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Case Example: Enhancing Child Development with #Innoccu Meet Emily 🧏🏼♀️: Emily is a 6-year-old child experiencing difficulties in her school environment. Her teacher has noted challenges with writing and social interactions. Concerned, the teacher referred Emily to a child therapist for a developmental evaluation. #Innoccu: To gain a comprehensive understanding of Emily's developmental status, the child therapist used Innoccu. Innoccu’s Assessment Results showed: Fine Motor Skills: Age appropriate Visual Perception: Age appropriate Inhibition Control: Low for her age Working Memory: Low for her age Innoccu’s Functional Implications Report: 📚 Educational Tasks: Emily may face challenges in tasks that require focus due to her low inhibition control and working memory. She might struggle to follow multi-step instructions in school assignments, leading to incomplete or incorrect answers. Additionally, reading comprehension exercises that require holding multiple pieces of information in her working memory could be difficult for her. 👥 Social Interactions: Emily's low inhibition control may hinder her ability to engage appropriately in social interactions. She might interrupt conversations frequently or have difficulty waiting her turn during group activities, potentially leading to misunderstandings or conflicts with her peers. This impulsivity can make it challenging for her to form and maintain friendships, as other children might find her behavior disruptive. 🗓 Daily Routines: Emily's low working memory might impact her ability to remember and follow daily routines and sequences. For instance, she may forget the steps required to get ready for school, such as packing her bag or brushing her teeth. However, her age-appropriate fine motor skills and visual perception suggest she can effectively complete tasks involving these abilities, such as tying her shoes or drawing. 💡 Using #Innoccu, Emily's therapist was presented with detailed insights into her cognitive and motor functions. This comprehensive evaluation assists in planning personalized interventions and support strategies tailored to Emily's specific needs.

Studies have found that when parents are involved in their child's education by monitoring their activities, communicating regularly with teachers, and participating in school events, it can lead to better behavior and academic outcomes for their children. For instance, research has shown that parental involvement can promote better teacher-student relationships, improve mental health outcomes, and prevent misconduct. Interestingly, the effectiveness of parental involvement can vary based on cultural differences. For example, in some cultures, parents may not feel comfortable communicating with teachers or participating in school events. As such, it is important for schools to create a welcoming environment that is respectful of diverse cultures and encourages parental involvement in different ways. "Even well-designed school programs inviting involvement will meet with only limited success if they do not address issues of parental role construction and parental sense of efficacy for helping children succeed in school.", a study reports. (Hoover-Dempsey et al, 2005) It is also worth noting that the impact of parental involvement is not limited to the short term. A study found that parental involvement in early childhood was associated with fewer discipline problems in later grades. This suggests that promoting parental involvement from an early age can have long-lasting positive effects on your child's behavior and academic performance. #adiutor #didyouknow

Here are some key takeaways from the latest special education updates in Texas. I’m particularly interested in how districts will manage the requirement to include a dyslexia specialist on the evaluation team and the introduction of the new "Developmental Delay" eligibility category. These changes could significantly impact how students are assessed and supported, and I'm interested to see how they’ll be implemented in practice. How are your districts addressing these changes?

Yesterday I reached an exciting educational milestone! 💎 I'm currently undergoing a Master of Research, investigating how receiving an autism diagnosis in adulthood may impact the career goals and trajectories of autistic adults. Yesterday, I presented my Confirmation of Candidature, which is when you present your proposed research and associated design to a panel of academics, to get 'approval' or rather 'confirmation' that you can proceed with your study. After a 30 min presentation, followed by 30 min of questions from the panel (where I had to defend my research design - eeeek!), I received confirmation to proceed with my study! This means I'm officially half way through my Masters, and will be proceeding with the study over the next 12 months. Sharing a screenshot from the recording (edited out the attendees for privacy) #autism #neurodiversity #actuallyautistic #autismresearch

I just met with the two co-directors of the Rowan University Center for Neurodiversity. I'm completely floored and impressed by the work they are doing. THIS is the direction we need to move in, and this work is absolutely possible for us to bring to all of our campuses. I'll be including much more detail in my forthcoming book, but books take time. Here are a few quick suggestions until then: 1. Start by bringing neurodivergent speakers/programming to campus. I'm attaching an upcoming talk the center is hosting, and it's FREE and open to public. 2. Survey your campus. Survey ALL students to understand their experiences about neurodiversity, as well as a sense of belonging/support amongst neurodivergent students specifically. 3. This work can come out of ANY area of campus. It does not necessarily need to come from disability/accessibility services. 4. From these starting points, build community and momentum to work toward a potential center for neurodiversity, a center that would educate ALL students on campus as well as providing specific supports to neurodivergent students. (As always, this distinction b/t neurodiversity and neurodivergence is critical! Words matter.) You can learn more about the center here. Co-directors John Woodruff and Chiara Jean Latimer were happy for me to share this and are happy to serve as outreach resources to this community. They are my new #HigherEd heroes. https://lnkd.in/e3JCcMvC #HigherEd #a11y #Disability #Neurodiversity #Neurodiverence #Neuroinclusive

