Questions

Don't Overthink Autism Diagnosis

Posted on 5/22/2022

My 2.5-year-old daughter has a working diagnosis of autism. I’m finding it incredibly difficult to get my head around it. I do not want to sound unsympathetic, but how did this happen? Why are so...

Ages: No Specific Age, Toddler (18MOS-3 years), Pre-Preschool (3 Year Old)

Topics: ADHD and other disorders, Developmental Issues (e.g. late talking), Learning Disabilities, Miscellaneous Discipline Problems, Miscellaneous Editorial Columns, Mothers, Preschool, Socialization/Social Skills

Reading in the Morning or Reading in the Evening? Raising a Reader with Learning Challenges

Posted on 11/18/2021

I am homeschool my 7 year old child/grandchild. His Mother was diagnosed at age 7 with dyslexia and an auditory processing disorder by Dr Lucia Karnes which made me confident the assessment was...

Ages: No Specific Age, School Age (6-10 years), Pre-Teen (11-12 years), Young Teen/Junior High (13-15 years)

Topics: ADHD and other disorders, Character/Values (teaching), Developmental Issues (e.g. late talking), Grandparents/Grandchildren, Homeschooling, Learning Disabilities, Miscellaneous Editorial Columns, Parent Leadership and Authority, School Issues, Self-Esteem

Need more information

Posted on 2/19/2021

I have read four of the books. My son was diagnosed with ADHD and autism. We are working to get him off of ritalin and now give him a ton of omega 3, some probiotics, a multivitamin and a...

Topics: Developmental Issues (e.g. late talking), Learning Disabilities

Developmental Delays and Potty Training

Posted on 2/16/2021

Toilet training follow up - soiling pants still. Our disabled (developmental delay, hearing loss, sensory processing delay) 4.5 year old daughter has been toilet training for about a month now. ...

Ages: Toddler (18MOS-3 years), Pre-Preschool (3 Year Old), Preschool (4-5 years)

Topics: Alpha Speech, Developmental Issues (e.g. late talking), Learning Disabilities, Socialization/Social Skills, Toilet Training

Difficult is Not Bad

Posted on 12/2/2020

I am homeschooling my Grandson, who is in first grade. He is a bright child, but not motivated for school. He has struggled with handwriting and anything which requires manual dexterity, or fine...

Ages: School Age (6-10 years), Pre-Teen (11-12 years)

Topics: ADHD and other disorders, Character/Values (teaching), Developmental Issues (e.g. late talking), Grandparents/Grandchildren, Homeschooling, Homework, Learning Disabilities, Parent Leadership and Authority, School Issues, Single Parents

It's Her Problem to Solve

Posted on 11/14/2020

My daughter is struggling in school since grade 2. She's in French immersion. She has failed three tests in a row so far because she didn't study for them.. Her teacher says that she seems to...

Ages: School Age (6-10 years)

Topics: ADHD and other disorders, Character/Values (teaching), Consequences/Punishment, John's Discipline Methods, Learning Disabilities, Mothers, Parent Leadership and Authority, Respect, School Issues

Emotional Intelligence Begins With Good Manners

Posted on 6/14/2020

Are you familiar with the term 2e kids? Or twice exceptional? Our 10 year old son appears to fall into this category. He is at above average intelligence, but his emotional iq is lacking and a...

Ages: No Specific Age, Toddler (18MOS-3 years), Pre-Preschool (3 Year Old), Preschool (4-5 years), School Age (6-10 years), Pre-Teen (11-12 years), Young Teen/Junior High (13-15 years), Older Teen/High School (16-18 years)

Topics: ADHD and other disorders, Anxieties, Fears, Character/Values (teaching), Homeschooling, Learning Disabilities, Manners, Mothers, Parent Leadership and Authority, School Issues, Self-Esteem, Shyness, Social Issues (fighting/arguing with friends), Socialization/Social Skills

Talking to Kids About Dyslexia

Posted on 6/11/2020

My son has a moderate case of dyslexia, and he is 10. Our daughter, who is 7, has a mild case of dyslexia. Our son, of course, knows he is dyslexic, however, we have not told our daughter she is...

