Every July, the same ritual begins. Carts fill with notebooks and calculators. Calendars crowd with orientations and supply lists. This preparation matters — but it addresses only the visible half of readiness.

Every June, millions of students walk out of school buildings and into a season that feels like freedom. Beneath the surface of lazy mornings and late-night screen time, something else is happening: the slow but measurable erosion of academic skills earned through nine months of hard work.

New research reveals these aren't separate conditions; they're connected at the brain level. Here's what that means for your child's support plan before the school year ends.

Most schools treat emotional regulation like a character trait — something students either have or don't. None of those labels is accurate. And every one of them costs students something.

For BIPOC students with delayed diagnosis for ADHD or Autism and fewer supports, school partnerships play a lifelong role in student success. Here’s how timing, equity, and family engagement intersect to create better outcomes.

A new Cambridge study challenges what we think we know about autism—and why support systems must evolve with every child’s timeline.

Every classroom should be a space where girls are celebrated as leaders, innovator, and changemaker. But too often, traditional learning environments leave neurodivergent girls feeling unseen and unheard.

Researchers at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published a comprehensive study based on 45,483 completed interviews with parents as part of the 2022 National Survey of Children’s Health. The results reveal that 11.4% of children aged 3–17 years (7.1 million) in the United States had been diagnosed with ADHD at some point, according to parent reports.

ADHD presents notable challenges in daily life, particularly concerning cognitive skills such as planning, attention, memory, and problem-solving. However, the concept of neuroplasticity offers a promising avenue for managing ADHD symptoms and improving cognitive function.

Executive Functioning (EF) skills are essential cognitive processes that enable students to plan, focus, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks. These skills are vital for academic success and personal development

At North Star Academics, we understand the critical role executive functioning plays in student achievement. Our approach tailors strategies that not only enhance executive functioning skills but also resonate with each student's individual identity, fostering an environment where cultural diversity is recognized as an asset to learning and personal growth

In a world where we are constantly confronted with the staggering statistics of youth mental health crises, we must peel back the layers of this complex issue. Amanda Joy Calhoun's recent article in TIME, "How Racism Affects the Mental Health of Black Youth," serves as a stark reminder that some facets of this crisis remain primarily overlooked and under-addressed.

In education, the pursuit of academic excellence often occupies center stage. However, fostering joy in learning, particularly black joy, should not be underestimated. Dr. Bettina Love, author and professor at Columbia University’s Teachers College, has made invaluable contributions to the discourse on this topic, emphasizing its significance in shaping a more equitable and inclusive educational landscape.

In a recent episode of the Child Nexus Podcast, Diverse Thinking Different Learning, hosted by the distinguished neuropsychologist Dr. Karen Wilson, I had the privilege of delving into a topic at the heart of effective education—self-efficacy and self-advocacy for diverse learners.