🚨 Key Updates for Texas Special Educators for 2023-2024! 🚨 As the new school year begins, here are some of the essential updates impacting special education: 🔹 IEP Goals: Transition planning must start by age 14, not 16. 🔹 Autism: Student does not have to meet the medical diagnosis of Autism for special education eligibility. Missing "other" charachteristics listed in federal criteria won’t disqualify a student. 🔹 Dyslexia: Evaluations now need an expert in reading and dyslexia, such as a licensed dyslexia therapist. 🔹 Developmental Delay: New eligibility category for kids ages 3-9, replacing "Noncategorical Early Childhood" (NCEC). 🔹 Emotional Disability: Replaces "Emotional Disturbance" without changing the criteria. #SpecialEducation #BackToSchool #TexasEducation #IEP #Dyslexia #Autism

On this World Autism Day, I'm reflecting on the tremendous impact inclusive education can have for autistic students. As a Special Educator, I've witnessed firsthand how a truly accommodating and supportive school environment allows these amazing kids to flourish academically, socially, and emotionally. Genuine inclusivity goes far beyond placing autistic students in general ed classrooms. It requires ongoing training for educators on neurodiversity, consistent implementation of accommodations and modifications, and a culture of acceptance among staff and peers. When schools get this right, the results are transformative. Today, I'm calling on all schools to prioritize authentic inclusivity as a core value. Provide comprehensive professional development on supporting autistic students. Ensure IEP teams collaborate to meet each child's needs. Foster peer education to build understanding. Most importantly, create spaces where autistic students feel safe to stim, self-regulate, and simply be themselves. Our autistic students have so many incredible gifts to offer when given the proper support and affirmation in school settings. Let's renew our commitment to making that the norm, not the exception. They deserve no less than our full efforts. #WorldAutismDay #AutismAcceptance #InclusiveEducation #IEPCoach #SEARCHServicesllc

In my essay, "When 'Rigor' Targets Disabled Students," for The Chronicle of Higher Education, I write: "Disabled students make up 19 percent of U.S. undergraduates, yet some of our conventional teaching practices make their educational lives needlessly difficult. It’s time to set those practices aside." I write about how punitive attendance policies, harsh grading schemes, and inflexible deadlines make students’ and professors' lives needlessly difficult—and harm disabled students. **Check out the essay at bit.ly/pryal-chronicle.** * To learn more about neurodiversity and higher education, check out my book: "A Light in the Tower: A New Reckoning with Mental Health and Disability in Higher Education" from the University Press of Kansas at alightinthetower.com. ...or book me to speak at pryalspeaks.com. #neurodiversity #highered #highereducation #neurodivergent #adhdinhighered #autisticincollege #anxiety #academicableism

🌟Dyspraxia Trends: Navigating Differences, Forging Futures 🌟 "Embrace your differences, for they make you unique. Dyspraxia may shape my journey, but it doesn't define my destination." - Richard Branson Did you know that developmental coordination disorder (DCD), commonly referred to as dyspraxia, impacts around 5-6% of school-aged children? This intriguing condition poses challenges in motor coordination and planning, often presenting distinctive hurdles in daily activities. Exploring contemporary trends sheds light on potential influences on dyspraxia diagnosis rates: 📱 Increased Screen Time: Concerns arise regarding the impact of excessive screen time, potentially hindering the development of motor skills in young children. 👶 Shifting Early Childhood Practices: Changes in educational approaches may prioritise academics over physical development activities, affecting opportunities for refining motor skills in early years. 🔍 Growing Awareness and Identification: As dyspraxia garners better understanding, more children previously overlooked are receiving necessary support. It's crucial to acknowledge a potential gender bias in diagnosis: 🚺 Underdiagnosed Girls: Studies suggest girls may be underdiagnosed due to different presentation patterns and attributions of difficulties. By shedding light on dyspraxia and these trends, we can: 🎯 Improve Early Identification: Ensure timely diagnoses for all children, regardless of gender. 🛠️ Develop Targeted Support: Tailor interventions to address specific dyspraxia-related needs. 🤝 Promote Inclusive Environments: Foster understanding and acceptance across classrooms, playgrounds, and communities. Propel the dialogue forward and advocate for greater support and acceptance carving paths to empowerment and inclusion! #DyspraxiaAwareness #InclusionMatters #Empowerment #Education #Healthcare #DidYouKnow #Facts #Awareness #Support #Community #Understanding #InclusiveEnvironments #UnlockingInsights

Sensory/Calm Rooms Positively impacting SEND students: Creating SEND spaces in Mainstream School! A Hub for Teachers to take a Mental Break!👏 Creating inclusive spaces is key to supporting every child’s learning journey. Recently, I had the privilege of establishing a sensory room and it is the perfect compliment for the first Autism Specific Class created in a mainstream school on island. The videos will show the design, tools and use of the room for various scenarios! 🎉 It can help them to feel calm, engaged, and ready to learn. It’s more than just a room—it’s a tool for emotional regulation, focus, and personal growth. I’m excited to see the continued positive impact it will have on students’ well-being and learning experiences!♥️ What have you done in your school to accommodate students in need of sensory regulation❓ Are your ready to undertake the responsibility of designing, seek funding and monitor the creation of this space❓ Follow this tip👇 to begin a visual expression for accommodating students in need of additional support! #InclusionMatters #SensoryRoom #InclusiveLearning #SpecialEducation #PrimaryEducation #AutismAwareness #EducationLeadership #TeachingTips #EducationalInnovation