Gerst's Student Solutions, LLC

04/28/2026

I LOVE Additude Magazine. Here is a great article for parents of a child with ADHD. It is important to read it all the way to the end;-)

My daughter was starting to hate herself because all day long she was told — by me, her teachers, her friends — that she was constantly messing up. Doing it wrong. Misbehaving. Here are the five ways we used humor and praise to save my daughter. And me.

04/25/2026

In my last post, we talked about why "shutting down" isn't defiance—it’s cognitive overload. But a common question I get is: "If I’m not taking corrective action in the moment, when does the learning happen?"

The answer is: After the regulation.

Think of it this way: When a student is in a state of "flip-the-lid" or shutdown, their brain is in survival mode. The prefrontal cortex (the part responsible for logic and learning) is essentially offline.

Once the student has taken that motor break, finished their drawing, or spent time in a quiet space, and you see their heart rate slow and their eyes clear—that is your window.

Try this 3-step transition:
1. The Validation: "I’m glad you took that space. I could tell things felt really heavy for a minute."
2. The Observation: "It looked like that math sheet had a lot of steps on it. Is that what felt overwhelming?" (This helps them identify the "lagging skill").
3. The Collaborative Solution: "Next time it feels like that, what if we just do the first two problems and then check in? Does that feel more doable?"
When we wait for regulation, we aren't "letting them get away with it." We are waiting for the brain to be capable of actually learning a better way to handle the stressor next time.

04/22/2026

Hello! We are looking for someone to work with our Angel sister, Christine. She does need support with eating and toileting. She walks with support, she loves walks, going for rides in the car, and playing with her musical toys. The shift we are looking for is 6 am to 2 pm. If you enjoy it there is likely going to be more shifts available. DM me if you are interested or you know someone who might be interested.

04/21/2026

Behavior is communication. When a student with ADHD or Autism "shuts down" in the classroom, they aren't being defiant. They are often experiencing a "cognitive overload" that their executive functioning skills can’t yet process. When this is going on, the best thing we can do is show them empathy. "It must be hard to feel this way? What can I do to help? Are the types of questions we want to ask. All too often, we think we have to address everything while it is happening and the majority of the time it makes things worse. The key is NOT taking corrective action it is to help them regulate. The best thing to do once they are regulated is to take a break. It could be a motor break in the hallway or if they like to draw give them a space to draw. If you have questions or other strategies you use, don't hesitate to put them in the comments.

04/08/2026

When "10 Minutes of Homework" turns into a 2-hour battle... 🧩🧠
The research on K-8 homework is clear: moderation is key. But for students with ADHD or Autism, even "moderate" homework can feel like a mountain.

Why? Executive Functioning Skills

For neurodivergent learners, the skills required for homework—shifting focus, organizing materials, and initiating tasks—are the very skills their brains are still working to develop. If homework becomes too overwhelming, it often leads to meltdowns & major challenges for parents.

When we assign "standard" homework, we often inadvertently ask these students to do a "second shift" of the work they find most exhausting.

How do we shift from "Battle" to "Bridge"?

🔹 Quality Over Completion: For a student with ADHD, doing 5 math problems with total focus is a bigger "achievement" than doing 30 problems while in a state of distress.
🔹 Accommodations are Key: If the goal is to test knowledge, does it have to be written? Allow voice-to-text, or let them record a video explanation.
🔹 The "Hard Stop" Rule: Encourage parents to set a timer. When the timer goes off, the work stops—regardless of whether it is complete. This protects the parent-child relationship and prevents burnout.
🔹 Focus on Fluency: Use homework for low-stakes practice (like reading or basic facts) rather than introducing new, complex concepts that require heavy "cognitive lifting."

The Goal: We want students to view themselves as capable learners. If homework is teaching them that they are "failing" every night at the kitchen table, it’s not an academic tool—it’s a barrier and likely to hamper their love of learning. Also, there needs to be empathy for the parents who have neurodivergent children. If the steps above are followed, there will be less frustration at home, which will help maintain a positive home-school connection.

I'm lucky to work in a K-5 school that follows the 10 minute rule. 10 minutes in first grade, 20 minutes in second grade, 30 minutes in third, and so on. It's always important for parents to contact their child's teacher if homework becomes a battle.

👇 Let’s share strategies and any other comments.

04/05/2026

Happy Easter! 🐣 Hoping everyone has a wonderful day filled with joy and maybe a little bit of chocolate. Taking a quick break from the 'Gerst’s Student Solutions' launch to enjoy time with your family! I’m certainly blessed to spend time with mine! Gary Gerst Lynda Aylward Gerst

04/02/2026

04/02/2026

Artemis 2 from New Smyrna Beach!

04/02/2026

On vacation, and saw Artemis 2 take off!