider Profile   Links and Related Resources: Little Lola Frenchie Top 5 Signs Your Need a Speech and Language Pathologist Episode 20: How Speech and Language Difficulties Affect a Child’s Life with Carol Karp Helping Your Child with Language Based Learning Disabilities with Dr. Daniel Franklin Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

Today’s guest is a force in the special education space and her journey began as a parent of a special needs child. Raja Marhaba joins the conversation today to tell you about her traumatic experiences navigating the special education system and how her journey led her to create The Jonathan Foundation. The Jonathan Foundation for Children With Learning Disabilities is a non-profit organization that raises funds for parents who can’t afford assessments for their children. In many unfortunate situations, a child’s struggles go unnoticed, undiagnosed, and without support for too long and that wasted time impacts their education and their future. This conversation with Raja will put you in her shoes as a parent who has learned through the eyes of her own children. She hopes that, through the work she does with The Jonathan Foundation, fewer families will experience the challenges she faced and more families will get the support they need.   Show Notes: [1:50] - Welcome to the show, Raja! [3:15] - Raja’s experience began 26 years ago and she has a parent’s perspective. [5:27] - As a new mom, she didn’t know how to navigate the special education process. But, she knew her child better than anyone and she learned to be her child’s best advocate. [7:16] - At the time, Raja found that not every piece of information was given to her. [8:15] - Raja realized that not everything that was suggested was happening at school to help her son, Jonathan. [9:57] - Raja describes the journey of learning her son has dyslexia. [11:37] - He lost a lot of confidence, but acting classes helped to build it back up. [12:42] - Raja had a lot of questions and lost faith in the school system. [14:54] - This experience set Raja on a new path. She knew she needed to fight and advocate for her children. She sees this as a turning point in her life. [16:35] - Back then, there was no Google. Raja’s resources for information were limited, but many of the same problems exist today. [19:38] - This process and the lack of understanding leads to wasted time. [20:53] - Because a psychologist took the time to explain and answer her questions, Raja understood the data from assessments. [21:57] - The assessments could cost a family up to $15,000. [23:55] - It is important for parents to have a professional in their corner. Raja describes some situations where advocacy was crucial. [25:57] - Raja focused on assessments with The Jonathan Foundation because of her experience with the huge cost of assessments for her sons. [27:23] - This experience hurt her family and her own mental health. [28:20] - Raja describes what she learned about her children and what she learned from them. [30:11] - Understanding her children opened up the world for her. [32:05] - Having one child who took so much of her attention, Raja’s youngest son was impacted. [34:51] - The sooner the better when it comes to an assessment. [36:29] - If you feel that your child is struggling and the school has said that their  evaluation revealed no difficulties, you can request another assessment. [39:02] - The data from an assessment tells a story. [40:41] - Donations can be made to the Jonathan Foundation to help children and families without the funds to afford a quality assessment. [43:29] - Sometimes schools are missing a piece to the puzzle without an assessment. [44:27] - Raja is currently writing a book and she provides a sneak peek. [49:57] - Raja’s book will connect you with her story; she hopes that others can learn from her experience.   About Our Guest: Raja B. Marhaba is the Founder and President of The Jonathan Foundation for Children with Learning Disabilities, Inc. The motivation for establishing The Jonathan Foundation was driven by her personal struggles with having two children with disabilities and the multiple battles she endured to obtain appropriate special education and related services from their school district over a period of eight years. The result: eight due process complaint filings, including a hearing; an appeal to the Federal Ninth Circuit District Court; as well as periods of extreme financial hardship from the cost of paying for private assessments, specialized interventions, and placements, retaining legal representation, and witness fees. Thus, Raja envisioned The Jonathan Foundation to be the vehicle she would use to assist families, like her own, in dealing with a "broken" special education system, "one child at a time". Since its inception in 2001, The Jonathan Foundation has provided families of children and adolescents with various types of disabilities with information, resources, referrals, and direct advocacy services by Raja in both special education and regional center matters.   Connect with Raja Marhaba: The Jonathan Foundation Website Apply for an Assessment Scholarship   Links and Related Resources: Episode 1: Demystifying the Assessment Process How to Initiate a Special Education Assessment Episode 14: Pursuing and Pushing for a Special Education Assessment with Educational Attorney Leejanice Toback What is a Comprehensive Evaluation and How Can It Help Support My Child’s Learning? Episode 3: Neuropsychological Evaluations Through a Cultural Lens with Dr. Vindia Fernandez Connect with a Neuropsychologist Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

