The Confident Parenting Collective Blog

Do I Need a Psychological Evaluation? 5 Signs It’s Time to Get Tested

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:45:41 GMT

This guest blog from Open Minds Psychological i s designed to help you understand when psychological testing may be helpful, what a quality evaluation actually looks like, and how to move forward with confidence. If you’re ready for clarity not guesswork, a comprehensive psychological evaluation with Open Minds Psychological can help you understand what’s been making things harder and what might actually help next.

If you’ve been asking yourself this question quietly or for years you’re not alone.

Many adults and parents come to this point after trying therapy, medication, or quick screenings that didn’t quite explain what’s going on. You may function well on the outside, yet feel like daily life takes more effort than it should. Wondering whether you need a psychological evaluation isn’t overreacting. It’s often a sign that something deserves clearer attention.

This guide is here to help you understand when psychological testing may be helpful, what a quality evaluation actually looks like, and how to move forward with confidence.

What Is a Psychological Evaluation?

A psychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment conducted by a licensed psychologist to understand how someone thinks, feels, learns, and functions. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), psychological assessments use standardized tools and clinical observation to help arrive at diagnoses and guide treatment planning. It combines clinical interviews, standardized testing, and professional judgment to provide diagnostic clarity and meaningful recommendations.

This process goes far beyond a short questionnaire or intake visit. A thorough evaluation is designed to answer why certain challenges exist, not just name them.

Mini-FAQs

Is a psychological evaluation the same as therapy? No. Therapy focuses on treatment and support, while evaluations focus on assessment and diagnosis.

Who conducts a psychological evaluation? Licensed psychologists with specialized training in psychological assessment.

Why People Seek Psychological Testing (And Why It’s Often Delayed)

Many people seek psychological testing after years of feeling misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or stuck in cycles of treatment that don’t fully help. Research published through the National Institutes of Health notes that psychological assessment plays a key role in understanding individual cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning beyond surface-level symptoms. Evaluations are often delayed due to access issues, insurance confusion, long waitlists, or being told symptoms are “just anxiety” or “stress.”

In practice, I often see adults who spent years in therapy working hard yet still sensing that something fundamental was being missed. This aligns with broader research showing that adults with ADHD or learning differences are frequently underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed without formal evaluation. Parents frequently describe being reassured that their child would “outgrow” concerns, only to watch those struggles intensify over time.

Key Takeaways

Long wait times and understaffed systems are common
Symptoms are frequently misattributed or minimized
Many people try therapy first without getting diagnostic clarity

Mini-FAQs

Is it common to wait years for testing? Unfortunately, yes especially for adults.

Can testing still help if I’ve already been in therapy? Often, yes. Testing can clarify what therapy alone couldn’t.

Ready for clarity now?

If you’re already wondering whether testing could help, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Ready for Clarity Now? Start here:

5 Signs It May Be Time for a Psychological Evaluation

If symptoms persist, feel confusing or overlapping, or continue to interfere with daily life despite treatment, a psychological evaluation can help clarify what’s really going on. Population studies estimate adult ADHD prevalence at approximately 3–5%, yet diagnosis rates remain significantly lower, highlighting how often these conditions go unrecognized without thorough assessment.

1. Therapy or Medication Hasn’t Fully Helped

You may have gained insight or coping tools yet something still feels unresolved. This doesn’t mean therapy failed. It may mean that a clearer understanding of underlying factors is needed.

2. You’ve Received Conflicting or Unclear Diagnoses

Many adults describe being told they have anxiety, depression, trauma, or ADHD at different points without a clear explanation of how these fit together. Testing helps sort out overlapping symptoms.

3. Your Difficulties Have Been Present Since Childhood

Longstanding challenges with attention, learning, emotional regulation, or organization often point to neurodevelopmental patterns that deserve closer evaluation.

4. Daily Functioning Feels Harder Than It Should

If work, relationships, or school require constant overexertion just to keep up, that struggle matters even if others don’t see it.

5. You Want Clear Answers, Not More Guessing

Many clients describe relief not fear after testing. Having an explanation can reduce self-blame and help guide more effective next steps.

Mini-FAQs

Do I need all five signs? No. Even one or two may be enough.

Can adults be evaluated for ADHD or learning differences? Yes. Adult evaluations are common and often life-changing.

Does This Sound Familiar? Many people reach this point in the article and realize they’ve been carrying unanswered questions for years.

If you want a clearer picture of what evaluation actually involves — or how it applies to adults, children, or school‑related concerns — these resources can help:

What Happens During a Comprehensive Psychological Evaluation

A quality psychological evaluation includes a detailed intake, standardized testing, careful interpretation, and a written report with clear recommendations. Evidence-based assessment guidelines emphasize the importance of combining clinical interviews with standardized rating scales and multiple data sources to improve diagnostic accuracy. The process should feel thorough, respectful, and collaborative and never rushed.

What the Process Usually Includes

In-depth clinical interview and history
Standardized testing sessions
Scoring, analysis, and diagnostic formulation
Detailed written report
Feedback session to review results and next steps

Key Takeaways

Testing should allow adequate time
Reports should be clear, accurate, and usable
Follow-up and explanation are essential

Mini-FAQs

How long does testing take? Often several hours across multiple sessions.

Will someone explain my results to me? You should always receive a feedback session.

Psychological Testing vs Therapy: What’s the Difference?

Therapy focuses on treatment and coping, while psychological testing focuses on assessment and diagnostic clarity. Clinical literature consistently distinguishes assessment as a foundational step that can meaningfully inform treatment direction and outcomes. Many people benefit from both just at different stages.

Therapy

Focuses on support and treatment
Ongoing sessions
Helps manage symptoms

Psychological Evaluation

Focuses on assessment and diagnosis
Time-limited process
Explains why symptoms exist

Mini-FAQs

Should I start with therapy or testing? It depends on your goals and history.

Can testing improve therapy outcomes? Often, yes significantly.

What Happens After Testing? Understanding Results and Next Steps

After testing, you should receive a clear explanation of findings, a written summary, and guidance on treatment options, accommodations, or supports. Good evaluations don’t leave you guessing. Many clients describe a sense of relief after testing finally understanding why certain things have always felt harder.

Mini-FAQs

Will testing guarantee medication? No. Medication decisions depend on many factors.

Can results help with work or school accommodations? Sometimes, yes.

How to Get a Psychological Evaluation Without Feeling Overwhelmed

The best way to start is by contacting a qualified practice , asking clear questions about process, timeline, and cost, and choosing a provider who values communication and thoroughness.

Helpful Questions to Ask

How long is the wait?
What does the evaluation include?
Will I receive a full written report?
Do you offer telehealth options?

Mini-FAQs

Do I need a referral? Sometimes, but not always.

Is telehealth testing an option? Often, yes depending on the evaluation.

Thinking About Next Steps?

If this article helped you recognize your own experience — or your child’s — the next step doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You can:

Final Thoughts: If You’ve Been Wondering, That Question Matters

Wondering whether you need a psychological evaluation is often a sign that something deserves closer attention. Wanting clarity is not a failure, it’s an act of self-understanding. If you’re ready for answers that feel thorough, validating, and useful, a comprehensive evaluation can be an important next step.

FAQ

How do I know if I really need psychological testing?

If symptoms persist despite therapy, feel confusing or overlapping, or interfere with daily life, testing can help clarify what’s going on and guide more effective next steps.

Is a psychological evaluation worth the cost?

Many people find that clarity saves time, money, and emotional strain in the long run by reducing trial-and-error treatment.

Can I get evaluated as an adult?

Yes. Adult evaluations for ADHD, learning differences, and mental health concerns are common and valid.

