We have written about giftedness on this blog in the past. We have also written about learning disabilities and psychoeducational assessments. However, what happens when a student simultaneously exhibits exceptional intellectual capacity with significant weaknesses and deficits in specific areas of learning? Gifted/LD is a paradox that is often seen as falling on either end…
Executive Functions: The Brain’s CEO
While we are all different in the responsibilities that we manage and how we spend our time, we all share the fact that we have daily tasks to complete. We are able to move through these tasks and function in a productive way thanks to a set of skills called executive functions. Executive functions are…
Parents Guide to IEPs & Psychoeducational Re-assessments
In Canada, education is a constitutional right and therefore every child has the right to be provided with education based on his/her needs. While most students can succeed within the set structure and school curriculum, kids with special needs (like learning disabilities, ADHD, and other behavioural or social-emotional problems) require a tailored educational program in…
ADHD and Seasonal Affective Disorder in Children
The dreaded Canadian winter. Every year around this time, I notice that many of my patients with brain injuries feel much worse. They are moodier, unmotivated to do exercises that facilitate their recovery, and complain more about overall pain and feelings of depression. They are experiencing what’s known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SAD for…
Helping Children with Learning Disabilities Deal with Exam Stress
The school year is nearing the final weeks, which brings both excitement and dread for many students and parents. Year end is usually the time when projects wrap up and papers are due. Final exams are inevitable for most classes, which can raise the anxiety in children and parents. Those who have learning problems or…