Beyond The Desk Tutoring
@btdtutoring.bsky.social
Beyond The Desk offers ADHD-friendly tutoring and evidence-backed supplements to support neurodivergent well-being. We aim to help you find clarity and confidence, getting you out from behind the desk. Beaverton & Portland, OR. beyondthedesktutoring.org
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Hello, Bluesky! My name is Michael Van Sant, and I’m the founder of Beyond The Desk Tutoring (Beaverton, OR). My journey began with my own ADHD diagnosis, which showed me the need to create something more than just academic support.
With the new semester underway, it is time to make sure your child has the routines they need to stay organized. Research shows that the physical act of writing notes by hand significantly improves information retention. However, for many children, a wall of black-and-white text can be paralyzing.
January 28, 2026 at 9:15 PM
With the new semester underway, it is time to make sure your child has the routines they need to stay organized. Research shows that the physical act of writing notes by hand significantly improves information retention. However, for many children, a wall of black-and-white text can be paralyzing.
Does getting your child to do homework feel like a constant losing battle?
For neurodivergent students, the biggest hurdle often isn't the work itself; it’s Task Initiation. That mental "wall" that goes up before the first pencil stroke can feel insurmountable.
For neurodivergent students, the biggest hurdle often isn't the work itself; it’s Task Initiation. That mental "wall" that goes up before the first pencil stroke can feel insurmountable.
January 26, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Does getting your child to do homework feel like a constant losing battle?
For neurodivergent students, the biggest hurdle often isn't the work itself; it’s Task Initiation. That mental "wall" that goes up before the first pencil stroke can feel insurmountable.
For neurodivergent students, the biggest hurdle often isn't the work itself; it’s Task Initiation. That mental "wall" that goes up before the first pencil stroke can feel insurmountable.
On World Education Day, it is important to acknowledge that the classroom is not a level playing field. Educational equity isn't just about a seat in a room; it’s about addressing the systemic barriers that exist at the intersections of neurodiversity, ethnicity, religion, and socioeconomic status.
January 25, 2026 at 4:14 AM
On World Education Day, it is important to acknowledge that the classroom is not a level playing field. Educational equity isn't just about a seat in a room; it’s about addressing the systemic barriers that exist at the intersections of neurodiversity, ethnicity, religion, and socioeconomic status.
Testing tomorrow or next week? Don't let the "exam fog" take over.
If you’re feeling the pressure in the middle of a final, use these four tactical resets to keep your brain online and your anxiety down:
If you’re feeling the pressure in the middle of a final, use these four tactical resets to keep your brain online and your anxiety down:
January 23, 2026 at 12:26 AM
Testing tomorrow or next week? Don't let the "exam fog" take over.
If you’re feeling the pressure in the middle of a final, use these four tactical resets to keep your brain online and your anxiety down:
If you’re feeling the pressure in the middle of a final, use these four tactical resets to keep your brain online and your anxiety down:
Finals are here, and we know that for neurodivergent students, the traditional "study harder" doesn't cut it.
If you’re feeling the pressure, we’ve got you covered with four science-backed strategies to help your brain actually retain information and stay calm during the test:
If you’re feeling the pressure, we’ve got you covered with four science-backed strategies to help your brain actually retain information and stay calm during the test:
January 21, 2026 at 3:29 AM
Finals are here, and we know that for neurodivergent students, the traditional "study harder" doesn't cut it.
If you’re feeling the pressure, we’ve got you covered with four science-backed strategies to help your brain actually retain information and stay calm during the test:
If you’re feeling the pressure, we’ve got you covered with four science-backed strategies to help your brain actually retain information and stay calm during the test:
I cannot focus until my room is clean. But I also cannot clean my room until I can focus.
I call it ADHD-22.
#ADHDClutter #ExecutiveDysfunction #TheLoop
I call it ADHD-22.
#ADHDClutter #ExecutiveDysfunction #TheLoop
January 15, 2026 at 1:01 AM
I cannot focus until my room is clean. But I also cannot clean my room until I can focus.
I call it ADHD-22.
#ADHDClutter #ExecutiveDysfunction #TheLoop
I call it ADHD-22.
#ADHDClutter #ExecutiveDysfunction #TheLoop
New research highlights the potential of targeting brain pathways, like SLC6A4, involved in neurotransmitter transport. Simply put, Lion's Mane may aid focus, attention, and cognitive clarity.
Learn more: beyondthedesktutoring.org/adhd-supplem...