What if my insurance doesn’t cover testing?

We will review costs up front and or documentation for reimbursement by your insurer if applicable. We will review the costs up front.

Will testing label me permanently?

A diagnosis is a tool for understanding, not a definition of who you are.

Getting Clear, Supportive Answers

If you’re ready for clarity not guesswork, a comprehensive psychological evaluation can help you understand what’s been making things harder and what might actually help next.

Take the next step today:

Schedule a consultation to learn whether a psychological evaluation is right for you, what the process would look like, and how to move forward with confidence.

Returning to School After Break When Anxiety & OCD Are Loud

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:40:34 GMT

Thank you to InStride Health for this guest post!

For many kids and teens, the end of a school break doesn’t just mean earlier alarms and the return of classes and homework. It can bring a surge of anxiety, dread, and “what if” thoughts that feel overwhelming. For students with anxiety or OCD, the return to school can reactivate worries that felt quieter during time off about things like performance, social situations, health, routines, and/or being away from home. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and more importantly, your child isn’t doing anything wrong.

Why the Transition Back Feels So Hard

For some kids, the loss of structure and predictability during school breaks can actually make anxiety or OCD feel more intense. But for many others, school breaks feel like a welcome pause where pressure drops. There may be fewer deadlines, more flexibility in routines, and less exposure to situations that trigger anxiety or OCD. When school starts again, all of those demands come back at once.

Anxiety tends to latch onto transitions. It thrives on uncertainty and change, and the return to school is full of both. For kids with a history of school avoidance, this transition can feel particularly difficult. Thoughts like “What if I can’t handle it?” “What if I mess up?” or “What if something bad happens at school?” can feel urgent and convincing. Anxiety or OCD may ramp up urges to check, avoid, seek reassurance, or mentally review everything that could go wrong.

The (understandable) instinct for many parents is to try to reduce this discomfort as much as possible, often by helping their child avoid the situations causing distress. That response comes from care and protection; the challenge is that avoiding school or other situations that provoke anxiety teaches the brain that it really is dangerous or unmanageable. At InStride Health, we focus on a different message.

Anxiety Is Uncomfortable, Not Unsafe

InStride’s model is built around helping young people learn that they can experience anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or distress and still move forward. The goal is not to eliminate anxious thoughts or feelings before returning to school. Instead, it’s to help young people build confidence in their ability to handle discomfort when it shows up. Rather than asking, “How do we make anxiety go away?” we ask, “How do we help your child live their full life even when anxiety or OCD is along for the ride?”

This shift matters, especially during school transitions. When kids learn that nervous feelings and intrusive thoughts are tolerable and temporary, school stops feeling like something they must escape and starts feeling like something they can practice handling.

What Support Can Look Like at Home

Gently normalize what your child is feeling. A s school approaches, it can help to name and validate what your child is experiencing. Saying things like, “It makes sense that your anxiety (or OCD) is louder right now because your brain isn’t used to this routine anymore,” or “I get why you feel an urge to check your backpack again; transitions make uncertainty feel bigger,” can reduce shame and pressure.

Limit giving excessive reassurance.

Avoid repeatedly promising that everything will be okay. While reassurance can feel comforting in the moment, over time it can keep anxiety and OCD in charge.

Set compassionate boundaries around reassurance-seeking.

If your child continues to seek certainty, you can gently set a boundary by saying, “I’m not going to answer that. I’m not ignoring you; I’m ignoring your anxiety.”

Focus on effort and willingness.

Praise small steps, such as packing a backpack or showing up even when anxious.

Build familiarity with the school environment ahead of time.

If anxiety about the return is particularly high, practicing driving to the school or walking around the building a few days in advance can help the transition feel more familiar.

Re-establish consistent routines before school starts.

Gradually shifting back sleep schedules, meal times, and morning routines can reduce the shock to the system when school begins.

How InStride Providers Help During the Back to School Transition

At InStride, therapists and exposure coaches work closely with kids, teens, and families to prepare for the return to school in a supportive, structured way. Because school avoidance tends to snowball, we prioritize re-entry and getting back into the building and then weave in exposures to specific fears in small, doable steps.

For one student, that might mean practicing sitting with uncertainty about a test grade. For another, it might involve tolerating the feeling that their desk is “contaminated” without washing their hands immediately. The focus is always on building – not forcing – bravery or pushing too fast.

We also help kids connect these challenges to what matters to them. Whether it’s friendships, learning, independence, or future goals, values provide motivation when anxiety or OCD is loud. When a young person understands why showing up to school matters to them personally, it becomes easier to keep going even on hard days.

Moving Forward One Day at a Time

The return to school after break doesn’t have to feel perfect to be successful. Anxiety may spike, OCD rituals may resurface, and tough mornings may happen. Progress is measured by willingness, not comfort.

The PEERS® Social Skills Program at Hill Top Preparatory School

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:18:10 GMT

Is PEERS® Right for Your Teen or Young Adult?

Explore the PEERS® Program for Middle and High School Students

The PEERS® program at Hill Top Preparatory School is a supplemental, evidence-based social skills program designed to empower adolescents and young adults with diverse learning profiles, including Autism, ADHD, anxiety, and other socio-emotional challenges. Developed at UCLA by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson, this world-renowned program focuses on helping participants achieve success in school, work, and life by equipping them with the social tools needed to thrive. PEERS® for Adolescents is ideal for motivated middle and high school students eager to enhance their social skills, resolve conflicts, and establish lasting friendships.

Is PEERS® Right for Your Teen?

Participants will develop essential skills to:

Build and maintain meaningful friendships
Start and sustain conversations
Navigate electronic communication
Use humor in social interactions
Organize social get-togethers
Be a good sport in competitive settings
Manage disagreements and conflicts
Improve social reputation
Handle teasing and bullying effectively

Program Details

This program is designed for students who:

Face challenges in making or keeping friends
Are interested in developing their social skills
Are willing to participate fully in the program
Can attend consistently for the full duration
Have a supportive parent/guardian willing to engage in the sessions

Duration: 14 weeks of 90-minute sessions held once a week in the evening.

Structure: Social skills are taught through engaging lessons, role-playing, and real-time socialization practice.

Parent Involvement: Concurrent parent/guardian sessions focus on strategies to support their teen’s progress at home. Active parent participation is essential for maximizing the program's impact.

Scholarships: There are a limited number of scholarships available for qualified students.

Healthy relationships are the foundation of a happy and successful life. This group is designed to empower young adults with the skills they need to create meaningful connections with friends, family, coworkers, and romantic partners. Participants will learn how to communicate effectively, build trust, and foster deeper intimacy in all their relationships.

Explore PEERS® Program for College Students & Young Adults

In PEERS® for Young Adults, the following skills will be learned and expanded on:

Development and maintenance of friendships
Improve conversational skills
Navigate entering & exiting conversations
Use humor appropriately
Communicate electronically
Improve dating skills
Organize social gatherings
Handle direct and indirect bullying
Manage disagreements effectively
Handle dating pressure with confidence

Interested? Take the next step today!

Why Schools Require a Psychological Evaluation After a Crisis- and What Parents Need to Know

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 22:40:10 GMT

This guest blog from Open Minds Psychological e xplains why schools request mental health evaluations after a behavioral or psychiatric crisis and how families can access fast, trauma-informed, school-compliant assessments. Based in Pennsylvania, Open Minds offers 48-hour turnaround times and specializes in school-ready documentation that helps students return to class safely and with support.

When the School Says Your Child Needs a Mental Health Evaluation

If you’ve received a call or letter from your child’s school saying they can’t return until they’ve had a psychological evaluation, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and unsure of what to do next.

You’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong. These situations are incredibly stressful, especially when you’re navigating them without a roadmap.

