The IEP Connection

04/28/2024

Yes! Their brains aren’t fully formed so we have to help them do the work!

04/26/2024

This is such a great explanation. Sometimes in little ones, shut down can look like defiance or opposition. Awareness can help those who are on the receiving end of shutdown reframe our view of the situation.

Shutdown. You may have them or be familiar with the term, but what does it actually mean? Today's doodle is an attempt at an analogy to explain what happens in a shutdown.

A shutdown is an uncontrollable nervous system response to a perceived threat, to it becoming overwhelmed by stimuli, demands and/or emotions, and a need to keep itself safe. As a response the ability to function in a situation is lost.

To some a shutdown may be all consuming anxiety, a sense of intense panic, an impending sense of doom, the overwhelming need to flee the situation. It may present like depersonalisation, derealization, or a form of dissociation.

During a shutdown a person may find they suddenly cannot speak (mutism), cannot process instructions, engage in a conversation or understand anything verbally. They can lose the ability to function in an interaction that they are usually perfectly capable of. This is why it is so vital to understand exactly what 'CAN'T' means in these situations, because the person in the shutdown will likely not even be able to tell you they can't, let alone explain why.

This analogy can go some way to understanding the PDA thought processes, in as much as the person may be unable to respond to that demand in a way a neurotypical individual would. They are NOT being defiant, they are NOT being confrontational, they are NOT saying 'I won't'. The uncontrollable nervous system response to that demand is perceived as a threat to their autonomy, and therefore ability to function. It's not 'I won't. It is simply 'I am not safe and 'I CAN'T!'

Feeling stupid, helpless, frustrated, guilty, embarrassed. These are a few of the things that people experiencing shutdowns can feel. So please, PLEASE, help me to explain to others why those in shutdown don't deserve to feel those things. They deserve understanding, support, compassion and accomodation.

https://diversitydoodleprint.etsy.com

The PDA Space Nformed Consulting

03/29/2024

I feel this 🤣

Okay, this is funny.

{image is a photo of a car with a California license plate that reads, “L8 4 IEP.” Text reads, “Spotted the school psychologist! 😁 Whoever did this is a legend.”}

03/11/2024

Now enrolling new clients!

06/27/2023

🌹💐🌸🌺🌷🌻🌼🥀

05/09/2023

This is a great little guide. As a parent, it can be hard to navigate all the terms! We are here to help if you need it!

Learning & motor difficulties commonly seen in children.
Please note these are some of the signs associated & different child experience different symptoms or one symptom might affect them more than another.

*1. Dyspraxia is a neurological disorder that affects a person’s ability to plan and coordinate movement. It can affect fine motor skills, such as writing or tying shoelaces, as well as gross motor skills, such as balance and coordination.

*2. Dyslexia*
Dyslexia is the number one learning disability that affects people of all ages. It affects a person’s reading and language processing skills. It is probably the most common learning difficulty seen in children.

*3. Dyscalculia*
Dyscalculia is a learning disability that affects math skills. It can make it difficult for a person to understand math concepts, perform arithmetic calculations, and solve math problems.

*4. Dysgraphia*
Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects a person’s ability to write. It can manifest as difficulty with spelling, poor handwriting, or trouble putting thoughts on paper.

05/07/2023

I was reminded of this quote by a post made by a former colleague. She posted about how school awards only typically honor a select group and can frequently leave others feeling marginalized.

As we head into school award season, I want to give a shout out to the kids who kept hanging on despite the invisible obstacles they faced, the kids who showed tremendous growth despite what grade level benchmarks displayed, and the families who fought along side of them every step of the way. Character, merit, and achievement do not always fit into society’s limited views…but that doesn’t make them any less worthy of recognition.

04/20/2023

☀️Today we took the magnatiles outside to learn and play!

❓What’s your favorite toy to facilitate learning through play? 🪁🪀🧸🚂

It's going to be a beautiful day. Go play outside.

04/07/2023

✨Introducing our website: www.neuroecosystem.com

✨Come meet the team: https://neuroecosystem.com/about/



[ID: an imaginative photo is seen of a missing mountain top that has become the top of a hot air balloon instead, amid a forest background. The words “Take a second. Think whatever you want. It's your brain. Make yourself at home in it.” --Lin-Manuel Miranda is written on top of the image.]

04/04/2023

📣 It may seem quiet on this page lately…but things have been BUSY!

In some exciting news…The IEP Connection is growing into a partnership! I am excited to be pairing with an extremely knowledgeable and passionate Behavior Analyst to help meet all the social, emotional, and academic needs of the students we work with.

We provide a range of services including review of documents, parent coaching sessions, and collaboration with IEP teams. Feel free to reach out to us for a free consult if you feel your child would benefit from our services! ✨