Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities

It’s hard to believe, but already we’re preparing for kids to head back to school!

This can be an exciting but also very difficult time for kids who have to contend with learning challenges. We invite you to check out our Smart Bytes August 5th blog post, Easing Back-to-School Anxiety for Older Kids, on how to help a student who is uneasy heading back to high school or just beginning their high school career. Click the link below ⬇️

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/blog/easing-back-school-jitters-ages/

The first days of school can be a challenge as children adjust to a new school year. While many kids (and parents) eagerly anticipate all that a new beginning promises, many students with learning challenges find going back to school daunting. In either case, you can make sure the transition is as smooth as possible by using the last days of summer to prepare for what’s ahead.

In one of our newest articles are some tips to get you started. Click the link below to read it.

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/getting-help/raising-independent-kids/10-tips-for-back-to-school-prep/

Ready for the new school year? This month's Smart Kids Newsletter can help!

https://conta.cc/3LYZoIu

Just because your middle-school child can’t keep track of their homework doesn’t mean they can’t succeed at the adolescent rite of passage called babysitting. In fact, kids with attention issues are often ideally suited to the task, especially if they’re creative, energetic, and spontaneous.

What makes them great, however, may also be problematic. Learning to balance what’s best for the baby with what’s fun for the babysitter may take a bit more focus than your child can muster. So before you send them down the street to care for your neighbor’s little ones, make sure they are equipped to do the job.

Click the link below to learn more 👇

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/blog/middle-schooler-adhd-ready-babysitting/

Many young adults with ADHD find it challenging to live on their own for the first time. Author and clinical psychologist Sharon Saline, Psy.D., explains that it’s complicated and stressful for emerging adults to manage key aspects of independent living such as work, medication management, social relationships, finances, housing, and healthcare. As parents, you can support your 20-somethings in understanding and addressing the many nuances of “adulting” by setting realistic goals and, most importantly, encouraging them to believe in themselves.

To help your young adult create the life they want, Saline suggests you work with them to develop the essential tools outlined in the article below ⬇️

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/getting-help/adhd/a-guide-to-adulting-with-adhd/

By supporting Smart Kids, you help a single mom like Tanya. In the Summer 2024 Connections newsletter, Tanya described battling with the school system to help her bright 13-year-old son, terrified that he wouldn’t make it through high school.

She didn’t know what to expect when she signed up for our 2024 Parent Conference, but the information and support, she says, were “life-changing.”

Her most recent update on the help you made possible: Her son Jimmy was misclassified for years by the public school system. “They had it ALL wrong! He did not have ADHD. He has auditory sensory processing issues and a significant learning disability!”

Thanks to information and support from Smart Kids, Jimmy is now getting the help he needs. His mother no longer fears that he won’t make it through high school. Instead, she tells us, “He is a remarkable individual. I know he will do great things!”

Help keep our comprehensive free resources available to parents who are desperate and searching for help. Your support empowers parents like Tanya to help their children succeed. Click the link below to support Smart Kids ⬇️

https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/smart-kids-with-learning-disabilities/donationform

Although her son, Jimmy had received special education help since 1st grade, by the time he was 13 Tanya was afraid he might not make it through high school.

“I trusted the school system,” Tanya says. “But something inside me said, ‘Something is not right.’”

After years struggling with his school — alone, desperate and afraid — she attended the Smart Kids Parent Conference last February. Her reaction: “Oh my God! I’m not alone! Look at all this support!”

From the experts at the conference, she found critical information about reassessing her son’s challenges, his rights, and the language to access them. “They had it ALL wrong!” she says now. “He did not have ADHD. He has auditory sensory processing issues and a significant learning disability!”

Today, Tanya faces the future with confidence. Armed with her new knowledge, Tanya was able to negotiate successfully with the school team. Jimmy will begin high school with the support he needs, she says. He’s happy, and she feels a great weight has been lifted.

“The Smart Kids Conference was life-changing!” Tanya says. “You have given me hope, and the support I so desperately needed!”

Help keep our comprehensive free resources available to parents who are desperate and searching for help. Your support empowers parents like Tanya to help their children succeed. Click the link below to support Smart Kids ⬇️

https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/smart-kids-with-learning-disabilities/donationform

Because nonverbal learning disabilities are not well understood, parents of kids with NLD challenges often feel alone and unsupported—even by those who should be natural allies such as family members, school personnel, and medical professionals.

