In Business Since 2001 We accept Paypal
Home Article Directory
More from Bill Platt
"Bill Platt for Book Authors" Youtube Channel
Training for Book Authors
Other Resources for Book Authors & Publishers
FictionPlots.com (350+ Plots & counting)
Please Support Our Advertisers

 
D9 Hosting


So You Think You're Stupid? Maybe You Are.

Copyright (c) 2007-2023 , All Rights Reserved

I recently received an email from a parent who is desperately frustrated over the struggles her middle-school son is facing. He has been diagnosed with ADHD and bi-polar disorder. School and everyday life, she says, is a real struggle; he looses everything and forgets everything. Like every other student I have met with these same characteristics, he also happens to be brilliant.

But, his mother says, "All I hear is, "I'm stupid! Over and over again..."

Maybe he is.

There are several formal definitions of the word, "stupid," according to Dictionary.com. In my world, however, "stupid" is the word I use to describe someone who has talents, gifts, and skills, but is choosing not to use them. Let me tell you, I know a lot of stupid people!

But, you don't have to be one of them. This struggling young man doesn't have to be, either.

Unfortunately, he is one of many, many students who think they are not smart for a variety of reasons. In his case, he is probably frustrated that he cannot organize and keep track of his papers as well as other classmates. "There must be something wrong with me," he thinks.

"There IS something wrong with you," he hears when he visits the doctor and is told that he has ADHD and bi-polar disorder. He can probably solve challenging problems, can think of creative solutions, or can design clever things, but he does not recognize any of these skills as gifts because he can't do something as simple as keep track of a homework assignment...and now he has a diagnosis to "prove" he's stupid.

Meanwhile, "I'm stupid!" becomes an easy excuse and a great way to get attention. When he says, "I'm stupid!" people tell him he's not. They feel sorry for him and give him attention. Eventually, they organize his things for him and do his work for him...It doesn't take long for "I'm stupid!" to become a crutch he depends on.

This is a very common, well-intentioned situation that has been turned upside down and is back-firing on this student and his family. It is understandable how he ended up here, but the cycle has to stop and he has to be willing to step off and stop being "stupid."

How does he do that?

Action Plan

The best antidote against feeling stupid is to make a *decision* to not be stupid anymore. That may sound overly simple and obvious, but this student HAS to decide that being successful in school is worth his while and –more importantly- that he is worth the effort. If he can acknowledge that, he will immediately stop being 'stupid,' and will have already won more than half of his battle.

The next step is for him to take action. As wonderful as our education system is, mandated curriculum has a way of beating students into a passive, coma-like state. Students quickly feel that "learning" is about sitting, getting, rehearsing, and spewing it all back on homework or a test. However, when a student realizes that he can be strategic... that HE can make some of that dry information just a little more interesting, that he can use a couple of tricks to learn it just a little bit faster, and remember it just a little bit better, he will quickly realize that there is a strategy to learning. Strategy can be fun!

There are millions of study strategies plastered all over the internet. The free Homework Rx® Toolkit at www.soarstudyskills.com/freestuff.htm has several quick and simple strategies. He can start by simply trying 2-3 of them. He will soon discover that all he needs are a few of the right tools (a.k.a. strategies) to learn how to learn and organize more effectively...and make learning more interesting.

Finally, he needs to stop using all of his labels as excuses. I'm not suggesting that diagnosing a student with ADHD, bi-polar disorder, or any other medical diagnosis is a bad thing. Instead, I am suggesting that the way those labels are handled can sometimes be a bad thing.

For example, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when I was 19. At that time, I did not even know what that disease was. There was no internet in "those days," so I went to the library and checked out a book about RA. Right from the first chapter, the attitude of the author was, "So, you have rheumatoid arthritis. That's (literally) a pain in the neck. BUT, you don't have to stop living! You just have to start living better." Throughout the entire book, as I learned about my disease and better ways to take care of myself, the author continued to emphasize that I could have a better life because of my experiences with the disease. After 13 years, I can honestly say that the quality of my life is much better because of the things I learned from my illness.

This is the same attitude that we should be bestowing on our students when we tell them they have ADHD. We should be saying, "Okay, you have ADHD. That means that you are going to struggle a little more in traditional school settings, but you're IQ is significantly higher than the national average and you can use your talents to do great things. We just need to figure out a few strategies to help you get through school."

Isn't that a much more empowering message?

Conclusion

If you think about what a child, or any human being, is really saying when they say, "I'm stupid," they are repeating messages they've heard or felt in some way, shape, or fashion. They can spend their life blaming other people for sending them that message, or they can decide to not be stupid anymore, take action, and be in control of their own learning!


