Parent Training & School Advocacy for Non-traditional Children

Parent Training in ADHD, Giftedness, and Parenting Children who are Non-Traditional

When it comes to parenting children who are gifted, who have ADHD or executive functioning weaknesses, or who are both gifted AND challenged with ADHD (termed “twice-exceptional”), the known or established strategies for successful parenting can tend to be ineffective. These children are different and unique, in that they do not respond to the same techniques. They may be self-determined, emotional by nature, or easily overwhelmed. They may be strong- willed, hard to motivate, easily bored, and tortured by homework and school demands. Whichever the case, Dr. Tarnell can assist parents with understanding their child’s uniqueness and how to tailor parenting to meet their particular child’s needs.

Twice-Exceptionality

Gifted children with executive functioning issues and/or emotional dysregulation are called “twice-exceptional,” given the uniqueness of both their intellectual capacity and their challenges in behavior regulation or other executive skills (organization, impulse control, flexibility, etc.). These children often struggle with development that is significantly asynchronous, meaning that their “IQ” is much more highly developed than their “EQ,” given that they are children and don’t yet have the life experience and/or neurological development to support their vast inner world of thoughts and complex emotions. Therefore, they often feel anxious and/or overwhelmed and tend to demonstrate sensory sensitivities, inborn intensities, perfectionism, idealism, and other characteristics common in this population. It is critical to fully understand these children in order to support them effectively and foster their self-confidence. Dr. Tarnell assists parents in using the right language and strategies for helping these kids manage their emotions, enlist more flexibility in the face of obstacles, and reach their potential across school and social settings.

Collaboration with Schools & Teachers

Dr. Tarnell works closely with parents and teachers to support children’s educational needs by helping to put accommodations into place that are identified through testing, developing Individualized Education Plans and 504 Plans, and/or assisting in the implementation and monitoring of these plans for effectiveness. The idea of differentiation is discussed, and a student’s strengths are highlighted as being the key to their ability to make progress in remediating weaknesses, promoting self-awareness, and fostering the motivation to succeed.