
The answer is simple, but the implementation is not. To quote Ross Greene, "Kids do well when they can." The trick is to make their world feel manageable while challenging them to grow in ways that feel exciting, but not overwhelming. I really like the approach described by Stuart Shanker in his book, Self-Reg. Managing your world means attending to your biological needs (eating, sleeping, exercise), your emotional needs, your social needs, your place in the community, and the ways your brain thinks (your cognitive needs). If (guess I can't use returns!)...If you have challenges in any one of those domains, it will have an impact on the other domains. For example, if you are not feeling well (biological) it will be harder to do well in school (cognitive). And if you have challenges in one domain (e.g., a disability), you have to address the disability - accommodating while also working to remediate. Pushing kids faster than they can handle leads to overwhelm and shut down.
Dr. Sarah Wayland received her Ph.D. in 1990 from Brandeis University in Cognitive Psychology; she has worked at Northeastern University, University of Maryland School of Medicine, and University of Maryland’s Center for Advanced Study of Language. More recently, she earned her certification as an RDI Consultant.
Dr. Sarah Wayland has been deeply involved with local organizations in both a professional capacity and as a parent. She has met countless providers, educators, and parents.
Dr. Sarah Wayland received her Ph.D. in 1990 from Brandeis University in Cognitive Psychology; she has worked at Northeastern University, University of Maryland School of Medicine, and University of Maryland’s Center for Advanced Study of Language. More recently, she earned her certification as an RDI Consultant.
Dr. Sarah Wayland has been deeply involved with local organizations in both a professional capacity and as a parent. She has met countless providers, educators, and parents.