About The Author: Shop Amazon - Top Gift Ideas
Susan Kruger is the author of SOAR Study Skills; A Simple and Efficient System for Earning Better Grades in Less Time. Get Susan's FREE Homework Rx Toolkit, featuring 25 Ways to Make Homework Easier...Tonight!, at: http://soarstudyskills.com/.

VOTE ON THIS ARTICLE
Needs Work >> 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 << Excellent Article

Tell our authors what you think about their article.



Top-Level Category: Family Articles || Related Categories: Education Articles

10 Most Recent Articles Written by Susan Kruger

Study Skills Are Boring! Or, Are They?
Written by: Susan Kruger | Distributed: 2008-04-04 | Word Count: 815 | Page Views: 4975 | Votes: 13 | Rating: 2.54
In our current 'Information Age,' study skills have an important role to play in our middle schools and high schools. Explore what they are --and are not-- and how they can empower our next generation.

Homework: A Mother's Day Tribute
Written by: Susan Kruger | Distributed: 2008-03-25 | Word Count: 685 | Page Views: 4633 | Votes: 10 | Rating: 2.60
Things I wish my mom understood when she was helping me with my homework. And, things she probably wished I understood, too.

Homework - I Don't Have Time for It!
Written by: Susan Kruger | Distributed: 2007-10-12 | Word Count: 733 | Page Views: 4594 | Votes: 12 | Rating: 1.92
Incomplete homework is the most common reason for failing grades among students. Learn how to overcome a major homework excuse, yet still have time for 'fun.'

Organizing Students: The Cure for Morning Mayhem
Written by: Susan Kruger | Distributed: 2007-09-11 | Word Count: 632 | Page Views: 4163 | Votes: 10 | Rating: 1.80
A simple step that reduces forgotten items at home and helps make mornings more peaceful.

Back to School Bliss in 21 Days
Written by: Susan Kruger | Distributed: 2007-07-10 | Word Count: 754 | Page Views: 5527 | Votes: 17 | Rating: 2.35
Tips for getting your school-year off to a relaxed and productive start. This action plan will guide you through a step-by-step approach for beginning a successful school year on the home-front.

How To Take A Test: Learn How To Handle Test Anxiety And Become A Strategic Test-Taker.
Written by: Susan Kruger | Distributed: 2007-04-23 | Word Count: 703 | Page Views: 5588 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 2.56
The following action plan will give you a greater sense of control during tests, which will allow you to be more relaxed and think more clearly. These tips are also good for most standardized tests.

Homework: Multi-Tasking Or Distracting?
Written by: Susan Kruger | Distributed: 2007-03-09 | Word Count: 523 | Page Views: 7051 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 2.73
Learn how to reduce homework time by reducing distractions. A high school student shares her tips on how she cut her daily homework time in half.

Homework; The Power of 'Positive' Consequences
Written by: Susan Kruger | Distributed: 2007-02-07 | Word Count: 611 | Page Views: 5360 | Votes: 19 | Rating: 2.47
Learn how to use rewards to improve homework motivation and cooperation.

New Year. New Semester. New Homework Solutions.
Written by: Susan Kruger | Distributed: 2007-01-18 | Word Count: 646 | Page Views: 6286 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 2.25
Learn how to identify specific homework problems and create easy systems to solve them.

I Left my Homework at Home!
Written by: Susan Kruger | Distributed: 2006-12-06 | Word Count: 385 | Page Views: 5946 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 2.25
Strategies to help students eliminate excuses and be prepared for school everyday.

All of Author's Articles on this site:

Most Recent "Family" Articles

Why We Women Are Our Own Greatest Enemy When Dating
Written by: RoseMary Alberts | Distributed: 2013-11-06 | Word Count: 544 | Page Views: 8492 | Votes: 33 | Rating: 1.97
I have learned that while there are women who want to be committed to one man, there are some others who seek only attention, gifts, dinners, movies etc, and still others who are only interested in having a physical relationship. But all these three categories cannot be used as a base to judge women and their point of view about relationships only because, like I said, "Women never know what they want." So read on and you will know what I mean...

When A Strong Woman Can Make You A Better Man
Written by: Coalton Reynolds | Distributed: 2013-11-05 | Word Count: 625 | Page Views: 11124 | Votes: 24 | Rating: 2.04
Behind every man, there is a strong women. After my recent split with my girlfriend of two years I have found myself thinking how much I have changed. At first, I just thought I was only different around her, but now I seem to be a totally different person.

