Jacqueline Warner Speech and Language Pathology Inc.

10/02/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/17a2p7SoLE/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🧡 October is ADHD awareness month 🧡
This month is a time to break the stigma that ADHD is only about hyperactive kids, and instead shine a light on the real, raw truths while learning how to truly support and uplift our kids.

Did you know that ADHD brains work differently when it comes to dopamine?

Here’s how it might look like to people who don’t understand ADHD and how we can support these kids (or even some adults) in our lives

🔹 Interrupting or blurting out answers
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬: “Disrespectful” or “not listening.”
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: Their brain is chasing the dopamine hit of excitement, novelty, or immediate reward.
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: Teach self-regulation strategies, offer outlets for ideas (like a notebook), and use positive reinforcement when they wait their turn.
🔹 Constant movement (fidgeting, tapping, pacing)
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬: “Disruptive” or “can’t sit still.”
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: Movement gives the brain little bursts of dopamine, helping them focus and regulate.
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: Allow fidgets, flexible seating, or brain breaks. Movement doesn’t mean they aren’t paying attention, it often means they are.
🔹 Risk-taking or pushing boundaries
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬: “Defiant” or “reckless.”
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: Novelty and risk release dopamine, making them feel more engaged.
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: Provide safe challenges, sports, games, creative projects, or problem solving tasks where they can channel that energy productively.
🔹 Hyperfocus on interests
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬: “Obsessed” or “ignoring everything else.”
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: When something lights up their dopamine pathways, they can lock in with incredible focus.
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: Celebrate their passions, help them use timers/transitions, and connect less-preferred tasks to what excites them.
✨ The takeaway: What may look like “bad behavior” is often a brain seeking balance. When we understand the why, we can create strategies that support, not shame.

02/12/2025

Comment “SENSES” to register for the free Sensory Workshop to help calm and focus your child with special sensory activities.

Did you know kids really have 8 senses? It’s because kids have other sensory systems that need developing to support their learning development as they grow.

We all know the first 5 but are you familiar with the other 3?
👧Proprioception (body awareness)
🧎Interoception (internal sensations)
🏃‍♀Vestibular (movement)

If you are a parent or therapist overwhelmed and frustrated with a child who struggles with any one of these challenges, comment “SENSES” and we will send you the link to register for the free Sensory Workshop coming up! **Spots are limited so don’t wait to register.

01/19/2025

https://www.parents.com/search?q=Neurodiversity+

01/19/2025

What is Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)?

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a profile associated with autism. People with PDA experience an overwhelming need to avoid everyday demands and expectations, even those that seem simple, because they feel intense anxiety or a loss of control. This can lead to extreme avoidance behaviors and sometimes severe challenging behavior when demands feel too much.

For example, a child with PDA might avoid getting dressed, going to school, or even participating in activities they usually enjoy. Their avoidance might look like distraction, refusal, running away, or having a meltdown. These behaviors aren’t about being naughty or defiant—they’re driven by a need to cope with anxiety or fear.

Examples of Extreme Avoidance

Distraction: A young person might change the subject, tell jokes, or ask lots of questions to delay doing something.

Meltdowns: When avoidance strategies don’t work, they may react with screaming, hitting, or destroying objects.

Overcompensation: They may act as though they are in control by taking on a “bossy” or overly independent role to avoid feeling trapped by demands.

Simple Strategies to Support Parents and Carers

Reduce direct demands: Instead of saying, “Put on your shoes,” try saying, “I wonder which shoes you might want to wear today?” or offer two choices. This can feel less overwhelming.

Be flexible: Allow your loved one to feel a sense of control. If they struggle with a routine, adjust it where possible. For example, let them choose the order in which tasks are done.

Use indirect encouragement: Frame tasks as fun, collaborative activities. For example, instead of saying, “It’s time to tidy up,” you might say, “Let’s see if we can tidy up together in 2 minutes like a team.”

Focus on relationships, not demands: Build trust and connection first. A calm, low-pressure approach can help them feel safer.

Offer breaks and safe spaces: Give them time to regulate if they feel overwhelmed. Having a quiet area or sensory tools available can help them reset.

PDA can cause severe challenges, but understanding the underlying anxiety behind the avoidance is key. By using empathy, flexibility, and creative strategies, you can support your loved one while reducing stress for yourself. Remember, seeking professional guidance can also be incredibly helpful in managing PDA behaviors.

01/19/2025

Sitting on the couch, listening to my toddler scream for the millionth time that day, wondering what set him off, and feeling the weight of not knowing how to console him….just like always.

At that time, nothing I did seemed to help him.

And as a person with a great deal of formal education in child development, I knew something was not right, but I didn’t discover the secret until he turned three.

For three years, I couldn’t stop the tantrums from happening.

I wanted to badly to help him in any way I could, but it always seemed to result in meltdowns.

He was exhausted. I was exhausted. I wondered how we were ever going to make it through those difficult times.

Looking back, I see clearly it was all sensory behavior, something I now clearly understand, but then, I would have given anything to have these secrets revealed to me.

--->> https://mommyevolution.com/secret-to-understanding-sensory-behavior/

01/19/2025

Look at the differences between a typical younger child’s hand (left) and a typical older child's hand (right). I have parents asking regularly why their preschool aged child isn’t able to write yet. This is why! Their hands (and brains) are still developing and are not fully formed. So what should they be doing to support this? PLAY!! Playdough, colouring, cutting, gluing, playing outside, digging in dirt, sensory play, dress up play, science experiments, beading, puzzles, throwing balls, etc. All of these things help their hands develop. When they are physically ready to write, they will! No need to rush them, they will show you when they are ready!

01/03/2025

Understanding the difference between language and speech is crucial for your child's development! https://ilslearningcorner.com/2015-06-the-top-key-differences-in-your-childs-speech-and-language-development/

01/03/2025

❤️

See 30 more inspiring quotes here: https://littlepinelearners.com/30-quotes-about-children-and-nature-that-will-inspire-outdoor-play/

01/02/2025

The multiple meanings of play! Let’s continue to encourage play for a brighter, more confident future! 🧸💡

01/02/2025

Education leads to understanding...

01/02/2025

https://www.thespeechpractice.com