Nicole Rouleau is the owner of Igniting Your Mind and is a neuroscience-based ADHD & Executive Function Educator/Coach. She helps clients understand that their unique brain states impact how they respond to stress in their environment. She collaborate with our clients to help them develop ways to regulate their emotions, demonstrate flexibility and build verbal and non-verbal working memory skills. These aspects comprise what we know as Executive Functions, a crucial set of life skills needed to achieve independence and success in life.
Speed Matters: Understanding The Importance Of Processing Speed
Nicole Rouleau, ADHD-CCSP
Processing speed is a cognitive ability that refers to the speed and efficiency with which an individual can perform mental tasks, such as perceiving, recognizing, and responding to information.
Specifically, processing speed is the ability to quickly and accurately process information, and make decisions based on that information.
For students, processing speed can affect how quickly they can complete tasks and assignments, and how well they can keep up with classroom instruction. Students with slower processing speed may take longer to read and comprehend texts, solve math problems, write essays, and complete other academic tasks. They may also have difficulty following complex instructions, organizing their thoughts, and staying focused.
Processing speed is a key component of many cognitive abilities, including attention, working memory, and executive function. Difficulties with processing speed can impact a student's overall academic performance and achievement.
However, it's important to note that processing speed is just one aspect of cognitive function, and that students with slower processing speed can still be successful with appropriate accommodations, strategies, and support.
Behind the Curve: How Processing Speed Deficits Can Affect Performance in Many Areas of Life and How We Can Help?
Slow processing speed can affect students in various areas of their academic and daily lives. Here are some common areas where slow processing speed may show up in students:
Reading
Students with slow processing speed may struggle to keep up with reading assignments, especially when they encounter complex or lengthy texts. They may take longer to process and comprehend the information, which can make it difficult for them to finish reading assignments on time.
How Can We Help with Reading?
- Provide audio books or other assistive technology to help students with slow processing speed keep up with reading assignments.
- Teach active reading strategies, such as highlighting or note-taking, to help students focus and retain information.
- Encourage the use of reading guides or summaries to help students better understand and process complex texts.
Writing
Slow processing speed can also affect a student's ability to write essays or complete written assignments. These students may take longer to organize their thoughts, plan their writing, and express their ideas coherently.
How Can We Help with Writing?
- Provide explicit instruction on the writing process, including prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. Offer checkpoints throughout this process.
- Discuss ideas and help students visualize their task prior to writing. Use graphic organizers to help students organize these thoughts and ideas before starting to draft.
- Allow for extended time on written assignments to accommodate slow processing speed.
Math
Students with slow processing speed may have difficulty completing math problems or following multi-step instructions. They may take longer to process and solve problems, which can make it difficult for them to finish math assignments in a timely manner.
How Can We Help With Math?
- Use visual aids, such as diagrams or graphs, to help students better understand mathematical concepts.
- Break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable steps.
- Encourage the use of math manipulatives, such as blocks or counters, to help students visualize and solve problems.
Attention
Slow processing speed can also impact a student's ability to pay attention and stay focused. These students may struggle to keep up with lectures or classroom discussions, and may need more time to process information before they can fully engage in class.
How Can We Help With Attention?
- Break down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. By doing this, you can help reduce the cognitive load on the student, which can in turn help them focus better and avoid becoming overwhelmed.
- Providing visual aids and hands-on activities can also help keep their attention focused and engaged.
- It's also important to provide regular breaks and opportunities for movement throughout the day, as this can help improve attention and overall cognitive function.
Memory
Students with slow processing speed may also have difficulty remembering information, such as facts, dates, or concepts. They may need more time to review and practice new material in order to commit it to long-term memory.
How Can We Help With Memory?
- When you're asking your students questions, remember that giving them enough time to process and respond is key. By allowing for sufficient wait time, you give them the opportunity to carefully consider their answer and demonstrate their knowledge. So before assuming that they don't know or don't want to answer, make sure you're offering plenty of wait time to help them shine!
Identifying and Supporting Slow Processing Speed Across Different Areas of Life
Social Interactions
- Students with slow processing speed may struggle with social interactions, such as understanding jokes or sarcasm, or following conversations.