Rather than trying to get help from those who aren’t willing to be educated, try seeking out people in your community who are experiencing similar struggles.

For our recommendations for dealing with family members and for looking elsewhere for support, read our article linked below.

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/getting-help/nld/nld-and-families/

Tanya's son, Jimmy, had received special education since 1st grade. Find out what finally made the difference.

https://conta.cc/3Se6QmB

Alone, desperate and afraid Tanya's son, Jimmy, had received special education help since 1st grade . . . Tanya's Journey: "Something is not right"   Although her son, Jimmy had received special education help since 1st grade, b

How to rethink your kid’s procrastination and help your older child navigate life on their own are featured in this month’s newsletter. Plus, advice on finding support for parents of kids struggling with NLD. Click the link below to read ⬇️

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/community/ask-the-experts/rethinking-procrastination/

How to rethink your kid's procrastination and help your older child navigate life on their own are featured in this month's newsletter. Plus advice on finding support for parents of kids struggling with NLD.

https://conta.cc/4f0Rewv

July 15th Smart Kids Newsletter Information you don't want to miss! July 15, 2024 Newsletter   Rethinking Procrastination If there’s one thing that drives parents of kids with ADHD crazy, it’s procrastination. Here our expert offers

For students with LD who are starting college this fall, preparing ahead will help ensure a smooth transition. In the blog post linked below are a few tasks to take care of before you head off to college.

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/blog/summer-list-college-freshmen/

The long, sunny days of summer are perfect for hitting the beach, hanging out with friends—and getting a jumpstart on your college application essays.

The benefits of launching this part of the process early are numerous. Being away from school-year deadlines lets candidates bring fresh energy and creativity to putting their best foot forward through these personal narratives. In addition, the competitive advantage of applying early is even greater in this era of high application numbers. Deadlines for merit aid may also require applications to be submitted earlier than even the early-action or early-decision deadlines. In this context, being ready with essays when the school year begins can reduce stress and increase opportunities.

As you write, use the strategies outlined in the link below to craft personal essays that enhance your application.

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/blog/craft-your-college-essays-now/

Staying on track is an executive functioning skill that is often confused with paying attention. While both skills require an element of focus, staying on track takes a longer view. It draws on resilience, perseverance, and focus as those elements work together to allow your child to push through to the completion of a goal and not be put off by difficulties or competing interests.

In our latest article are ways you can help your child strengthen their ability to stay on track ⬇️

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/getting-help/executive-function-disorder/ef-skills-staying-on-track/

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Awards, celebrating the outstanding accomplishments of students with learning differences and ADHD. The awards were presented at the Smart Kids annual spring benefit, at the Woodway Country Club in Darien, Connecticut.

Our amazing honorees were selected from a large group of applicants from all over the country. As you’ll see from their inspiring stories, they remind us all that learning differences need not be a barrier to success and, in fact, are often the “X factor” leading to success.

Learn more about our honorees in the link below!

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/blog/2024-smart-kids-youth-achievement-honorees/

Early detection is key to treating ADHD, yet girls with the condition are often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed, missing the critical window when interventions can be most beneficial. As a result, girls with ADHD are often left behind during their formative years, when appropriate treatment could prevent future problems.

Click the link below for recommendations to ensure that your daughter with ADHD gets a timely, accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment 👍

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/getting-help/adhd/girls-with-adhd/

In one of our latest articles, a parent reflects on her decision to make the transition and offers advice for others in similar situations.

Read the full article linked below ⬇️

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/community/parent-to-parent/did-we-make-the-right-decision-for-our-son-with-ld/

A year after moving her son with LD to a private special education school, a parent reflects on her decision to make the transition and offers advice for others in similar situations.

For this parent’s story and many, many more, visit our website ⬇️

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/community/parent-to-parent/did-we-make-the-right-decision-for-our-son-with-ld/

Summer is here! After the school year, I suspect you’re tempted to let it all go—throw structure out the window, sleep all day, and forget that school exists—but that’s not what’s best for your kids. They need to continue to move toward their goals, and you need to shift thoughtfully into a new routine that allows them to find joy while continuing to grow.

