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.
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Welcome to today's #LDchat! This is Cece with the Understood team. Today, we're thrilled to welcome psychologist @ellenbraaten to the chat as we discuss slow processing speed and helping your child keep up this semester.
#ldchat
Good morning~
My name is Darcie. I am completely new to Twitter, LDchat and this community. We are just learning about my son's processing speed and helping him better understand it -- he is a freshman in college. Any tips or resources for us?
#LDchat Encourage kids to share their fears. Ask them what is making them worried. Let them know it is normal to have concerns. Make sure they have downtime and aren’t overscheduled.
#LDchat Keep to your normal schedule. Anxiety can increase when we are tired and hungry. Anxious kids don’t always feel like eating so provide them with frequent snacks.
Anxious moments can pop up throughout the day and without warning for students with slow processing speed. Here are some tips to help: https://t.co/XpSr6H6vEP#LDchat
#LDchat Great question as there is a big overlap between anxiety and SPS. A comprehensive evaluation is the best way to answer this question. The evaluation should include measures of PS as well as an assessment of anxiety symptoms.
An anxiety log can help you spot patterns in your child’s behavior. Then you may find it easier to choose calming strategies that work. https://t.co/ETukpsoQaM#LDchat
A1 We started back with a relaxing day of fun with reviewing sneaked. Students thought it was all fun and games but I had an informal assessment. #LDchat
Q4: We are just learning about my son's processing speed and helping him better understand it -- he is a freshman in college. Any tips or resources for us?
#ldchat
#LDChat Some folks brains take the scenic route when processing information-- takes longer to get there, but an interesting journey. Allow space between information chunks can help with this.
Q2. #LDChat If you’ve had your child evaluated, be forthcoming about what you know but be brief: “The testing showed Bob is smart, but it takes him longer to get things done. It’s the way his brain is wired.”
#ldchat first they need to understand that this is not voluntary. Can’t just’giddyap and get on it’. I used the bottleneck analogy. Lots of smarts and know-how’s but can only flow at slow speed through bottleneck.
A friendly tip to newbies about the questions and answers: Respond to Q1 with A1, to Q2 with A2, etc. If you have your own question or comment, it doesn't need to be numbered. Just started getting a little confused there. ;) And don't forget to always include the hashtag #LDchat!
Q2. #LDchat Let them know that it’s not laziness, motivation, or intelligence, but that he is simply slower at getting things done than other children his age and with the right help will go on to do just as well as others.
#LDChat Some folks brains take the scenic route when processing information-- takes longer to get there, but an interesting journey. Allow space between information chunks can help with this.
#LDchat This is the million dollar question. There are no fixes as of yet but as we learn more about the relationship between PS and the brain, potential treatments will exist. For now, teaching the concept of time and making sure a child is well rested and not overscheduled.
#LDchat - @ellenbraaten is the processing speed expert, so she may have thoughts. I write/talk about college for @UnderstoodOrg. Is he registered with the disability services office for accommodations like extended test time?
Q4: We are just learning about my son's processing speed and helping him better understand it -- he is a freshman in college. Any tips or resources for us?
#ldchat
Could you explain how a student could have a processing deficit one area and not another? For example, a student with a processing deficit in math and no other subject? #ldchat
#Ldchat good example! A computer analogy can also be used: a slower processing computer can still find the information on the internet - it just takes longer, but the same information is stored and able to be accessed.
A4: Yes. If he doesn't have a fairly recent comprehensive evaluation, his college will require one. He will need to access accommodations via the disability services department after they receive the report. #LDchat
Maybe the question is not how to help him go faster but how and when to come to a decision. If speed itself is intimidating, maybe don't need to focus on it. #LDchat
In reply to
@kirsten_pardoe, @echamblet, @ellenbraaten
A2: Like any other "hidden disability," it requires education. Many don't believe what they can't see, however this requires an understanding, patience, and strategies as well. #Ldchat
#LDchat This is the million dollar question. There are no fixes as of yet but as we learn more about the relationship between PS and the brain, potential treatments will exist. For now, teaching the concept of time and making sure a child is well rested and not overscheduled.
#Ldchat good example! A computer analogy can also be used: a slower processing computer can still find the information on the internet - it just takes longer, but the same information is stored and able to be accessed.
#LDchat Plan ahead and break the task down in pieces, even if it's smaller assignments such as writing their spelling words. Allow plenty of time. Sometimes kids with SPS get anxious when they see a clock so setting a timer can work against you at times.
Q3 #LDchat Acknowledge his frustration, emphasize his strengths, provide information on what you will do to help. Help him accept his strengths and weakness, accommodate any weaknesses, and advocate for himself.
Thank you! He is registered for extended test time. He has a full course load but seems to have a hard time keeping up with the daily tasks. He can't seem to maintain enough of the content to pass the exams. There are seemingly some memory issues? Thank you for your help! #ldchat
In reply to
@echamblet, @ellenbraaten, @UnderstoodOrg
This is so true. I talk fast and I don't dumb down my vocabulary. It has taken focus on personal growth to give my son the space he needs to process, think about his response, and formulate the words. #ldchat
Q3 #LDchat Listen to them. Recommend collaborating with them to set up strategies or approaches that help with their work output and how they feel about themselves.
Q3 #LDchat Help her understand that being fast isn't necessarily a good thing. Help them value her differences. We'd all like the world to slow down a bit and kids with SPS have much to teach us. Help her embrace this difference as ultimately positive, though difficult at times.
#LDchat - and for those of us who are fast (like me!), it is a good thing for us to slow down, think, and process. Being fast isn't usually better unless you're literally in a race.
Q3 #LDchat Help her understand that being fast isn't necessarily a good thing. Help them value her differences. We'd all like the world to slow down a bit and kids with SPS have much to teach us. Help her embrace this difference as ultimately positive, though difficult at times.
Help them focus on their goals, which should be broader than "get faster," and not on comparing with others. Slow or fast is relative, after all. Also, foster an appreciation of accomplishing each step and making progress, not always on completion. #LDchat A3
