What a few weeks it's been!
I'd like to shout a big THANKS to both 680 CJOB radio and Global TV for including me in their I Love to Read Month series featuring Canadian authors. It was a thrill to be interviewed and discuss my book, The U-nique Lou Fox, ADHD, dyslexia and the importance of representation in children's literature.
What that's you say? You missed the radio interview with Greg, Brett, and Laura? No worries, you can listen here.
And if you missed the TV interview, you can watch it here.
Please note: I did misspeak. Twice! Funny how your brain can go rogue under pressure. Something to let kids know happens to adults too! We make mistakes. Corrections: Dyslexia is NOT kryptonite and the teacher training takes a full day.
The U-nique Lou Fox is about a fifth grader named, Louisa Elizabeth Fitzhenry-O'Shaughnessy who has big, bold, audacious plans. She intends to become the youngest Broadway playwright in history, and the youngest Cirque du Soleil performer...but first she has to get through the fifth grade. Between ADHD, dyslexia, and a teacher who never gives her a break, school is never spec-tac-u-lar. She wishes her teacher Mrs. Snyder would disappear. She wishes her friends would stop interfering with the play she's writing. Sometimes she even wishes she wasn't about to be a big sister.
Then Mrs. Snyder gets sick. Really sick. And Lou gets scared. What if all her worst wishes come true?
This novel means so much to me, as my family is full of neurodivergent people who have faced their own struggles in school and personal relationships. And just like Lou, they also have dreamt their own big, bold, audacious dreams, using their unique talents and gifts.
If you're looking for the resources I mentioned in the interviews, here's a list to get you started on learning more about being neurodivergent.
ADHD:
Dr. Ned Hallowell – “Board-certified child and adult psychiatrist and world authority on ADHD. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Tulane Medical School, and was a Harvard Medical School faculty member for 21 years. He is the Founder of The Hallowell ADHD Centers in Boston MetroWest, New York City, San Francisco, Palo Alto and Seattle.”
ADDitude Inside the ADHD Mind - Focuses on the experience of living with ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Service – Manitoba – for children aged 6 through 17. “Families may self-refer through Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centralized Intake Service at 204-958-9660, however, a physician referral is required for psychiatric/medication consultation.”
CHADD – Children and Adults with ADHD
Attention Deficit Disorder Association
How to ADHD by Jessica McCabe and her Youtube Videos are excellent. Highly recommend. This channel is excellent and very accessible. The content creator breaks down everything in a fun, easy to follow, and understand way.
Books:
ADHD 2.0 by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. & John J. Ratey, M.D.
Superparenting for ADD: An Innovative Approach for Raising Your Distracted Child by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. & John J. Ratey, M.D.
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| Inattentive/distractible ADHD'ers are often often overlooked and receive later diagnosis. This happens often with women and girls. |
Dyslexia:
Made by Dyslexia – “They are a global charity, led by successful dyslexics. They’ve built the world’s largest community of dyslexic people and our allies. Their purpose is to help the world to Learn Dyslexia: to understand it, to value it and to support it.”
FREE teacher training to spot and support dyslexic learners. This was developed by Made by Dyslexia in partnership with Microsoft. One single day is all it takes to complete all 3 training levels below. But it’s enough to change a child’s life. And for you to change the world.
The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity - “Their mission is to increase awareness of dyslexia and its true nature, specifically to illuminate the creative and intellectual strengths of those with dyslexia, to disseminate the latest scientific research and practical resources, and to transform the treatment of all dyslexic children and adults.”
Dyslexia Champions of Manitoba – “Working together to champion the gifts, and support the needs of Manitobans with dyslexia.”
International Dyslexia Association
Books:
This is Dyslexia by Kate Griggs
Overcoming Dyslexia (Second Edition) by Sally Shaywitz, M.D. (Codirector for the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity) and Jonathan Shaywitz, M.D.
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| 1 in 5 students have dyslexia. At least 80% of dyslexic students leave school without a diagnosis or having had the proper supports to thrive. |
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