Bayou Land Families Helping Families Newsletter

Jacki Pierce
Jul 15
9 min read

July, August, September 2025

What Is Brain Fog?

Understanding the symptoms, causes, and effective treatment options.

Brain fog isn’t a diagnosis in itself, but a term used to describe a mix of cognitive symptoms—like poor concentration, mental fatigue, and slowed thinking—that can result from a range of systemic conditions. This article explores the many causes of brain fog, from neurological and autoimmune disorders to hormonal changes, long COVID, and lifestyle factors like sleep deprivation. This article explains what can cause brain fog.

Brain fog is not a medical term or diagnosis but a commonly used phrase describing a constellation of symptoms. It s generally is caused by systemic conditions affecting the brain (conditions that exist outside the brain that affect how it functions) and can include a wide variety of symptoms. These may include poor concentration, memory, and mental clarity; mild confusion; difficulty focusing and finding words; mental fatigue; slowed cognitive processing; and problems with task planning.

Several neurologic conditions, including migraine, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and dementia, can cause brain fog. It also may occur with conditions affecting the autonomic nervous system, including postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Other causes include stress or mood conditions, such as anxiety and depression, as well as hormonal conditions and fluctuations like those people may experience during pregnancy, menopause, and menstruation, and with thyroid disorders. Autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and lupus; chemotherapy, sedatives, and other therapies affecting the central nervous system; and alcohol or substance disorders also may play a role. People may experience brain fog if they have sleep-related problems, such as sleep apnea, sleep deprivation, and shift work that causes sleep disruptions, or electrolyte disturbances, such as extremely high or low blood sugar levels.

Brain fog also is one of the most common symptoms of long COVID, a chronic condition in which people continue to experience health problems for at least three months after their initial infection with COVID-19. A large proportion of those patients also have ME/CFS and/or POTS. We suspect that patients have dysfunction in their blood-brain barrier (the membrane that separates a person's blood from their brain tissue), dysregulation of vessels in their brain, and/or dysregulation of their immune system.

To treat brain fog, we try to assess the contributing factors. Then we treat the underlying issue, which could include conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, migraine, menopause, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). For instance, patients may start using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or the stimulant modafinil if they have sleep apnea, take calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibitors for migraine, or take the medication guanfacine or other stimulants for ADHD.

After this, we reassess the patient. If they still have brain fog despite these treatments, we would try others specifically aimed at the brain fog. Making certain lifestyle changes can reduce the duration and severity of brain fog, too, such as getting seven to eight hours of minimally interrupted sleep each night and treating sleep conditions. We advise patients to stay hydrated and eat well-rounded, nutritious meals in addition to doing regular aerobic (cardio) and anaerobic (resistance training) exercises if medically cleared to do so. We also tell them to avoid excessively using alcohol and other substances.

Treating mood conditions proactively with psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, if needed, and proactively managing a patient's stress can help as well. We may prescribe medications such as guanfacine, stimulants like modafinil, or activating mood medications like bupropion (Wellbutrin) to treat brain fog.

Article by:June 2025 By Lindsay S. McAlpine, MD from Brain & Life magazine June 2025

Writing SMART Goals in the IEP: A Guide for Parents and Educators

By: Bayou Land Families Helping Families

When creating an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for a student with disabilities, one of the most important components is the annual goals section. These goals drive instruction, accommodations, and services. But how do we make sure the goals are strong, meaningful, and effective?

The answer lies in writing SMART goals—a widely used method that ensures goals are clear, trackable, and tailored to the student’s needs.

What Are SMART Goals?

SMART is an acronym that stands for:

● Specific

● Measurable

● Achievable

● Relevant

● Time-bound

This ensures that IEP goals are well-defined, practical, and focused on student progress.

Why SMART Goals Matter ?

According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), every IEP must include “a statement of measurable annual goals, including academic and functional goals.” When goals are vague or overly broad, educators and parents struggle to measure progress or determine if supports are effective. SMART goals provide clarity and accountability.

Breaking Down the SMART Framework

Specific

The goal should clearly state what the student will do. Avoid vague language like “improve behavior” or “do better in math.”

Instead of:

“Chris will improve in math."

Use:

“Chris will write a complete paragraph using a topic sentence, three supporting details, and correct punctuation.”

Measurable

How will progress be tracked? Use data like percentage accuracy, number of prompts, or frequency of behavior.

Instead of:

“Will get better at reading.

Use:

“Jamie will read a 3rd-grade level passage with 95% accuracy on 4 out of 5 trials.”

Achievable

Goals should be challenging but realistic based on the student's present level of performance. Overly ambitious goals can frustrate both the student and the team.

Tip:

Use data from assessments, teacher observations, and parent input to set reasonable expectations.

Relevant

The goal should connect to the student's educational needs and priorities—whether academic, behavioral, or functional.

Example:

If a student struggles with social interaction, a relevant goal might focus on initiating peer conversations, not just academics.

Time-bound

Set a clear deadline, usually by the end of the IEP year. Example: “By May 2026, Alex will…” or “Within 36 instructional weeks…”

Example:

“By May 2026, Alex will…” or “Within 36 instructional weeks…”

Real-Life Examples of SMART IEP Goals

1. Reading Comprehension (Academic Goal):

“By the end of the school year, Maria will answer 'wh' questions (who, what, where, when) about a passage she read with 80% accuracy across 3 consecutive sessions.”

2. Functional Behavior Goal:

“By December 2025, Leo will request a break using a communication card with no more than 1 adult prompt in 4 out of 5 opportunities during a 2-week period.”

