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Young Scholars Academy is a virtual village that helps twice-exceptional & differently-wired students to feel seen, nurtured, and happy as heck through strength-based courses, camps, and community!
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How A Strength-Based School Year Will Change Your Child’s Life!
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Goodbye to Social Skills Classes. Hello to Dungeons & Dragons!
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Creating Learning Plans That Work! The 3 KEY Ingredients
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Alternative Education Paths: Removing Barriers to Learning
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The Most Overlooked Support for 2e Students: Acceleration
Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply passionate about supporting neurodivergent learners, this blog is your go-to resource for all things related to strength-based education and fostering a community of belonging.
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Illuminating Interviews- Elinor Shapiro
In this Illuminating Interview, Elinor consoles parents who might be worried about their child’s ability to venture out and succeed beyond school by offering some unconventional wisdom.
Check out this short clip of the hour-long interview in which Elinor paints a vivid picture for us of how she’s found success because of her asynchronies.
The Salt and Pepper of Supporting 2e Kiddos
Whenever I think of mentoring twice-exceptional students, cooking comes to mind. Admittedly, I’m not much of a cook, but I do like to eat! Cooking is a true art form because it’s always fluctuating. A recipe may be consistent, but the process is never constant. Many factors shape the experience: the cook, the kitchen, preparation, presentation, ingredients, and the emotional and physical state of the consumer, among others.
Supporting 2e students is similar. Though professionals and parents may be consistent, things never stay constant, the menu changes, and appetites differ. There are core ingredients, however. Mentoring is like salt that helps bring out the natural flavor.
Illuminating Interviews- Kim Southerland
Do you often wonder how to get your twice-exceptional child ready for the “real world”?
Don't miss Ed Specialist Kim Southerland's Illuminating Interview where she tackles that complicated question.
In this interview, Kim challenges us to reexamine our own understanding of our reality and that of our children.
The Women Who Do It All!
Moms, never underestimate your power! As far as I can tell, there is no one more powerful in this world than you!
You are the courageous few who:
go up against the system and fight for accommodations
see strengths in your child when the rest of the world seems to see shortcomings
entrench yourselves in learning about neurodiversity and taking creative approaches with your kiddo
invest in programs that offer your child what you know is right
give so much by being a working professional and supporting your child full-time OR putting your career on pause to support your child full time
Illuminating Interviews- Cindy Hansen
You know when you ask the twice-exceptional kiddo in your life to do something until you're blue in the face and it still doesn't get done? It can be infuriating, right?
If you're nodding along right now, you can't miss the latest Illuminating Interview with soon-to-be-Dr. Cindy Hansen.
Illuminating Interviews- Dr. Rick Olenchak
Parenting 2e kids is tough. Really tough! It often seems like the whole world only sees challenge areas. Sadly, we live in a society that identifies and diagnoses deficits and prescribes “solutions” based on what kids struggle with…
Tune in to this Illuminating Interview with Dr. Olenchak to discover how to be a part of the changing wave of positive, strength-based, talent-focused education.
Rewrite the narrative and discover how to diagnose strengths and prescribe strength-based learning.
Talking To 2e Kids About Ukraine
Twice-exceptional children often really struggle with processing heavy current events. Their asynchronies often allow them intellectually understand the magnitude of the news, but their emotional maturity can often make it rather difficult to handle and process the feelings around current events.
Can Education Be More Like The Olympics?
As the Winter Olympics draw to a close, I can't help but reflect on talent development and the broader education system.
I can’t help but ask myself this burning question that seems so obvious to me. If the whole world is watching, they must see value in excellence, correct? They must respect the development of talent, right? Surely, they are enamored with getting the best and brightest to push the bounds of what we know, no?
Then why don’t we do this with education?
More Diversity In Neurodiversity
MLK Jr. Day has me thinking…
Much like girls, people of color are wildly underserved in twice-exceptional education, gifted education, and the broader neurodiversity community.
Why? I ask myself.
The answer: profiling and societal expectations.
Illuminating Interviews- Asst. Adj. Professor Alina Kislenko
Neurodivergent kids often have pretty wild ideas. The way we respond to those ideas may be more important than we think.
New School Year, New Student?
All too often, we continue to do things the way they've been done simply because that's the way we’ve always done them. I have found the best way to hop off that hamster wheel and be deliberate about my actions is to first develop some awareness around said actions. I like to meditate on the year that has passed and reflect on how it’s affected me.
Rudolph The 2e Reindeer?
I always know it's December when the flood of Christmas movies on TV swells to a tidal high. This year, I can't help but watch these classics through a different lens; a strength-based, positive psychology lens.
After watching the 1964 classic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, I can't help but feel like Rudolph is totally 2e!
Illuminating Interviews- Teresa Nair
"enrich not only your experience with your child, but your ability to experience your child"
- Teresa Nair
Thankfulness + Reflection= More Happiness
In The Spirit of Thanksgiving
“Energy flows where the mind goes” -Unknown
Society often has us focusing on what we don’t have… This naturally causes us to feel down and out. Subsequently, we become more susceptible to consumer behavior to fill the void. We look externally for our answers.
Did you know one of the best ways to combat this?
Regularly inventorying your thankfulness/gratitude can lead to more happiness and confidence!
Want it give it a try? 😄
Grab a piece of paper/open a doc and write down one/all of the following:
Illuminating Interviews- Dr. Lin Lim
Did you know that this is how brains intake information?
Start using this advice today!
Join me as we learn from one of the leading experts in the neuroscience field!
Discover:
-How brains intake information
-TOP priorities for parent support at home!
Illuminating Interviews- Dr. Marcy Dann
While our differently-wired learners are all so unique, there are non-negotiables that, when understood, will ensure that they THRIVE!
Tune in here and learn from Dr. Marcy Dann, THE EXPERT on tapping into students’ strengths and interests to support them and help them self-actualize.
Discover:
Recommendations for supporting neurodiverse kiddos
Non-negotiables for twice-exceptional education
Understanding our child’s learning profile
Illuminating Interviews- Dr. Siobhan Lamb
Join me as we learn from one of the leading experts on neurodiversity, Dr. Lamb.
Watch to glean some:
Recommendations for supporting neurodiverse kiddos
Perspectives that expand our collective understanding of neurodiversity
Support from someone who knows what is to live with a dual diagnosis
FB Live 8/25- 2e Students Socializing Successfully
Whether you missed the FB Live or simply want to rewatch, tune in as we discuss helping twice-exceptional students socialize with greater success. This is so valuable this back-to-school season!
YSA Facebook Live 8/11/21
Missed last week's Live? Check out the recording here. We discussed cultivating environments to foster gifted behaviors. You’re not ogng to want to miss this one!
Sculpting David
For many, Michaelangelo's ICONIC David statue is the embodiment of art. Stylistic perfection! What many people don't know is that originally, Michelangelo wasn’t even meant to sculpt the David. In fact, he wasn’t even the second choice…
Originally, an artist by the name of Agostino di Duccio was commissioned to sculpt the marble. Shortly after signing up, he quit…
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