TDAH: organizar, dibujar, pensar con hiperactividad y actuar. Estrategias de aprendizaje para los neuropáticos

Each class will be guided by the 5 science backed life style pillars that support ADHD neurodivergent thinkers. ADHD has been studied for decades now and although everyone thinks differently and may have their own “ADHD-hacks,” there are 5 life-style must-do’s that, undeniably, need attention and are considered best practices in order to flourish and succeed in school and life. I know this, because I have formal study in ADHD training. I know this, because several of my kids have ADHD. I know this because several of my siblings have ADHD. I know this, intimately, because I have ADHD, and this went undiagnosed until I was 50.  I, like my siblings, had to learn things the hard way and without medication. My recent formal study in executive functions simply solidified what I already knew about living with ADHD. In fact, while undiagnosed I went from a struggling highschool and postsecondary student, to where I am now, working on my Master of Education Degree with a 4 GPA because I disciplined myself to improve in these 5 key areas. In my youth ADHD knocked me down to the mat, figuratively speaking, and there was a time when I could not realistically visualize myself completing a Master Degree program. What makes the difference is knowing how to clear the head fog to the best of your ability, recognizing and learning your limitations (but more importantly) how to accommodate for them, really capitalizing on your strengths, and internalizing that neurodivergent really just means: neurounique ( or neurospicy as some like to say!)

   The 5 pillars best described by David Nowell, PhD, Clinical Neuropsychologist, is S.P.E.C.T., which is an acronym for Sleep, Protein, Exercise, Calendar, and Team. Each and every class will include a learning opportunity based on one of the 5 pillars. Why? Because we don’t want your children to simply learn and forget: we want students to engage, understand, learn and apply. Each class will begin with a warm welcome and a mindfulness greeting where students can express, in the moment, where they are at (i.e. how they feel in their spirit, in their mind and in their body.) New students can join in anytime! Next, as this is an ongoing class, we have a quick discussion on what ADHD is and isn’t. Then, we chose one executive function to define, discuss, share our experiences with, and then relate that skill to one or more of the life-style pillars (one of sleep, protein, exercise, etc.) that will either hinder or enhance that executive function skill. Study tips and strategies will also be explored each week. The lessons will close with a short summary and an opportunity for students to express in their words what their key take-away was. Don’t worry, we will have body breaks and although this class description sounds a little technical, I love to have fun with the students to keep them engaged! 

    The main objective of this class is to help students better understand themselves and how their minds work, explore study skills, consider the people around them and how to self-advocate, to explore the consequences of their life-style & behaviours/actions (or inactions), explore motivation, fixed mind-set versus growth mindset, goal setting, the power of visualization, and basically to explore the little things that can make life work for them and not against them (as that is how it can sometimes feel!) Students are encouraged to take notes by drawing pictures and writing side definitions/meanings/connections ( a visual note taking study technique that worked fantastically for me in biology) or simply doodle and/or colour if that helps keep them focussed.

Daily Class Flow:

Welcome * Define/discuss ADHD * Introduce executive functions * elaborate on one EF and relate it to S.P.E.C.T. * discuss study skills/tips and tricks * summarize, set goals for the week * have a couple of body breaks within the lesson.
Executive Functions as Topics of Discussion:

Planning ( solving problems)

Organization

Task Initiation: or self-motivation

Time Management

Metacognition: awareness of self, what we are thinking & our emotions

Perseverance

Self Control (control over your actions)

Flexibility (the mindset not to be too rigid when things don’t go as planned)

Attention (the ability to focus on the things we need to, which is not always what we want to.)