Tips to Help You Get Back in the Dating Game After a Long-Term Relationship Ends
Written by: RoseMary Alberts | Distributed: 2013-10-30 | Word Count: 773 | Page Views: 8437 | Votes: 24 | Rating: 1.50
There are very few things in life that are as terrifying, frustrating, rewarding, exciting and just plain crazy as dating; especially if you have ceased to be a "spring chicken" or have been out of the dating scene for many years. If you've found yourself "back on the market" after being in a committed relationship for many years, you may be petrified by the prospect of dating again. The tips in this article will help you get back into the game quickly and successfully...

The Eight Commandments of Online Dating
Written by: Kandice Skaggs | Distributed: 2013-10-24 | Word Count: 1153 | Page Views: 5236 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 1.22
Dating and "desperate" may start with the same letter, but they are not synonymous. Never were and never will be. If you take the time to follow these eight online dating commandments, you might be able to find the happiness you seek at the other end of your online dating communications.

The Day My Daughter Woke Me Up to See That Her Father Never Really Loved Me
Written by: Mary Ann Lipitz | Distributed: 2013-10-18 | Word Count: 527 | Page Views: 7219 | Votes: 26 | Rating: 2.04
I am 31 years old with two children, and I was in a relationship with the man I loved until two years ago. We were not married but we lived together, and yes he is the father of my children. We had been together for more than five years at that point, but we never felt the need to get married. We had been happy the way things were, until one day my daughter changed all that, at least for me.

Dating Rules Explained: How to Turn Your Date Into a Relationship
Written by: RoseMary Alberts | Distributed: 2013-10-16 | Word Count: 779 | Page Views: 9023 | Votes: 28 | Rating: 1.64
How adults behave on a date depends more on their intentions towards the other person than it does on other factors. For instance, a man who really likes a woman is going to behave differently towards her than he would a woman he is only casually interested in. Sometimes, it is hard to know the difference.

6 Things You Can Do Today To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Tomorrow
Written by: Lee Dobbins | Distributed: 2011-12-12 | Word Count: 845 | Page Views: 6695 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 0.67
Reducing your carbon footprint is something that everyone should strive for but what if you don't have a lot of money to buy eco friendly appliances and hybrid cars? Here are 6 easy things that you can do right now to help reduce your carbon footprint. These won't cost you a dime and might even save you some money!

Raise Responsible Children
Written by: Marvin Marshall, Ed.D. | Distributed: 2011-07-19 | Word Count: 926 | Page Views: 569 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 3.00
Using the strategies outlined here will help give your children both roots and wings. You will find yourself on the parenting journey to raise responsible children with less stress and more enjoyment for everyone involved.

Alpaca Wear Makes Terrific Gifts for Men and Women
Written by: Robert Moore | Distributed: 2010-07-27 | Word Count: 772 | Page Views: 4780 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 0.67
Alpaca wear has a long and venerable history and the first record of Alpacas was in the Andean mountains. Alpacas were perfect for producing a fiber suitable for protecting these people from their extreme climate. Alpaca fiber is similar to wool and known for its beauty, luster, warmth, and stain resistance.

Top Ten 'Mistakes' Made by Parents America
Written by: Ryan Hogan | Distributed: 2010-04-27 | Word Count: 970 | Page Views: 5695 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 0.67
On one hand the word "mistake" may be too harsh. Every child is different and only you really know if your offspring is happy and flourishing. Therefore, who is to say what a parenting mistake is and is not? On the other hand, "mistake" may not be harsh enough.

Most Viewed "Family" Articles

Girls Sleepover Party Ideas
Written by: Jillian Gallo | Distributed: 2008-09-16 | Word Count: 837 | Page Views: 16996 | Votes: 140 | Rating: 2.04
Throwing a sleepover for your daughter is one of the most memorable events she will have from her childhood. Regardless of her age, these parties make memories she will take with her as she grows up. How can you make these nights more memorable? By following a few tips, you can make the most out of your daughter's next sleepover.

How To Identify Toxic Black Mold
Written by: Daryl Watters | Distributed: 2007-05-08 | Word Count: 405 | Page Views: 14507 | Votes: 26 | Rating: 2.38
Need toxic black mold or stachybotrys toxic mold testing information or mold inspector information. Certified Florida based mold assessor and inspection firm serving Broward Dade and Palm Beach County including Miami and Ft Lauderdale. Conduction Florida mold testing IAQ testing for commercial and home house mold and indoor air quality problems. Florida mold inspection.

