Author Archives: patguyschoolandfamily

Potential revision problems and support strategies:- Encourage the student to go to any revision or lunch time clinics at school; perhaps targeting specifically the subjects or topics they find difficult. Likewise as a parent, if the school hold talks about exams, revision or study skills, try to attend. Whilst the lead should be taken fromContinue reading “Revision”

‘New hyper-fixation, Lord, I’m over-stimulatedAnd my mind just keeps replayin’ over and over’ (‘ADHD’ – Mae Stephens – 2024) When school and parents feel that a child might be experiencing some form of specific learning difficulty, it is important to organise a holistic assessment: an assessment that takes information from as many sources as possibleContinue reading “ADHD in adults”

Most SpLDs: dyslexia, attention deficit, dyspraxia, language problems and some aspects of autism are co-morbid. Co-morbidity refers to different conditions that co-exist. Although a child’s initial assessment may show Attention Deficit Disorder to be their main area of need, they are certain to experience degrees of dyslexia, dyspraxia, autistic traits, dyscalculia or language difficulties.  TheseContinue reading “Specific Learning Difficulties and the challenges of co-morbidity”

ADHD is usually viewed as being a difficulty of concentration, attention and focus. However, rather than an individual with ADHD lacking the skills of attention, the difficulty is more one of an inability to regulate their attention.  The concentration of individuals with ADHD will improve if a piece of work interests them; if it is novel,Continue reading “ADHD – Hyperfocus”

It is quite normal for teenagers to feel angry with everything and everyone. During the teenage years. strong emotions are due to a combination of hormonal changes and the developmental stage of the brain. While annoying people will still exist when teenagers reach adulthood, their brains will be more mature, and they’ll better able toContinue reading “Teenage Girls – Dealing with Anger”

ADHD is a biological disorder involving an impairment in executive functioning. This impairment affects an individual’s skills of, for example: organisation, self-regulation, memory, motivation and time-management. Strategies that might assist the individual with ADHD to manage their time: –

Challenge 1 = Losing possessions ADHD is a biological disorder involving an impairment in executive functioning. This impairment affects an individual’s skills of, for example: organisation, planning, concentration, time-management, self-regulation, memory and motivation. Consistently misplacing possessions is one result of poor executive functioning. The individual with ADHD will have poor concentration, they may have beenContinue reading “Practical solutions for the challenges of ADHD”

‘No matter where you go, there you are.’ (Confucious) ‘If only I was slimmer, didn’t wear glasses, was intelligent, more popular. If only I was sporty, funny, had a boy / girlfriend. It’s all right for people who are rich, live in the South, have a good job, go to a private school.’ If suchContinue reading “Optimism”

In 2022, a study that looked at women’s experience within the UK healthcare system, found that 44% of respondents felt the concerns they discussed with medical professionals were not taken seriously.  Several factors contribute towards misconceptions around women’s health problems. One of the major hurdles being that historically, diagnostic criteria and research into medical conditionsContinue reading “ADHD – The Female Factor”

Sam Holness – ‘I just like racing.’ Sam Holness was the first triathlete with autism from the BAME community to complete the Ironman World Championships, (October 2023 – Kona, Hawaii) Sam’s parents have always focused on the things he can do, rather than the things he can’t. They realised that competing in sport helped SamContinue reading “Sport and Autism.”