We are wrapping up this five-part series for parents who learn
and think differently with practical takeaways to help continue the
journey of helping yourself and your child who is
struggling at school. Here's a quick recap of
everything we've learned, including tips and strategies for decoding big emotions,
managing feelings, and finding new ways to
approach difficult situations. First thing, if you had a
difficult time at school, trying to help your
child navigate challenges of their own can t
rigger
pathways in your brain that bring up big emotions. These triggers can cause
automatic responses in your body and brain: fight, flight, or freeze. And these responses can totally hijack your ability to think and act rationally. That's why without
understanding or support, you might find yourself sobbing when your child says he
feels left out in class, or shouting at the teacher during your parent-teacher conference, or maybe you just avoid dealing with your child's school
altogether, but c
hange is possible. Understanding what
triggers these reactions in the first place can help
you feel more in control and less overwhelmed. For any of this to happen though, you have to acknowledge and
validate your own experiences. To say to yourself, "Going through that was hard. My experiences were real.
My feelings are real." And try to let go of some
of the negative thoughts about yourself you might be holding onto. It was never about trying
harder or being lazy. Your brain just works differe
ntly, and that is not a bad thing. It's a part of who you are. Dealing with these feelings can
be tough, but it's worth it. The changes you make will
help you feel more empowered and make it easier to help
and support your child, both now and as they grow. It's also important to remember how much has changed
since you were in school. Teachers have much more information about learning and thinking differences. There are better supports,
more accommodations, and less stigma overall. And most impor
tantly,
you are better informed. And even just by showing up
and watching these videos, you are working hard
to help your child have a different experience than you did. This is a process. And
it shouldn't end here. Change takes time. But there are some
practical steps and tools you can use right now to help you navigate these
challenges with less stress. Our HubPage has resources and tools to help you continue the journey. If you're an adult and you
think you might have ADHD or a learning diffe
rence, checkout Understood Explains Season Two to learn more about the
process of getting a diagnosis. We'll link it down below,
as well as other resources. You can also join our
free Wonder Community app and connect with other parents raising kids who learn
and think differently. Thanks so much for
joining us in this series. I know you've been struggling
with this for a long time, but you've put in the
effort for these new skills. You may continue to go through some tough
times periodically, bu
t remember that you are tougher and that you now have
the tools and strategies to be able to tackle
any issues that arise.
Comments