This is a beautiful interview for so many reasons. I appreciate the dots it connects between perfectionism, trauma and neurodiversity, and also the compassion for adolescents it conveys. After teaching middle school for many years, I no longer think of grades 6-8 as the simply the culmination of an elementary school education, but also as the kindergarten of adulthood — one in which the basic points here need to be explicitly taught, just as thoughtfully as we teach math or English, and just as patiently as we teach five year olds how to hold a pencil or ride the bus. It really does pay off.
This was extremely helpful - my child is only 2, but I personally have ADHD and the interview made me look at a few things in a new light. I *didn't* ever get that executive function help as a child/teen because I was smart and managed to push through - no one recognized that I needed the training! I'm now (re)considering finding a specialist coach to discuss this with. Thank you!
I learned the hard way that both of my kids with ADHD had executive dysfunction. They developed bad habits before we recognized their need for more structure. And boy, did more structure and a nonjudgemental attitude really help.
This is super helpful. Thank you.
So glad you found it helpful!
This is a beautiful interview for so many reasons. I appreciate the dots it connects between perfectionism, trauma and neurodiversity, and also the compassion for adolescents it conveys. After teaching middle school for many years, I no longer think of grades 6-8 as the simply the culmination of an elementary school education, but also as the kindergarten of adulthood — one in which the basic points here need to be explicitly taught, just as thoughtfully as we teach math or English, and just as patiently as we teach five year olds how to hold a pencil or ride the bus. It really does pay off.
I love your insight of grades 6-8 as the kindergarten of adulthood! Yes!
This was extremely helpful - my child is only 2, but I personally have ADHD and the interview made me look at a few things in a new light. I *didn't* ever get that executive function help as a child/teen because I was smart and managed to push through - no one recognized that I needed the training! I'm now (re)considering finding a specialist coach to discuss this with. Thank you!
So glad it resonated!!
I am so glad to read this - and yes, so many adults see how they could have benefited from EF support when they were younger. It is never too late!
I learned the hard way that both of my kids with ADHD had executive dysfunction. They developed bad habits before we recognized their need for more structure. And boy, did more structure and a nonjudgemental attitude really help.
Yes! Structure and a non judgmental attitude make a world of difference :)