by Bob Doman Your computer’s CPU, or Central Processing Unit, carries out instructions and performs calculations that run programs and operate the computer system. This processor collects information from computer memory, decodes, executes operations, and stores results. The better your processor, essentially the better your computer. Our combined internal processor and CPU, our brain, gathers…
by Ellen Doman Parents can become aware of their child’s lack of progress from report cards, meetings with teachers, standardized test results, or even helping with homework. It’s a terrible feeling to realize that your child isn’t learning as well as is expected, particularly when you may not have been previously aware of it. A…
And Why Trying to Use It for One Could Set You Back by Laird Doman At NACD, we love innovation. We’ve embraced cutting-edge neuroscience, data, and technology for decades. But one place we’re drawing a very firm line? Trying to use Artificial Intelligence—especially tools like ChatGPT—to generate or guess what an NACD program might look…
By Bob Doman What is the medical/biological disease model? The medical/biological model is a framework for understanding and addressing illnesses and diseases. Biological Foundation Illnesses and diseases are essentially caused by biological factors, including physiological problems, infections, and genetic disorders. Diagnosis and Treatment Focus is on diagnosing and labeling the disease or illness, with associated…
Our family first heard about NACD in August 2023. We immediately decided that this is the program we have been looking for all along for our son with Down Syndrome. Living in Australia, there is some funding available for therapy, but therapists often don’t have personal experience with clients with Down Syndrome; there are long…
by Bob Doman Understanding the Whole Child To truly understand a child, we must take a top-down approach, viewing them as a complete individual rather than a sum of disconnected parts. Every child is more than a diagnosis, a test score, or an isolated challenge. Yet too often, professionals—whether doctors, therapists, educators, or psychologists—focus on just…
by Lyn Waldeck Those of us who have passed that 60-year-old mile marker will often ponder the things of our past. What would we do differently? How do we mend past transgressions? What could have been avoided had a different fork in the road been followed? I am no exception. On a personal level, after…
Did you know that one of the world’s leading organizations for child development and education is based right here in Utah? The National Association for Child Development (NACD) has been headquartered in Northern Utah for over 40 years, helping tens of thousands of families in over 90 countries. While NACD has gained global recognition for…
Breakfast plays a critical role in setting the tone for the day, especially for children with special needs. The right foods in the morning can help improve focus, regulate emotions, and support overall brain function. On the other hand, the wrong choices—especially those filled with sugar and processed carbohydrates—can lead to energy crashes, behavioral challenges,…
Redefining Potential: What Can Be by Bob Doman Our perception of our children’s potential is limited by what we believe is possible. The opportunities we provide for them reflect that perceived potential, and the opportunities determine the outcomes. Let me start by getting your attention. I want to introduce you to Ellen, a not-so-typical, “typical”…