This podcast began in November 2020 in the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic with the hopes of helping parents with a child struggling at home. I wanted to bring information and expertise into their home so they can better support their children. And now, Diverse Thinking Different Learning is celebrating 100 episodes! Let’s revisit the very first episode that sets the stage for the work we do at ChildNEXUS and the mission of the podcast. Millions of kids struggle with learning, processing, and social difficulties. These challenges interfere with their ability to reach their full potential. My name is Dr. Karen Wilson and I am on a mission to make sure that when kids are struggling, we find out why and we give them the support they need to thrive. Welcome to the Diverse Thinking Different Learning Podcast. This podcast is a resource for parents and educators working with children with learning difficulties. It is my hope that after listening to this show, you will better understand the challenges that some kids face and know how to help them overcome difficulties, become more resilient, maintain a love for learning, and experience more success. Today I’m discussing what struggles look like for kids with learning challenges, what parents and educators should do when they see kids are struggling, when to consider an evaluation for a child, and the benefits of targeted intervention.    Show Notes: [2:51] - This episode is about why the identification of learning challenges is so important. What do we do right and where do we go wrong? [3:39] - Approximately 5% of school aged children have a learning disability and 13% of all public school students receive special education services. Another 15% are struggling due to an unidentified learning or attention issue. [5:25] - Struggles can look different in different children. Dr. Wilson lists many different examples of what struggles look like in different children. [6:51] - With misunderstanding sometimes comes mislabeling. Mislabeling can lead to behavioral problems and can cause a lot more anxiety. [8:12] - We see the struggle, but what we tend to do is to rationalize the difficulty. [10:16] - With a learning disorder, a child typically experiences trouble learning skills in the regular classroom and tends to be behind their peers in one or more areas. [11:28] - If you don’t know what the underlying problem is, how can you appropriately intervene? [12:30] - Some reasons a child may be struggling with reading comprehension is poor working memory, poor phonological processing, and issues with receptive language. [16:00] - The same is true for writing. Writing is such a complex task for students to tackle. [19:23] - If you don’t know why a child is struggling, it is difficult to give them the proper support. [19:57] - Assessments serve as a guide for appropriate intervention to address the difficulties a child experiences. [22:16] - When we give children the appropriate, evidence-based intervention for their specific learning disorder, we can reorganize their brain pathways. [24:06] - Not all kids who struggle need a full, comprehensive evaluation. Some learning struggles could be tied to anxiety. [25:13] - If a child has anxiety and a learning disorder, the intervention for the learning disorder is not enough. The anxiety also needs to be addressed. [26:46] - When kids don’t get enough sleep, you get poor attention or other possible issues in school. [28:56] - When a real problem remains unidentified, children may grow to have low self esteem and are at greater risk of struggling with anxiety and depression. [30:33] - We have to move from observing the struggle to getting students the appropriate intervention and stop rationalizing the problem.   Links and Resources: ChildNEXUS Website Find a Provider Request a Consultation Search Articles Listen to more Diverse Thinking Different Learning episodes   Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

