Living with a Disability (Part 18) - Dyslexia and ADHD

Welcome to Hot Topics! In this episode, we welcome back Renée Peña Lopez, an early childhood inclusion specialist, to share her journey of living with dyslexia and her surprising recent diagnosis of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). While our initial focus was on dyslexia, Renée's revelation about her comorbid ADHD adds a fascinating layer to her story.

Renée reflects on her childhood experiences marked by perfectionism, where her struggles with comprehension, spelling, and writing were often overshadowed by her grandfather's insistence on academic excellence. She candidly discusses her late dyslexia diagnosis in college and the emotional challenges that accompanied it, including the impact of her learning difficulties on her self-esteem.

Throughout the episode, Renée shares her coping strategies, such as utilizing dictation tools and seeking support from mentors, emphasizing the importance of understanding one’s learning differences. She explores how her recent ADHD diagnosis intertwines with her dyslexia, offering insights into the unique experiences of women and girls of color navigating these conditions.

Renée also dives into the cultural context surrounding learning disabilities, particularly within Black and Afro-Caribbean families, highlighting the need for better awareness and resources to support families dealing with learning differences. She critiques current educational practices regarding spelling and writing instruction and advocates for diverse learning strategies tailored to individual needs.

As a parent herself and an educator, Renée reflects on her growth and the importance of empowering children to embrace their learning differences. She concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to seek help and explore their unique learning styles, fostering a culture of curiosity and understanding.

Join us for a compelling conversation that champions resilience, empowerment, and advocacy for those navigating the complexities of dyslexia and ADHD.

Who is Renée Peña Lopez?
Renée Peña Lopez is an Early Childhood Inclusion Specialist, and proud Native New Yorker. She is a licensed special education early childhood teacher who has a passion for quirky learners such as herself. Renée attended Bard College for her B.A. in Dance and Integrated Arts (Video and Arts Education). While on her journey, she fell in love with Early Childhood working at an enrichment school, where the director took a chance on her and suggested she go into the field. She decided to attend Mercy College for (Birth-6th with Student with Disabilities). Now, Renée pulls from her creative background in dance and her vast experience in an array of classrooms from museums to progressive spaces to play-based models. She is also a Mama of a quirky and lovely kiddo who works with Families and Teachers of Littles to help them make sense of their Littles play by finding the magic that makes them shine. Together, we rethink inventions!

You can find Renée:
On the web: https://www.themagicoflittles.com/
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMagicOfLittles/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themagicoflittles
On Threads: https://www.threads.net/@themagicoflittles
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/themagicoflittles/
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-pena-lopez-9a93957

Download "The Mighty Advocate Guide" for free: https://www.themagicoflittles.com/page/619933

Purchase digital "Stay on Top of IEPs" Planner with 50% discount for our audience: https://www.themagicoflittles.com/purchase/212062-Stay-on-Top-of-IEPs-Planner/coupon/ASTEPAHEAD

Renee has a podcast called "The Magic of Littles with Renee Pena Lopez." Listen and subscribe here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-magic-of-littles-with-renee-pena-lopez/id1460070377

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