3. Life Skills Goal:

“By March 2026, Jordan will independently follow a 5-step morning routine with no more than 2 visual prompts on 4 out of 5 school days.”

How Parents Can Help?

As a parent, you are a key IEP team member. Here’s how you can support SMART goal development:

● Ask: “How will we know when my child has met this goal?”

● Request examples of how the goal will be monitored.

● Review your child’s progress reports and ask for data.

● Speak up if goals feel too vague or unreachable.

Final Thoughts

SMART goals aren’t just a checklist, they are the roadmap for your child’s educational success. When goals are specific, measurable, and focused on meaningful skills, they give everyone; parents, educators, and students, a clear path forward.

Summer Camp for your child with a disability

I believe that all people, regardless of medical or special needs, deserve to experience life to the fullest. Camping is an American tradition that epitomizes normalcy and provides participants with a sense of well-being, belonging, accomplishment, and self-worth.

Want to find a summer camp for your disabled child? Don’t know the best summer camp for your child? Want your child to experience a summer camp? How do I know if my child ready to be by himself during the day? Every child deserves the opportunity to go to camp. But if you have a child who has special needs, it can be really hard to find a camp that provides the necessary accommodations. It can come with a lot of struggles with finding a summer camp for your disabled child. You need to first identify your child’s needs. Next do research and reach out to different networks to find a summer camps that provide reasonable modifications (like wheelchair-accessible ramps and other basic accommodations) to enable campers with disabilities to participate fully in camp programs. When picking a summer camp, you must consider the location and type of camp.

Once you find a camp that fit your likings you must contact the camp. When talking to the staff of the camp you must consider asking questions about the camp. How can we work with the camp? What will a typical day look like? How long are the camp sessions? If my child needs a special diet, can the camp provide appropriate meals? What kind of medical and nursing staff is available? These are the things to think about and consider when considering sending your disabled child to summer camp.

Louisiana Family to Family Health Information Center (F2F HIC) -

Empowering Families Through Knowledge and Support

Welcome to the Family to Family Health Information Center (F2F HIC) of Louisiana. At the heart of our mission lies a profound commitment: to arm families with information, training, and resources so they can advocate for enhanced health services and outcomes for their children.

Who We Are & Where We're Located

We proudly operate under the auspices of Bayou Land Families Helping Families, a key initiative of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council. Our center stands as a beacon of support for families with children or adults with special health care needs and professionals.

Program Supervisor: Trinity Cole

Address: 286 Hwy. 3185, Thibodaux, LA 70301

Phone: (985) 447-4461

Email: tcole@blfhf.org

Website: http://www.blfhf.org/

Our Services and Support

The Family to Family Health Information Center offers specialized services and support for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs and their Families, spanning ages 0-26. Our offerings include:

Empowering parents and transitioning youth with skills for proactive partnership with medical professionals.
Facilitating families' navigation through health care challenges and financing complexities.
Outreach through health fairs to raise awareness about community programs and services.
Conducting training sessions on services, resources, and advocacy for superior health care services in our state.

Statewide Outreach, Localized Support

Our collaboration extends beyond our immediate premises. Through our partnership with Families Helping Families Resource Centers across the state, we ensure that Louisiana's Family to Family Health Information Center reaches you right in your own backyard.

Your Information Specialists

Our specialists, parents of children or youth with special health care needs, are not just professionals – they resonate with the experiences, challenges, and aspirations of families with special health care needs. Their lived experiences make them an invaluable resource for understanding and addressing your concerns.

A National Network of Support

Our efforts are part of a larger network. Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2Fs) function as family-led organizations supporting families of children with special health care needs. This initiative receives robust support from the Family Voices through the Family Engagement and Leadership in Systems of Care grant, funded until 2028 by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal Child Health Bureau.

Furthermore, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) sponsors F2Fs not just in our state, but across the nation, encompassing every state, the District of Columbia, five US territories, and dedicated F2Fs serving American Indians and Alaska Natives. This cohesive network ensures that CYSHCN and their families receive comprehensive support, irrespective of their location.

Connect with Us

For more information, or to locate an Information Specialist in your region, please reach out using the contact information provided above or to your local Families Helping Families Center. We're here to guide, assist, and walk alongside you in your journey.

From the Executive Director, Jacki Pierce

GATOR: Granting Adventures to Our Region

Trinity Cole, a member of the staff at Bayou Land Families Helping Families, has a young daughter with a disability. For this reason, Trinity has made it not only a work requirement, but a personal mission to link families together to socialize and arm them with information to successfully advocate for their individual with a disability. Because of the struggles that she, herself, has endured, Trinity was always asking me if she could put on activities for the families.

As a small non-profit organization that relies on grants, contracts, and donations, we would put on only what we could afford. Trinity’s determination led her to learn how to write grants—her first one was the GATOR Program.

We are grateful to Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana’s Mother Teresa Women’s Giving Circle for awarding Bayou Land Families Helping Families the grant funds for our GATOR Program. The purpose of the program is to provide families of individuals with disabilities with opportunities for social experiences in a community setting. At our last Parent Support meeting, we asked families for their input for activities in which they would like to participate. From bowling to the planetarium and the zoo to the splash park, we can’t wait for Region 3’s adventures!

We have limited slots that are filling up quickly, so if you would like to RSVP for any of our GATOR adventures, please click on this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054EA5A729A1FCC34-57194281-gator#/

Be sure to read the disclaimer before signing up.

Congratulations again to Trinity Cole!!