At Open Minds Psychological, we specialize in trauma-informed, school-compliant assessments. Let’s walk through why schools make this request, what it means for your child, and what steps you can take to get the support you need, fast.

As a team of clinicians who’ve worked with hundreds of children and teens in crisis, we understand both the urgency and the emotion behind school-required evaluations. Many of us are parents ourselves—and all of us believe that a child’s future should never be defined by their hardest moment.

“I was afraid my child would be labeled forever. But instead, she felt seen. The clinician actually listened—and the school finally had a plan that made sense.” – Parent, Bucks County

According to the American Psychological Association, early re-entry planning after hospitalization significantly reduces school refusal and emotional relapse in students.

Ready to get help now? If your school has asked for an evaluation and you’re unsure what to do next, schedule a consultation with Open Minds Psychological today to get clear, expert guidance.

Why Schools Request a Psychological Evaluation

The Role of Schools in Student Safety

Schools have a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure a safe learning environment. When a student experiences a behavioral or emotional crisis—whether that’s a panic attack, aggressive outburst, self-harming comment, or hospitalization—the school may request an evaluation to understand whether it’s safe for the student to return and how best to support them.

Q: Why did the school say my child needs a psychological evaluation? A: They’re making sure it’s safe for your child to return and want expert guidance on how to support them.

Common Triggers

Psychiatric hospitalization or ER visit
Suspensions involving threats or aggression
Major changes in behavior or emotional state
Self-harm or suicidal ideation reported at school
Legal & Liability Factors

Schools may also be navigating state guidelines or district policies that require formal documentation from a licensed professional before readmitting a student after a behavioral or psychiatric crisis.

What Is a High-Risk Psychological Assessment?

A Focused, Trauma-Informed Evaluation

Unlike standard psychological evaluations, a high-risk assessment is designed to evaluate immediate concerns about a student’s emotional and behavioral stability in a school setting.

Q: What exactly is a high-risk psychological assessment? A: It’s a short-term, focused evaluation that checks if your child is ready to go back to school and what support they may need. evaluation that determines if a student is emotionally and behaviorally ready to return to school after a crisis.

What It Includes

Brief clinical interviews
Behavior and risk screenings
Review of medical/school documentation
Feedback and written recommendations for school reintegration

What It Doesn’t Do

This isn’t a full diagnostic battery—it won’t label or pathologize your child. Instead, it aims to answer two questions:

Is it safe for your child to return to school?
What support will help them succeed when they do?

Looking for ways to support your teen during this process? Explore our therapy for adolescents page to see how ongoing therapeutic support can help your child feel understood and regain confidence.

How to Request a School-Compliant Evaluation: Step-by-Step

Get the school’s referral or request in writing – This is usually an email or letter stating that an evaluation is needed.
Contact a licensed child psychologist – Prioritize providers experienced in school settings and turnaround within 24–48 hours.
Prepare documentation – Include hospital discharge notes, school communication, or prior evaluations.
Attend the assessment appointment – Bring your child, and ensure time for both parent and child interviews.
Submit the evaluation report to the school – The clinician will provide a formal letter with return-to-school recommendations.

Additional Parent Questions (People Also Ask)

Q: Can I use my own psychologist instead of the school’s? A: Yes, you can choose your own licensed provider—as long as their report meets the school’s requirements. Families have the right to choose their own licensed provider, as long as the evaluation meets school documentation standards.

Q: What if the school pushes back on our evaluation? A: Ask them why—it’s often a formatting issue, and the clinician can usually revise it to fit their policy. to clarify their requirements. A clinician can often revise or supplement the report to meet district criteria.

Q: How fast can we get this done? A: Open Minds can usually schedule and complete the full evaluation—including paperwork—within 48 hours., we typically complete high-risk evaluations within 48 hours—including written documentation for the school.

Take the next step today: Schedule an appointment or call us to get your child on the path back to school.

For a deeper, step-by-step walkthrough, visit our full Psychological Evaluation Guide.

Where Can I Have My Child Evaluated for Autism, ADHD & Giftedness?

erica@beaconfidentparent.com (Erica Desper) — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 21:57:02 GMT

Where Can I Have My Child Evaluated for Autism, ADHD & Giftedness?

If you have concerns about your child's development or learning, then you likely already know that many local providers have waitlists as long as 18-24 months for evaluations. As a parent who was once putting my child's name on those lists, I grew frustrated and made it my mission to collect parent recommended resources with minimal wait times who can help families get answers as early as possible. Here are many excellent options to consider.

Pediatric Psychology Center of Chester County (Exton, Downingtown & Reading)

In practice since 2013, Erin opened the Pediatric Psychology Center of Chester County in early 2020 to continue her work providing both assessment and treatment of children/families managing a number of developmental and behavioral concerns. Her long-term goal was to develop a unique office that provides a solid medical home for families to receive a variety of clinical services under one roof, and indeed the practice grew much more quickly than expected in an attempt to meet the needs of the community throughout the pandemic.

Erin values the opportunity to provide a solid fit in treatment for each incoming client with as short a wait as possible. At PPCCC, they believe that finding a perfect fit between client and clinician is of utmost importance and will work to make sure that you are expertly matched…even if that means they help connect you with another office.

Open Minds Psychological (Plymouth Meeting & Phoenixville)

Dr. Brianna Matey is the founder of Open Minds Psychological and a clinical psychologist. Dr. Matey started Open Minds Psychological in 2018 as a private practice to provide quality therapeutic and diagnostic services to the community. Dr. Matey has 13+ years experience in community mental health most recently as the VP of Clinical Services of Child Guidance Resource Center. Dr. Matey retained clinical and fiscal oversight of 20+ million in service revenue. Dr. Matey received extensive clinical training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy while at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine studying to be a Clinical Psychologist. Dr. Matey is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Professional Counselor in PA. Dr. Matey practices as a part of the PsyPact interstate compact.

Dr. Matey's extensive training and experience creates a unique skill set and passion for working with individuals to support needs around emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, trauma and coping skill development. Open Minds also offers psychological evaluations to assess developmental, cognitive, academic, and behavioral needs, high-risk assessment as well as career counseling.

Dr. Lana Shapiro (Center City Philadelphia)

Dr. Lana Schapiro is a Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician with over ten years of clinical and research experience in leading medical centers such as the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the University of Pennsylvania, Montefiore Medical Center, Cohen Children’s Hospital and with extensive experience in the field. Most recently an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine in the University of Pennsylvania, she brings both personal and professional experience in the field to approach each child and family holistically.

Dr. Schapiro specializes in the early diagnosis of autism and managing the developmental and behavioral concerns of medically complex children. She provides comprehensive evaluations and tailored treatment plans for children and adolescents with developmental and behavioral differences.

Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry (Devon)

At Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry, their mission is to provide a comprehensive integrative care. Traditionally, mental health providers work individually. This means that providers miss opportunities to communicate and collaborate – and the patient suffers. They do things differently here at Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry. By providing all their services under one roof, they are bridging a gap in mental health treatment. Their marriage between mental health and physical health helps to identify core sources of distress for their patients, be it psychological, medical, or a combination of both. Their team of mental health professionals and nutritionists have varying backgrounds, education, and emphases. They have someone for everyone.

Their mission is to continue to evaluate this relationship, learn and adapt to the latest research, while constantly improving the care and services delivered to their patients. Philly Integrative offers psychiatric evaluations and Autism assessment.

TLC Wellness (Audubon & Blue Bell)

TLC Wellness is a dedicated outpatient therapy service that supports the mental health and well-being of children ages 2-18, their caregivers, and adults. Our team of skilled clinicians offers a wide range of therapeutic services, including individual therapy, as well as couples and family therapy, ensuring that every member of the family receives the care and attention they need. We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment where clients can work through their challenges and build healthier, more fulfilling lives.