We’ve discussed ADHD on the podcast before and it continues to be an important topic. But something we haven’t delved into yet is what ADHD looks like in girls. Dr. Stephen Hinshaw has conducted years of research including a longitudinal study on girls with ADHD and his findings are not only fascinating but important to consider especially if you are the parent of a daughter with ADHD. Dr. Hinshaw has recently written a book called Straight Talk About ADHD in Girls: How to Help Your Daughter Thrive. Parenting a daughter with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is no easy path, especially because of the myth that the disorder is rare or nonexistent in girls. In his book, Dr. Hinshaw provides vital information and advice to help you understand and meet your daughter’s needs. And in this episode, he does the same. He delivers up-to-date facts on what ADHD is, why symptoms often appear differently in girls than in boys, why girls with ADHD behave the way they do, how to get an accurate diagnosis, and what treatments are most effective. There is so much pressure on girls to be perfect and for those with ADHD, it feels especially hard to measure up. The social stigmas and academic challenges ADHD present to girls is often isolating and painful. So listen to Dr. Hinshaw explain the science behind it all and what we can do as parents and educators to help our girls with ADHD.   Show Notes: [2:22] - ADHD is more prevalent in boys than girls, but why? [3:23] - Because of the difference in development, symptoms of ADHD in girls are often overlooked. [4:27] - Girls with ADHD tend to show their symptoms differently. Many don’t get diagnosed until they are teenagers or even young adults. [5:28] - ADHD causes problems with the self-regulation of attention. [6:30] - It takes some time to observe and diagnose ADHD. [7:16] - Some girls may show their hyperactivity verbally instead of physically. [8:43] - Dr. Hinshaw conducted the largest longitudinal study on girls with ADHD. [9:37] - In childhood, girls with ADHD are just as impaired as boys. Socially, they tend to get rejected by their peers more so than boys. [11:26] - Dr. Hinshaw shares the differences in the larger consequences like delinquency, substance use, and mental health. [13:34] - ADHD increases the risk of self harm and suicide. [15:08] - Low self-esteem, difficult peer relationships, increasing academic struggles, make things challenging in young adulthood too. [17:01] - Across many studies and types of research, both males and females and the differences between them are not taken into consideration. [18:54] - There can be more severe social consequences of lack of early intervention for girls. [21:39] - There are consistent inconsistencies. [23:00] - Milder conditions or conditions that don’t have as many outward indicators, result in more stigma. [24:52] - If you are the parent of a girl who has ADHD with a solid diagnosis, you have to show radical acceptance and commitment.[26:33] - Motivation, regulation, and even medication are things to be considered. [27:28] - What are your daughter’s strengths? [28:31] - One valued and strong friendship can offset the social complications they experience. [29:45] - Research has shown that parents of girls with ADHD tend to have much more parental stress. Parent management training is beneficial. [31:19] - Get Dr. Hinshaw’s book for 20% off using this special Diverse Thinking Different Learning discount code: 1F2017 About Our Guest: Stephen P. Hinshaw is Distinguished Professor of Psychology at UC Berkeley and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UC San Francisco. His work focuses on developmental psychopathology, child and adolescent mental health (particularly ADHD), and the use of clinical trials to understand underlying mechanisms. He also actively investigates mental illness stigma and interventions to reduce it. Hinshaw has authored over 400 articles, chapters, and commentaries plus 13 books. He has won numerous national and international research awards, including the James McKeen Cattell Fellow Award from the Association for Psychological Science, the Distinguished Scientific Contributions Award from the American Psychological Association, and the Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health from the National Academy of Medicine. He was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2021. His extensive media coverage includes the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Today Show, CBS Evening News, ABC World News Tonight, and many more.    Connect with Dr. Stephen Hinshaw: Email: hinshaw@berkeley.edu Hinshaw Lab at The Institution of Human Development at Berkeley Dr. Stephen Hinshaw’s Website GET THE BOOK! The discount code for listeners is 1F2017 and it expires September 30, 2022   Links and Related Resources: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Episode 40: Lifestyle Activities That Can Improve ADHD Symptoms with Dr. Joel Nigg Executive Functioning and Self Regulation in ADHD   Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

