School and Teacher Consultation

Teacher Training in ADHD, Giftedness, and Educating Non-Traditional Learners (including creative children, kinesthetic learners, and 2Es)

With a specialization in working with children with executive functioning weakness, as well as gifted or high IQ children who are exhibiting sensory sensitivities, inborn intensities, and/or asynchronous development, Dr. Tarnell is uniquely qualified to assist teachers with understanding these populations of children. Often, children with ADHD exhibit behaviors that are hard to remediate and that result in challenges for both student and teacher alike. Sometimes the relationship between teacher and student is strained or the student has difficulty regulating his or her behavior and/or utilizing the assistance or accommodations that are being provided by the school. Sometimes the school is providing accommodations to the student that are not helpful, where other strategies may be more useful and effective in helping the student to reach his or her goals.

Whatever the case, teachers and school personnel are trained in understanding individual student needs, learning styles, and elements of neuropsychology that relate to student functioning so that they can best assist each and every student with reaching his or her potential while supporting their self-confidence, guiding development, and fostering love of learning.

Support or Mentorship for Students with a Non-Traditional Learning Style

Dr. Tarnell supports students who exhibit a style of learning that interferes with their ability to readily meet academic goals by determining what their strengths are and deciding what accommodations would be helpful for them. By meeting with the students themselves and designing a 504 plan together, for example, students can be empowered to “own” their academic experience and the accommodations can be tailored to meet their specific needs.

Implementation of Non-Traditional Learner Clubs (NTL Clubs)

Since many students have demonstrated sensitivities to the stigma they feel when labeled with academic challenges or assigned services through the special education system, the idea of beginning clubs that support the needs of these students in a normalizing and even empowering fashion has been proposed. Dr. Tarnell is aviailable to collaborate with students and school personnel to start such clubs and can be available to advise students as well.