In addition to our therapeutic services, TLC Wellness offers specialized assessments to address developmental concerns. We are experienced in identifying and supporting children with ADHD, utilizing tools such as the Vanderbilt Assessment for children in kindergarten and up. For children under five, we assess for autism using the CARS-II, providing families with the insights and resources they need to support their child's development.

Acorn Child Development & Evaluation (Bryn Mawr)

Acorn is a psychological evaluation center for all neurodevelopmental questions (e.g., Autism, ADHD, learning disabilities like dyslexia, giftedness, ‘PDA’, twice-exceptionality, intellectual disabilities, anxiety, challenging behaviors, etc.) for ages 0-21. Acorn firmly grounds itself in a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach, meaning that we work WITH your child every step of the way to capitalize on their strengths and buffer their areas of growth.

At Acorn, we believe an evaluation is a form of advocacy. Dr. Reed also consults to Dr. Becky at Good Inside, where she leads the “neurodivergent kids room”, and pulls from many related strategies to empower parents in her recommendations. Acorn is a new business that also understands the pull between wait lists and paying exorbitant prices. Acorn is willing to work with parents on pricing as it grows into a mighty oak tree!

The Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Media)

The Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a group of highly specialized psychologists who work exclusively within their specific areas of expertise. We only do treatments that have been rigorously tested in clinical trials. This specialized approach ensures that each patient is getting the most effective treatment. Within the realm of evaluations, they offer comprehensive testing (including neuropsychological testing) for ADHD, Autism, and Learning Disorders.

They also have a specialty clinic for ADHD testing in girls. Traditional ADHD testing is fantastic, but it was designed for boys. And, since ADHD tends to look significantly different in girls than it does in boys, girls undergoing ADHD testing that doesn't specifically and methodically account for those differences risk their ADHD being overlooked and/or mis-diagnosed. They are proud and passionate about offering thoughtful, comprehensive ADHD evaluations that take into account the gender- specific nuances of ADHD so that girls get access to accurate diagnoses and, consequently, appropriate and effective treatments.

Comprehensive Neuropsychology Services (Paoli & Bryn Mawr)

Dr. Baum is the owner of Comprehensive Neuropsychological Services, PLLC, and a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, which reflects the highest level of competence in the field. She is passionate about working with families to understand their concerns and use evidence-based approaches to evaluate the dynamic relationship between the brain, and an individual’s thoughts, behavior, learning, emotions, culture, and environment. Armed with this information, she works with families and others (teachers, doctors) to identify specific next steps. The goal is greater joy, fulfillment, purpose, satisfaction, and connectedness. Her evaluations offer an in-depth understanding of how your or your loved one’s brain works and what you can do to help. She offers neuropsychological evaluations, ADHD evaluations for children and adults, testing for giftedness, advanced academic programs, or private school admissions, psychoeducational evaluations and testing for learning disabilities & more.

She has specialized training in understanding how neurological, developmental, and medical conditions affect children, teens', and young adults', and their families. Specifically, she is passionate about working with individuals with developmental conditions like autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and learning disabilities. Her expertise also helps families understand and support their ‘typically-developing’ child, who may be struggling with emotional control, behavior, learning, or social interactions. She has a strong background working with patients with current or past brain injuries or illness, or with complex medical or developmental histories. Results of her evaluations guide medical, school, home, and community services and supports and can guide decisions around admissions to programs or colleges or accommodations for standardized testing.

Emily Perlis, PsyD (Bryn Mawr)

As a developmental neuropsychologist, Dr. Emily Perlis has training in Clinical Psychology, Neuropsychology, and Developmental Psychology. She uses knowledge of typical brain development to evaluate, diagnose, and help treat children, adolescents, and young adults with a variety of conditions impacting development and learning.

The evaluations include a review of medical and educational records, clinical interview, observation of behavior, behavior rating scales, and a battery of standardized tests. These tests assess intellectual functioning, attention, learning and memory, language, visual-spatial skills, sensory and motor functioning, executive functions (working memory, organization, problem solving, inferential reasoning), academic abilities, emotional and behavioral functioning, adaptive functioning, and social skills.

The Neurobehavioral Wellness Center (South Jersey)

The Neurobehavioral Wellness Center (NWC) provides psychological and neuropsychological services to individuals across the lifespan. They specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with an array of presenting issues, including Autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, executive functioning difficulties, etc. Located in South Jersey, close to all major bridges, they are conveniently accessible to the tri-state area. They are a practice of doctoral level psychologists and neuropsychologists from a variety of backgrounds and expertise providing testing, diagnostics, and recommendations for the treatment of numerous neuropsychological and psychological disorders.

The NWC has providers trained in the area of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis of children and adolescents starting around 3 years of age. They diagnose ASD and help to develop treatment plans and provide referrals based on the children's specific need, which differs across all children.

If you need resources in other areas such as therapy, parent coaching and more be sure to visit our growing directory of parent recommended providers!

How Perfectionism Shrinks a Young Person’s World and How They Can Get It Back

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 15:37:45 GMT

How Perfectionism Shrinks a Young Person’s World and How They Can Get It Back

Thank you to our friends at InStride Health for this guest post!

At its core, perfectionism is the tendency to have very high standards for ourselves or others. Not all perfectionism is harmful. Research shows that some perfectionistic behaviors are useful and help young people reach meaningful goals. This adaptive form of striving pushes kids and teens to work hard, take pride in their efforts, and stay flexible when things don’t go exactly as planned.

The trouble begins when perfectionism becomes driven by anxiety, guilt, fear of judgment, fear of failure, and shame. Often individuals engaging in problematic perfectionistic behaviors experience fixed thinking and unrealistic expectations. These internal pressures can be relentless and emotionally exhausting, fueling self-criticism, procrastination, and avoidance. And instead of helping kids grow, they slowly shrink the world they feel comfortable living in.

Here are some ways problematic perfectionistic behaviors can show up in a young person’s life.

School and the Pressure to Get Everything Exactly Right

Academic settings are a breeding ground for problematic perfectionistic behaviors. A young person might feel a need for things to be done in a very specific way, redoing steps or checking their work repeatedly to relieve the discomfort of imperfection. Others may delay starting work because beginning feels risky, or finish a task and avoid turning it in because it isn’t perfect. Over time, school becomes less about learning and more about controlling outcomes.

Social Life, People-Pleasing, and the Fear of Being Seen Imperfectly

Social situations are another area where problematic perfectionistic behaviors can show up. Some young people might overthink what they say, rehearse conversations, or avoid certain social situations altogether. Others become chronic people-pleasers, feeling they need to always be agreeable or helpful. Fears of being judged, embarrassed, or perceived negatively can make them feel they must present a “perfect” version of themselves at all times. This limits friendships, prevents authentic connection, and makes everyday social interactions, like starting conversations, meeting new people, or speaking up, feel stressful.

Hobbies, Creativity, and the Loss of Play

Perfectionism doesn’t just affect academics or relationships; it can drain the joy out of hobbies and creative activities. Kids and teens may pull back from or even stop doing the things they love, like drawing, playing music or sports, participating in plays, or trying new things because they feel pressure to be the best. They are scared to even try out of fear that they won’t excel right away or become a star, and their world becomes less playful and curious and more fear-driven.

Decision-Making and the Fear of Choosing Wrong

Another place problematic perfectionistic behaviors show up is in decision-making. Buying gifts, picking out clothes, or deciding where to eat can start to feel overwhelming. Young people may spend so much time thinking through options and trying to find the “best” one that they freeze, avoid choosing, or hand decisions off to others. Avoidance becomes a way of staying “safe.” If they don’t choose, they can’t choose wrong.

