Different But Able: A Kandid Chat on Learning Differences!

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On this episode, I sat down for a much-needed chat about learning differences with an amazing guest.Ms. Choyce Simmons, is an author, certified grief support specialist, educational therapist, and CEO/Founder of Beautiful Minds LLC.

Key Stats:● One in five children in the US has learning and attention issues like dyslexia and ADHD.● Students with learning differences are more than twice as likely to be suspended as those who do not and the dropout rate for students with learning differences is 18.1%, nearly three times the rate of all students.

Key Takeaways:

● Children with learning differences just have differences, not disabilities● Symptoms of learning differences may include attention issues, poor executive functioning, behavior issues, and difficulty focusing.● Dyslexia is hereditary, so it's important to know your family's medical history● BIPOC children may be more often mislabeled with ADHD or a learning difference due to cultural and environmental factors, as well as biases in diagnosis and treatment.● Labels may be necessary to get the services that a child needs, but parents have the right to call meetings and ask for documents to be amended and changed● Educators and parents should not treat everyone the same because everyone learns differently and has unique strengths and weaknesses.● Smaller classroom sizes, co-teachers in classrooms, and individualized curriculums can help reach every child.● Parents should start early in learning how their children learn and advocating for them.

Guest Contact Info:

Choyce Simmons:https://facebook.com/choyce.simmons[email protected]

About Guest

Choyce Simmons Author, CEO, Certified Grief Support Specialist, Educational Therapist, Mother,Born with a purpose and a plan. It was after the loss of my mother that my purpose was revealed. My name is Choyce Simmons, author of "Live, Learn, Love, Embracing your Inner You," a book of motivational words and poetry. I am also a co-author of "When Queens Rise," released Dec. 2023. My chapter "From Grief, Through Pain, To Purpose", shares how grief caused me mentally, physically, and emotionally Illness. It gives a message of hope to overcome grief and find hope after loss; as the CEO/Founder of Beautiful Minds, LLC, an Educational Therapy, Advocacy, and Consulting company that assists children with learning differences and their families to navigate special education in both public/private school sectors with grief support services both in an individual/group setting and with the extended professional development services provided; educators in Anne Arundel County Public Schools have access to our grief customized courses. As an expert and Certified Grief Support Specialist, Grief Facilitator with over 7 years of experience and a double  Master’s degree in Human Service Counseling with a concentration in Grief Counseling and a Master’s in Education with a concentration in Educational Therapy; I am grateful to serve families as they overcome grief to live full lives and navigate Special Education to get their children the services and support they deserve.

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