Graduation Flowers Are At The Head Of The Class
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF | Distributed: 2008-04-24 | Word Count: 538 | Page Views: 14302 | Votes: 35 | Rating: 1.83
The coming of spring signals new beginnings, and each year many young adults take the first steps toward that new beginning when they walk across the stage to accept a diploma at their graduation ceremony. Of course, with graduation comes excitement, smiles, tears, a big celebration, and lots of wonderful memories. One way to help make the day even more beautiful and memorable is with flowers.

When A Strong Woman Can Make You A Better Man
Written by: Coalton Reynolds | Distributed: 2013-11-05 | Word Count: 625 | Page Views: 11124 | Votes: 24 | Rating: 2.04
Behind every man, there is a strong women. After my recent split with my girlfriend of two years I have found myself thinking how much I have changed. At first, I just thought I was only different around her, but now I seem to be a totally different person.

How To Find Work At Home Jobs For Work At Home Moms
Written by: Glen OReilly | Distributed: 2009-11-03 | Word Count: 1512 | Page Views: 9466 | Votes: 29 | Rating: 2.52
As the economy continues to tighten for many American families, more moms are looking to the Internet to find the extra money needed to help their families survive during this economically challenging time. The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities for the mom seeking to earn money from home... When you know where to find them... This article will show you where to find those work-at-home jobs and telecommuting jobs you desire...

Selective Mutism Disorder Is More Of A Problem Than You Think
Written by: Ingrid Stenquist | Distributed: 2007-04-11 | Word Count: 682 | Page Views: 9379 | Votes: 33 | Rating: 3.42
One of the worst and most severe manifestations of childhood social anxiety disorders is labeled as Selective Mutism disorder. Originally, fifteen years ago the disorder was called Elective Mutism because doctors figured that all children who didn't talk were either shy or in another category. Elective mutes were seen as belligerent, stubborn, and obnoxious kids who were rebelling by not talking against some effort in order to get attention.

Destructive Behaviors That Cause a Relationship Break Up
Written by: James Kern | Distributed: 2009-07-15 | Word Count: 644 | Page Views: 9373 | Votes: 21 | Rating: 2.43
On the surface, you think that being in love is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but underneath you're flailing and kicking and trying to get back to the status quo, which is you being alone and miserable. It sucks, but you're used to life there. If Alone and Miserable were a bar, everybody there would know your name.

Pepper Spray: How Does it Feel to Get Blasted?
Written by: Fred Cheney | Distributed: 2007-12-18 | Word Count: 477 | Page Views: 9362 | Votes: 28 | Rating: 2.61
It's something to think about. What would happen if you tried to use pepper spray and it sprayed into your own eyes? And, could you accidentally blind someone with it? Permanently maim them? What are the effects of pepper spray? These are important questions and they certainly have answers.

Dating Rules Explained: How to Turn Your Date Into a Relationship
Written by: RoseMary Alberts | Distributed: 2013-10-16 | Word Count: 779 | Page Views: 9023 | Votes: 28 | Rating: 1.64
How adults behave on a date depends more on their intentions towards the other person than it does on other factors. For instance, a man who really likes a woman is going to behave differently towards her than he would a woman he is only casually interested in. Sometimes, it is hard to know the difference.

I Want My Ex Back! 5 Tips That Will Improve Your Chances
Written by: James Kern | Distributed: 2009-03-03 | Word Count: 625 | Page Views: 8827 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 2.73
Five killer tips that help you claw back your ex, even if your situation seems in dire straits.

Highest Ranked "Family" Articles

Selective Mutism Disorder Is More Of A Problem Than You Think
Written by: Ingrid Stenquist | Distributed: 2007-04-11 | Word Count: 682 | Page Views: 9379 | Votes: 33 | Rating: 3.42
One of the worst and most severe manifestations of childhood social anxiety disorders is labeled as Selective Mutism disorder. Originally, fifteen years ago the disorder was called Elective Mutism because doctors figured that all children who didn't talk were either shy or in another category. Elective mutes were seen as belligerent, stubborn, and obnoxious kids who were rebelling by not talking against some effort in order to get attention.

Anybody Can Spend, but Can You Save?
Written by: Rich Thawley | Distributed: 2009-01-22 | Word Count: 527 | Page Views: 4536 | Votes: 20 | Rating: 3.25
We have a great weakness in our society of wanting immediate gratification. We are under a constant barrage in all forms of media to buy this or to buy that. In our world of credit cards and charge accounts it is a challenge for many to resist the temptations of materialism. Don't get me wrong, I think it's fun to have nice things, but only after we can afford them.

