Advice about Learning Differences
Parent Q&A
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Seeking an Engaging Neurodivergent Speaker
–Jan 4, 2024Hello! Happy New Year! I write to you from a little school K-6 school called Walden Center and School in the unceded ancestral Ohlone land (aka Berkeley, CA). As the world recognizes the gifts of neurodiversity, our school would also like to celebrate, recognize and learn about these unique special powers.
We would be honored to learn from a speaker who would join us at anytime in the Spring to share with the children their story of neurodivergence. Parents at the school are identifying that more and more of our student population is neurodivergent (as the world is also!) and we are seeking speakers to share their hope, joy and electricity of neurodivergence. If anyone has a local speaker on the topic of neurodiversity, would love to hear their name! Thank you!
Jan 4, 2024We had parent teacher conferences today. Our K kid has tanked in his progress. Part of it was due to a verbally abusive teaching asst who was loud, coercive and shaming around my kid’s inability to do work. Said asst was let go, but kid’s progress in academics has not been significant in the aftermath. We tried to get him tested but kid was having some fun with the examiner and giving flagrantly wrong answers and giggling as the examiner squirmed. He also said “I’m stupid in the head” when he clearly is not. When asked why he says it, the reply was “because it’s easier that way”.The big issues are with fine motor/writing, letter sounds,then phonics/ blends, decoding and encoding words and even sight words. I see him spontaneously picking out words from text, but confrontation sight words he draws a blank. Teacher said he works hard, is very diligent but the progress is not happening. I suspect he is 2e like his sister who did not read fluently til mid second grade and didn’t write an essay by herself until grade 4/5. But she is also intellectually gifted. No one seemed all that concerned anout her, but we got her support, and it was only marginally helpful. Now the sirens are blaring and hand wrenching is happening over my son’s academics in K!
The neuropsych examiner said to wait a year or three and retest. Stated he’s “neurologically young” and his brain is not yet online for some skills. Question is, do we do intensive tutoring over the summer? He’s in a private school so no formal intervention plan, just some pull -outs. He’ll be in BUSD northwest zone in fall. Any suggestions? We’re moving into district next month and will likely need IEPs for both kids, though unclear if middle school girl will qualify. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!
Mar 13, 2019What to do for a mild learning discrepancy in a child?
–Nov 2, 2016My 10 year old daughter has always struggled in school, in all subjects. We had her tested by our school district and privately and both test reveal she has what they are calling mild learning discrepancy but does not qualify for services. Since kindergarten she has struggled. Things that other children just absorb with no effort, frustrates her and I can see she just doesn't absorb it. Has anyone had a child in a similar situation? We want to get her help but don't know what kind. Can anyone recommend something that has worked, what kind of support? Is this just something that she is going to have bear till she's done with school. Obviously, her self esteem is low. She has not yet found something she is really good at to offset the negative affects of her academic challenges.
I'd appreciate any thoughts. Thank you
Nov 2, 2016
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I suggest having a panel of alum students! Many are neurodivergent
Nann Phoenixx-Dawn is a wonderful family coach and advocate for neurodiversity. I don't know if she gives talks but would recommend her heartily! Our family has worked with her for almost a year and appreciate her experience and equanimity. nphoenixxdawn [at] wholechildca.com. I hope you'll offer any speakers an honorarium even if small. It's important for people to be paid for their time.
Hello! I am not really an expert in this area but your post made me think of the wonderful Oakland-based organization Creative Growth which supports artists with developmental disabilities. They are focused on art exhibitions and they put out a magazine but it seems possible someone from the organization could speak or they might have some leads. https://creativegrowth.org/