021: Unique Learners: Why “Try Harder” Doesn’t Work, with Suzanne Cresswell
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Often, kids with ADHD are told to “try harder,” especially in school. Occupational and physical therapist, Suzanne Cresswell explains the physiology behind how the brain works in an individual with ADHD and challenged learners, which further explains why telling a child with ADHD to “try harder” can’t help.
This was a truly fascinating conversation for me — I learned a great deal from Suzanne that I hadn’t yet learned in 9+ years of obsessing about ADHD and how to help my child. We talk about the role the sensory systems play in neurological function, and the invisible impact it often has for kids with ADHD and learning challenges. How each student acquires knowledge, i.e., learns, is different, but sensory has a huge impact on it. Rhythm is a key component.
Let’s talk about unique learners!
Resources
Some of the resources may be affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission (at no cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.
Raising Human Beings by Ross Greene, Ph.D.
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My Guest
Suzanne Cresswell is an occupational and physical therapist who has worked with unique learners for over three decades. Suzanne works to educate and provide proven solutions and strategies to those that parent, instruct and work with unique learners. By creating an understanding of unique learners and their learning behavior, she helps parents, teachers and the students themselves find the ability in learning disability.
Thank you!
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I help parents of neurodivergent kids decode behavior and raise regulated, connected children through my SIGNAL Parenting™ framework — a science-informed, compassion-centered alternative to outdated discipline models. I'm the award-winning author of Boy Without Instructions and host of the Beautifully Complex Podcast. My core belief: Behavior isn't the problem, it's the signal.
Join me as I help parents, caregivers, and educators like you harness the realization that we are all beautifully complex and marvelously imperfect. Each week I deliver insights and actionable strategies on parenting neurodivergent kids — those with ADHD, autism, anxiety, learning disabilities…
My approach to decoding behavior while honoring neurodiversity and parenting the individual child you have will provide you with the tools to help you understand and transform behavior, reduce your own stress, increase parenting confidence, and create the joyful family life you crave. I am honored to have helped thousands of families worldwide to help their kids feel good so they can do good.
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