Ages: No Specific Age, School Age (6-10 years), Pre-Teen (11-12 years)

Topics: ADHD and other disorders, Anxieties, Fears, Character/Values (teaching), Developmental Issues (e.g. late talking), Learning Disabilities, Mothers, School Issues, Self-Esteem

School Age Attention Seeker

Posted on 11/5/2018

I have a 10 yo who says she is good at nothing, not intelligent, not good at school. She is not putting effort in nothing she is doing. She doesn't want to do her homeworks and doesn't care if...

Ages: School Age (6-10 years)

Topics: Chores/Responsibilities, Disobedience/Defiance, Homework, John's Discipline Methods, Learning Disabilities, Mealtime/Eating, Parent Leadership and Authority

School Toy Story

Posted on 3/29/2018

Hi, I have a question regarding my almost 7 year old daughter. Last year she got kicked out of kindergarten after 3 suspensions in the first few months of school. She was then sent to a...

Ages: School Age (6-10 years)

Topics: ADHD and other disorders, Character/Values (teaching), Learning Disabilities, Lying, Parent Leadership and Authority, School Issues

Toddler communicates by grunting, whining, and pointing.

Posted on 12/25/2017

Hello, my 27 month old has a speech delay and is currently in speech therapy. We are using sign language to help communicate. He becomes easily frustrated when we can’t understand what he’s...

Ages: Toddler (18MOS-3 years)

Topics: Learning Disabilities

Calm Down Please!

Posted on 9/12/2017

My daughter is now 8 1/2 - through the years I have written to you about her personality - last year she was diagnosed with Dyslexia - which has explained where the low self esteem has come from....

Ages: School Age (6-10 years)

Topics: Bedtime/Sleep, Food/Eating Problems, Learning Disabilities, Parent Leadership and Authority, Self-Esteem

What to do about testing?

Posted on 5/21/2017

((This question is in response to a previous question which was not helpful to us. Hopefully the additional information that we've provided will help you to better understand.)) > Our 8 year old...

Ages: School Age (6-10 years)

Topics: Learning Disabilities

Immature Teen Has Cursing Problems

Posted on 1/18/2017

We have an immature 16-year-old with a potty mouth. This son of ours has mental delays as well. Strikes us as closer to 12 or so mentally. We have ten children, some adopted with handicaps. This...

Ages: Older Teen/High School (16-18 years)

Topics: Consequences/Punishment, Learning Disabilities, Parent Leadership and Authority, Rebellious Behavior, Teenage Issues

ADD/ADHD controversy.

Posted on 10/26/2016

I have a 10 year old daughter and 8 year old son. We had my daughter tested this summer for a suspected learning difference. She struggles with reading and comprehension. My husband has...

Ages: School Age (6-10 years)

Topics: Learning Disabilities

14-year-old homework hassles

Posted on 8/19/2016

My son is 14 and has ADHD. He takes medication daily since Kindergarten. He has trouble focusing in school. He constantly has missing assignments and claims he has no homework. The teachers do a...

Ages: Young Teen/Junior High (13-15 years)

Topics: Homework, John's Discipline Methods, Learning Disabilities

3 year old : Techniques appropriate for special needs?

Posted on 5/23/2013

I'm a pediatric speech-language pathologist and I frequently recommend John's books to my patients' parents. Many of my patients have some degree of cognitive impairment due to Down Syndrome,...

Ages: Pre-Preschool (3 Year Old)

Topics: Developmental Issues (e.g. late talking), Learning Disabilities

8 year old Learning Disabilities

Posted on 7/19/2011

John, we have many of your books and have heard you speak at "Flying Eagles" business conferences. Learning struggles is our issue. At the end of 1st grade my son's teacher and I discussed my...

Ages: School Age (6-10 years)

Topics: ADHD and other disorders, Learning Disabilities

Smart Board 2

Posted on 10/11/2010

I was a little concerned about my 8 year old's handwriting (shes homeschooled) until I saw my 12 yr old nieces' homework, this past weekend.I have little to compare our children's work to, yet I...

Ages: School Age (6-10 years), Pre-Teen (11-12 years)

Topics: Learning Disabilities, School Issues

learning disabilities & homework

Posted on 9/6/2006

I have read Ending the Homework Hassle and Ritalin is Not the Answer and have been applying the advice for my 5th grader with great succcess. However, I am disappointed to find that both stop...

Ages: School Age (6-10 years)

Topics: Learning Disabilities