- Teachers can help by providing opportunities for one-on-one interactions with students, such as during office hours or after class.
Sports & Physical Activities
- Slow processing speed can impact a student's ability to react quickly or make split-second decisions, which can be a challenge in sports or other physical activities.
- Teachers can help by providing opportunities for students to practice and build skills in a low-pressure environment, such as during practice or in small groups.
- It may also be helpful to provide visual aids or other supports to help students understand and execute complex movements or strategies.
Daily Routines
- Slow processing speed can make it difficult for students to complete daily tasks in a timely manner, such as getting dressed or packing their backpack.
- Teachers and parents can help by providing clear and consistent routines, breaking tasks down into smaller steps, and allowing extra time for students to complete tasks.
- Visual aids, such as checklists or pictures, can also be helpful for students who struggle with processing speed.
Promoting Success and Confidence in Students by Addressing the Challenges of Slow Processing Speed
Although processing speed deficits can present significant challenges for students, with the right support from parents and teachers, they can still achieve great success. By understanding the impact of slow processing speed on learning and implementing effective strategies to accommodate it, we can help students reach their full potential and feel confident in their abilities. With patience, encouragement, and a willingness to adapt, we can create a learning environment that empowers all students to succeed.
Thank you to Nicole Rouleau of Igniting Your Mind for this guest post.
6 Common Special Needs Planning Missteps & How to Avoid Them Guest Post by Pat Bergmaier, CFP®, ChSNC® Over the years, I’ve met many well-meaning, loving parents who mistakenly assume they’re “all set” when it comes to handling the unique financial needs of their child with special needs, only to find out later that they’ve missed a key step. It’s understandable, but these situations can often be avoided with some proper planning help. Here are some frequent planning missteps to be aware of that could impact the financial future of your child or family member with special needs.
Where Can I Have My Child Evaluated for Autism, ADHD & Giftedness? If you have concerns about your child's development or learning, then you likely already know that many local providers have waitlists as long as 18-24 months for evaluations. As a parent who was once putting my child's name on those lists, I grew frustrated and made it my mission to collect parent recommended resources with minimal waitlists who can help families get answers as early as possible. Here are many excellent options to consider.
Thank you to Dr. David Danish, President and Psychiatrist at Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry and Chris Smith, Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Specialist for answering this parent question.
Join me in welcoming ABA Centers of Pennsylvania to Bala Cynwyd and Wayne/King of Prussia. They are smashing lengthy local waitlists for autism diagnosis and care, getting children 2-17 years in within 47 days of their initial contact and they work with most major insurances.
Beyond Autism Opens their 3rd Location in Havertown Pa! Beyond Autism is a collaborative center that provides individualized ABA, Speech and Occupational Therapy for children and adolescents diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. They partner with families living with autism to build a strong foundation for their children in early childhood and beyond and passionately believe that their team inspires and supports change through evidence-based teaching methods and practices. Their newest location recently opened in Havertown and they continue to offer services out of their West Chester and Media locations. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific, data based field that has utilized principles of learning and behavior for over 30 years to teach children with Autism enhanced social behaviors like self-care, play, motor skills, language, academic, self-help and other living skills. Their typical timeframe to begin services ranges from 2-4 weeks and, best of all, Beyond accepts all major commercial insurances. While they are not a Medicaid provider, they do offer a hardship program for those in need of financial assistance. Beyond offers a variety of service areas which include but are not limited to: Autism Spectrum Disorder Childhood Apraxia of Speech Early Intervention of Speech/Language Delay Expressive and Receptive Language Disorders Fluency/Stuttering Disorders Artic Phonological Disorders Social Skills/Pragmatic Language Deficits Learning Disabilities Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Feeding and swallowing Their occupational therapy program focuses on providing skilled based services in the following areas: Activities of daily living (i.e dressing, feeding, toileting & tooth brushing) Sensory processing Fine and gross motor skills Self-regulation and social skills Visual motor & perception skills Play and leisure skills Learn more and contact them at the link below and welcome Beyond Autism to the neighborhood!