Unlearning Problematic Perfectionistic Behaviors

Because problematic perfectionistic behaviors are learned, they can be unlearned, with the right evidence-based support and practice. At InStride Health, we help young people understand that targeting these behaviors in treatment isn’t about lowering expectations or giving up on values like hard work or trying their best. Instead, it’s about teaching them to notice and name these behaviors and associated thoughts and emotions and then choosing new, more flexible ways to respond. This work includes tolerating imperfections and uncertainty through exposures, engaging with thoughts more flexibly, and building genuine self-compassion.

As perfectionism loosens its grip, young people can rediscover the confidence, curiosity, and freedom to try things without needing them to go perfectly. And their world expands again.

InStride Health specializes in treating young patients with anxiety and/or OCD (ie., school avoidance, social isolation, family disruption, and physical manifestations.) Grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with an emphasis on exposure, the InStride team empowers youth to face their fears and build resilience. InStride Health offers every patient and family a dedicated, multidisciplinary care team including a psychiatrist, therapist and exposure coach who work together throughout treatment.

Common Special Needs Planning Missteps And How To Avoid Them

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 22:22:50 GMT

6 Common Special Needs Planning Missteps

& How to Avoid Them

Guest Post by Pat Bergmaier, CFP®, ChSNC®

Over the years, I’ve met many well-meaning, loving parents who mistakenly assume they’re “all set” when it comes to handling the unique financial needs of their child with special needs, only to find out later that they’ve missed a key step. It’s understandable, but these situations can often be avoided with some proper planning help.

Here are some frequent planning missteps to be aware of that could impact the financial future of your child or family member with special needs.

1. Creating a Special Needs Trust with an attorney who is not a specialist

A special needs trust is never “one size fits all.” It’s worth the time to research your options and find an attorney with expertise in special needs planning. A specialist can ensure that your trusts and other legal documents are structured and tailored to your unique situation, providing the best protection for your child's future.

2. Failing to take advantage of government programs and assistance available

There are numerous government programs and benefits accessible to individuals with special needs, but keeping track of all the possibilities can be complicated. Adding to the frustration, if you fail to take advantage of these resources you could be leaving money on the table. Educating yourself on the various programs and benefits available can help you feel more empowered and in control. But also, don’t hesitate to contact professionals who can help you navigate the system and maximize the resources available to your loved one.

3. Having a Special Needs Trust document but no defined plan on how/when to fund it

While establishing a Special Needs Trust is a significant step, it's important to remember that it's not the end of the journey. Families often overlook the importance of a well-defined funding strategy. It's not enough to have the trust document in place; you need a clear plan to meet your loved one's needs over time and ensure they’ll receive the coverage you intended. This is where engaging a financial advisor specializing in special needs planning can be invaluable.

4. Relying too heavily on family members for future caregiving

It's important to have a comprehensive plan in place that doesn't rely solely on the availability of family members for caregiving. Sudden changes in their own health or finances may arise, impacting their ability to provide full or part-time care as planned. It’s always beneficial to know your options. Help can be found from individuals with previous experience caring for someone with special needs, assistance from local non-profits, or special programs that provide care, activities, and opportunities for socialization. Target some resources proactively in case you ever need an extra hand.

5. Procrastinating on planning for a loved one's long-term care housing needs

Waiting too long to research and plan for long-term care housing options can significantly limit your choices and, worse, potentially lead to less-than optimal living arrangements for your loved one. Special needs housing is often accompanied by long wait lists and a lack of clear information. The earlier you plan and fully understand your options, the better your outcome will be. 6. Not relying on a financial advisor who focuses on special needs planning.

6. Not relying on a financial advisor who focuses on special needs planning

Financial advisors with experience in special needs planning can help you develop a comprehensive plan that addresses all aspects of special needs planning, including quantifying future expenses for your loved one, investing for a 3-person retirement, and unique insurance planning strategies for special needs. Another benefit of working with a specialist is that he or she will likely have a large network of other professionals they can introduce or recommend who have similar expertise in helping families with special needs. Working with an attorney and financial advisor dedicated to special needs planning will help prevent you from making common mistakes while keeping you up-to-date and informed on all your options. Proper planning helps ensure you’re more than ready for the future. You’re “all set.”

Pat Bergmaier, CFP®, ChSNC® has focused his practice since 2009 on financial planning for families who have loved ones with disabilities. He strives to help families understand how this type of planning is different and unique compared to traditional Financial Planning that doesn’t address a “3-person retirement plan.”

If you need resources in other areas such as therapy, parent coaching and more be sure to visit our growing directory of parent recommended providers!

How do I Find a Neurodivergent Friendly Psychiatrist for My Child and Support Groups for Parents?

erica@beaconfidentparent.com (Erica Desper) — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 20:24:14 GMT

Ask an Expert: How Do I Find a Neurodivergent Friendly Psychiatrist for My Child & Support Groups for Parents?

Thank you to Dr. David Danish, President and Psychiatrist at Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry and Chris Smith, Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Specialist for answering this parent question. If you have a question you'd like answered by an expert you can submit it here .

Looking for a support group for you, the parent? Check out these great options...

ABA Centers of Pennsylvania: Smashing Waitlists for Autism Diagnosis & Care for Greater Philadelphia Families

erica@beaconfidentparent.com (Erica Desper) — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 14:46:20 GMT

Welcome ABA Centers of Pennsylvania to Bala Cynwyd & Wayne/King of Prussia!

Recent CDC statistics indicate that 1 in 36 children are being diagnosed with Autism and that early intervention produces the best developmental outcomes long term. Despite that evidence, m ost children on the spectrum are diagnosed after four years, though symptoms can become apparent as early as two years old. Waitlists for diagnosis and treatment for Autism in the Greater Philadelphia area can be as long as 18-24 months. The results is that children and families are losing critical development time languishing on those waitlists without answers or treatment...Enter ABA Centers of Pennsylvania!

They are on a nationwide mission to "minimize the grueling waiting times many families experience while waiting to begin ABA therapy" and "ensure their ABA professionals have lower-than-average client caseloads to ensure they can provide high-quality and attentive care to every client they serve." ABA Centers of Pennsylvania employs a variety of testing options to diagnose children 18 months- 17 years of age including:

The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) - is a structured system to evaluate a patient’s social skills, communication, play style, and repetitive behaviors.

Autism Diagnostic Interview – this revised test explores a child’s past and current behaviors related to autism.

Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition – This testing approach consists of 15 questions to determine the potential for autism in a child that may have other conditions. This test is essential if the child has a condition that may be confused with autism or experiencing comorbidity (multiple illnesses).

Additionally, assessments may be employed to test your child’s hearing, vision, language, motor skills, and cognitive function.

Their ABA professionals (RBT's and BCBA's) will work with your family to create an individualized ABA therapy plan that includes meaningful goals and meets your child’s needs and can include services in their home, community and school settings. ABA therapy is available for children and teens and improves the following skill sets over time:

Self-care routines
Social skills and interactions
Communication skills
Daily living skills
Cognitive ability
Academic performance and focus
Attention and memory

I had the privilege of attending their ribbon cutting ceremonies for their beautiful new Bala Cynwyd and Wayne/King of Prussia locations. They announced at the ceremonies that they are getting kids in for their first service date within 47 days of the initial contact. Best of all, they accept most major insurances.

Call them at (844) 444-7496 or click the button below for a complimentary, no-obligation consultation and insurance benefits assessment.

Welcome Beyond Autism to Havertown!

erica@beaconfidentparent.com (Erica Desper) — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 19:27:40 GMT

Beyond Autism Opens their 3rd Location in Havertown Pa!

