Website - jodiemaddoxicoach.com

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Dear Friends,

This year I celebrated my 28th year in education. I graduated from Central Missouri State University in 1995 with a BS in Special Education, and I received a Masters Degree in School Leadership from Benedictine College in 2009. I have taught special education and been a principal at all grade levels, kindergarten through 12th grade.

Because I have worked with students, parents and teachers at every stage of development, I am blessed to have the ability to cover the entire “big picture” of a child's development. My time in the elementary, middle, and high school setting helps me cast an impressive web of networking experience, guidance, and professionalism regarding educational needs, development, and achievement in all stages of life.

In this week's newsletter we are going to take a closer look into what it means to be neurodivergent and how we can use functional and interactive medicine to help minimize the symptoms of our neurodivergent loved ones. After teaching, loving, and caring for children and teens for 28 years, it pleases my soul to finally have a more comprehensive, wholistic approach to teaching and caring for our neurodivergent friends and family.

With A Grateful Heart,

Jodie Maddox

Parent Coach and Education Consultant

What does it mean to be neurodivergent?

For the most part society used to believe that the majority of human brains “should” process information in a fairly consistent, particular way. Classrooms, homes, and offices functioned with the belief that individuals should automatically conform to their environment. We now know that there are a variety of ways a person’s brain receives and computes information. As a special education teacher, school administrator, and parent of a child with ADHD it gives me great hope that we are now able to celebrate and identify these differences in brain function in a positive, more productive way. The term neurodiversity embraces these differences and shifts the conversation from a person’s deficits, to recognizing the strengths and needs of each individual learner.

Neurodivergent learning is an umbrella term which refers to the learning styles and challenges of individuals who have neurodivergent conditions. Neurodivergent conditions include autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and many other neurological conditions.

Neurodivergent learners have cognitive differences that may affect their information processing, social interactions, sensory experiences, and overall learning ability. In a new situation or with a new task, parents, caregivers, and teachers may need to alter their directions and instruction to meet the cognitive needs of a neurodivergent child.

To improve the overall growth and learning of the neurodivergent child, it is especially helpful for caregivers to pay close attention to their tone of voice, and the pace of their dialogue or lecture. Scanning the home and classroom environment for sensory items that may trigger an undesired outcome of a neurodivergent learner is also helpful. Using a neurodivergent person’s strengths, and meeting them where they function best in the beginning, then slowly introducing new expectations, practices, and procedures is the best way to achieve desired growth and maturity.

Neurodivergent learners have SO MANY strengths. When given a little extra time and space to process information in a positive productive way, these individuals often excel later in life once they develop strong coping skills and confidence in their unique gifts!!!

What is functional & integrative medicine?

Functional & integrative medicine is a shift in the traditional medicine model. Functional integrative medicine focuses on patient centered care & addresses the whole person, not just a set of symptoms. Functional & integrative medicine dives deep into a child’s medical history, genetics, environmental, & lifestyle factors that can influence their health.

The clinical approach of functional & integrative medicine is to search for the root cause of the disease or condition. When working with children, I always ask “why did this symptom start?” and “why is it progressing/not getting better?”. The cause of any condition can vary from child to child, some examples being nutrient imbalances, poor gut health, excess environmental toxins, poor sleep, unstable home or school environment, poor stress response, inadequate nutrition, and lack of appropriate movement/exercise. Two kiddos may be diagnosed with the same condition, but the causes may be completely different. Therefore, each of their protocols would be different as well. Searching for a child’s individual root cause, and creating a holistic care plan, makes the functional & integrative medicine approach so effective to improve symptoms for ADHD, anxiety, autism, focus, OCD/ODD, sleep disturbances, & other mood or behavior challenges.

Why Is Parent Coaching helpful? As a parent coach my goal is always to provide personalized support and guidance tailored to the individual needs of my clients. I specialize in strength-based parenting. I teach parents how to use their own positive energy to focus on what is already strong and healthy within their family. By knowing your family's strengths, we can use these traits to reinforce specific challenges, implementing positive effective growth where needed. I guide parents through a process that allows them to dig deep into their own toolbox, finding new supportive ways to nurture their child’s specific needs.

Principals, instructional coaches, and teachers: Are you busy scheduling your professional development for the 2023-2024 school year? I am offering a variety of classes and coaching opportunities. Classes are in person, and schools can use Title money to help fund the courses. I also specialize in creating content specifically designed for your school needs. I am here to support you and your needs. Topics and coaching cover the following areas:

1) Social Emotional Learning

2) Differentiated Instruction

3) Inclusion

4) 1:1 Instructional Coaching

5) 1:1 Leadership Coaching

6) Strategic Planning

7) Classroom Management

8) Team Building

9) Evening PTO Parent Classes Via Zoom

10) Teaching Strategies related to Anxiety, ADHD, ODD, OCD, Autism, and Dyslexia

Lunch and Learn Classes in person and via Zoom on Mondays. We have 4 sessions left this summer. People interested in this class inlcude: People who work with children managing anxiety, ADHD, Dyslexia, ODD, OCD, Learning Disabilities, or issues with self regulation and impulse control.

Pack Your Lunch!!!

In person at Doors of Hope

or Via Zoom

$30 a class

Flexible Thinking - July 10

Self Monitoring - July 17

Task Initiation - July 24

Planning and Prioritizing - Jul