While the queer community's abbreviation is already a tongue twister, I wish I could add one more letter to the mix - N. During Global Pride Month, we should celebrate our differences and embrace our diversity. However, there is very little pride for many people in admitting not only to themselves but also to their loved [...] The post ‘Coming out’ as Neurodivergent: the ‘double minority effect’ in LGBTQ+ spaces appeared first on Connections in Mind ..read more

Sugar is often demonised in the “ADHD Nutrition” sphere, but in reality, it can normally fit into a balanced, brain-friendly diet by following a few simple guidelines. But first things first: why can sugar be a problem? Reason #1: The Spike. When we eat a food that’s high in sugar and low in protein, fat, and fibre, it [...] The post Does sugar affect concentration? appeared first on Connections in Mind ..read more

At the start of my final year, I was assigned what my school called our “ORTs” - or “One Research Task”. I still remember how clammy my hands became when my home room teacher handed out our rubrics. We were tasked with developing our own research question in one of our subjects, and executing [...] The post Mastering the Marathon: 5 steps to help your student excel in long-term projects appeared first on Connections in Mind ..read more

Ever feel like your brain has too many tabs open? You’re working through your work emails, but in the back of your mind there are constantly thoughts swirling around... “Where are we meeting for the lunch hour presentation again? Oh that reminds me - what ingredients must I buy for dinner? I wish the [...] The post Closing your brain tabs: 5 Simple hacks to minimise overwhelm appeared first on Connections in Mind ..read more

In the realm of education, we often find ourselves in the existential debate surrounding homework. Traditionally viewed as a fundamental aspect of learning, homework has come under scrutiny for its potential to perpetuate inequality within our classrooms. While its intentions may be noble, it's crucial to acknowledge that the practice of assigning homework can inadvertently [...] The post Homework or hurdle? 5 Steps to make homework neuroinclusive appeared first on Connections in Mind ..read more

Ever since we started Connections in Mind, revision and “study skills” have been a key focus for our community members - so what is it about revision that makes it so difficult for people with executive function challenges? As educators, we understand the crucial role that revision and studying play in preparing [...] The post Nurturing Executive Functioning: An Educator’s Guide to Facilitating Effective Revision appeared first on Connections in Mind ..read more

The term ‘fight, flight, or freeze’ is quite well-known, and we often use it to describe the anxious state we’re in when we’re put in highly stressful situations, or instances where we’re feeling threatened or unsafe. You might have experienced this when going in for a job interview, witnessing a traffic altercation, or walking [...] The post The subtle art of feeling safe: How to retrain your nervous brain in 5 steps appeared first on Connections in Mind ..read more

The term ‘fight, flight, or freeze’ is quite well-known, and we often use it to describe the anxious state we’re in when we’re put in highly stressful situations, or instances where we’re feeling threatened or in danger. You might have experienced this when going in for a job interview, witnessing a traffic altercation, or walking [...] The post The subtle art of feeling safe: How to retrain your nervous brain in 5 steps appeared first on Connections in Mind ..read more

The other night, I went out for a lovely dinner with a group of friends. When the bill arrived at the end, my stomach did a somersault. I feel anxious having to scan the bill for everything I ordered, remember the costs in my head, figure out the total I want to tip, and then [...] The post Counting confidence – Unpacking maths anxiety and strategies overcome it appeared first on Connections in Mind ..read more

In our work as executive function coaches, supporting young people at school and university, one of the issues we most commonly confront is difficulty writing essays. Essay writing requires all of our 11 executive function skills so it is no wonder that young people in our care struggle. In this blog, I want to dig [...] The post Unblocking writer’s block – how perfectionism gets in the way of good essay writing appeared first on Connections in Mind ..read more