A gentle reset for home and school Heading back to school after the holidays can bring a mix of emotions. Relief that our kids are back on a schedule, overwhelm because that schedule may have disappeared during break, excitement about seeing friends again, and even sadness about being away from caregivers. Everyone is adjusting in different ways, and re-establishing routines does not have to be perfect. Instead, we can focus on routines that feel supportive,

When winter’s too cold to play outside—or a snow day pops up—these 10 low-prep winter activities will keep kids learning and having fun. Wisconsin winters can be brutal—with harsh cold, biting wind, and icy days that make getting outside difficult (and sometimes impossible). When the weather keeps you indoors, it’s easy for kids to feel restless and for routines to get a little wobbly. Winter days may limit outdoor options, but there’s no shortage of

Fall parent-teacher conferences often bring a mix of emotions for parents, teachers, and students, especially when learning disabilities are part of the conversation. These meetings are more than a quick check-in on grades; they are a valuable opportunity to strengthen the partnership between home and school. As the excitement of the new school year settles, patterns begin to emerge such as academic strengths, challenges, and classroom behaviors that shape how each student learns. Conferences give

Does anyone truly love the end of summer? We go from sun-filled days with less structure and more fun to the visual noise of a classrooms, strict schedules, and sitting still for hours. These drastic changes can cause anxiety and stress for many kids. For students with learning disabilities (LD), the impact can be even greater. In fact, a full 94% of parents with neurodiverse children report that going back to school causes stress and

Social skills are the foundation of building friendships and developing confidence, making them essential for every child’s growth. These skills allow kids to connect with others, navigate social situations, and feel a sense of belonging in their communities. For children with learning disabilities, however, forming friendships can sometimes be more challenging. Difficulties with communication, interpreting social cues, or managing emotions may create barriers to building meaningful relationships. The good news is that with intentional strategies

Have you ever found inspiration while reading a book or scrolling online? Remember the joy of clipping pictures from magazines as a child? Visual inspiration holds a unique power, allowing us to see our dreams rather than just thinking about them. Thoughts can be fleeting, but visual cues help us focus and stay motivated. This is why vision boards for kids are such an effective tool. They transform abstract goals into tangible, visual reminders, making

Gratitude for children brings more than a sense of immediate joy; it leads to lasting benefits, such as better sleep, improved physical health, and greater resilience. The benefits of gratitude are especially significant for children with learning disabilities, as practicing gratitude daily helps them build emotional strength and positivity. The Social, Emotional, and Academic Benefits of Gratitude for Children Gratitude has a powerful impact on children’s overall well-being. Emotionally, it can boost self-esteem, resilience, and

As a parent, preparing for an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meeting can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s all new. But remember, your role is key to making this plan work. IEP meetings are essential for setting clear goals, identifying helpful accommodations, and ensuring everyone involved understands the child’s unique needs and strengths. By preparing ahead and being actively engaged, you’ll help ensure the IEP reflects the personalized support your child needs to thrive, setting a

Even though we all learn in our own way, there is a select number whose learning path is labeled differently. Their learning path is clouded with terms, stigmas, and misconceptions. 1 in 5 people are affected by learning disabilities. Even though this national celebration has been around since 1985, thanks to President Ronald Reagan, there are still many misconceptions and ‘unknowns’ about learning disabilities. LDA of Wisconsin‘s pursuit to raise awareness by informing, educating, and

School is often considered as a job for our youth. They are expected to attend, learn, and perform. What happens when a child doesn’t show up for “work”? Children have independent learning goals but unfortunately, do not have a personalized learning path. Meaning, if they miss class, they are responsible for learning the material without a replay of the instruction they missed. Class continues regardless of who is in attendance that day. If a child

Each new school year is full of preparation. School leaders plan training for school-wide initiatives, teachers transform their classrooms, and parents prepare their kids to go back to school. New goals are created based on the past year’s performance. It’s tough to decide exactly where to focus. In our experience, it comes down to two areas: student performance and school environment. Bring It Back to the Classroom Foundations. Classroom foundations should be the focus of

School may be out but routines are necessary for children this summer. It may be tempting to let go of routines when summer hits but research shows this can make summer more difficult to manage. Sleeping in throws off bedtimes, snacking during the day interferes with nutritional eating, and no structure for activities can lead to boredom, innovative house destruction, or increased negative behaviors, not to mention when school starts in the fall, you’ll have

It can be tough to know when your child needs more support than the average learner. That is why Wisconsin has a system in place to monitor and identify learners with a learning disability. In our new resource, Robert Newby, Ph D. shares his knowledge and experience in Wisconsin’s effort to identify possible learning disabilities and the prevention of the long-term effects through Response to Intervention. Available to LDA of Wisconsin members through the Member Portal.

It’s that time of year again. The time where we purchase school supplies, take “first day” photos, and send our kids back to school. We try out new lockers or cubbies, label the folders and notebooks, and meet the new classroom teacher. Is this really all it takes to get our kids ready for a new school year? For some parents, the school prep doesn’t stop at art supplies. It includes IEP documents, conversations with

The beginning of a school year is filled with “get to know you” projects, routine building, and understanding the school culture. Once those activities take place, it’s time to get down to the standards and skills to be mastered this year. You open the roadmap and begin to dive into all the lessons, topics, skills, supporting skills, enrichment ideas, projects and so much more. It can feel OVERWHELMING. You’ve probably already given some placements tests