ADHD, PDA, and a Nag to Advocate

DIFFERENT-MINDED KIDS (aka differently wired, aka 2e) is Marlo Payne Thurman’s topic in a recent Psychology Today article — how to save thosse kids by rethinking intelligence. Thurman, a PhD who has assessed thousands of young people and written for 2e: Twice-Exceptional Newsletter, urges readers to rethink traditional concepts of intelligence to better identify “kids [who] are much smarter than their scores reflect and… often have unusual skills that are not included anywhere within our modern-day tests.” She notes that for our education system to be effective, so must our definition of intelligence — and how we find those we deem intelligent. It’s a thought-provoking article, enhanced by her description of the impact of her own brain injury suffered as an adult; find it.

ADDITUDE has answers, they say, to questions you didn’t know you had… or which maybe you have heard from family or friends. Eg, “Isn’t ADHD just an excuse for bad parenting?” A couple experts provide the answers to irritating questions such as that one. Find the article.

ADHD WEBINAR. ADDitude has scheduled a free, live, webinar for January 22, “A Parents’ Guide to Social Skills Strategies for Children with ADHD or Autism (or Both).” More information.

TiLT PARENTING’S most recent podcast is on pathological demand avoidance (PDA), from a PDA emmisary who publishes on the topic through YouTube and books. Find the podcast.

ADVOCACY INSTITUTE. Wrightslaw has announced that registration is now open for this summer’s William and Mary Law Institute of Special Education Advocacy, an annual, one-week event for, Wrightslaw says, “experienced advocates, law students, new attorneys, and attorneys who are new to special education law.” Find out more. (And consider this item to be our first “nag” to advocate; read on for another.)

ADHD, one more time in this posting, from Science Daily: “Researchers have identified how certain areas of the human brain respond to methylphenidate — a stimulant drug which is used to treat symptoms of ADHD. The work may help researchers understand the precise mechanism of the drug and ultimately develop more targeted medicines for the condition.” Find the study write-up.

AND FINALLY, THIS. An article in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal offers a primer on twice-exceptionality. The author, a psychologist, professor, and columnist, gives a nice piece of the sort parents can print out and show to educators — “See? It’s real. Now do something, please.” We see a larger opportunity. Many people reading this — yes, you, for example — are capable of using personal experience to write a similar 2e primer, one that a local or regional media outlet might like to publish. (And personal experience backed up by references to authoritative sources can be a great way to engage and inform readers.) If you’re at all inclined to engage in media advocacy for the 2e community, please give the piece a look and think about how you could do a similar piece by:
–Drawing on what you already know about twice-exceptionality as shaped by your situation — eg, dealing with ADHD or dyslexia, etc; public school or homeschooling; professional assistance or not…
–Doing a little more research for additional information (gotta have those credible references — “Many psychologists believe that…”; or “Leading educators say that…”)
— Incorporating those personal, impactful experiences you’ve had (supportive, frustrating, or otherwise) with your child, with other parents, and with school.
We’re betting you’d have a good story to share. If you get it published, let us know so we can point to it from blog and briefing. (Okay, we’re through nagging now.)

Booklets to Inform You… or Others

The 2e Resource “Spotlight on 2e” series of booklets contains 13 concise, affordable bundles of information on topics relating to parenting and educating twice-exceptional children. Three of the booklets deal with particular “brands” of 2e — one each on Asperger’s, ADHD, and dyslexia.

See whether the booklets can help you.