Learn more: beyondthedesktutoring.org/adhd-supplem...
January 13, 2026 at 2:08 AM
New research highlights the potential of targeting brain pathways, like SLC6A4, involved in neurotransmitter transport. Simply put, Lion's Mane may aid focus, attention, and cognitive clarity.
Learn more: beyondthedesktutoring.org/adhd-supplem...
Learn more: beyondthedesktutoring.org/adhd-supplem...
For many with ADHD, the standard expectation to "sit still and concentrate" is a direct neurological barrier. Why? Movement helps regulate focus and energy levels by providing the brain with the sensory input it needs.
Start studying smarter, not harder: beyondthedesktutoring.org/beyondthedes...
Start studying smarter, not harder: beyondthedesktutoring.org/beyondthedes...
January 10, 2026 at 4:10 PM
For many with ADHD, the standard expectation to "sit still and concentrate" is a direct neurological barrier. Why? Movement helps regulate focus and energy levels by providing the brain with the sensory input it needs.
Start studying smarter, not harder: beyondthedesktutoring.org/beyondthedes...
Start studying smarter, not harder: beyondthedesktutoring.org/beyondthedes...
It's Not Daydreaming, It's Deep Thinking
If you've ever been told you're "distracted" or "always dreaming," this collection is for you.
Shop Neuro-Affirming Wear: beyond-the-desk-tutoring.printify.me/category/all/1
#ADHDApparel
If you've ever been told you're "distracted" or "always dreaming," this collection is for you.
Shop Neuro-Affirming Wear: beyond-the-desk-tutoring.printify.me/category/all/1
#ADHDApparel
January 9, 2026 at 1:00 AM
It's Not Daydreaming, It's Deep Thinking
If you've ever been told you're "distracted" or "always dreaming," this collection is for you.
Shop Neuro-Affirming Wear: beyond-the-desk-tutoring.printify.me/category/all/1
#ADHDApparel
If you've ever been told you're "distracted" or "always dreaming," this collection is for you.
Shop Neuro-Affirming Wear: beyond-the-desk-tutoring.printify.me/category/all/1
#ADHDApparel
4 Books That Will Transform Your Understanding of ADHD.
Understanding the neurodivergent experience is the first step toward effective coaching and parenting. We've curated four essential books that provide the knowledge, strategies, and empathy needed to support a student living with ADHD.
Understanding the neurodivergent experience is the first step toward effective coaching and parenting. We've curated four essential books that provide the knowledge, strategies, and empathy needed to support a student living with ADHD.
January 7, 2026 at 5:19 AM
4 Books That Will Transform Your Understanding of ADHD.
Understanding the neurodivergent experience is the first step toward effective coaching and parenting. We've curated four essential books that provide the knowledge, strategies, and empathy needed to support a student living with ADHD.
Understanding the neurodivergent experience is the first step toward effective coaching and parenting. We've curated four essential books that provide the knowledge, strategies, and empathy needed to support a student living with ADHD.
Reposted by Beyond The Desk Tutoring
Use a Homework Contract to Boost Motivation!
Motivation for schoolwork doesn't always come from internal drive for the ADHD brain; it often needs to come from external, immediate, and visible rewards. This is where the Homework Contract comes in.
Motivation for schoolwork doesn't always come from internal drive for the ADHD brain; it often needs to come from external, immediate, and visible rewards. This is where the Homework Contract comes in.
December 30, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Use a Homework Contract to Boost Motivation!
Motivation for schoolwork doesn't always come from internal drive for the ADHD brain; it often needs to come from external, immediate, and visible rewards. This is where the Homework Contract comes in.
Motivation for schoolwork doesn't always come from internal drive for the ADHD brain; it often needs to come from external, immediate, and visible rewards. This is where the Homework Contract comes in.
Does your child pick at their hands?
For many neurodivergent individuals, picking isn't just a "bad habit." It’s often a search for sensory input or a way to process dysregulated emotions.
Instead of just saying "stop," we need to provide a safe redirect, like a Pick Pad.
For many neurodivergent individuals, picking isn't just a "bad habit." It’s often a search for sensory input or a way to process dysregulated emotions.
Instead of just saying "stop," we need to provide a safe redirect, like a Pick Pad.
January 5, 2026 at 1:15 AM
Does your child pick at their hands?
For many neurodivergent individuals, picking isn't just a "bad habit." It’s often a search for sensory input or a way to process dysregulated emotions.
