504 Plan ADHD It is estimated that 5-12% of all American kids have some type of ADHD. If you found this Accommodations Guide, chances are you have a child or student with ADHD. So I’m not going to go into the different types of ADHD and all that. This is going to focus on understanding…
Inference Definition for Kids “Mommy, is that Lady Gaga?” When my youngest was a toddler, he LOVED Lady Gaga. I have no idea why or where it came from, but he did. He would ask me to put videos of her on my computer. So, when we were watching the Super Bowl one year, the…
Game to Improve Executive Functioning Neurodivergent individuals often struggle with executive functioning, because their path to the same destination looks different from the path neurotypical individuals may go through. Instead of trying to get from Point A to Point C, they’re trying to get from Point A to Point Z in alphabet soup. They know…
Working Memory IEP goals Does your child struggle with Working Memory issues, and you want them added to the IEP? Have you heard parents talk about working memory skills, but you’re not sure what they are? Ok, remember these? I’m dating myself a bit, I know. But these are a great example of how we…
Executive Functioning Checklist While we have come a long way in recognizing and supporting skill deficits in kids, when it comes to learning disabilities, I find that when it comes to executive functioning issues are too often thought of as “won’t” instead of “can’t.” Executive functioning skills rule our daily lives. And when a child…
Which IEP Tests will look for Executive Functioning Deficits? Executive functioning skills have been quite a buzzword and trend in special education over the past decade. When a student lacks executive functioning skills, both parents and teachers can identify the behavior. We know what it “looks like” when a child cannot organize themselves, manage time…
Executive Functioning IEP Goals Executive function is an umbrella term for cognitive processes such as planning, working memory, attention, problem solving, verbal reasoning, inhibition, mental flexibility, multi-tasking, initiation, and monitoring of actions. Executive functioning describes a set of mental processes that helps people to connect past experience with present action. Wikipedia If your child or…
Matching Pictures Matching is a skill that many take for granted. And, I hear from parents who want IEP goal suggestions or printable matching pictures to use with their kids. And not just the preschool kids either! Many older kids struggle with matching pictures too. Matching is an essential skill for many reasons. First, a…
Including Kids in Fantasy Football Leagues My husband has been in a family Fantasy Football league for several years. In recent years, he allowed our younger son (who loves football!) to help him make decisions on players and stuff. Then, I added a team. Another uncle left the league, we expanded the league size, so…
Following Directions Many people — kids and adults — have trouble following directions. They don’t seem to “listen” when they’re asked to do a task, whether it’s taking out the garbage or taking care of a pet. Even if there’s a negative consequence, they don’t do what they’ve been asked to do. Too often for learning disabled…
Organization/Study Skills IEP Goals I’m a good learner, but I’m terrible at studying. Always have been. Other than re-reading chapters and notes and rote memorization, I never knew what studying was. No one ever taught me study skills. It was just expected that all students knew how to study and learn. I think many students…
Educational Board Games Board games are a great way for children to learn skills without even realizing that they’re learning. And, with so many families staying at home more, and parents worried about screentime, board games are really having a moment right now. And hey, everyone loves a good game of Candyland or Monopoly and…
Advice from an Executive Functioning Coach This Facebook Live event was awesome. I am really amazed by the caliber of people I have been able to line up to help our families. This one was with Samantha Curiale-Feinman, MS.Ed., TSHH, Director of New Frontiers Executive Function Coaching. She thoroughly answered viewer questions. You can watch the…
Apps for Executive Functioning After preparing this blog post, I plan to go back to the Google Play store and get some of these apps for myself. I can be scatterbrained, and stress makes it worse. And now having two kids, with their own schedules and sets of things to remember, it’s no wonder I…
Visual Timers It’s a fancy name for clock. Ha, just kidding. They aren’t all necessarily clocks. Usually a fancy version of a clock if it only had the second hand. Many kids need visual timers. They serve as a sensory or visual reminder of time. What goes around, comes around, right? Analog Clocks are sexy…
Non Verbal Learning Disorder NVLD NVLD-Non Verbal Learning Disability or Disorder. All I can say is wow! Is your child struggling with pragmatics and other issues, but you just can’t find what fits? I learned so much at a presentation I went to today. It’s not what you think it is. I thought it meant…