How Can Bible Study Help Kids Grow Up?
Written by: Adam Barnett | Distributed: 2007-10-23 | Word Count: 463 | Page Views: 5315 | Votes: 13 | Rating: 3.15
Bible study is probably the number one way to keep your kids on the right path, and keep them out of trouble. We can't watch our kids all day and night, and we can't keep bad influences from coming to them. But what we CAN do is make sure they know wrong from right. This will help them when they face problems and major decisions on their own.

Being a Parent... Opportunities to Turn A Bad Experience Into a Good Experience
Written by: Bill Platt | Distributed: 2007-11-12 | Word Count: 478 | Page Views: 5781 | Votes: 21 | Rating: 3.10
The biggest challenge I have had to face in my own life is that of being a good parent. My kids make it hard for me to stay true to the rules of good parenting... They break everything I own... Repeatedly... Fortunately, I do have the presence of mind to realize that as toddlers and young children, they really do not intend to break things...

Home Alone Child Safety
Written by: Jerry Tarrer | Distributed: 2007-03-21 | Word Count: 1038 | Page Views: 4498 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 3.00
Your child's safety depends to a large part on good communication between you and your children. This is especially true of two-income families, and single parent families where the children are left alone for extended periods of time and have to care for themselves.

PB and Js And Licking The Bowl - The Joys Of A Kid Friendly Kitchen!
Written by: Pamela Cole Harris | Distributed: 2008-02-14 | Word Count: 554 | Page Views: 5378 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 3.00
Remember licking the bowl when you were a kid? Or making your own peanut butter sandwiches with grape, or better yet strawberry, jelly? Mmmmm... the smell of homemade oatmeal cookies! And they were even better because you knew you helped make them! Kitchens can be a place of special memories for kids of any generation. Are you building those memories with your children or do you view the kitchen as a dangerous place for kids?

Educational Toys Can Be Fun
Written by: Kim Michael | Distributed: 2009-04-01 | Word Count: 521 | Page Views: 3672 | Votes: 10 | Rating: 3.00
Most parents these days are looking for toys that can be both educational and fun. When playing with our children, parents want to teach as well as have fun.

Potty Training Made Easy
Written by: Kim Michael | Distributed: 2009-04-07 | Word Count: 507 | Page Views: 4214 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 3.00
If you're the parent of a toddler, you are probably looking for the right signs that your child is ready to be potty trained. Potty training your child can be a frustrating time in your life. When your child is ready to be potty trained, they will provide to you clues that the timing is right. If you capitalize on these clues, and use the right tools, this can be an exciting time in your life, as well as your child's.

Understanding State Child Support Laws and Guidelines
Written by: Amerion Abler | Distributed: 2007-01-15 | Word Count: 1078 | Page Views: 3455 | Votes: 12 | Rating: 2.92
Child support is the government's means of ensuring that children enjoy the financial security that a two-parent home would have afforded them. This is the primary moral concern of child support laws --- that children be well provided for --- and it is based on the principle of responsibility. Read on as we examine the role of child support and how to keep it fair for both parents.

A Cruzader Christmas
Written by: Lisa Stockmann Karp | Distributed: 2009-01-23 | Word Count: 1185 | Page Views: 5481 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 2.89
Jun and Joyce Dela Cruz couldn't believe their eyes. In November 2000, they watched a disturbing television news report that changed their Christmas forever. Thousands of the more than 10,000 homeless on Los Angeles' Skid Row would be going without a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal that year.











Download an eBook today
 
Directory Navigation
Locate By Category:

ALL Categories
Arts & Crafts
Arts & Entertainment
Automotive
Business - Offline
Business - Online
Career
Computers
Education
Family
Finance
Food & Drink
Health & Wellness
Home & Garden
Humor
Internet
Nature & Pets
Real Estate
Religion
Self Improvement
Shopping
Society
Sports & Recreation
Technology
Travel & Leisure
Uncategorized
World Events
Writing & Speaking

Change Number of Results:
50 - 100 - 200 - 500
Article Reprint Rights
Creative Commons License

This work is
licensed under a
Creative Commons
License


You are not required to show the creative commons license notice when you reprint this work.
Article Statistics
Word Count: 971

Total Views: 4190

Article Rating: 2.00 of 5
Votes Cast: 16

More Articles By Author:



Last Distribution Date:
2007-11-20 14:00:00

Internal ID: #5439





All Articles are Copyright © 2001-2023 of the Defined Authors.

All other material and images on this site are:
Copyright © 2001-2023, ThePhantomWriters.com