Learn with Dr. Emily®

As spring break approaches and summer plans are being made, I begin hearing travel anxiety from many parents raising neurodivergent kids. Some can’t fathom going to a restaurant without causing a scene so an extended vacation seems out of reach. Many are surprised when I say, “Your child can totally do this! Maybe not yet, but just like any other skill you have taught your child, traveling takes practice.” In this episode, learn how you can teach your child to travel.

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Learn with Dr. Emily is edited by Earfluence.

Helpful Resources
Parent Workshops - https://learnwithdremily.substack.com/s/parent-workshops
Professional Development - Bring Dr. Emily to Your School - https://www.learnwithdremily.com/schools

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com/subscribe

If you’ve been following me for a while now, you know that I have been on both sides of the diagnostic feedback session. I’ve been the psychologist reviewing evaluation results with parents and I’ve been the parent on the receiving end of evaluation data that confirms what I already knew was unfolding before my eyes. As a parent, I remember feeling overwhelmed and scared. As a psychologist, I’ve seen many parents process the news that their child needs something different to succeed; it can be such an emotional experience for some while others jump right in and embrace the journey.

Today, I’ll be sharing common worries I hear from parents raising neurodivergent kids and teens. I want you all to know that you are not alone.

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Sign up for Dr. Emily's weekly newsletter at www.learnwithdremily.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com.

Learn with Dr. Emily is edited by Earfluence.

Helpful Resources
Parent Workshops - https://learnwithdremily.substack.com/s/parent-workshops
Professional Development - Bring Dr. Emily to Your School - https://www.learnwithdremily.com/schools

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com/subscribe

All parents and educators want what is best for the child. But when it comes to supporting a child with a complex constellation of strengths and needs within a group of children who also have their own constellation of strengths and needs, it gets complicated. 

Here's how to break through.

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Sign up for Dr. Emily's weekly newsletter at www.learnwithdremily.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com.

Learn with Dr. Emily is edited by Earfluence.

Helpful Resources
Parent Workshops - https://learnwithdremily.substack.com/s/parent-workshops
Professional Development - Bring Dr. Emily to Your School - https://www.learnwithdremily.com/schools

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com/subscribe

If you are raising a child diagnosed with autism, ADHD, or anxiety, the uncertainty of their future can feel very anxiety-provoking. Will they learn to drive? Will they be able to live on their own? Will they be happy? 

One gift of parenting a child developing on their own path and timetable is that you learn quickly to let go of any plans beyond about a school year’s span of time. You learn to remain present in solving the problems and celebrating the wins of today. You appreciate even a small milestone because you have watched your child struggle to do things and you notice the relief and pride on their face when they are finally able to do it. The flip side of this experience, of course, is not knowing if and when your child will become independent with various skills.

Honestly, no parent knows for sure what the future holds for their child, but when your child struggles developmentally, making predictions for tomorrow based on your child’s skills today is very hard to do. What we can do is financially plan for the future and focus on nurturing skills today. In today’s episode, I’m sharing tips on how to motivate neurodivergent kids who might have a short attention span, narrow (but deep) interests, and are not motivated by what other people think of them.

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Sign up for Dr. Emily's weekly newsletter at www.learnwithdremily.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com.

Learn with Dr. Emily is edited by Earfluence.

Helpful Resources
Parent Workshops - https://learnwithdremily.substack.com/s/parent-workshops
Professional Development - Bring Dr. Emily to Your School - https://www.learnwithdremily.com/schools

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com/subscribe

One of the most common questions I receive from parents is this: How do I know if my child’s behavior is due to their disability or if they are doing it on purpose? 

Because our neurodivergent children present with skill weaknesses that occur internally, like those related to emotional dysregulation and executive functioning, when they are asked to do something they don’t have the capacity for at the moment, the first sign of distress is often avoidance or an emotional meltdown. But consider this: We would never discipline a child with a broken leg for not running a race. So, once we understand that our child’s behavior is not a choice, but rather a stress response related to the overwhelm of the situation, we support them rather than discipline them. But, there are still times when children need limits to learn how to stay safe and become independent. So, how can we tell the difference? 

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com.

Learn with Dr. Emily is edited by Earfluence.