Beyond Autism is a collaborative center that provides individualized ABA, Speech and Occupational Therapy for children and adolescents diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. They partner with families living with autism to build a strong foundation for their children in early childhood and beyond and passionately believe that their team inspires and supports change through evidence-based teaching methods and practices. Their newest location recently opened in Havertown and they continue to offer services out of their West Chester and Media locations.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific, data based field that has utilized principles of learning and behavior for over 30 years to teach children with Autism enhanced social behaviors like self-care, play, motor skills, language, academic, self-help and other living skills. Their typical timeframe to begin services ranges from 2-4 weeks and, best of all, Beyond accepts all major commercial insurances. While they are not a Medicaid provider, they do offer a hardship program for those in need of financial assistance.

Beyond offers a variety of service areas which include but are not limited to:

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Early Intervention of Speech/Language Delay

Expressive and Receptive Language Disorders

Fluency/Stuttering Disorders

Artic

Phonological Disorders

Social Skills/Pragmatic Language Deficits

Learning Disabilities

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Feeding and swallowing

Their occupational therapy program focuses on providing skilled based services in the following areas:

Activities of daily living (i.e dressing, feeding, toileting & tooth brushing)

Sensory processing

Fine and gross motor skills

Self-regulation and social skills

Visual motor & perception skills

Play and leisure skills

Learn more and contact them at the link below and welcome Beyond Autism to the neighborhood!

Top 3 Websites to Help Explore Your Student's Job Goals

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 13:04:08 GMT

Do you have a child who is exploring potential careers and wishes to do more research? Here are my top 3 websites to explore job goals!

O*Net Online

O*Net Online is a fabulous website that you could spend hours on. Do you have a specific job that you are interested in researching? You can search for it specifically and you can see all of the job duties associated, the education required, salary information, as well as other jobs that are related to that position. You can also explore jobs based on a specific skill set, by professional associations, job duties, etc. The website also designates which jobs are “bright outcomes”, meaning that the industry is growing and therefore jobs will most likely be available in your field. The website also includes a free interest profile which is helpful in narrowing options. Overall, I could spend hours doing research on O*Net! It is my favorite website by far!

Pennsylvania’s Center for Workforce Information & Analysis

This website provides labor statistics based on information gathered from the state of Pennsylvania and breaks it down by counties. My favorite statistic to explore is the “Top 50 New Hires”. This is updated every quarter, so it has the most up to date information. This list shows the top 50 employers in each county who have hired workers. This list can be beneficial to explore what type of industries are prevalent in the area that you live in or wish to live in, as well to give ideas of employers to explore for potential jobs. You can find an employer and then search their site for the types of jobs that they are hiring for. The information is extremely interesting, especially when comparing different counties.

Occupational Outlook Handbook

This website is similar to O*Net Online because it also allows you to explore different job goals in a variety of ways including by pay, educational level, projected new jobs, and projected growth rate. This website is developed using the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. There is a video on the home page which gives you information on how to best use the site. It is another great option for you and your child to explore different job goals.

The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, or OVR, provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain or maintain employment.

What Parents Need to Know About Waivers & ODP Services

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 12:51:03 GMT

If you are a parent of a child with an intellectual disability or autism, it can be overwhelming knowing which agencies you need to connect with to support your child. One of the first agencies that you should explore is the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). Pennsylvania’s Office of Developmental Programs has a mission to assist Pennsylvanians with developmental disabilities to achieve greater independence, choice, and opportunity in their lives. Services include (but are not limited to) assistive technology, benefits counseling, community support, therapies, transportation, employment support, educational support, respite care, housing, etc. The services provided are tailored to the needs of your child.

You must contact your county ODP office and schedule a time to speak with the intake person who will gather your information. ODP provides services through Administrative Entities. An administrative entity is an agency that can oversee ODP services. As a parent, you will have a choice of which Administrative Entity you would like to work with. It is encouraged to reach out to speak to the different Administrative Entities available to determine which one is the best fit for your family. I also encourage you to discuss with other members of your community who may have worked with them in the past. Once assigned to an administrative entity, you will be assigned to a Supports Coordinator who will be your main point person as you navigate services. It is important that this person is kept in the loop and informed of any important changes.

Services are funded through something called a “waiver”. Some waivers are available at birth, therefore there is no need to wait to enroll for ODP. There are different waivers available and although several of them overlap in the types of services they provide, they may differ in the amount of funds that can be spent on a yearly basis. This can impact the number of services your child can access and at times, you may have to prioritize what is most important for them to have. Your supports coordinator will let you know which waiver you are eligible for and will help develop a plan, an Individualized Service Plan, which will outline the services provided. The ISP is updated on an annual basis.

I have had discussions with families in the past who have been hesitant to enroll with ODP because they had misconceptions of the services that they provide. They believed that the services were just for individuals with significant cognitive disabilities and that their child would not be eligible. Some families I have worked with didn’t realize that individuals with autism were eligible for ODP as well. In reality, ODP provides funding for an extensive amount of services. If your child is going to need supported employment services, ODP will work hand in hand with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to provide the on-going on-site support. ODP funds have also been used to pay for the tuition for autism programs through universities. I have also seen ODP funds be used to fund Uber rides to and from employment. Your supports coordinator will be the one to assist you in determining how funds are used.

Why is it important to enroll now versus waiting? For some waivers, it may be first come first served and may require for you to join a wait list. The number so individuals accessing these services continues to grow and there are limits to the funding available. In addition, it is important to have the supports coordinator involved early so that they can assist with the transition out of high school. In addition, to be eligible, you must provide documentation and complete an application. This process can take time, so you do not want to wait to get started.

For more information about ODP, please visit ODP’s website which features The Gold Book , which explains services and waivers in digestible way.

5 Tips for a Smooth Transition to Employment & Post-Secondary Education

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 18:07:02 GMT

Whether your teen or young adult is moving toward post secondary education or employment, Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Erin Brown has tips for a smoother transition...

In PA, planning for the transition from high school to employment and/or post-secondary education begins at age 14, however, it's never too late to start! Here are things to keep in mind when planning and implementing a transition plan.

Talk About Employment Early

Students are typically only exposed to jobs they interact with so you'll want to widen their exposure as well as discuss their interests and hobbies and how those might intersect with potential employment opportunities. Learn what positions are available within a field of interest and what educational levels are required for those fields and positions. In order to obtain services from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation , the student must have one specific job goal that they are working towards in order to determine what services they will receive.

Know Agency Timelines

There are many programs and agencies to support your student at any age but they have varying, and often inflexible, timelines. Learning what is available to and creating a timeline for when to start the process with each agency will help you avoid missing needed support.

Practice Advocacy Now

A crucial skill for your student to develop for both employment and postsecondary education is the ability to speak about their disability and support needs. Involving them in IEP meetings can afford them practice and confidence in this area which they can utilize down the road in speaking with professors, employers and more.

Practice Soft Skills

Soft skills are the skills your student will need to be successful with any job or education program. These include hygiene, dressing appropriately, professional communication, comfort in interviews, taking feedback , learning to wake up independently and on time and much more. All the things your teen, especially if they are neurodivergent, likely struggles with!

Find Employment Opportunities

Employment opportunities allow your student to experience the work setting first-hand and to learn what they do and do not like regarding tasks, setting and and which skill areas need improvement. Often learning what they don't like is even more valuable than learning what they do like. Any type of paid or unpaid work experience will be a valuable experience in determining those things.