Here are a few ideas for how that might look at your house. Click the link below ⬇️

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/blog/shift-into-summer/

Summer is right around the corner, and with that comes the promise of summer camp for many: broadening horizons, learning resilient behaviors, and further developing cognitive and social skills outside of the school year. But for some, the excitement also comes with anxiety—especially if it’s your child’s first time at sleep-away camp. Here are some tips to help allay their concerns and prepare them for what’s ahead.

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/blog/prepare-your-anxious-child-for-camp/

Edward Hallowell, a noted psychiatrist and author of several books on children with LD and ADHD comments that the most important way to nurture individuals with learning challenges is to focus on their talents: “I have learned first and foremost to look for interests, talents, strengths, shades of strengths or the mere suggestion of a talent… Knowing that a person builds a happy and successful life not on remediated weaknesses but on developed strengths, I have learned to place those strengths at the top of what matters.”

What does all this mean for your family? Simply put, providing opportunities for talent development is important for your child’s education.

Find summer programs that align with his or her strengths and interests. Summer is the perfect time to provide students with key types of experiences. Read all about them in the link below ⬇️

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/blog/summer-options-whats-best-for-your-child/

In the Ask the Experts section of our website, a concerned parent asked this question: “My son will turn 16 soon, and I want to make sure he’s properly prepared to be a responsible young adult and has the skills to live independently. What should I be thinking about to help him learn what he needs to know to succeed when he leaves home?”

Teaching life skills is crucial to helping teens with ADHD and learning differences become responsible and self-sufficient individuals. In the article linked below, there are some questions and suggestions to help you get started.

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/community/ask-the-experts/teaching-teens-life-skills/

College is just one of many paths to a successful career. Rick Fiery, co-founder of Inventive Labs, emphasizes that a traditional college track may not be the natural next step for your high schooler with ADHD. Instead he suggests moving away from the mindset that success equals college to help your teen unlock a world of exciting opportunities. As the parent of a teen or young adult with learning differences, your goal is to help your child find the “perfect” career. Once they focus on what that is, the two of you can figure out the path they should take to get there.

Your role is to provide structure, get them started, work in the background, have thoughtful conversations, be supportive and honest, and motivate them to be their best at something.

In one of our latest articles (linked below) is Fiery’s 7-point program to help your child identify their path forward.

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/getting-help/raising-independent-kids/when-college-is-not-the-next-step/

Learn how audiobooks can be a transformative tool, how to help teens become more independent, and more in this month's newsletter.

https://conta.cc/3wF9gTJ

Bright kids with learning disabilities generally have special talents in one of four areas: Performing arts, visual arts, science, and engineering and architecture. Sadly, these types of subjects are not valued in school the way reading and writing are.

Paying attention to what these children do well is crucial for their success. That’s where you can make a difference.

As a participant in the IEP process, make sure that certain conditions become a part of your discussion with your child’s team and, where applicable are incorporated into her educational plan. Read all about them in the link below👇

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/getting-help/the-abcs-of-ieps/make-room-for-talents-interests/

When determining summer plans, know that providing opportunities for talent development is important for your child’s education.

Find summer programs that align with his or her strengths and interests. Summer is the perfect time to provide students with the types of experiences discussed in our newest blog post linked below.

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/blog/summer-options-whats-best-for-your-child/

Thanks to Jake Sussman for his super-engaging program co-sponsored by the Westport Library that parents found to be a valuable resource for igniting their child’s desire to learn and transform their challenges into real superpowers!

Jake Sussman is a Westport native and founder of Superpower Mentors, a mentorship platform that has facilitated over 7,000 sessions, connecting youth to neurodiverse mentors worldwide.

Click the link below to watch the recording.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctvUZSvpUAA

Having a child with learning differences or ADHD requires extraordinary parenting abilities, and having one child with learning challenges and one without adds another layer of complexity.

Hearing what these siblings think about this situation provides insights that parents can tap into as they address their unique family dynamic. Article linked below ⬇️

https://www.smartkidswithld.org/getting-help/emotions-behaviors/how-siblings-feel-about-each-other/

Thanks to Jake Sussman for his super-engaging program that parents found to be a valuable resource for igniting their child's desire to learn and transform their challenges into real superpowers! Recording available thanks to The Westport Library: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctvUZSvpUAA