Parenting, Bullying, Mental Health, More

LEONARDO: DYSLEXIC? ADHD? Earlier this month researchers at Thomas Jefferson University examined the question of whether Leonardo da Vinci might be dyslexic, concluding “maybe” and also noting that he might have had vision issues that led him to view the world in an unusual way; find that write-up. More recently, a writer at CNN reports on research from two learning institutions in Europe. The researchers “consulted historical evidence, including accounts from Leonardo’s contemporaries, and concluded that his issues with time management, concentration and procrastination could be attributed to ADHD.” Find the write-up, then wonder what next month’s diagnosis will be.

PARENTING. How do you as a parent decide which of the decisions you’re faced with day to day and month to month make a real difference? A professor of economics uses data to try to sort which choices might make a difference… and which probably don’t. She debunks some potential choices as not evidence-based. She says that parents should feel comfortable making the choices that work for them, but that day-to-day choices matter less than we might think. She also suggests that we as a nation focus on overall policies that can serve all children. Find the article.

BULLYING. A mental health advocate (and wife of a former NBA player) describes what she and her husband did about the bullying her son experienced at school, a situation exacerbated by the boy’s ADHD. She lays out five tips for parents, among them to advocate and “show up” for your child. Find the article.

MENTAL HEALTH IN COLLEGE is something to worry about, especially with a young person already prone to anxiety and/or depression because of “2e-ness.” USA Today covers the growing mental health crisis on campus. Find it.

ED POLICY AND LAW, from last week’s Washington Post. “The Education Department told states this week that it was reversing course and enforcing an Obama-era regulation designed to ensure children of color are not disproportionately punished or sent to special-education classrooms.” Read more.

NCLD. The National Center for Learning Disabilities urges us to support passage of the RISE Act, which will make college more accessible for students with disabilities. Find out more.

TiLT PARENTING has put out two new podcasts:
— Episode 158 on “the self-driven child,” with the authors of a book by that title. Find it.
— Episode 159 with Jacqui Byrne, the founder of FlexSchool, “a unique learning network for gifted and twice exceptional (2e) middle and high school students.” Find it.