Instead of just saying "stop," we need to provide a safe redirect, like a Pick Pad.
For many neurodivergent individuals, picking isn't just a "bad habit." It’s often a search for sensory input or a way to process dysregulated emotions.
Instead of just saying "stop," we need to provide a safe redirect, like a Pick Pad.
I don't "waste money." I make necessary, highly detailed investments into my current special interest. See you next week when I swap this hobby for a new one.
#Hyperfocus #ADHDTax #SpecialInterest #ImpulsiveSpending
#Hyperfocus #ADHDTax #SpecialInterest #ImpulsiveSpending
January 4, 2026 at 10:00 PM
I don't "waste money." I make necessary, highly detailed investments into my current special interest. See you next week when I swap this hobby for a new one.
#Hyperfocus #ADHDTax #SpecialInterest #ImpulsiveSpending
#Hyperfocus #ADHDTax #SpecialInterest #ImpulsiveSpending
Sometimes starting is the hardest part.
- Set a timer for 15 minutes and start working.
- Once the timer goes off:
- If you’re in the zone, keep going.
- If you still feel stuck, take a 5-minute break and try again.
- Repeat the process as needed.
- Set a timer for 15 minutes and start working.
- Once the timer goes off:
- If you’re in the zone, keep going.
- If you still feel stuck, take a 5-minute break and try again.
- Repeat the process as needed.
January 3, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Sometimes starting is the hardest part.
- Set a timer for 15 minutes and start working.
- Once the timer goes off:
- If you’re in the zone, keep going.
- If you still feel stuck, take a 5-minute break and try again.
- Repeat the process as needed.
- Set a timer for 15 minutes and start working.
- Once the timer goes off:
- If you’re in the zone, keep going.
- If you still feel stuck, take a 5-minute break and try again.
- Repeat the process as needed.
Explaining ADHD to a 7-year-old is hard.
Sometimes, they don't feel "distracted"—they feel like they have a million browser tabs open at once. Sometimes, they don't feel "unfocused"—they feel like they have a high-performance engine but no steering wheel.
Sometimes, they don't feel "distracted"—they feel like they have a million browser tabs open at once. Sometimes, they don't feel "unfocused"—they feel like they have a high-performance engine but no steering wheel.
January 3, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Explaining ADHD to a 7-year-old is hard.
Sometimes, they don't feel "distracted"—they feel like they have a million browser tabs open at once. Sometimes, they don't feel "unfocused"—they feel like they have a high-performance engine but no steering wheel.
Sometimes, they don't feel "distracted"—they feel like they have a million browser tabs open at once. Sometimes, they don't feel "unfocused"—they feel like they have a high-performance engine but no steering wheel.
Getting organized for the school year means having the right tools, cognitive and physical.
For one week (Jan 2nd - Jan 9th), we're offering 15% OFF our entire curated collection of supplements and neuro-affirming merchandise:
beyond-the-desk-tutoring.printify.me/category/all/1
#Neurodivergent
For one week (Jan 2nd - Jan 9th), we're offering 15% OFF our entire curated collection of supplements and neuro-affirming merchandise:
beyond-the-desk-tutoring.printify.me/category/all/1
#Neurodivergent
January 2, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Getting organized for the school year means having the right tools, cognitive and physical.
For one week (Jan 2nd - Jan 9th), we're offering 15% OFF our entire curated collection of supplements and neuro-affirming merchandise:
beyond-the-desk-tutoring.printify.me/category/all/1
#Neurodivergent
For one week (Jan 2nd - Jan 9th), we're offering 15% OFF our entire curated collection of supplements and neuro-affirming merchandise:
beyond-the-desk-tutoring.printify.me/category/all/1
#Neurodivergent
Resolutions often fail because they rely on willpower. One thing the ADHD brain struggles to access consistently. Instead of resolving to "be more organized," resolve to install external systems that work for you.
Cheers to a 2026 where we work with our brains, not against them. Happy New Year!
Cheers to a 2026 where we work with our brains, not against them. Happy New Year!
January 1, 2026 at 4:52 AM
Resolutions often fail because they rely on willpower. One thing the ADHD brain struggles to access consistently. Instead of resolving to "be more organized," resolve to install external systems that work for you.
Cheers to a 2026 where we work with our brains, not against them. Happy New Year!
Cheers to a 2026 where we work with our brains, not against them. Happy New Year!