Who Can Help

A transition counselor can work with you and your student when planning for and embarking on transition services by:

* Discussing employment goals

* Reviewing current services received by school district/agencies

* Reviewing available agencies client should be connected to

* Reviewing potential programs/services client may be interested in

* Discussing tangible goals and plans, both in the short term and plans for future years dependent on where they are in the transition/employment process

* Working with your child to come up with a schedule that will look at not only their upcoming assignments and tests but will also help prioritize what they need to be working on and introduce organizational techniques that they can use independently in future semesters or years

In Pennsylvania, The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, or OVR, provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain or maintain employment.

How to Know if Your Child Needs an Autism Evaluation

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 14:43:18 GMT

Wondering if your child's behaviors are typical or a sign of something more? Our friends at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help!...

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is marked by difficulties with social communication/interaction, as well as restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. Kids with ASD can begin showing signs as early as 12 months of age, but it’s typically recommended that families wait until 18-24 months to get formal testing. By age 2, a diagnosis by an experienced ASD evaluation expert can be considered reliable.

Depending on a child’s developmental milestones, the specific symptoms they may be showing, and where they lie on the ASD spectrum, ASD can easily be misdiagnosed or go unnoticed. Due to missed signs and behaviors, it is important for parents and caregivers to understand what some potential signs and symptoms of ASD may be.

In younger children, signs of ASD include:

*Avoiding eye contact

*Disengagement with games or playing with peers

*Lack of pretend play

*Toileting troubles

*Sensory sensitivity (i.e., touch, smell, noise)

*Tantrums that occur more often and last longer than peers

In older children, signs of ASD include:

*Difficulty engaging with the back and forth flow of conversations

*Difficulty with perspective-taking (i.e., seeing another’s point of view, understanding how another is feeling)

*Tendency to discuss a specific topic for an overly extended period of time

*Struggles with interpreting nonverbal language of others such as body movements, facial expressions, nonverbal cues

*Repetitive movements or behaviors such as flapping one’s hands (often called stimming)

*Rigidity regarding routines

If your child is displaying these characteristics, give your pediatrician a call and ask for a screening to determine whether a more extensive ASD evaluation would be indicated. If not, feel free to give us a call (267-551-1984) and we can help you figure out whether you should pursue a full assessment for ASD.

One thing to note is that the earlier you get a proper diagnosis and treatment, the better the outcomes for your child will be. Proper Autism testing should be comprehensive and include multiple sources of information (including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, which is the hallmark component of the gold-standard Autism assessment battery).

The Autism evaluation experts at the Center for CBT offer extremely comprehensive, accurate Autism evaluations that include detailed treatment plan recommendations and next steps for your child. You can read more about our ASD evaluations at the Center for CBT here or give us a call for a consultation directly with an Autism evaluation specialist at 267-551-1984.

Thank you to Sarah Peritz of Center for CBT for this guest post.

Our Favorite Mental Health Podcasts

Sat, 28 Oct 2023 19:46:20 GMT

Counseling & Assessments at the SMart Center shares their favorite mental health podcasts...

In recent years, the podcast industry has given rise to hundreds of new shows on almost any topic imaginable. Sometimes, the sheer amount of shows can make it hard to know where to start. For this week’s blog post, we gathered from La Salle University clinical psychology doctoral students what some of their favorite podcasts are on the topics of psychology/mental health, mindfulness, and self care.

Here are our favorite mental health podcasts:

FEELING GOOD

This podcast focuses on how we can change the way we feel, tackle depression and anxiety, and experience more joy in our lives.

SAVVY PSYCHOLOGIST

Hosted by Dr. Monica Johnson, the Savvy Psychologist works to incorporate research and her professional expertise on the reasons why we experience emotions as well as strengthen our relationships with ourselves and with family and friends.

TERRIBLE, THANKS FOR ASKING

Nora McInerny emphasizes honesty and normalizing tough conversations about our emotions and mental health through both compassion and humor. Described as a show that “lets real people get real honest about how they’re really doing.”

TAKE THE CAKE

This podcast covers a range of topics that aim to unpack complex conversations regarding health and wellness, body image, lifestyle, and more.

THE HAPPINESS LAB

Created by Dr. Laurie Santos of Yale University, this podcast sets out to discuss the ways in which we can control our own happiness. She incorporates scientific research to discuss the relationship between human behavior and our emotions.

THE HILARIOUS WORLD OF DEPRESSION

This podcast focuses specifically on depression, one of the most common diagnoses in the field of psychology. Episodes focus on minimizing the stigma that surrounds melancholy. This podcast is a helpful resource for anyone looking to better understand and manage their own symptoms of depression.

INSIDE MENTAL HEALTH

This podcast aims to make mental health accessible to all. Each episodes features either professionals in the field or celebrities. Personal experiences take center stage in this podcast, exploring psychological concepts, terminology, trauma, recovery, and self care in ways that are easy to understand.

MENTAL ILLNESS HAPPY HOUR

Interviews with notable figures and celebrities about their experience with mental health and trauma experience.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF YOUR 20S

A podcast that explains psychology concepts with a focus on your 20’s.

Thank you to Claudia Hyman of Counseling & Assessments at the SMart Center for this guest post.

If I Had it to Do All Over Again: Do's and Don'ts for the Start of your Journey

erica@beaconfidentparent.com (Erica Desper) — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 18:30:03 GMT

If I Had Our Journey to Do All Over Again, Here is What I Would Tell Myself at the Start...

I am writing this 13 years into my parenting journey and 8 years after I first voiced concern about my son to his teacher in 1st grade. Long, agonizing story short, he was passed on year after year as “too young” and “fine” and “not a behavior problem”. The school evaluations we did manage to secure found nothing aside from some executive functioning deficits that “didn’t require specialized education”.

Fast forward to 8th grade: he was failing and several independent evaluations determined my son had the following slew of diagnoses:

Autism Level 2

ADHD

Anxiety

Auditory Processing Disorder

OCD

Dyscalculia (Specific Learning Disability in Math)

Dysgraphia (Developmental Coordination Disorder/DCD)

Pragmatic Language Deficit

Sensory Processing Disorder

Social Anxiety Communication Disorder

Visual Processing Disorders

While I did the best I could with who I was and what I knew at the time, I did it all “wrong”. I struggle with immense guilt, frustration and regrets. I was trusting and quiet. I allowed others to make me second guess myself. I am choosing to channel all of those feelings into my mission to help other parents and children avoid a similar prolonged journey by bringing you the information and resources you need to do it better and from the start. If I had the journey to do all over again, here is a short list of the most critical things I would tell myself at the start…

Do Trust Your Gut

When my son had to be pried from my body every morning for all of his preschool years, I suspected something was up. Shouldn’t he have adjusted by now? When he couldn’t form his letters correctly, despite loads of practice, when numbers didn’t seem to make sense to him, when he would forget a concept from problem to problem, I knew something was up. I can’t even count the number of friends, family members and professionals who told me I was “just looking for things that were wrong” or “just being a nervous first time mom” or that he was “just giving me a hard time.” My gut knew that he was HAVING a hard time and guess what? I was right, all along. Trust your gut and don’t let anyone make you question it.

Don’t Rely On the District to Guide You

We took advantage of every teacher conference and always brought our concerns to those meetings. No one ever once said, “You can/should/could request an evaluation.” No one even said “I agree you should look into this.” He was good and quiet and smart and could rely on his strengths to get through each day, falling apart as soon as he walked out the door. When I was told by the team that he only needed a 504 and accommodations, I didn’t question it. I mean, they are the experts, right? It’s their duty by law to adequately assess and support every student, correct? Yes, it is. Unfortunately, it is also in their best interests to follow the letter of the law and not offer, suggest or give more than a parent asks for. Educate yourself about what is available and adequate for your child (or seek out someone who knows) and ask for those things explicitly and adamantly.

