Success at School

     It's hard to overstate the value of self-esteem. It supercharges our brains to give us ideas and energy. It makes us feel and look better. But the dark side to this equation is that a lack of self-esteem has the opposite effect. 

     What’s the worst you’ve ever felt?

     No, scratch that.  No one should have to remember something that painful.

     Julie, my wife, just reminded me that it’s teacher appreciation week. 

     That makes me think of the teachers who Julie calls “angels.” 

     There’s a great Gary Larson Far Side cartoon about optimists and pessimists that shows four people, each separately looking at a glass with some water in it.

     Your child’s success in the coming school year has a lot to do with his or her comfort zone.  Some children have pretty flexible comfort zones.

     Children with Asperger Syndrome tend to have difficulty adapting to new situations, and many really benefit from extra preparation and explanations.

   It can take any teacher a while to figure out the strengths and challenges of children at the beginning of a school year.   A child with Asperger Syndrome, or a similar autism spectrum disorder, may not benefit from waiting to be figured out.

   Another summer is coming.  How can you help your child use it to make things better for the next school year?  If your child has Asperger Syndrome or autism, you might consider making it “the summer of social skills.”

   What happened?

   How did we get to the point where political pundits are attacking America’s teachers?

How are you teaching your children?

Are you as effective as you want to be? If you’re frustrated that your children don’t seem to be learning the lessons you’re trying so hard to share, you’re not alone.

Will your child with Asperger Syndrome or a similar condition be bullied this school year?  Unless you have an unusual situation, the odds say yes.  If it happens, will school staff respond appropriately?