Wednesday
Nov302011

Mad Math Minutes

If you have children in the early elementary grades, you are likely familiar with the timed math tests.  You know, the single-digit addition, subtraction, and then multiplication facts that are thrust on the kids with great regularity.  What is that all about?  What’s the big deal?

Automaticity.  It’s not about math, per se.  It’s about “just knowing” very basic information, such as “3” is the

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Thursday
Aug112011

AD/HD and younger students

I'm really mad. USA Today published a story that the youngest kids in a grade are frequently misdiagnosed with AD/HD and it is all over the news.  What's making me angry is hearing respected MDs speak of holding young for grade children back as a means of lowering the number of misdiagnosed children.  REALLY? As a psychologist specializing in learning challenges, I have some questions:

  • Are educators and pediatricians making sure that children are put in age appropriate situations at school? 
  • If evaluations are necessary, are they conducted by licensed professionalswho base diagnoses on symptom profiles with age appropriate behaviors in mind?  

Teachers do not have the knowledge, expertise, or right to diagnose children with behavior disorders. They are invaluable contributors to the evaluation process. Children spend up to 6-hours of waking time per day at school.

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Tuesday
Aug022011

Lessons from Camp

I am a HUGE proponent of camp.  It provides kids with opportunities to spend hours doing things they love as well as the opportunity to learn how to get along with different kids in different settings.  Here are some things I’ve learned:

  • Camp is an opportunity to succeed, irrespective of academic success.  Some kids struggle throughout the academic year.  Camp is a well needed breather, change of pace, and change of focus.
  • Good camps build self-esteem by providing opportunities to learn new skills.  Self-esteem is not a gift and not the result of praise, but actually is the result of accomplishment – any true accomplishment.  Camp is a great time opportunity to learn new things and enhance skills.
  • Camp builds social skills.  Even if your child attends a ca

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