Why Voice Inflection is Important

Children with attention, executive functioning,  language. and learning problems may not pick up on the subtle differences in voice inflection that change the meaning of what parents, teachers, or peers are saying.  They may not use voice inflection much and so they may not understand when others use it.   Without understanding or picking up on…

Has Your Child Ever Burst Your Eardrum?

Mine has!  Children with attention and executive functioning challenges often do not understand voice volume and that different circumstances call for different levels of volume.  They may talk too loudly when in small gatherings and be seen as overly obnoxious and loud.  They may also talk too quietly when trying to speak to others who…

Is Your Child Talking Too Much or Too Little?

Many children with attention challenges may talk constantly.  Incessant chatter may seem cute in a young child but as the child gets older it may be no longer acceptable to family and peers.  Teenagers often begin to resent an individual’s need to be in the verbal spot-light.  Some children may not watch what they say…

Manners Matter: Important Skills to Get Invited Back to Parties

A key aspect of building friendships is using good manners at parties and in other social situations.  Some children don’t know how to act properly at a birthday party or other social gathering, but they can be taught. Parents are encouraged use the following list of party-manners, practice each one, then put them into action. …

Social Skills

Social difficulties can become far more anxiety provoking for a struggling child than problems with reading or math.  A child can carry a calculator to help with arithmetic and a computer can help with spelling and writing, but there is no mechanical or computerized invention that can take her successfully through a classmate’s birthday party…

Putting it all together = Conversation

Conversation is the art of combining questions, active listening, and self disclosure in a way that people keep talking and enjoy it.  Children need to realize the key to conversation is give and take — not dominating the conversation and not simply holding back and listening — conversation is an active, participant sport in all…