Helpful Resources
Parent Workshops - https://learnwithdremily.substack.com/s/parent-workshops
Professional Development - Bring Dr. Emily to Your School - https://www.learnwithdremily.com/schools

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com/subscribe

One of the hardest decisions parents make for their child is when to begin Kindergarten. A generation ago, parents didn’t think about this much. If your child was five years old before the cut-off date for your public school district, then it was time for Kindergarten. However, as Kindergarten has become less play and more academic in the last 20 years, and as we learn more about the importance of a child’s ability to self-regulate before any learning can happen, parents are thinking twice about this decision.
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Sign up for Dr. Emily's weekly newsletter at www.learnwithdremily.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com.

Learn with Dr. Emily is edited by Earfluence.

Helpful Resources
Parent Workshops - https://learnwithdremily.substack.com/s/parent-workshops
Professional Development - Bring Dr. Emily to Your School - https://www.learnwithdremily.com/schools

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com/subscribe

Children lack the life experience to fully embrace the delayed gratification needed to believe that mistakes are helpful. Every child goes through a developmental period where they must learn the arc of change that comes with being faced with something that is too hard, needing the motivation to keep coming back to try again, and then the satisfaction of mastering a skill. Most children are able to face these attempts to try again, which not only lets them practice their skills but also helps their brain experience disappointment when making mistakes and the reward of working hard to yield a better outcome. 

But what if your hard work does not yield a better outcome? 

Let’s view this through the lens of a neurodivergent child with skill weaknesses due to a diagnosis of autism, ADHD, anxiety, and/or a learning disability. 

Sign up for Dr. Emily's weekly newsletter at www.learnwithdremily.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com.

Learn with Dr. Emily is edited by Earfluence.

Helpful Resources
Parent Workshops - https://learnwithdremily.substack.com/s/parent-workshops
Professional Development - Bring Dr. Emily to Your School - https://www.learnwithdremily.com/schools

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com/subscribe

One of the most frequent questions I get from parents is this: How do I tell my child about their diagnosis? This task feels daunting because no one wants to tell someone that something is “different” about them, especially when that someone is our precious child. You don’t want to hurt them and you don’t want them to ever think they are “less than.” I believe that we, the adults, are actually the ones with the baggage about “different” meaning something negative. 

While “different” might mean that something is harder for your child, “different” never means “less than.” So I prefer to not even use the word “diagnosis” and instead focus on abilities and needs for support. We all have abilities and we all have needs, so let’s understand them and support one another.

Sign up for Dr. Emily's weekly newsletter at www.learnwithdremily.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com

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Parenting On Your Own Path Course
Online Course for Elementary Teachers
Bring Dr. Emily to Your School
Summer Workshops

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The Neurodiverse Classroom is HERE! 

The Neurodiverse Classroom is a professional development online course created for passionate elementary teachers in need of up-to-date training to better understand the neurodiverse and mental health needs of their students.

I have always wanted to create an easy way for teachers to get all the information they need so they can create classrooms where everyone feels safe, nurtured, and celebrated.  

Parents: If you know a teacher who would want to hear more about this, just tag them or share!

Teachers: Join me as we merge my knowledge of child psychology, neurodivergence, and mental health with your knowledge of elementary education so we can help spark learning for every student.

This week only, you can enroll in the professional development self-study course. Inside The Neurodiverse Classroom, you will have access to pre-recorded video lessons beginning November 4th and delivered to your email inbox each Friday before Thanksgiving. 

Each lesson will help you reframe your thinking about teaching a neurodiverse group of learners, arm you with strategies to support them, and help you strengthen your self-care tool-kit as you learn to take care of yourself along this teaching journey. 

When you enroll in The Neurodiverse Classroom, you will get:

+Life-time access to the online course (including any future revisions)

+Life-time access to the STUDENTS ONLY Facebook group where you can learn from like-minded colleagues

+Certificate of completion of 6 hours of professional development 

To learn more here: https://www.learnwithdremily.com/teachers

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com

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Parenting On Your Own Path Course
Online Course for Elementary Teachers
Bring Dr. Emily to Your School
Summer Workshops

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com/subscribe

Teachers, you are busy. You are asked to do too many things with too little time and energy. I’m here to remind you that you CAN find time for yourself. The most important thing to know is that a little bit of time will go a long way. Join me this week inside my FREE video series for elementary educators to learn how to beat burnout this school year. You’ll only need to set aside about 15 minutes a day. Today’s blog post is a sneak peek. Let’s get started!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com

---
Parenting On Your Own Path Course
Online Course for Elementary Teachers
Bring Dr. Emily to Your School
Summer Workshops

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com/subscribe