After months of pining and planning, I am excited to announce the launch of my new informational website and blog, DifferentDoodles.com – a place to embrace  learning differences.  (Please excuse the rough graphics and blank pages  - the site itself is still under construction!)

My vision for the site:  A place to embrace what makes your child different. 

Kids with learning differences are one-of-a-kind, just like every other kid out there!   What makes these kids extra-special is their intelligence, creativity, areas of giftedness and often a unique ability to think outside the box. 

The things that make our children different are also what make them who they are.  Who wants to be the same as everybody else, anyway?  BORING!  

When we embrace our kid’s differences (and in the process, often learn to embrace our own!) we as parents can teach our kids to love who they are, accept their limits, and by doing so, allow them the opportunity to focus full-throttle on their gifts and talents instead of on their weaknesses.

Why all the passion?  I am the extremely proud mother of two children who think, play and learn differently. Over the past 7 years (since we first noticed at the age of 2 that our son might be both gifted and have a learning difference), I have made it my mission to become an educated, passionate and capable parent advocate for my kids. 

Bringing it All Together:  During this journey, I have relied on countless online resources, books, magazine articles, therapists, educators, physicians, experts, mentors and friends to help inform and guide me.  I have often wished for a one-stop source that combines many of these resources into one online space.  I hope that DifferentDoodles.com will meet this need for many different folks seeking information and guidance about learning differences.

A Place for Parents:  Also along the way, I have met many wonderful parents of children with learning differences.  I have also met many more parents who think their child may have a learning difference, but don’t know exactly where to start.  Other parents I have encountered are struggling with gaining acceptance  from family members, their school districts or even themselves.  They need help in identifying, understanding and communicating the needs of their special children.   These families need both encouragement and guidance on what to do for their children, and how to do it.

The Solution?  Build an online space where parents, family members, friends and teachers can come to quickly and easily access information about learning disabilities such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia as well as ADHD and high-functioning Autism (like Asperger’s and PDD-NOS).

I also envision the site as a place to learn about and discuss Twice Exceptional children (kids who are both gifted and have a learning disability), and to learn and share more about the 2e concept and how it is helping to define and enhance gifted children’s abilities, talents and contributions to our modern society.

Plus, since I’m lucky enough to be a Texan, Different Doodles will also provide specialized information for Texas parents on what’s currently happening in our state regarding students with learning differences and special needs.  Additionally, in the future, I will be adding information to the site about other state laws regarding dyslexia, and comparing the impact these laws have on Dyslexia programs in public schools across our nation through commentaries posted on the Different Doodles blog.

Let’s face it – we’re talking here about some truly special kids with interesting differences.  So why not provide a creative, intelligent and fun space to learn and share about what really makes these kids tick?  I envision an open, interactive space where parents, grandparents, kids, teachers and more can both find information sources and share their knowledge and experiences with supporting, teaching and loving people with learning differences.

I hope and pray that Different Doodles will be source of encouragement, help and hope  for parents and loved ones of children and adults with learning differences, ADHD and/or high-functioning Autism.

Stay tuned for more soon!  We’re just getting started…

~Lyn Pollard