In the Trenches

What to Do When Your Child Refuses to Start Schoolwork

What to Do When Your Child Refuses to Start Sch...

Kary Kalinowski

When it turns into refusal It's simple enough. You ask your child to start their work. They say no.They argue.They shut down. Or they avoid it completely. Now cue in the...

What to Do When Your Child Refuses to Start Sch...

Kary Kalinowski

When it turns into refusal It's simple enough. You ask your child to start their work. They say no.They argue.They shut down. Or they avoid it completely. Now cue in the...

Task Initiation and Executive Function: What’s Really Going On

Task Initiation and Executive Function: What’s ...

Kary Kalinowski

If they could do it, they would.When kids struggle to start, focus, or follow through, it’s not a motivation problem — it’s an executive functioning and regulation problem. We create...

Task Initiation and Executive Function: What’s ...

Kary Kalinowski

If they could do it, they would.When kids struggle to start, focus, or follow through, it’s not a motivation problem — it’s an executive functioning and regulation problem. We create...

How to Help a Child Start Tasks Without Meltdowns

How to Help a Child Start Tasks Without Meltdowns

Kary Kalinowski

When starting turns into a meltdown You ask your child to begin.And suddenly: They freeze They argue They avoid Or it turns into a full meltdown It can feel confusing—especially...

How to Help a Child Start Tasks Without Meltdowns

Kary Kalinowski

When starting turns into a meltdown You ask your child to begin.And suddenly: They freeze They argue They avoid Or it turns into a full meltdown It can feel confusing—especially...

Why Kids Struggle to Start Tasks (It’s Not Laziness)

Why Kids Struggle to Start Tasks (It’s Not Lazi...

Kary Kalinowski

If your child won’t start… you’re not alone You ask them to begin. They stall.They avoid.They say “I don’t know where to start.”Or they shut down completely. Meanwhile, you’re thinking:“You...

Why Kids Struggle to Start Tasks (It’s Not Lazi...

Kary Kalinowski

If your child won’t start… you’re not alone You ask them to begin. They stall.They avoid.They say “I don’t know where to start.”Or they shut down completely. Meanwhile, you’re thinking:“You...

line drawing of an adult sitting beside a child working together

What I Wish Every Professional Knew About PDA (...

Kary Kalinowski

A gentle, honest look at what PDA really is, why traditional methods fail, and what every professional needs to know to support PDA children safely and effectively. This is the...

What I Wish Every Professional Knew About PDA (...

Kary Kalinowski

A gentle, honest look at what PDA really is, why traditional methods fail, and what every professional needs to know to support PDA children safely and effectively. This is the...

Line drawing of a parent and child walking together with . thought bubble between them

When the World Misunderstands Your PDA Child (P...

Kary Kalinowski

When the world misreads your PDA child as “defiant” or “not trying,” advocacy becomes emotional work. This post explores misunderstood behaviors, nervous-system truths, and how to protect your child’s safety...

When the World Misunderstands Your PDA Child (P...

Kary Kalinowski

When the world misreads your PDA child as “defiant” or “not trying,” advocacy becomes emotional work. This post explores misunderstood behaviors, nervous-system truths, and how to protect your child’s safety...