John, not his real name, a freshman was having difficulty managing his life on campus. Â He spent most of his time in his room playing video games or watching Netflix, went to bed a 2-3 am missed classes and was turning in late assignments. By midterm, not only had John gained weight, he had no …
Category Archives: ADHD
Socializing with People on the Autism Spectrum
Board game meetups are a great place for high functioning people on the autism spectrum to socialize. I was part of a board game group that had several neurodivergent players. However, one player had a difficult time. Sometimes they said things that offended other players. They cheated when teaching new players which made their opponents …
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Transitioning to College with Learning Disabilities
Post high school education can be challenging for students transitioning from high school with special education services on little or no transition planning.  Concerns about self-care, class preparation, and social interactions are ever-present for all freshman. However, especially for students with who have been fully supported with special education services through high school, the changes …
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The Misdiagnoses of Language and Learning Challenges in Young People
Often children and teens with language and learning challenges are misdiagnosed. For example, a writing disorder diagnosis may fail to address problems with oral language. Some children have problems with written and oral language, but if a speech pathologist isn’t part of the evaluation process or if the speech pathologist is not familiar with evaluating children …
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Unstory: Developing Storytelling Skills in People with Asperger Syndrome
We connect with others through sharing our personal narratives. Poor verbal storytelling skills in people with Asperger Syndrome often go undiagnosed and prevent them from participating effectively in social, academic, and work environments. Structured speech and language assessments don’t pick up on subtle problems that children with AS demonstrate. Traditional Speech language testing uses structured …
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Social engineering to improve social deficits
In a recent article in Attitude magazine, a magazine that offers strategies and support for people and their families with ADHD and LD, a mom created a Facebook birthday event for her son with Asperger syndrome.  No one wanted to come to her son’s 13th birthday  and her son was upset.  She decided to with …
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Language Challenges Uncovered: The Foundation for Academic Achievement Part 2
If language is the foundation for academic achievement then what do language challenges look like in everyday life? There are many areas that can impact language including word finding, auditory processing, comprehension and As a speech therapist one of the most telling signs of word finding problems in children and adults is the frequent use …
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Sensory Processing Disorder: Symptom of Autism
“I only eat Cheerios for breakfast.” says one of my clients on the autism spectrum.  People on the autism spectrum often have reduced palates. Sensory processing disorders can impact speech and language.Some children are sensitive to sensory information like tags on clothing, textures of food, noise level, quality of light, and more. Sensory processing disorder is often a symptoms …
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Whole language vs. phonetic based reading
Why are we trying to decide whether whole language or phonetic based reading instruction is the right kind of reading instruction. Kids should have both. The difference between the two forms of training is that whole language instruction means that reading instruction is done within the  context of whole- language. Phonetic-based instruction, like Orton-Gillingham is reading …
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A plan to written success
Students with language-based disabilities often struggle with the acquisition of written language skills. Writing is difficult because there is no ability to repair a breakdown in communication which we do so often in in oral speech. If a reader does not understand a person’s writing, there is no opportunity to question or revise. Â When writing …
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