Positive Experience Outcomes
Investing in Michelle’s experience and approach encourages students to advocate for their needs and understand the power of their voices as they navigate their educational challenges. Michelle believes supporting neurodivergent learners is about acknowledging and valuing students’ unique talents and abilities, such as creativity, exceptional memory, attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and honesty.
Scaffolding
Scaffolding involves breaking down a larger task into smaller, more manageable steps and providing support at each stage. The "specific set of questions" acts as a scaffold to guide their thinking and writing. Michelle has tried and true sets of questions to engage students in critical thinking, to express themselves more clearly, and to get them started when staring at a blank page or document causes panic. Michelle provides individualized support, differentiated instruction, clear and explicit language, and flexible routines to build confidence and success.
Executive Function
Executive Function refers to the mental processes that are crucial for goal-directed behavior and enable individuals to manage everyday tasks effectively. These processes include working memory, impulse control, and flexible thinking. When students are unable to complete tasks, they often get frustrated because they cannot plan, organize, prioritize tasks, initiate tasks, and/or manage time. Michelle coaches students through their anxieties and frustrations by building their confidence and providing substitute thoughts to promote positive relationships with neurodivergent challenges as it relates to completing schoolwork.
Social Emotional Coaching and Academic Goal Setting
In addition, students who struggle with motivation, time management, ADHD, and feelings of overwhelm and procrastination may benefit from working with Michelle. Her approach to each student follows well-studied Social Emotional Learning (SEL) strategies. SEL is the process through which people learn and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. Students who struggle with motivation, time management, attention-deficit disorders, and feeling overwhelmed may benefit from working with Michelle.