#LDchat Archive
Understood holds this weekly Twitter chat that aims to keep the momentum going and raise awareness of learning and attention issues. Follow along with hashtag #LDCHAT and follow users @understoodchats & @understoodorg. Experts will be available to answer your questions and concerns and share resources from Understood.org.
Wednesday September 7, 2016
Welcome to today’s LD Chat! This is Dan with the Understood team.
Today, we’re chatting about the strengths of kids w/ . We’re excited to have Dr. Susan Baum () as our co-host!
Hi all, Glad to be here. I am on the advisory board of .
Hi all. Kerri from Winnipeg, adult with ADHD/LD here.
I am also the Director of the Center for Research and Professional Development at Bridges Academy—a school for students.
Hello! I'm Amanda, from drizzly Maine. Mom, parent advocate, writer/author & expert at .
Hey Kerri! What's the weather like in Winnipeg today?
means –smart, creative with learning differences
Have yet to go outside, but it looks like Fall is starting to set in! :)
Hi Amanda! Thanks for joining. :)
I have two 2E kids. I feel like there's a math equation there somewhere. :)
Hi! We are here from New York, looking forward to hearing insightful perspectives today
Hi Lisa! So glad to have you.
Hi! Thanks for joining today!
How everyone is off to a good start of the school year, week 3 for us.
I am on my 1st Twitter Chat from Storrs, CT
Hello! Lisa here.
Parent , dyslexia advocate, Decoding Dyslexia
Thanks for joining! Can't wait to hear your own insights.
How's the transition back to school been for you, Tiffany?
Wow! You start much earlier than us. My kids are on day 3 (1st grade) and day 5 (9th grade). And college, but that's day ?
Things are off to a great start :-)
Darn auto correct. Hope not how.
Hi Lisa! So glad to have you.
As always, we’ll use a Q1, Q2… format for questions. Please use the A1, A2… format for answers.
Katrina in Ontario. I have a son with severe dyslexia.
First question coming up...
Hi Lisa! Good to "see" you!
Q1. What are some great ways to recognize the strengths of a child with learning and attention issues?
A1. Often kids enjoy things that they are good at—what do they have special interest in?
A1: Re-frame your view from “what my child can’t do” to “here’s what my child is/can/will do!”
A1: Also, ask them! What do they think their strengths are?
we do start early but some in OK started Aug 2. But we do get out end of May.
A1 She gets small rewards, ie bringing homework to and from school successfully for 10 weeks earns a book
A1 Find moments C is at his or her personal best. When R do they concentrate, smile, $& produce, discuss things “impressively”
Oh, that's the difference there. We're out in mid-June.
Great point! I think sometimes we can forget that the kids are partners in their own success.
A1: Look for resourcefulness in solving problems, creative problem solving
A1. Allow them time to explore their interest... As they are often spending leisure time with intervention.
A1 Look @ behavior w/ a positive lens—makes up excuses= think great divergent thinker
Always doodling in class= think future artist
A1 what is the child enjoying I or out of school. Support that love.
A1, find out what they are good at & focus on it! Also encorpate some weaknesses into their strength based activity.
A1 have them explore different topics they normally would not be drawn 2
A1 What are the interests that won’t quit? When did you have your best vacation and why.
A,1 make a space for that beloved activity.
Good answer for a guy who couldn't make it. ;) Glad to see you, Aaron.
A1 Be an opportunity maker—explore areas like campin, theater, science museums etc. Observe their excitement & questions they ask
A1 At Bridges Academy (school for 2e) we developed a suite of tools to identify interests, curiosities, & personality strengths.
I like the phrase "observe their excitement."
Lol, it might be my only answer. Don't have internet yet, and not enough data on my phone!
Q2. What abilities might kids and adults with learning and attention issues have in other areas?
For more information @ tools @ Bridges contact kim.vargas@bridges.edu
This is a great resource to asses what your child's strengths and weaknesses is, and build self-awareness https://t.co/SWPDH9ZVT2
A2 Multiple Intelligences Theory provides a fine framework for looking at children’s abilities instead of disabilities.
A2 Ask yourselves: Do you have a budding scientist? Or is your child the family time keeper or family artist?
