WINTER SERIES 2020
AFTER A DIAGNOSIS
EXPLAINING A DIAGNOSIS TO YOUR CHILD | WITH DR LIZ ANGOFF
Talking to a child about their new diagnosis can be tricky. Yet, when we don’t talk to kids directly about their diagnosis they can start to create their own negative reasons to explain why they learn differently.
Dr Liz Angoff has created a script to help guide parents through these conversations to make them positive and empowering.
FOR RESOURCES ON THE FOLLOWING LEARNING DIFFERENCES:
ADHD | ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, with an estimated 5.3% of school-aged children meeting the criteria.
TYPES OF ADHD
-
Inattentive: trouble focusing, easily distracted, forgetful & unorganised.
-
Hyperactive: is restless, on the go, fidgety & impulsive.
-
Combined: shows signs of both inattention & hyperactivity.
HOW ADHD CAN AFFECT A CHILD
Every child with ADHD is different. Your child may show some of the following challenges.
-
Home: Diffulcty following routines and completing homework/chores, Messy/disorganised room. This can cause increased arguments.
-
School: Difficulty remaining seated & fidgeting. Difficulty completing work within timeframes. Forgetting and losing materials.
-
Social: Difficulty controlling emotions. Can also struggle turn-taking or act impulsively when talking/playing.
HOW CAN WE HELP CHILDREN WITH ADHD?
-
Home: Focus on supporting the child to regulate their emotions through modeling. teaching, and positive praise. Provide supports and structures to help your child be successful. Praise your child for their strengths and provide them opportunities to shine.
-
School: Work with parents to establish a realistic plan to support school behaviours and schoolwork completion. Continued collaboration is important to align strategies, monitor progress, update goals, and share success stories between home and school.
-
Therapy / Coaching: Many children with ADHD benefit from working with psychologists or ADHD specialists such as executive functioning coaches. These experts can help your child develop their organisational skills, manage their big emotions, control their impulses, and improve their social skills. Support can also help them strengthen their self-esteem and manage their worries.
-
Medication: Medication can be an effective treatment for ADHD. It is most effective when combined with behavioural treatments, such as coaching and therapy. Many children experience side effects from medications and there is limited research on the long-term health impacts. For this reason, every family has the right to choose for themselves if medication is right for them.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ADHD?
WANT TO FIND AN ADHD COACH?
BOOKS ON ADHD FOR PARENTS
BOOKS ON ADHD FOR TEENS
BOOKS ON ADHD FOR KIDS
DYSLEXIA | SPECIFIC LEARNING DISORDER in Reading
Dyslexia describes a difference in the way that a child's brain processes information. In particular, it impacts how a child sees and remembers symbols (such as letters and numbers).
This can lead to challenges with spelling, reading, writing, and rote learning. It can also lead to strengths, like problem-solving, creative thinking, and seeing the big picture.
To learn more about Dyslexia you can find great resources at:
Click on the images below to access two books helping explain dyslexia and the next steps to your child.
Students with Dyslexia CAN learn to read and spell if they are taught in the way that their brain needs. Unfortunately, this is often not how literacy is taught in kindergarten and early primary school, leaving Dyslexic kids feeling left behind. It is important that these students receive small group or one-to-one interventions using multi-sensory literacy programs that have been shown to work for students with dyslexia.
Most literacy programs are based on the Orthon-Gillingham Approch. If you are interested in learning ore about wthis approach and what is involved in such a program visit:
Computer programs and apps can be another way to support your child at home alongside in-person support. Some great game-based programs include:
DYSGRAPHIA | SPECIFIC LEARNING DISORDER IN WRITTEN EXPRESSION
Coming Soon
DYSCALCULIA| SPECIFIC LEARNING DISORDER IN MATHEMATICS
Coming Soon