Overcoming Shame, A Discussion with Mallory Band
Having spent 30 years working in special education, primarily focusing on students with executive dysfunction and ADHD, I think I really understand their strengths and challenges. I have a tremendous knowledge of brain development and function as it relates to executive function and education and have a background in psycho-educational testing. I thought that I could keep up with anyone else in the field until I hired a coach who, while having a graduate degree in special education, has far less years of experience than I have in schools, less training on testing, but so much more that she can offer her clients due to sharing their lived experience. While Mallory is brilliant and an amazing teacher, she is also diagnosed with ADHD, a qualification I will never have. I didn’t consider how important her perspective is for students until I urged her to write an article about her school experience with ADHD. I immediately knew that she has a very different skill base that cannot be replicated by any of us with just an education despite what we have done in our careers.
Mallory’s article brought me to tears when I realized what it takes to be her amazing self each and every day. Her structures are well engrained, and she looks like she is easily accomplishing any and everything. While she is wildly successful, she is also vigilant with her structures and self-talk to guarantee success. Her article was so well received that she was asked to give a national talk on her ADHD experience by CHADD, National.
Mallory connects with her clients in a way that most of us cannot. She has a shared experience that is so uplifting for her students. For this month’s blog, I am going to have less to say and let Mallory do the talking. Her message is beautiful and exactly what struggling students need to hear…they are good enough. Please click on this link to hear Mallory’s powerful words and share it with every child who needs to know that it is going to be ok in the end. Mallory is truly helping students rewrite smart!
Watch her talk at https://chadd.org/.../ask-the-expert-overcoming-shame.../.