Lol I like to make surprise appearances sometimes!
If you only answer once, it better be a good one. And it was! Ha!
A2 they might have trouble with math or reading, but excel in music and art!
I wrote about film re: Bridges How the Doc 2E: Twice Exceptional Made Me a More Hopeful Parent https://t.co/PINQ1d9kDj
Kids w/ often have visual spatial strengths i.e. building w/ Legos
A2 they also may love sports, or other extra curriculars
A2: That’s hard to answer b/c kids w/learning & attention issues don’t always have trouble in all learning areas. (1/2)
The Film on Bridges was about the students and our work there. I was even in the film.
A2: Kids may have trouble with reading, but be a whiz at math or vice versa. (2/2)
That is true, differences will not show in all areas
A1. Noticing what comes with ease and with confidence. It could be something they do quickly or without needing too much guidance
A2. Art. Spatial awareness. Kinesthetic individual sports (gymnastics, martial arts, scootering,).
A2. Creativity is always a big one for people with LD/ADHD. Creativity might not always look typical though! ;)
it was a great film. My 14-yr-old said, "There are more kids like me out there!"
Ss have peaks and valleys
The view from the peaks is much clearer to see a child's potential
That's a really great point that creativity isn't always typical. Creativity can be expressed in so many ways.
A2 Creativity, there is a great documentary about and how creative some people with it can be!
yes that's my daughter! She has a delay with visual spatial, so struggles in math
A2 creativity and lateral thinking are relatively common areas of strength.
can often be a survival skills for these kids, they find original ways to avoid the tasks
LOVE the story about why he named furniture as he did.
Hello Sharon checking in for a few
It is not about teaching creatively, it is about fostering and creativity for the Ss
A2 Look at Einstein or Tesla, ppl with can be amazing @ 1 thing. If we let them focus on that ability, anything is possible.
A2: Creativity may be discovered in nonacademic pursuits. Art, dance, theatre, storytelling
Kids with dyslexia can grow up to be architects, engineers and anything
Despite not being focused on what we want, could be very focused on what they like
Q3. What strengths can come from challenges for kids with learning and attention issues?
That one thing can also be a really good "in" to learn about things that are tougher for kids.
can you tell me this story? Don't think I know it.
A3: Some kids become more resilient because of their challenges.
A3. Understand role of effort. Understand how they learn best
A3: And, oddly, sometimes kids who do things like social skills groups have better skills than kids who don’t!
I love that strategy, we must bring it out in our kids
All learners have strengths and weaknesses, for LD students need to help them see those strengths as instruct for weaknesses
A3 There are lots of problem solving abilities that result from challenges
He named the furniture b/c he couldn't remember stock numbers. It was a workaround!
A2 Don't forget hyper focus for our kids with ADHD. That can be a real asset during preferred activities.
exactly. I have a Math but love music. I can now encorpate math into music and learn it easier.
Do you recognize the strengths in your LD students? https://t.co/NPWac5n7GZ
A1 Look @ behavior w/ a positive lens—makes up excuses= think great divergent thinker
Always doodling in class= think future artist
A3 These kids need to read about how people overcome challenges & this may ignite creativity
A3 they can learn to overcome obstacles, and have great sense of self-confidence because they did
that's what I love about a strength based approach. .
A3: perseverance and patience can be strong holds for LD learners if they have the right learning environment
How do you break that hyper focus when you need to? Or should you?
A3. Most of us compensate for our weaknesses (sometimes so much so that they’re difficult to perceive). Adaptability!
A3 The best place to learn is in the pursuit of talents & interests
A3 they learn how to fail gracefully and hopefully gain an understanding of a strong work ethic
A3 my son just did a presentation in high school about all the things he had learned from failure.
A3 they keep trying to be better and work to get there!
A3 compensatory strategies to deal with areas of relative weakness. Context cues, for one.
A3 We need to remember that these are children & they do not need too much failure, find a balance
Failing gracefully is a tough skill, but a huge asset. I don't do it well some days, that's for sure. :)
there are so many strengths! Amazing thinkers, builders, bring laughter & spirit to a classroom or home
A3 many will gain a sense of drive through challenge to succeed. That drive can foster pursuit that many wouldn't follow to finish
Thanks for sharing that article! Look forward to reading it. Also, happy to see you at !
so important! Strengths are too often left out of the conversation.
