As we move into the end of summer, many families are beginning to prepare for a new school year. For parents of twice exceptional kids this transition can bring a unique mix of anticipation, excitement, and uncertainty. While many back to school checklists focus on buying supplies and new clothes, occupational therapists recognize that successful transitions involve much more than backpacks and lunch boxes. There is also an important detail which involves preparing your child

I have started more planners in my life than I can count. Paper planners, app-based ones, even a chaotic color-coded sticky-note phase I would rather forget. Not to mention the 24x18 whiteboard calendar that still read “September” as Thanksgiving approached, a loving tribute to my gift for starting systems and my brain’s total indifference to maintaining them. I am twice-exceptional, and for a long time I assumed the unused planners meant something was wrong with me. It took

Executive functioning challenges impact school, but school isn't always the best place to learn them. Discover how low-stakes family day trips create natural, stress-free opportunities for neurodivergent and 2e children to practice planning, organization, and resilience when things change.

What do you want your child to remember about your next trip? Instead of focusing on packed itineraries, explore how prioritizing regulation and emotional safety can help your neurodivergent or 2e child navigate the unexpected and build lasting, positive family connections.

Sarah hated school and resisted writing, leaving teachers frustrated. Yet, she stayed up all night writing a script and directing neighborhood kids in a play. Reframed around her interests, her motivation soared. As noted by REEL, "Magic happens at the intersection of strengths and interests." Once you understand what makes a child light up, you can nurture it.

A letter to the parent I used to be, and to every parent who is wondering right now. Dear younger me, I know you're tired. You've been to the parent-teacher conferences where they tell you your child is "on level." You've smiled and nodded while a quiet voice inside you whispered, but something isn't right. You've Googled things at midnight and then closed the tab, half-convinced you were overreacting. You weren't. It would take until high school for someone to finally put a

We highlight our students' high potential, their creativity, their empathy, their determination. These are all qualities that the colleges want on their campuses. We tell the story of our students' academic journey — one of challenges and adversity, but also of successes and life lessons. We want to tell the colleges this is a kid who is going to be persistent, going to be successful.

It's that time of year and there are a hundred things to do. But I'd like to ask you to put this one near the top of your list: take a moment to check in with your child and their teachers. Over the past year, you've all learned a lot about what works. Now is the perfect time to capture that knowledge before summer slips by, so you can carry it into the new school year. Where Do We Begin? Let's start by talking about what helped your child in the classroom this year. Wouldn't