With the use of technology increasing at a rapid rate among people of all ages, we have to ask ourselves how much is too much? The answer to that is kind of complicated. It depends on the content, depends on the activity, and it definitely depends on each individual user. But today’s guest shares why it is important to follow your gut if you think screen time and technology use is a deeper problem. In this episode, Dr. Joe Dilley helps us see how to identify when kids are dependent on their electronics. This type of addiction as with any addition can be detrimental so he also shares ways we can break the addiction. We have to look for reasons and the motivations behind the use of technology and determine how much is enough and what is beyond the limit. Dr. Joe Dilley is a licensed Clinical Psychologist practicing in Texas and California. He is also the author of a fantastic book called The Game is Playing Your Kid. This book was written pre-pandemic and although the Covid-19 pandemic changed the way we use technology, the book remains relevant and useful.   Show Notes: [2:07] - Dr. Dilley wrote his book and a few articles for ChildNEXUS regarding technology use in kids pre-pandemic. [3:03] - The pandemic provided an unexpected and unwelcome boost to everybody’s digital time spent. [4:01] - Lockdowns and quarantines exacerbated an already high use of technology at home. [5:08] - Dr. Dilley shares some of the issues high use of technology can cause. [6:22] - Anxiety has a complex relationship with isolation. [7:55] - We are just scratching the surface of mental health effects. What will the ripple effect be with academics? [9:03] - Kids having to learn to read remotely during the pandemic, especially those who have learning differences, are likely to get looked over. [11:29] - There are unique risk factors of tech use for those with ADHD and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder. [13:36] - Technology could also be used as an escape for struggling students. [15:27] - Trust your gut as a parent. If you are concerned that your child is spending too much time using technology, look into it. [16:55] - Kids are going to push back. [18:31] - “Screen time” encompasses so many types of use like television, social media, phone use, video games, and more. [19:54] - What are the physiological and psychological effects of screen time? There are differences depending on the quality of the screen time. [21:30] - There is a very complex relationship between the use of technology and the possible effects it has. [22:58] - After about 3 hours, the benefits of gaming diminish. [23:58] - Playing a video game as a team for 2 hours is much different than scrolling through Instagram for 2 hours. [26:26] - The methods in his book have been recommended to parents by their own children.  [27:27] - Going back to school could be a great time to reset the guidelines around technology use at home. [29:34] - There are ways to communicate with your child or adolescent that can place boundaries on technology use. [30:41] - This isn’t a quick process and it can be difficult. [31:31] - It is much easier to just put the kids in front of the screen, especially the younger ones. [33:22] - Seize the opportunities to make some changes.   About Our Guest: Dr. Joe Dilley graduated from the University of Iowa with honors and high distinction in Psychology. He then brought this multifaceted view of the human psyche to his doctoral studies at Northwestern University, where he completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Now a licensed psychologist practicing in Texas and California, Dr. Joe specializes in the assessment and treatment of anxiety, ADHD, and Gaming Disorder. His book The Game Is Playing Your Kid: How to Unplug & Reconnect in the Digital Age offers practical and fair approaches to managing screen time, even in the COVID era.   Connect with Dr. Joe Dilley: Synergy Psych Website Phone: (626) 539-2001 x1   Links and Related Resources: The Game is Playing Your Kid by Dr. Joe Dilley How to Unplug and Reconnect in the Digital Age by Dr. Joe Dilley Clarifying Gray Areas in Family Tech Use Family Tech Use Part 2: Resolving Common Dilemmas Episode 24: Should We Worry About Screen Time During a Pandemic? with Dr. Allison Kawa   Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

This episode may make you angry but I am hoping that it will also motivate you to advocate for change. I’ve invited Dr. Bibi Pirayesh back to the Diverse Thinking Different Learning Podcast to talk about learning disabilities as a social justice issue. This topic is certainly charged and rightfully so. Today, we discuss whether our current education system was built for neurodiverse learners. It is hard for me to believe that Dr. Pirayesh fell into educational therapy by accident as she is extraordinary at the work she does. She is also an extraordinary advocate. Her work in the field is tireless and in this episode, she and I discuss the hardships we face as a society that does not allow all learners to reach their potential.   Show Notes: [2:47] - Welcome back, Dr. Pirayesh! [3:53] - Learning disabilities is a social justice issue and in recent years social justice has become extremely politicized. [5:10] - While social justice is typically viewed as based around race, gender, and sex, it is all connected through ableism. [6:19] - Why people may feel frustrated and feel like they can’t move forward. [8:19] - What is the ideology that fuels ableism in the education system? [9:57] - The way that it is, isn’t necessarily the way it is supposed to be. It’s just the way it was built and the education system is working exactly the way it was designed. [11:10] - The education system was designed to be competitive. [13:53] - When you read special education law, it becomes clear that this system is created in a specific way. [15:56] - As a system, we don’t always interpret