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Dfox Education:

Back-to-School Smarts for Brilliantly Different Minds

As the new school year begins, the excitement of fresh notebooks and sharpened pencils can be tinged with anxiety for millions of children whose brains process the world in unique ways. Students with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia often face more than the usual back-to-school jitters. They must also navigate environments that may not immediately adjust to their needs—a challenge that can leave both students and parents feeling unsettled.

Licensed psychologist Andrew Kahn of Understood.org explains that these conditions affect how the brain manages information. Dyslexia can make reading and writing more challenging, while dyscalculia disrupts the understanding of numbers and mathematical concepts. ADHD often impacts focus, organization, and task management. And yet, these differences are invisible at first glance, meaning they can be misunderstood or overlooked.

“For kids with learning and thinking differences, engaging in academics—and even just settling into new places—can be so stressful,” Kahn says. In a busy classroom filled with many personalities, it’s easy for the subtle signs of struggle to go unnoticed.

That’s where parents come in, not just as advocates but as partners in setting their child up for success. Kahn encourages families to understand their child’s specific learning profile, then translate that understanding into practical action. This can start with something as simple as a one-page “get to know you” letter to teachers at the beginning of the school year. In it, parents can share their child’s strengths, the challenges they face, and strategies that have worked in the past.

This small gesture can make a big difference. It sets the tone for collaborative problem-solving, gives teachers valuable insight from day one, and helps ensure that the student feels seen and supported. For neurodivergent children, school isn’t just about lessons and grades—it’s about belonging in a space that understands how they learn best. When parents, teachers, and students start the year on the same page—sometimes literally—it creates the kind of environment where every child’s unique way of thinking is not just accommodated, but celebrated.