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 Dan with the Understood team. We’re joined today by pediatric psychologist and Understood expert @DrLynneKenney to discuss behavioral issues in kids with #LD and #ADHD.
Edie, in sunny 70 degree Washington, DC. Building an international tribe of teachers and parents of teens and young adults with ADHD. Behavior? Yikes! #LDchat
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Welcome to today’s #ldchat! This is Dan with the Understood team. We’re joined today by pediatric psychologist and Understood expert DrLynneKenney to discuss behavioral issues in kids with #LD and #ADHD. https://t.co/VfinNSTaEh via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
A1. Older kids with ADHD need a positive self-esteem to develop positive behaviors. They can't feel good about others if they don't feel good about themselves. #LDchat
RT Q1. What are some “pre-requisite” skills that all kids must develop in order to demonstrate healthy and positive behavior? #ldchathttps://t.co/Nf9U5JuPF1 via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT Q1. What are some “pre-requisite” skills that all kids must develop in order to demonstrate healthy and positive behavior? #ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
These skills are often called "Executive Functioning" and they are super-hard for kids with ADHD because they don't come with this stuff pre-installed. We have to explicitly teach things like organization, time management, reading social cues, goal setting, etc. #udlchat#ldchat
A1: Self-awareness is important. Depending on the age, these skills are advancing. I don't expect my 6yo to have the same skills as my HS students 🙂. #ldchat
A1: Kids have to develop skills such as listening when an adult is talking and following directions to develop positive behaviors in a classroom. #LDchat
Q1. The first is self awareness. Students must understand their strengths and how they can improve. Also the ability to accept responsibility for their actions. Lastly, the ability to have an optimistic outlook. #ldchat
A1. Kids need to "know themselves" as much as possible and be able to understand others. Reading nonverbal communication, as well as being a good listener. #ldchat
A1. The first is self awareness. Students must understand their strengths and how they can improve. Also the ability to accept responsibility for their actions. Lastly, the ability to have an optimistic outlook. #ldchat
RT RT DrLynneKenney: A1: Children need attention, memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibition + self-regulation to help manage their learning and behavior. #ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT Self-regulation allows kids to manage their emotions, behavior and body movement when faced with tough situations. #ldchathttps://t.co/d0aVK2wpZy via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT Trouble with social skills includes difficulty with understanding communication that isn’t spoken. #ldchathttps://t.co/6GgNF6VCEI via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
A2: There is no one test for #EF, but there are various tests that can be used together. Also, not all skill deficits are the same, and there are different strategies for different sub-areas of #EF.
#ldchat
A2. Older kids with ADHD who have skill deficits need non-confrontational interaction. Coaches and peer mentors provide support that speaks to their specific needs and abilities. #LDchat
A2: We can identify these hildren from careful observation in the classroom. We can plan one on one activities in the classroom to help enhance their skills. #LDchat
A2: There seem to be some tell-tell signs: always losing papers between home and school, can't seem to prioritize for importance, overwhelmed by large tasks (like cleaning a very messy room), etc. #ldchat
RT Q2. How can we identify kids with these skill deficits, and how can we help them enhance those skills? #ldchathttps://t.co/NPCAq0PyeE via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT DrLynneKenney: A2: A skill deficit is easy to see when you consider this: PART I What is the current task demand? #ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT DrLynneKenney: A3: PART III Does the child possess this skill? If yes, is he calm enough to think through using this skill in the moment? #ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
I think we need to look beyond the academics, listen to parents, and watch how the child acts. I know that I have very poor executive functioning skills, but my grades were good enough, that even though my mom tried to get my teachers to help me, they never helped me. #LDchat
A2. Identification is seeing where a student is struggling and the skills that he or she is lacking. Modeling, or even explict instruction of the skill we would like to see improved could help. #ldchat
A2b: Think about the things that you automatically do as an adult: make a list of errands you need to run, organize a junk drawer by using dividers, etc. These kinds of things don't come naturally to ADHD kids. Start using them at home all the time! #ldchat
A2. The use of @caselorg that allows our mentors to observe social and emotional competencies of students which we can use to the student's benefit. https://t.co/6tEj6ezQrk#ldchat
Yes, these are the ones that have academic consequences. There are also some #EF signs that show up as behavioral issues, such as frustration tolerance or response inhibition. #LDChat
RT RT DrLynneKenney: A2: I think working on self-reg first is key, without that, attention and memory have difficulty working. Do u agree? #ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT Q3. If a parent notices unpredictable behavior in her child with #LD or #ADHD, what are some immediate steps she can take to help? #ldchathttps://t.co/jGvGsqyEPe via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT Q3. If a parent notices unpredictable behavior in her child with #LD or #ADHD, what are some immediate steps she can take to help? #ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
That is why early intervention is so important. Parent involvement will make a huge difference in the child’s progress, especially when they are able to work on these things in the home, and not only the classroom! #ldchat#edit2000mane
A2b: Think about the things that you automatically do as an adult: make a list of errands you need to run, organize a junk drawer by using dividers, etc. These kinds of things don't come naturally to ADHD kids. Start using them at home all the time! #ldchat
A3. Find what may be triggering this unpredictable behavior. Watch for what is happening directly before and after to see what can be changed to help adjust this behavior. #ldchat
A3. One step is talking with the teacher and the school counselor and seeing what are some possible supports the school can provide. Schools have many resources for students with a variety of needs. #ldchat
A3: Time-give the child space to calm down enough to process what happened. Don't add to the chaos w/ your emotions even though it can feel SO personal. Model breathing and calming techniques when possible. Little bodies can get so overwhelmed. #ldchat
A3: Remove the child from the stimulating situation (if possible). Help them "play the tape through"- What will happen to you if you decide to ______? What will happen to others? To your stuff? To your grades? Helping them weigh consequences aloud will build capacity #ldchat
Actually, @UnderstoodOrg has lots of great resources for adults living with ADHD. I am one of these myself, and it's taken me a LONG time to find strategies that keep me organized, but it is possible! While you're learning for yourself, model this for your kiddo! #ldchat
A4. Parents can provide additional insight that teachers may not have and teachers can provide strategies that can be applied in all aspects of the student's life. #ldchat
A3: I think it’s important to put yourself in the child’s shoes. They cannot process the issue, so it’s important to work with them in a caring way or they will be confused as to what they’re doing wrong. #ldchat#edit2000mane
A4: Become a united team. Tie the school strategy together w/ the home strategy so that reliability reinforces the desired behavior. Communicate regularly, w/out taking things personal. #ldchat
RT RT DrLynneKenney: A3: Talking quietly, moving slowly, keeping yourself calm, what is the child needing right now is the first step. #ldchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
RT RT bengstr1: A3: One step a parent could do is keep a chart or journal of the behavior to share with the child’s doctor. #LDchat via UnderstoodOrg #ld#adhd
A4. Communication is vital. There has to be dialogue between parents and teachers. We're all on the same page. Teachers want students to succeed and parents want their children to excel. #ldchat