the science correctly. [16:54] - During the pandemic, people became more aware of learning problems and mental health issues, but this is not a new problem. [18:41] - Dr. Pirayesh was hopeful in the beginning of the pandemic when there were fast changes in education, but things are settling back to where they were as the pandemic slows. [20:18] - One positive change is access to mental health support, but we haven’t made any shifts for marginalized students who learn differently. [22:10] - Reading is one area where research is plentiful and solid and yet we aren’t making changes in the system. [23:16] - There is a connection between the prison system and education system. [26:09] - Many people, including Dr. Pirayesh, have felt at times hopeless for change. [27:45] - Small change is a starting point and Dr. Pirayesh sees the impact of individuals and schools being receptive to advocacy. [29:49] - Change is absolutely possible. [31:21] - Dr. Pirayesh shares some mindset shifts she has had to make in her business and personal life. [33:04] - There are hopeful things in a society that isn’t built for everyone. Having these conversations isn’t enough. There has to be action. [34:42] - How are people coming up against the system and what is the result? [37:10] - Share your story here.   About Our Guest: Dr. Bibi Pirayesh holds a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and Education from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master's degree in Developmental Psychology from Columbia University where her work focused primarily on children’s development of mathematical thinking and cognitive neuroscience.  While the emphasis of Dr. Pirayesh’s work is on remediating learning disabilities in a one-on-one setting, she is also a sought after speaker and community advocate for children and families around learning rights. Bibi works with children grades 1-12 and covers a wide range of learning difficulties including dyslexia, ADHD, and spectrum disorders. Dr. Pirayesh completed her doctoral work at Loyola Marymount University where she is also faculty and is involved with a number of service organizations including The Association of Educational Therapists.   Connect with Dr. Bibi Pirayesh: The Difference is Not the Deficit Project: Share your story   Links and Related Resources: Episode 5: Educational Therapy, Distance Learning, and Social Justice with Dr. Bibi Pirayesh 6 Quick Questions for Parents Concerned About Dyslexia   Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

Why is intervention, particularly early intervention, so important? The answer is brain plasticity, which is the brain’s ability to change, reorganize, and even develop more efficient pathways for processing information. Research into the neurological bases of reading disorders, for example, has shown the educational and cognitive strategies can reroute brain networks and the brain can reorganize to overcome reading obstacles. Today’s guest shares with us all about early intervention. Dr. Tania Abouezzeddine is a licensed Clinical Neuropsychologist and is also a faculty member at Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University. In today’s episode she explains why early intervention is key and how it results in positive changes in the brain. She not only shares why early intervention is important but how it impacts the development of the brain and the science behind it all.   Show Notes: [2:45] - It is important to understand why a child is struggling before deciding on the intervention. [3:31] - Any good intervention begins with an accurate diagnosis or assessment. [4:28] - What makes a good assessment? [5:52] - A lot of times, children are more likely to be labeled with behavior disorders. [6:55] - Tania shares research surrounding behavior disorders diagnosed to particular demographics that result in a negative trajectory. [9:09] - Tania describes some of the negative results of an inaccurate diagnosis or assessment. [10:18] - If an intervention has not begun by age 8, a child with a reading disorder will likely not bridge the gap in their reading. [11:48] - Reading disorders are hereditary. [14:03] - There is evidence that you can change the brain through good, consistent, and intense intervention. [15:19] - External interventions result in a positive change in the brain. [16:24] - The purpose of interventions is not to have a better reading score. [17:43] - Every brain is working at its own pace, but it will improve with intervention and depends on the severity of the disorder. [19:02] - There’s a high percentage of children with more than one disorder. [20:17] - The child also needs to understand why an intervention is necessary. [21:59] - Tania works with high school graduates in college who have not been diagnosed and still cannot read independently. That window of time has been missed. [23:23] - Training the brain through early intervention can create new brain pathways that are similar to a child without a disorder over time. [24:46] - Sometimes parents are afraid to know and they avoid an assessment. [26:14] - Early intervention is also important because you can catch these problems before a child becomes jaded. [27:50] - The identification of strengths can help the intervention as well. [30:49] - Knowing strengths shows the child that their weaknesses don’t define them. [32:19] - What happens when a child doesn’t receive positive early intervention? [34:25] - We all have things we are not good at, but when it comes to reading and learning disorders they can have negative ramifications. [36:02] - Tania shares examples of students who choose majors or professions based on areas of weakness rather than their strengths. [38:41] - Students can also receive a charted plan to help with prioritizing.   