FAQ
Question:
Where do you get your information?
Our goal with the LD Podcast is to bring the listeners and visitors to the website the most up to date and reliable information on a variety of learning and learning disability topics. This includes acknowledged experts in the field, authors, educators, physicians, psychologists and psychiatrists, specialists like speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists and the like. We also talk to parents and people with learning disabilities.
Seeing the “big picture”- that children are more than a series of symptoms or diagnostic categories; that finding skills and strategies requires a multifacted approach, and that there is no quick and easy “cure” or fix for learning disabilities, is part of our mission. We want to try to build a better understanding of how kids (and adults, for that matter) learn; what we know and don’t know about learning; and in the process, provide our listeners with resources and tools to use along the way. You need the science behind learning so you can better evaluate new programs and treatments critically, and avoid wasting time and money looking for a magic cure that many try to sell to nervous and anxious parents.
I interview many authors, but I always read their books and evaluate them myself before the interview. I have conversations with the experts and asking them the questions I have, hoping they will help answer your questions as well.
The internet is a big place, and sorting out the credibility to sources can be really difficult. You have to figure out the biases and points of view, whether it’s my point of view, or those of others. That’s just good sense. I do research and vet the people I interview before they are on the show- it’s not an FBI screening, but I do make sure they are who they say they are- credibility is very important, especially when you are dealing with children.
Do keep in mind that the opinions expressed in the show are mine and those of our guests, and like any opinion, you should consider it as just one of the many factors going into any decision you make for your children. I can show you the science and the studies behind a particular condition like ADHD, but the decision on whether or not to seek medical treatment for your child is one that you have to make on your own.
Likewise, the parents I talk to on the show are friends who have experience with their kids or their own learning issues, and share that in hopes that it’s helpful, even if only to show you how many other people out there have the same issues you might, and you’re not alone. I don’t think I’ve ever met a parent who considers themselves a “parenting expert”- we’re just doing the best we can, with the models we have at home, using the best knowledge we have to do the best we can every day. We hope that the LD Podcast can help you, by providing you with information, and some ideas that may help you help the children in your life struggle a little less and succeed a bit more, every day.
Question:
“What type of planner or organizer would you recommend for kids with LD? The one we get from school has really small writing areas, making it hard to fit in all the information, let alone notes back and forth from home and school.”
My recommendations:
What most kids need: Big space to write, securely bound, monthly and weekly views.
What I’ve tried for myself and the kids:
Personal Digital Assistants, like Palm Pilots; various calendars and systems, wall calendars, wipe-off dry erase calendars, etc. Electronic versions of calendars, ranging from Google Calendar, to the calendar/alarms on my various cell phones, and Skoach, an online calendar/task management system developed in part by well-known and respected ADHD researcher, Dr. Kathleen Nadeau. (Also a prior guest on the LD Podcast).
What Really Works for Me- paper calendar/agenda with both weekly and monthly views. Usually, the medium to large ones give me enough writing space- mini ones are far too small.
Brands I like:
Mead actually has a a website to help you choose a planner (I was surprised to find this out!)
The Quick Notes Calendar from At-A-Glance has weekly and monthly view, along with plenty of spaces for notes and reminders. This runs about $20.00
TimeToo has some interesting looking family trackers, but you kinda have to choose between weekly on monthly, not both. The RSVP space on the bottom is a great idea- these are almost perfect.
The GoMom planner from Daytimer has that weekly/monthly views, and is a good basic planner-a “mommed” up version of the At A Glance.
Mead Upperclass Student Organizer – Available plain ($12.99) or with a bungee cord to keep closed ($13.79) This one can work well with kids or adults- not a bad choice for that master family calendar.
Secret Indulgence and Pricey Version- Levenger has a bunch of interesting products, based on it’s “circa” system- a way you can pretty much customize notebooks. This means you can add what you need- to do lists, expense reports, notes, etc. and rearrange, without losing anything and maintaining the pages securely fastened together. (If you wanted to try it to see if it works, the 2008 agenda is down to only $4.95, and might be a good investment if you think you might like the flexibility it offers.)