Do you have a child who is exploring potential careers and wishes to do more research? Here are my top 3 websites to explore job goals! O*Net Online O*Net Online is a fabulous website that you could spend hours on. Do you have a specific job that you are interested in researching? You can search for it specifically and you can see all of the job duties associated, the education required, salary information, as well as other jobs that are related to that position. You can also explore jobs based on a specific skill set, by professional associations, job duties, etc. The website also designates which jobs are “bright outcomes”, meaning that the industry is growing and therefore jobs will most likely be available in your field. The website also includes a free interest profile which is helpful in narrowing options. Overall, I could spend hours doing research on O*Net! It is my favorite website by far! Pennsylvania’s Center for Workforce Information & Analysis This website provides labor statistics based on information gathered from the state of Pennsylvania and breaks it down by counties. My favorite statistic to explore is the “Top 50 New Hires”. This is updated every quarter, so it has the most up to date information. This list shows the top 50 employers in each county who have hired workers. This list can be beneficial to explore what type of industries are prevalent in the area that you live in or wish to live in, as well to give ideas of employers to explore for potential jobs. You can find an employer and then search their site for the types of jobs that they are hiring for. The information is extremely interesting, especially when comparing different counties. Occupational Outlook Handbook This website is similar to O*Net Online because it also allows you to explore different job goals in a variety of ways including by pay, educational level, projected new jobs, and projected growth rate. This website is developed using the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. There is a video on the home page which gives you information on how to best use the site. It is another great option for you and your child to explore different job goals. The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, or OVR, provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain or maintain employment.
If you are a parent of a child with an intellectual disability or autism, it can be overwhelming knowing which agencies you need to connect with to support your child. One of the first agencies that you should explore is the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). Pennsylvania’s Office of Developmental Programs has a mission to assist Pennsylvanians with developmental disabilities to achieve greater independence, choice, and opportunity in their lives. Services include (but are not limited to) assistive technology, benefits counseling, community support, therapies, transportation, employment support, educational support, respite care, housing, etc. The services provided are tailored to the needs of your child. You must contact your county ODP office and schedule a time to speak with the intake person who will gather your information. ODP provides services through Administrative Entities. An administrative entity is an agency that can oversee ODP services. As a parent, you will have a choice of which Administrative Entity you would like to work with. It is encouraged to reach out to speak to the different Administrative Entities available to determine which one is the best fit for your family. I also encourage you to discuss with other members of your community who may have worked with them in the past. Once assigned to an administrative entity, you will be assigned to a Supports Coordinator who will be your main point person as you navigate services. It is important that this person is kept in the loop and informed of any important changes. Services are funded through something called a “waiver”. Some waivers are available at birth, therefore there is no need to wait to enroll for ODP. There are different waivers available and although several of them overlap in the types of services they provide, they may differ in the amount of funds that can be spent on a yearly basis. This can impact the number of services your child can access and at times, you may have to prioritize what is most important for them to have. Your supports coordinator will let you know which waiver you are eligible for and will help develop a plan, an Individualized Service Plan, which will outline the services provided. The ISP is updated on an annual basis. I have had discussions with families in the past who have been hesitant to enroll with ODP because they had misconceptions of the services that they provide. They believed that the services were just for individuals with significant cognitive disabilities and that their child would not be eligible. Some families I have worked with didn’t realize that individuals with autism were eligible for ODP as well. In reality, ODP provides funding for an extensive amount of services. If your child is going to need supported employment services, ODP will work hand in hand with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to provide the on-going on-site support. ODP funds have also been used to pay for the tuition for autism programs through universities. I have also seen ODP funds be used to fund Uber rides to and from employment. Your supports coordinator will be the one to assist you in determining how funds are used. Why is it important to enroll now versus waiting? For some waivers, it may be first come first served and may require for you to join a wait list. The number so individuals accessing these services continues to grow and there are limits to the funding available. In addition, it is important to have the supports coordinator involved early so that they can assist with the transition out of high school. In addition, to be eligible, you must provide documentation and complete an application. This process can take time, so you do not want to wait to get started. For more information about ODP, please visit ODP’s website which features The Gold Book , which explains services and waivers in digestible way.