About Our Guest: Dr. Abouezzeddine is a licensed Clinical Neuropsychologist (across the lifespan with a specialty in Pediatrics) and is a full-time faculty member at Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University. She obtained her doctoral degree from the University of Southern California where she specialized in childhood trauma and resilience, which continue to be areas of research interest. After the completion of her doctoral studies, Dr. Abouezzeddine went on to specialize in Clinical Neuropsychology, beginning with a clinical internship in Geriatric Neuropsychology at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center and continuing on with two additional years of clinical postdoctoral studies in Pediatric Neuropsychology at UCLA’s Semel Institute of Neuroscience. Dr. Abouezzeddine specializes in the cognitive assessment of children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. ADHD, Autism), Learning Disabilities (e.g. Reading, Math), as well as cognitive impairments related to Traumatic Brain injury or and other medical conditions (e.g. epilepsy). She also occasionally assesses adults and older adults in Arabic schedule permitting. She is fluent in both English and Arabic.    Connect with Tania Abouezzeddine: Website Email: pedsneurola@gmail.com or Tania.Abouezzeddine@gmail.com  ChildNEXUS Provider Profile   Links and Related Resources: Episode 2: Demystifying the Assessment Process Episode 22: How Students with Dyslexia Can Develop the Skills Needed for Reading with Forough Azimi Episode 1: Uncovering Why a Child is Struggling Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

How are you feeling about this new upcoming school year? Would you say you feel hopeful about it? Now it is really important to feel hopeful about the upcoming school year, but it isn’t enough to just hope that your child or client will have a better school year. We know that there are many pieces to the puzzle of having a great school year, but hope does matter. And today our guest talks about the science of hope and what that means for heading back to school.  Lindsay Recknell is an expert in hope and in this episode, she explains what this intangible concept feels like within our brains. When you dig deep into it, it seems complicated with the Hope Theory, the Hope Circuit, the Hope Scale. But really, this concept is simple to grasp and even better, it can be taught. Hope is contagious and can absolutely change your mental health and wellbeing. In this episode, Lindsay also walks us through an incredibly useful exercise that you can do independently or even with your family as we cultivate hope for a new school year.   Show Notes: [2:31] - This time of year is a time of new beginnings. [3:58] - When we think about the word hope, it feels intangible. [5:39] - Lindsay explains Positive Psychology.  [6:40] - Hope Theory is when the action of hope comes into play. Lindsay also explains the Hope Circuit. [7:47] - This concept is simple to grasp. Hope can be taught. [8:38] - We all have hope, even if it is deep down. There is a scientifically validated test called The Hope Scale. [9:24] - Lindsay believes that hope is contagious. [10:16] - You can also increase your hope independently. [11:31] - The Hope Circuit connects to our intrinsic thoughts on hope. [12:40] - Lindsay explains the Hope Circuit and what happens in your brain. [14:13] - Do this activity with Lindsay. Pause and write these things down. [16:24] - As you think about the vision you’ve created, you will feel something. That’s your brain on hope. [17:05] - If you can do this exercise over and over with your family when you need a hope booster, it is so powerful. [18:38] - Hopefulness is not all about feeling happy. Hope and optimism are related but are independent from each other. [19:42] - Lindsay’s definition of hope is that the future will be better than today by taking action over the things we can control. [21:04] - What are some of the things we can do to help build hope? [23:01] - You don’t have to start with something huge. [24:20] - The process of reaching the goal is more important than the goal itself in a lot of ways. [25:40] - We know that life is hard sometimes, but we have tools to help us leverage hope.   