A3. Resilience and an a strong sense of self that can help them throughout their academic and personal life.
A3 Yes, challenge may be a motivator for some but rigorous pursuit in an area of interest is more motivating
A3: Need to overcome challenges can result in a storehouse of creative solutions that benefit others
Great conversation going! Last question coming up...
Q4. What can parents and teachers do to nurture the strengths of their kids with learning and attention issues?
I'm a big fan of agreed upon time limits and timers. Then the adult reinforces limits rather than imposing them.
my brother has worked extremely hard to build his own business & he's such a motivator for anyone he meets
A3 Think of the Olympians, more is to be gained by pursuing in your area of interest
Could dyslexia be an advantage? Those that think/learn differently will become the innovators of tomorrow https://t.co/eVtGEGx3EX
A4 (1/2) Encourage self-advocacy The Importance of Self-Advocacy for Kids With Learning and Attention Issues https://t.co/46JcMh4NRY
A3 the biggest for me is resiliency. The ability to never stop or give up, no matter how difficult the challenge is.
A4: (2/2) Self-Advocacy Sentence Starters for Kids With Different Learning and Attention Issues https://t.co/4ZU3gMBpTy
A4: Build a support system around the child by working together as a team.
A4 It's hard but necessary to be empathetic! 9 Ways to Show Empathy for Kids W/Learning and Attention Issues https://t.co/DoK1RvdBGF
A3 Think about the failure experienced by Olympians as they train for their event
A4. Help them to own their strengths AND weaknesses. Teach self-awareness and self-advocacy.
every person is born w talents & activities they can excel at. Find those w your child & keep building on that!
a3. The persistence to try again and again.
but sometimes you just gotta let the kid read or play music or draw for a long period of time. It's good for the soul.
A4 Provide intentional effort to observe, collect, & assess strengths. Interests, & talents.
we need another chart on sell advocacy. ,
A4 communicate and recognize their strengths, so they can help their child to have a great year!
Q4: Allow them to access the curriculum in whatever way they need to
A4 We then use info to create lessons that align to their strengths & provide opportunities to develop talents.
Q4 stop focusing so much on the weakness. Support their strengths. Spend your $ on things that support strengths not just weakness.
A3 emotional intelligence also. The ability to bounce back from hard ship and be in tune with ones emotional state.
A4 Take time 2 understand both the child's strengths+ weaknesses. Their profile is a clue 2 who they R + can become
A4 Access to the curriculum is good for all kids & the kid will not feel different
A3. Learning that struggles are okay and gaining the strength to stand up to any new obstacle will lead to successes
A4: Every kid deserves to be told that they're good at something. Step one: praise strengths. In front of other kids, when possible.
A4 is about flexibility & hope
or the vast majority of entrepreneurs or even scientists
A4 know the signs that they need a break. Don't push too much. Give opportunity for wins.
I beleive dyslexia can be an advantage. People w/ dyslexia can easily identify patterns and are excellent at problem solving
Yes! Emotional intelligence is so important. https://t.co/Cvm78c7ozW
A3 emotional intelligence also. The ability to bounce back from hard ship and be in tune with ones emotional state.
A4 These Ss need everyday opportunities to work in strength area
A4: encourage students to try new and different things they might like. Exploring coding, sports, music, etc
often a difficult skill 2 obtain if child was not supported when young. affects them
We'll be wrapping up in a couple of minutes. Any final thoughts?
Also help LD learners learn tools that will help them accommodate for learning challenges
A 4. Research groups and classes to expand their natural talent. We've done fencing, looked into blacksmithing.
a child's strengths & talents r crucial to building a successful happy life
FT It is important to talk to Ss @ what they can do and engage them in dinner conversations @ interests & the world
A4 listen to the child. If we stop observe and listen we can learn a lot on how to encourage out LD Kid.
A4: step 2- show you value those strengths by creating opportunities to develop them. Give attn to both strengths and weaknesses.