Whether your teen or young adult is moving toward post secondary education or employment, Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Erin Brown has tips for a smoother transition... In PA, planning for the transition from high school to employment and/or post-secondary education begins at age 14, however, it's never too late to start! Here are things to keep in mind when planning and implementing a transition plan. Talk About Employment Early Students are typically only exposed to jobs they interact with so you'll want to widen their exposure as well as discuss their interests and hobbies and how those might intersect with potential employment opportunities. Learn what positions are available within a field of interest and what educational levels are required for those fields and positions. In order to obtain services from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation , the student must have one specific job goal that they are working towards in order to determine what services they will receive. Know Agency Timelines There are many programs and agencies to support your student at any age but they have varying, and often inflexible, timelines. Learning what is available to and creating a timeline for when to start the process with each agency will help you avoid missing needed support. Practice Advocacy Now A crucial skill for your student to develop for both employment and postsecondary education is the ability to speak about their disability and support needs. Involving them in IEP meetings can afford them practice and confidence in this area which they can utilize down the road in speaking with professors, employers and more. Practice Soft Skills Soft skills are the skills your student will need to be successful with any job or education program. These include hygiene, dressing appropriately, professional communication, comfort in interviews, taking feedback , learning to wake up independently and on time and much more. All the things your teen, especially if they are neurodivergent, likely struggles with! Find Employment Opportunities Employment opportunities allow your student to experience the work setting first-hand and to learn what they do and do not like regarding tasks, setting and and which skill areas need improvement. Often learning what they don't like is even more valuable than learning what they do like. Any type of paid or unpaid work experience will be a valuable experience in determining those things. Who Can Help A transition counselor or consultant can work with you and your student when planning for and embarking on transition services by: * Discussing employment goals * Reviewing current services received by school district/agencies * Reviewing available agencies client should be connected to * Reviewing potential programs/services client may be interested in * Discussing tangible goals and plans, both in the short term and plans for future years dependent on where they are in the transition/employment process * Working with your child to come up with a schedule that will look at not only their upcoming assignments and tests but will also help prioritize what they need to be working on and introduce organizational techniques that they can use independently in future semesters or years
Wondering if your child's behaviors are typical or a sign of something more? Our friends at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help!... Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is marked by difficulties with social communication/interaction, as well as restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. Kids with ASD can begin showing signs as early as 12 months of age, but it’s typically recommended that families wait until 18-24 months to get formal testing. By age 2, a diagnosis by an experienced ASD evaluation expert can be considered reliable. Depending on a child’s developmental milestones, the specific symptoms they may be showing, and where they lie on the ASD spectrum, ASD can easily be misdiagnosed or go unnoticed. Due to missed signs and behaviors, it is important for parents and caregivers to understand what some potential signs and symptoms of ASD may be. In younger children, signs of ASD include: *Avoiding eye contact *Disengagement with games or playing with peers *Lack of pretend play *Toileting troubles *Sensory sensitivity (i.e., touch, smell, noise) *Tantrums that occur more often and last longer than peers In older children, signs of ASD include: *Difficulty engaging with the back and forth flow of conversations *Difficulty with perspective-taking (i.e., seeing another’s point of view, understanding how another is feeling) *Tendency to discuss a specific topic for an overly extended period of time *Struggles with interpreting nonverbal language of others such as body movements, facial expressions, nonverbal cues *Repetitive movements or behaviors such as flapping one’s hands (often called stimming) *Rigidity regarding routines If your child is displaying these characteristics, give your pediatrician a call and ask for a screening to determine whether a more extensive ASD evaluation would be indicated. If not, feel free to give us a call (267-551-1984) and we can help you figure out whether you should pursue a full assessment for ASD. One thing to note is that the earlier you get a proper diagnosis and treatment, the better the outcomes for your child will be. Proper Autism testing should be comprehensive and include multiple sources of information (including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, which is the hallmark component of the gold-standard Autism assessment battery). The Autism evaluation experts at the Center for CBT offer extremely comprehensive, accurate Autism evaluations that include detailed treatment plan recommendations and next steps for your child. You can read more about our ASD evaluations at the Center for CBT here or give us a call for a consultation directly with an Autism evaluation specialist at 267-551-1984.
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