While back-to-school can be a welcome change with the return to a schedule–for children with learning and behaviour challenges, it can also present challenges that parents and kids dread. Struggles waking up, getting organized, dressed and on the bus on time–nevermind the homework battles or receiving notes from the school can leave kids and parents...
Developing visual memory is key to improving reading and learning ability since 80% of learning occurs through the visual system. Visual memory is a crucial component to your child’s ability to read and effectively learn. It has actually been found to exceed auditory memory; in fact three quarters of learning both in and outside of...
In my last article, I wrote about how poor working memory affects learning disabilities. Poor working memory can have a significant impact on the ability to decode and comprehend written text. Up to 70% of students with learning disabilities in reading score ‘very low’ on working memory. Working memory can be compared to a video...
Now that you know from my last article how how poor working memory can affect reading comprehension, the ability to decode words and even read fluently, it’s time to address what can be done to change that. The first step is to make it clear to your child that difficulty decoding or reading has little...
When I explained working memory to a ten-year-old last week, he said, “I get it. It’s called working memory because it’s the memory you need to do your work.” He said he now understood why he wasn’t very good at ‘working’ in class. When working memory is weak your child can appear careless, unfocused, lazy...
You have heard thousands of times how movement is good for circulation and heart health, but many parents are surprised to hear about the significant impact that movement–specific movements–can have on improving their child’s ability to stay calm, focused and to effectively learn. Problems with Fine & Gross Motor Skills Poor coordination, balance, fine motor...
If your child struggles with learning and behaviour then they likely have weak connections in a higher brain level called executive function—the brain’s CEO. Children, like adults, require executive function to accomplish a multitude of daily tasks like getting ready for school, focusing in class and homework completion. This mental skill set is responsible for...
The high incidence of picky-eating among children with learning and behaviour disorders is no coincidence and has been reported by researchers since the 1940’s. I see it my office everyday–and it is practically a hallmark of autism spectrum. Picky eating can not only be the result of imbalances taking place in the body but can...
It seems every parent I talk with is having struggles with mealtimes and picky eating. It’s not uncommon to hear that a child won’t eat anything except four or five select foods. I’ve come to realise that parents today have a cultural phobia of previous generations’ “clean your plate” approach to eating. Unfortunately, the permissive...
Nutritional deficiencies are often overlooked when addressing childhood disorders like dyslexia, ADHD and other brain disorders. The idea that certain key vitamins, minerals or fats could wreak such havoc on your child may seem preposterous. Yet extensive research over the last several decades has revealed irrefutable research that certain nutrients are crucial for brain function....
The Short Cut to Improving Learning and Behaviour If your child is struggling with learning or behaviour, it does not mean they have a ‘bad brain’. Contrary to popular belief, ‘star students’ are not born—their brains have strong connections in areas of the brain that enable successful learning. School struggles can simply indicate your child’s...
‘Super Mom, Super Wife, Super Tired‘ OR SUPER Bunch of B.S. In my last post I talked about how your child’s health is reflective of your health as a mother and why it is so important for moms to practice self-care for their sake and their family’s. Around mother’s day I started receiving sponsored ads...