Executive Function Skills - External Thinking & Practice

When you have a unique or different learning style, life can be frustrating for you and the people in your life. Accomplishing tasks and learning can be met with more frustrating, overwhelm, sadness, and feelings of shame. Educators and parents, and individuals may not know what their learning preferences are and how to more effectively get tasks done. It makes sense that this is fairly new because our education system teaches the same way to benefit the same people. If you learn from lectures and using worksheets, you benefit from a typical classroom.

Others who are ADHDers, neurodivergent, smart but scattered, and creative thinkers have struggled to learn, many times in silence. They can be seen as "difficult" to teach or that they are "not trying hard enough." It is overwhelming and frustrating to think that you cannot learn due to effort. Many times, it is the approach and connection that is missing. When we seek to understand how someone's cognitive profile is, we can empower them to learn how they learn best.

And being different isn't bad. We seem to equate difference as wrong, and many differently wired people internalized this into their identities quickly. Learning and thinking differently is not bad. It is just different. Let's find ways to honor difference by being open to new information and perspective.

This video was inspired by personal experiences and watching the TEFOs 2020 conversations with Jeff Copper & Seth Perler. They are both executive function coaches with backgrounds in education. https://executivefunctionsummit.com/

Book: Smart But Scattered Guide to Success by Peg Dawson, EdD & Richard Guare, PhD

I offer coaching to the differently wired. Sometimes it takes someone to help remind you what your natural strengths are so you can identify and accomplish goals that help you cultivate your own authenticity.

Contact me at organizedmesses@gmail.com to schedule an appointment.

Thoughts on Stimming & ABA (Autism Acceptance)

Sharing some ways I stim, responding to the video of "What is Stimming?" by the YouTube channel Ask an Autistic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WexCW... (this video is more detailed)

BLOCKING BAD INPUT WITH GOOD INPUT!

I didn't mention stimming is also used for sensation seeking.

Some ways of stimming mentioned:

• hand flapping

• visual & tactile (stones, dice, glitter, squishy)

• essential oils

• scents

• weighted blankets

A note on ABA: I can see that ABA is changing for the better. I am commenting on my experiences and hearing stories of those who have suffered through terrible ABA practices in the past. If you practice ABA now, please feel free to share what it is like.

ASAN: https://autisticadvocacy.org/

Re: Signs of ADHD in Women & Girls (ADDitudemag.com)

Responding to a list of criteria describing potential ADHD in women. Article: https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-symp...

The Global Giftedness Myth

Book: Gifted Children by Ellen Winner

The Global Giftedness Myth may permeate the culture's misperceptions of gifted people as high-achievers and not needing support (services) in education or life because things came easily. For the population of gifted people where this does not apply, it creates a possible negative experience where they don't feel allowed to share their invisible struggles (sensory overload, processing differences, heightened emotional experiences, cognitive differences, etc.) and pressure to perform at a higher level to be "worthy" or receive approval. This may not be the case for all, yet it is a personal observation to share. There may be this misunderstanding that a gifted person's seeking of approval and knowledge is a personal attack or a way or being elitist. This video is to highlight differences as merely that, difference. Nothing good or bad, just different and needing space for understanding.

Thoughts on (Auditory) Processing Differences

Do you or someone you know pause often when speaking, or ask for clarification in conversations or when given directions? It might be a processing difference! Here are some thoughts and observations:

Neurodiversity: Female Presentation, Wearing Masks, & Living Authentically

Some words on being different, thinking differently, and the journey in relation to "looking" disabled or different, how it may affect a person where they mask or question their authentic selves. Neurodiversity Affirming Therapists: https://www.facebook.com/groups/22198...

Importance of Early Education & Preschool

Preschool isn't just playing or babysitting. It affects brain development, readiness for learning, social skills, trust in adults, trust in their environment to explore, to try again, creative exploration which feeds into analytical problem solving skills, confidence in themselves to make mistakes, knowing how to ask for help, self care...

Blog posts and videos related to early education:

- Tips on Choosing a Preschool: https://bit.ly/2JUIwFi

- Fine Motor Development for Young Children: https://bit.ly/2lnQB6l

- The Importance of Language & Literacy for Young Children: https://bit.ly/2JZ8ner

- 5 Signs Your Child is Learning in Preschool: https://bit.ly/2JOZWmp

- Some Ways to Promote Literacy at Home: https://bit.ly/2ME9wXb

- 8 Tips for Toddlers & Picky Eaters: https://bit.ly/2M4V75n

- 8 Ways to Promote Language in Young Children: https://bit.ly/2ypj5pX

Fashion & Art Student Admission Tips

Some tips for fashion and art students applying to schools:

1) Research your school to see the type of program it is: conceptual, trade, skill-focused, business school?
2) Develop your math skills. If fashion, there will be measurements and scaled models to reference through your career. Practice converting fractions, measurements, and decimals. If necessary, have a tutor, or learn how you best learn math.
3) Writing skills. Read! Practice! Use the dictionary! Language skills are part of your branding, the first thing people think of when reading your mission statement. 
4) Networking: This also wasn't taught to me in psychology. People don't know your brand or services if they haven't met you, or if you haven't put yourself out there. Figure out comfortable, yet achievable ways to reach people in your industry. Build relationships. The referrals will come. People want to know what you offer and who you are first. 
5) Email & Etiquette:  A well-written email and thank yous go a long way in a sea of people who aren't grateful for connections. Stand out with that extra five minutes.
6) Learn how to sew. In fashion merchandising, there are components for knowing how to sew to a degree. Even if you don't plan to make large garments, or sew in the future, knowing this process helps you understand how to expand your vocabulary and collaborate with those who will be sewing. It will help in the future as a business leader. 

www.organizedmesses.com
organizedmesses@gmail.com

Adjusting to Change

Change is difficult. We are creatures seeking comfort with the known and predictable. When it comes to wanting to adopt new habits or behaviors, it's important to try a few things:

- Exposure: The more often we see, hear, or talk about a new goal, the easier it can be to take the next steps.

- Baby steps to reduce unwanted behaviors, or new tiny steps to adopt a new behavior: Identify or envision the end goal. Figure out what the steps to like, and break it down to the tiniest details. See which tiny step you can try here or there to be successful.

- Have people to support you and your context: Honor how hard it is to change. Ask for the encouragement, not complaints for not doing the end goal. Making any progress or sticking with the goal after making mistakes is a big deal!

What Are You Reading?

Sharing my current reading list and the parts I've read. What about you? Share your book treats! :)

Current Reading List: 

• The Proteus Paradox - Nick Yee
• The Whole Brain Child - Dr. Dan Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
• The Highly Sensitive Person - Elaine Aron, PhD
• Eastern Body Western Mind - Anodea Judith
• Wired to Create - Carolyn Gregoire & Scott Barry Kaufman
• Originals - Adam Grant

-Boonie-

www.organizedmesses.com