Monthly Archives: January 2020

Have you ever set aside time to prepare for a task you know you had a deadline to complete? Such as cleaning your house, doing your taxes, or any other task, but you struggle to get started? If you’re able to start the task, does it ever feel impossible to stay focused long enough to follow the task through to completion?

Sometimes while working on the chore your brain may lead you to many other tasks the need completing as well, which can be extremely overwhelming! Think back to a time where you were able to complete a task successfully. Did you have a schedule keeping you on track? Did you reward yourself with a special treat after the task was completed? Was there anyone home with you while you were working on that task? For many adults with ADD/ADHD and learning difficulties, following a task through to completion can seem almost impossible. If any of this resonates with you, this video will be extremely helpful to you. My “train-tracking” method will be discussed, also known as ‘Body Doubling.” Both of these strategies can be very effective.

These aren’t just tools for adults, many children can be of use to this as well! If you have children, how is the homework process? Does it take a long time for your child to complete one assignment? Does your child do very well with one on one tutoring, but struggles to find the where withal to focus when they are by themselves. Sometimes people with ADD/ADHD and learning difficulties need a body double to help them get started. It may be as easy as having another person sit with you while you are working. The person sitting with you does not need to be interacting with you to be of service. Sometimes the energy of just having someone there makes all the difference!

https://www.facebook.com/addvantageslc/videos/1485321884948332/

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Linda Karanzalis, MS

Linda Karanzalis, MS, is a former special education classroom teacher with over 25 years of experience in the areas of learning disabilities, ADHD, social-emotional learning, social skills training, and behavior management

Episode 56: Is it ADHD or Non-Verbal Learning Disorder? with Linda Karanzalis, M.S., BCCS

Join Tracy and her guest Linda Karanzalis, in Episode #56 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Linda is a board-certified cognitive specialist and parent/student coach who provides executive function training and social-emotional learning programs for people of all ages. Linda also just wrote an article for ADDitude magazine’s Winter 2020 issue on ADHD and Non-verbal Learning Disorder.

Linda shares:

• Her symptoms in childhood 
• Her ADHD diagnosis
• How she figured out that she had something more than just ADHD
• Her Non-Verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) diagnosis
• What NVLD looks like 
• What percentage of communication is verbal vs non-verbal and why that matters 
• Why those with NVLD actually talk more, not less
• What it means to not understand the meaning behind words and take things literally 
• How to tell the difference between ADHD and NVLD
• Why those with NVLD are often misdiagnosed with ADHD
• Why NVLD is still not recognized in the DSM even though they are both brain-based conditions
• What happens to those with NVLD who are left untreated

Linda then shares the current treatment options for NVLD and explains why she believes they don’t work. She also shares what she has discovered does work. 

Learn how you can help your children of all ages by how my 98 yr. old dad helped me growing up with a non-verbal learning disorder, ADHD, and neurodiversity. Love to hear your thoughts!

https://www.facebook.com/addvantageslc/videos/802100293625396/

Parents of children with nonverbal learning disabilities and neurodiversities: Taking off the fire hat.
How to instill Fire PREVENTION, instead of Fire FIGHTING.

Watch the Video & Learn from Linda’s struggles as a child with NVLD/ADHD and professional experiences how to help your child

‘Don’t be the fire fighter, be the coach! -Be a protector, but don’t shelter. Be a guide, a mentor, and a teacher for your child at any age.’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW9x6kdI984

Goals :

• Don’t be afraid to have consequences.
• Do not negotiate. Do not give in.
• Teach resilience. There are no IEP’s and 504’s in the real world.

You’re not a bad parent if you have expectations!

• Build off of your child’s special interests.
• You can instill independent behavior from a young age.
• Laundry, Cooking, Cleaning up
• Let your child fail, do not overprotect they will learn from the experience with your guidance !

Teaching problem solving :

• Encourage your child to think and “Try another way.”
• Tools to handle social situations.