Reposted by Beyond The Desk Tutoring
Neurodivergent kids often have different sensory needs than their neurotypical counterparts.
- The need to release energy through fidgeting or movement.
- Picking needs stemming from anxiety or a need for tactile input.
- A strong preference for certain textures, sounds, or light.
- The need to release energy through fidgeting or movement.
- Picking needs stemming from anxiety or a need for tactile input.
- A strong preference for certain textures, sounds, or light.
November 16, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Neurodivergent kids often have different sensory needs than their neurotypical counterparts.
- The need to release energy through fidgeting or movement.
- Picking needs stemming from anxiety or a need for tactile input.
- A strong preference for certain textures, sounds, or light.
- The need to release energy through fidgeting or movement.
- Picking needs stemming from anxiety or a need for tactile input.
- A strong preference for certain textures, sounds, or light.
Reposted by Beyond The Desk Tutoring
Reposted by Beyond The Desk Tutoring
Ready to transform distraction into focus? Click below to see our full list of sensory tools, chosen specifically for their effectiveness in the classroom and at home.
beyondthedesktutoring.org/adhd-tools-a...
#Neurodivergent #SensoryNeeds
beyondthedesktutoring.org/adhd-tools-a...
#Neurodivergent #SensoryNeeds
Beyond The Desk Tutoring's Top ADHD Tools & Resources | Beyond The Desk Tutoring
Discover ADHD tools, planners, sensory toys, and books designed to support focus, executive function, and learning. Beyond The Desk Tutoring offers hand-picked resources for neurodivergent individuals...
beyondthedesktutoring.org
December 16, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Ready to transform distraction into focus? Click below to see our full list of sensory tools, chosen specifically for their effectiveness in the classroom and at home.
beyondthedesktutoring.org/adhd-tools-a...
#Neurodivergent #SensoryNeeds
beyondthedesktutoring.org/adhd-tools-a...
#Neurodivergent #SensoryNeeds
Reposted by Beyond The Desk Tutoring
Fidgeting is not a sign of distraction; it’s the body’s attempt to regulate its nervous system. When the brain is struggling to focus, engaging the body with a sensory tool can provide the necessary input to quiet the distractions and let attention settle.
December 16, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Fidgeting is not a sign of distraction; it’s the body’s attempt to regulate its nervous system. When the brain is struggling to focus, engaging the body with a sensory tool can provide the necessary input to quiet the distractions and let attention settle.
Use a Homework Contract to Boost Motivation!
Motivation for schoolwork doesn't always come from internal drive for the ADHD brain; it often needs to come from external, immediate, and visible rewards. This is where the Homework Contract comes in.
Motivation for schoolwork doesn't always come from internal drive for the ADHD brain; it often needs to come from external, immediate, and visible rewards. This is where the Homework Contract comes in.
December 30, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Use a Homework Contract to Boost Motivation!
Motivation for schoolwork doesn't always come from internal drive for the ADHD brain; it often needs to come from external, immediate, and visible rewards. This is where the Homework Contract comes in.
Motivation for schoolwork doesn't always come from internal drive for the ADHD brain; it often needs to come from external, immediate, and visible rewards. This is where the Homework Contract comes in.
Reposted by Beyond The Desk Tutoring
At Beyond The Desk Tutoring, our mission has always been to provide high-quality, neuro-affirming support that is genuinely accessible to families. As we've grown, our commitment to maintaining the highest standard of tailored support for our students has become our defining focus.
December 27, 2025 at 10:21 PM
At Beyond The Desk Tutoring, our mission has always been to provide high-quality, neuro-affirming support that is genuinely accessible to families. As we've grown, our commitment to maintaining the highest standard of tailored support for our students has become our defining focus.
The holidays are often presented as a time of peaceful perfection, but for the ADHD brain, they can be overstimulating, unpredictable, and exhausting.
If you find yourself struggling with the chaos, the travel, the sudden lack of routine, or the bright lights, that's okay.
If you find yourself struggling with the chaos, the travel, the sudden lack of routine, or the bright lights, that's okay.
December 25, 2025 at 8:14 PM
The holidays are often presented as a time of peaceful perfection, but for the ADHD brain, they can be overstimulating, unpredictable, and exhausting.
If you find yourself struggling with the chaos, the travel, the sudden lack of routine, or the bright lights, that's okay.
If you find yourself struggling with the chaos, the travel, the sudden lack of routine, or the bright lights, that's okay.