Diagnosis

Today, I talked to Frank on the phone. I was frustrated because my patient portal log-in wasn’t working so I *was forced* to contact customer service for technical support. He answered the phone a little slow which automatically made me roll my eyes in further annoyance at an already annoying situation. He was diligent and persistent in his pursuit to help me, but I had to ask him to repeat a few things. Once I took a breath and really started listening, the sound of his spee

Recently, I listened to a parenting podcast that referenced a book written by Dr. W. Thomas Boyce. The book discusses how children usually fall into two categories: dandelions or orchids. Hearing their definitions struck me to the core. Dandelions can thrive anywhere you put them, even in a sidewalk crack. Orchids, however, need the perfect humidity, sunlight, and watering schedule to thrive. I have two orchids with special needs, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), a

What is ADHD? ADHD is short for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that often begins in childhood and can continue into adulthood. There are three primary types of ADHD: predominantly inattentive presentation, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation, and combined presentation. Signs and Symptoms of ADHD The signs and symptoms of ADHD can vary, but they generally fall into two categories: inattention and hyperactivity-impulsi

Georgia IEP Reevaluation: How a Policy Change Improved My Son's Special Education Services A few months into my son’s 3rd grade year at our new duty station in Georgia, his case manager notified me the district would reevaluate him. Because he was approaching his 9th birthday, he couldn’t retain the Developmental Disability (DD) category on his IEP. I feared the district aimed to find him ineligible for special education services. Truthfully, I braced for a battle. Instead of

A random mom at a kids' play gym made me cry. She was trying to get my son to count with her, and I knew he wouldn’t because he hadn’t said a single word yet. When I said he couldn’t count, she asked how old he was, and I lied—I said he was two when he was actually almost three. Her face said it all, and I realized that, yes, something was amiss. Understanding Apraxia Apraxia was not on my radar. When the developmental pediatrician said apraxia was the reason he wasn't talkin

April is the Month of the Military Child and Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month. What better way to honor both than for two military spouses of two Autistic children to talk about Autism? Destiny Huff: Navigating Public School with Autistic-ADHD Child Hey - Destiny Huff here - late diagnosed Autistic-ADHD and Army spouse. I am a Doctoral Candidate in Psychology, a mental health therapist, a neuroaffirming special education advocate, and an IEP Coach. When my oldest son ent

When I was a brand new speech language pathologist volunteering for my first school placement to work with neurodiverse children (many of them autistic), I couldn’t have imagined the advocacy work I was doing would come in handy once I had children of my own. But, there were signs early on that my first child, Killean, would need more intentional support than most other kids his age. He walked later than his playmates, and as we approached the arrival of his sister, Koraline,

March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. It has taken years for us to understand the implications of this diagnosis and the ways it has affected our daughter while being a military family. I hope to share more about the diagnosis, our lessons learned, and valued resources, both military and community, that have helped along the way. What is Cerebral Palsy (CP)? Before my daughter was born, I was ignorant of what cerebral palsy was. I did not know anyone personally diagnosed w

A Black military family enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) can face unique challenges. The EFMP supports military families with members who have special medical or educational needs. However, it’s important to recognize that Black military families may face additional hurdles due to systemic inequalities and cultural factors. Some common challenges that Black military families may face include: 1. Limited Access to Culturally Competent Healthcare Many Bl

Military families require grit. It’s especially not an option when special needs kids are in the mix. I homeschooled four children; all four have major hurdles that we have worked to overcome initially through homeschooling. My oldest faces significant health challenges, but academically, there is no impact. Should he attend a traditional school, he would require a 504 plan for accommodations. My other three have required speech therapy, occupational therapy, dyslexia interve

The holiday season may present various sensory challenges for our neurodivergent children. As their advocates, our goal is to ensure they have an enjoyable holiday experience and feel supported in meeting their needs. To aid in achieving this, we've crafted a helpful checklist. 1. Create a Visual Holiday Schedule In school, our children do well with visual schedules, understanding where they’re going and what tasks to tackle. Imagine extending that helpful tool beyond the sch

A Transformative Tale of Advocacy and Special Needs Embarking on a personal journey as a parent can be transformative, especially when unforeseen challenges arise. In this narrative, I share a pivotal wake-up call as a mom of a child with autism and ADHD. The incident launched advocacy for my son, revealing the importance of active engagement in education and therapy. This article emphasizes open communication, involvement, and kindness for special needs children, especially

So why do we need to move past “merely knowing” and the passiveness of awareness? For starters, you can be aware of something while not doing anything about it. Awareness campaigns alone rarely improve the lives of autistic people. In fact, they can lead to widespread dissemination of misinformation and outdated perspectives because sometimes they neglect to include the voice of the neurodiverse community.

ABA. Maybe you’ve heard this term dropped before in casual conversation. Perhaps you have talked to a parent at your child’s school who mentioned that their child receives ABA services for an ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) diagnosis. Maybe it has been recommended to you that your own child receive this insurance-covered therapy. But what is ABA exactly? Let’s take a look at what ABA therapy is, what it isn't and five of the most important terms to know about this important se

No matter what strategies you adopt, taking a proactive approach and building family reading strategies will help you assess your child’s progress and build a solid foundation for your child as they continue their educational journey. Marine Corps spouse and elementary educator, Kelley Siclari shares her tips for all reading levels.

Tory wanted to be an Aerospace Engineer in the United States Navy, but the Navy didn’t seem to want him. Tory is my son who also happens to have an autism diagnosis. My hope is that our family’s experience with exclusionary military recruitment policies can be used to open doors for others with Exceptional needs so they are allowed to serve. This is Tory’s story, but tomorrow it could be your child’s.

On this episode of Trust Your Gut I (Jennifer Barnhill) interviewed first grade teacher and reading specialist candidate, Melinda Giordano, to learn how parents can help identify reading issues early. I asked how can we really know if our kids are ready for reading?

During this episode of Trust Your Gut Partners in PROMISE's Carla Wyrsch met with Rosemary Griffin, MA, CCC/SLP BCBA and Jaclynn Bosley, BCBA to discuss how parents can recognize Autism Spectrum Disorder in their children.

Did you know that kids with ADHD may take longer to settle into a new routine than other kids their age? Partners in PROMISE Chief Operating Officer, Jennifer Barnhill chats with Dr. Jeffrey Katz about how military families can help recognize ADHD and advocate for their child in the midst of transition. According to the CDC: ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Chil

Partners in PROMISE COO Jennifer Barnhill interviewed Dr. Ingrid Herrera Yee to help understand how to recognize underlying mental health concerns in your child, separating fact from fiction in this session of Trust Your Gut.