About Our Guest: As an expert in hope and a Certified Psychological Health & Safety Advisor, Lindsay Recknell works with individuals and organizations to increase their levels of psychological health & safety in the workplace using Positive Psychology and the Science of Hope. She empowers individuals, strengthens teams and transforms organizations through her Self-Awareness Superhero, Dream Catalyst and Wellness Webinars programs. Lindsay lives in Calgary with her husband and their two Golden Retrievers.   Connect with Lindsay Recknell: Expert In Hope Website Phone: 403-200-0943 Instagram Hope Motivates Action Podcast   Links and Related Resources: Episode 51: How Parents and Educators Can Collaborate to Help Students Thrive with Shelley Lawrence Parent Professional Partnerships: Seven Tips for Success Reflections on Being Back in the Classroom: Reaching for Gains and Growing Pains Episode 15: From High School to College: Steps to Success for Students with Disabilities with Elizabeth C. Hamblet Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

Many argue that homework is not all that important in the grand scheme of things. Research actually shows that it has little to no beneficial effect on learning. But of course the independence and organization of schoolwork at home is absolutely helpful in building habits, and it is important to practice skills learned. But for many kids who think and learn differently, homework can be a struggle, and my guest today says it is not worth sacrificing important family time and certainly not your relationship with your child. Josh Horwatt is an educational therapist and founder of Beyond Bored Educational Services. In addition to working with kids through Beyond Bored, he is also a dad who has experienced homework from the parent’s point of view as well. Listen as Josh gives some great pointers on how to manage homework and as he reminds us that it’s not always a big deal. “It’s just homework.”   Show Notes: [2:39] - Back to school can be exciting, but it is also a return to homework. Most students do not have a positive feeling about homework. [3:32] - After experiencing a 6 to 7 hour school day, students then complete more schoolwork at home in the form of homework. [4:42] - Students are at different stages; homework means something different and is more or less important depending on where they are. [6:09] - The type of homework has different levels of priority. [8:16] - Josh shares his approach to homework with his own kids and students. [9:35] - Setting a time limit for homework is a great strategy as well. The younger the student, the shorter the amount of time. [11:32] - Homework helps to develop work ethic and independence; it is not used to  learn new skills. [12:38] - Some parents have a lot of hang-ups about homework. It’s okay if it’s not done. Most teachers are very reasonable. [13:45] - Some parents are intense about the details regarding homework and that can put strain on the parent-child relationship. [15:38] - If a learner did their homework incorrectly, don’t make them go back and redo it. Make note of it and reach out to the teacher. [17:37] - Ask your child what help they need with their homework. This teaches them to reflect. [19:24] - A lot of parents have their own negative relationship with homework and may be repeating a lot of the things they experienced. [20:52] - Teachers receive the end result of homework, but don't know the strain and help that the student might have needed to complete it. [22:01] - Communication with teachers is so important. [23:34] - With neurodivergent students, homework comes on top of the work they do with educational therapists or outside therapists. [25:01] - Educators need to be cognizant of the homework load they’re putting on students who have a lot on their plate already. [27:15] - If you can model to a family how to complete homework, it’s worth it. [28:35] - Working with your own child is different from them working with a tutor or teacher. That’s okay. [29:47] - Josh describes a personal experience of working with a challenging student and what he learned from working with him. [31:28] - Tutoring is academic, but connection is the ultimate goal. [33:19] - Take it slowly. Remember that there are stages. In the beginning, kids are going to be diligent, but their motivation may slide as time goes on.   About Our Guest: Josh Horwatt is an educational therapist and founder of Beyond Bored Educational Services. He specializes in working with kids with dyslexia and kids who are highly resistant to intervention. Beyond Bored provides specialized tutoring for kids who are bored and detached from school using an approach called "Connection Tutoring." Josh is a father of 3 children and says he is a bad but avid surfer.    Connect with Josh Horwatt: Beyond Bored Website Email: josh@beyondbored.org ChildNEXUS Provider Profile   Links and Related Resources: Supporting Parents of Children with Language Based Learning Disabilities Classroom and Home Accommodations for More Effective Learning Reading With Your Child Find Support   Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

Learnfully's Jess Corinne discusses the importance of social-emotional learning for students. Topics include explicit instruction for neurodiverse students, the role of social environments in development, and the impact of growth mindset theory on learning success.