The Homeschooling Chronicles: Here’s What I Learned in Weeks 1 and 2

For those of us who haven’t made the optional choice to home school, we now find ourselves in charted waters as we enter this world for the first time.  And if you are like me, you are also working from home during this time.  How are we to balance both responsibilities?  How are we to……

The Truth About Invisible Disabilities

In the past, I’ve shared my fear about raising black children in this world, particularly in the current climate of our society.  It is downright scary knowing that they will experience hatred and discrimination simply because of the way they look, something for which they cannot control.  It is my and my husband’s job to……

Picking the Right Therapy

When your child gets his or her diagnosis, there’a a whole lot of information that’s thrown at you.  It can all be so overwhelming because it is in that moment, that your life has completely changed.  And in the midst of all that change is the realization that your child, and you most likely, will……

Diagnosis Take 4: Is it ADHD, or…

…Just a lack of motivation Math sucks.   For me growing up, there was no way around it.  I hated math. It stressed me out and frustrated me.  I remember sitting in a full classroom feeling more alone because it seemed everyone always understood what was going on except for me.  I found ways to……

Discipline, Race, and the Spectrum… How we set expectations for our Black children with Autism and ADHD in today’s world

This country does not make it easy for Black kids.  It’s become a sad norm to see news stories and videos of Black kids being “mistaken” for criminals and beaten and/or killed on video.  This is the state of the world in which we live.  We are going backwards when it comes to issues on……

Grades Don’t Matter! How to Read and Interpret Report Cards for Your Child on a 504 Plan or IEP

  A few weeks ago, I met with my daughter’s teacher to discuss some ways to better help her with her math homework.  If you are raising kids in the public school system right now, you know that the way kids are learning their fundamental academic skills have changed dramatically.   Namely math. I was never……

The Teacher Is Calling

I am fortunate to have a few mom friends who have been an incredible support and blessing to me.  Having a solid mom tribe, even one with its members dispersed about, is incredibly important for continual encouragement during our toughest trials as mothers, and essential for celebrating with us our and our children’s biggest achievements,……

Understanding Early Intervention

Most of us who have children diagnosed with a special need are familiar with early intervention, or at least we ought to be.  Starting at pretty much birth, medical providers begin asking parents questions regarding growth and development.  As that baby ages, the questions change to reflect the appropriate developmental stage.  And if there are……

Why Our Middle Has a 504 Plan, NOT an IEP

This past February, our middle was diagnosed with combined-type ADHD.  This simply means that she exhibits concerns with both impulsiveness and hyperactivity, and a struggle with focus and attention.  Having the diagnosis answered many questions I had had for years as to why she was struggling with unfavorable behaviors.  And although it wasn’t affecting her……

How to Kick A** At Your Child’s IEP Meeting

I’ve been a parent for a little over 8 years.  And I have spent 5 of those years attending IEP (Individualized Education Program) meetings.  Currently I have two children who are educated under the guidance of an IEP, my son for his speech and Autism diagnosis, and my daughter for her speech delay and articulation……