Author Archives: vlm
What is NVLD and Are You Getting the Correct Help?

What is NVLD?
Are You Getting the Correct Help?
Watch My Video Below >>>
What is a Non-Verbal Learning Disorder? What is the WRONG and RIGHT Kind of Help?Learn about What is the RIGHT and WRONG kind of Help!
Posted by ADDvantages Learning Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2019
It Takes One to Know One!

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
Why Do You get Pushback Behavior from Your Child?


Cognitive Inflexibility, Rigid Thinking and Executive Function
Pushback is Not Always a Behavior Problem however, these strategies are good, but they are not enough to actually make changes in the cognitive processing skills system. Efficient cognitive processing skills (foundational skills of executive functioning) enable one to not only manage and adjust to changes, but are necessary for fast and frustration free learning. See what parents are saying of how their children have been helped here.I’ve Struggled with ADHD too!
I know firsthand what’s it’s like to struggle with ADHD. All of the programs I use have helped me to not only exceed my goals, but to create new ones! Take my Brain Quiz and receive a complimentary 30 -minute session to go over the results to see if you or your child could benefit from my assistance towards developing these skills. There is hope and help!
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
Adjusting to life with ADHD

Adjusting to work and social life with ADHD

How I am adjusting to life with ADHD

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
ADHD vs NVLD or Non-Verbal Learning Disorder

Confusion Between ADHD and NVLD

What Is NVLD (Non-Verbal Learning Disorder) ?

What Can You Do to Help Yourself or Your Child?

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
Originally Published in ADDitudes magazine Winter Edition 2019
Links Between Gluten and ADHD

Celiac, Gluten Sensitivity and ADHD
It appears the symptoms of ADHD (executive functioning difficulties and mood) can also occur with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. It’s not a one size fits all approach, many with ADHD do not improve with the elimination of gluten while others do. What we do know is that there is a link between the two. Therefore, it’s possible that celiac or gluten sensitivity could be misdiagnosed as ADHD or diagnosed with ADHD while gluten sensitivity or celiac are undiagnosed.Gluten Sensitivity Identification

Gluten Elimination Diets

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
The Dangers of Gluten on Mood,Learning, and BehaviorsPosted by ADDvantages Learning Center on Thursday, September 26, 2019
Homework Struggles – Stop the Homework Battle

10 Minutes of Homework Per Grade Level
It’s not OK for your kids to spend hours on homework! They have to work 100% harder than their peers to achieve the same goals! Spending hours on homework isn’t productive. We all need downtime to be at our best. Do not allow unfinished classwork to be sent home in addition to homework. The rule of thumb is 10 minutes of homework time per grade level. If this happens on a continual basis write a note or talk to the teacher explaining the amount of time you allot for homework. Pat yourself on the back for not putting your child’s emotional health at risk.Movement During Homework Time

Homework Procrastination

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
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Back to School for Students with Attention & Learning, and Social Difficulties

Top Five Back to School Difficulties
Lonely at Lunchtime If your child struggles to make and keep friends talk to the teacher to ask the more compassionate students to help by having lunch with your child. This is not only good for your child but teaches others the importance of inclusion for all. Medication When your child is on medication you need to know if it’s effective throughout the school day. Ask your doctor for a rating scale checklist to give to your child’s teacher. Have the teacher(s) complete the scale every day for a week in each subject area, noting the time of day. If you see areas that need to be addressed make an appointment with your doctor to share this information for better medication management. Getting Out of Bed Many kids whose brains are wired differently have a really hard time getting up in the morning. Try one of the alarm clocks I recommend to get your child up and moving. Place a bottle of water and medication on night table. Set the alarm to go off an hour ahead of time to take meds. If your child isn’t on medication have her drink something with caffeine instead. Getting Ready The key to having a good day is to start off the morning on the right foot! Create a written or picture schedule to be followed in the morning. Practice on the weekend getting ready and time your child how long it takes to do each task. Get brightly colored index cards with name of task and how long it takes to do each one. Laminate and place next to where she would do the task. Adhere with velcro or tape. Have her set a timer while doing each task. Buy several cheap timers to keep in each area and Velcro them to the wall. Water Intake Many kids don’t drink enough water throughout the day. Put a couple of water bottles in your child’s backpack for the day. Staying hydrated is imperative, it’s not an option! Dehydrations cause focus, mood, short attention span, and tiredness.
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
Backup Plan for Back to School with Linda K.Top 5 Tips for Back to School with Kids with Attention, Learning, and Social Difficulties. Check this out to having a better transition for the new school year! Please like and share for those who can benefit. Thanks… Linda K.
Posted by ADDvantages Learning Center on Friday, September 6, 2019
Maintaining Routine and Structure for Kids with ADD/ADHD

If you’ve heard it once you’ve heard it a thousand times, kids with ADHD need routine and structure. Getting there is another story, especially if you as a parent suffer from ADHD as well. You can’t give away what you don’t have and realizing this is the first step. I can’t tell you how many parents I have worked with who time and again are unable to create and develop a structured environment for their child towards teaching these basic skills. Just like you must know the alphabet first to read, you will be fighting a losing battle if you First and foremost, get a diagnosis.
Having Little Success Maintaining Routine and Structure?
This is a common problem even with all of your best intentions things somehow fall along the wayside to the demands of life. Your child may be on board in the beginning, when it’s new and exciting, especially if rewards are involved. But gradually the newness wears off and your back to square one again. You’re doing more of the same, directing, reminding, and nagging. You may be so frustrated that you start to dread each day and resent your child for ‘not caring enough.’ I’m not going to give you the standard tips and strategies as you’ve most likely tried many things and quite possibly are at your wit’s end.
The Real Truth About routine and Structure
Sure, you can research online and find tons of strategies and tips on time and organization from color coding to scheduling. That’s another article for another time. Before any of those things will work you need to be in the right frame of mind. Having a grasp on the difficulties your child is having comes down to really understanding how her brain is wired.
Everyone is Doing the Best they Can
Even though your child may yell at you, lie, and act like they just don’t care nothing could be further from the truth. Look beyond the smoke and mirrors and see the pain behind the behavior. Maintain your role as an adult and do not behave in a childlike manner by going down to your child’s level. Work on self-control by managing your emotions. This can be tough to hear for parents as having a loved with ADHD is tiresome, pushing you to you limits!
Don’t Give Up ~ Coaching Can Help
Routine and structure only works when they are stuck to on a consistent daily basis and become a way of life. A coach helps to soften power struggle between parent and child. The most effective way I have found it to work with both parent and child. Telling your child what to do causes often causes resentment and doesn’t teach problem solving skills. When your child is involved, she will most likely take some ownership as a result of feeling validated. It takes time, but the results are well worth it. You can get your sanity back and have a more peaceful home by using this approach!