Do Be the Squeaky Wheel

Explicit and adamant are not always enough. Unfortunately, special education resources are like a pie and there are far more children who need pie than there are pieces to dole out. If you are concerned about being “nice”, not rocking the boat, about being a bother or annoying, or about creating a contentious situation, your child may not get what they need. Be as loud as it takes, as often as you need to be and for as long as it takes. The squeaky wheel gets the oil.

Don’t Wait and See. EVER.

I fell hard for the “it’s so early” and “he’s too young” and “we don’t do that here” jargon. While it’s never too late to address deficits and learn new skills, earlier is ALWAYS better in terms of how long it will take and how much effort it will require for your child. Wait and see is code for “I want to pass this scenario down the line”, among other things.

Do Write Everything Down AND Keep/Organize It

One of my biggest regrets in discussing all of these concerns those first few years verbally and with my son’s teachers. I have zero proof that I ever expressed my concerns to anyone or that they didn’t do anything about those concerns. I’ve spent hours searching for report cards, test results, email correspondence and more. From day one of your gut being triggered, start a chronological log (use a Google doc for example) with entries by date, the most recent being at the top. At minimum, create a file folder in your email account and move all correspondence on this issue to that file. Any concern you want to express, any evaluation or support you want to request, put it in writing with the date and send it to both the teacher and appropriate administrator (email will suffice).

Don’t Accept “We Don’t Do That Here” As An Answer

If you are told, in response to a request, that “we don’t do that here”, ask them to show you the law in writing. For example, when I asked to record our IEP meeting (which is permissible by law in Pa) I was told I could not. When asked why, the Supervisor of Special Education replied “we don’t do that here.” When my advocate presented her with the law stating that I could she replied, “Well, yes, but we just usually don’t.” Ummm “We prefer not to” is not the same as “by law we do not have to or you are not permitted to.”

Do Find (& Bring) Your People

I fought SO hard for SO long and, toward the end, I meant business. I created slideshows with data to bring to the meetings. I wrote novels in advance of meetings. I researched signs and symptoms and correlated those with his data. And so on. I got absolutely nowhere until I nearly broke and brought in an advocate. It was then and only then that they truly started listening and put the wheels in motion. I often wonder how our journey would be different had I brought her on from the start or anywhere along the way. We are fortunate in our area to have many excellent private advocates, ones who offer a sliding scale and non-profits who may help advocate at no cost to your family. Even if you simply bring a friend or family member to the table as an extra pair of ears or to take notes, you will be better off. They may have seven people on their side of the in-person or virtual table. That can feel incredibly intimidating when you are the only one on yours. You weren’t meant to parent alone and this journey adds a whole new layer to needing a village. Your friends may never have been in your position of having a child with special needs or having to fight to get them what they need. Find and surround yourself with those who do.

Speaking of needing a village, we’ve got you and, now, you’ve got us. Wherever you are on this journey, learn more about many ways and places, both virtually and in-person, you can connect with experts and parents “who get it” on our Find Your Community page and our Events calendar.

3 Local Inclusive Employers We're Celebrating

erica@beaconfidentparent.com (Erica Desper) — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 19:19:04 GMT

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), observed to celebrate the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities and the businesses that employ them. Check out these three amazing local resources, each on a mission of inclusion in the workplace...

Game On State

2 years ago the Rubin family opened the doors to their retro arcade on State Street in Media, Pa to offer "a safe and memorable family entertainment experience with a diverse and inclusive community". Aptly tagged "Everybody's Arcade", their mission includes not only having it be a place where everyone is welcome, regardless of their needs, but also a way to honor their commitment to employing people with disabilities.

They work closely with Community Integrated Services , an organization working to build a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable workforce, and currently employ four CIS participants in their arcade and store. They offer sensory friendly nights, private parties for kids and adults and even a karaoke night. Congratulations to the Rubin family on celebrating two years of promoting community, diversity and inclusion. Visit Game on State here.

So Much to Give Café

Located in Skippack Pa, So Much to Give is a charity (Pillars of Light and Love) owned café designed "to provide a welcoming and inclusive experience to empower all people, including those with disabilities and their families, to have equal opportunities to work, dine, socialize, volunteer and learn...So Much to Give is a program created by local well-known teacher, musician and fitness instructor, Maureen Stanko which launched in early 2022 under the charity of Pillars of Light and Love . Pillars was founded in 2014 by Kathy Opperman in Trappe, PA. Inspired by the need to create opportunities for her adult son with autism, Maureen set the mission of the So Much to Give program to help young adults with disabilities to gain personal fulfillment by utilizing their unique gifts and talents to make a positive difference in the community. Maureen believes those with disabilities have "so much to give" to the world!"

They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and offer both indoor and outdoor dining spaces. They have first floor handicapped accessible dining and restroom facilities. They recently added an elevator to the second floor, thanks to generous donations from their community. They host private events and offer workshops, game nights, festivals and more. Check out their Parents of Adults with Special Needs Resource Meetings the f irst Thursday of each month from 6 PM - 7:30 PM. Congratulations to Maureen and Kathy on truly having so much to give. Visit So Much to Give here.

Get Café

Brooke and Jon Goodspeed gave birth to their second child, Oliver in 2010. Oliver is a complex kiddo with Autism, Down Syndrome and multiple medical conditions and the Goodspeed family experienced first-hand the challenges that are a part of raising a neurodivergent child. Enlightened with a clearer understanding of the stigma, misconceptions, and discrimination that individuals with disabilities and their loved ones face, the Goodspeed family, along with a team of dedicated and inspired community members, created a vision of acceptance and inclusion that would grow in the Greater Philadelphia area, and GET Included, Inc., a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status pending, and the GET Café were born.

GET Café in Narberth has employed more than 40 neurodivergent individuals and/or individuals with disabilities, who have in turn successfully served over 16,000 customers in the community at large. They have a blog, an events calendar, live music and karaoke nights, and a shop both in the café and online. They also offer a monthly support meetup , a space for support, connection, and understanding, facilitated by a licensed psychologist. Their work is made possible by essential contributions from generous community members. At their 2022 GET Gala they raised $50,000 to support their mission. Congratulations to the Goodspeed family on such a vital contribution to our community. Visit GET Café here.

Be sure to visit these amazing establishments and show your support in whatever way you can! Is there a business you would like to see added here? Shout about them!...

7 Steps to Smoother Haircuts for Sensory Sensitive Kids

erica@beaconfidentparent.com (Erica Desper) — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 15:26:37 GMT

7 Steps to Smoother Haircuts for Sensory Sensitive Kids

If you have a neurodivergent and/or sensory sensitive child, you likely know that the struggle is real when it comes to necessary evils like getting a haircut. Fortunately, with a little preparation you can make this chore much easier for you and your kiddo.

Before Your Go

#1 Talk it Up in Advance

Before it is time for your child’s appointment, visit the salon you will be using and meet the stylist who will cut your child’s hair in the future. On this day thought, your child is just there to say hello and watch you or someone they know have their hair cut. If a visit is too much or not possible, look for videos on YouTube of others getting haircuts.

#2 Establish a Countdown

To give your child time to mentally prepare, offer a visual countdown. This could be marking a calendar and crossing off the days or creating a paper chain and cutting off the links.

#3 Create a Social Story

Social stories help your child rehearse a challenging event or issue in a safer way. You can create your own using photos that include your child or look for a template like the one below. The more personalized the story is, the more it may help.

When You Arrive

#4 Plan For Known Triggers

If your child is afraid of the noise a buzzer makes or sensitive to scents, be sure to let the stylist know and request they avoid using scented products on your child (or bring your own shampoo so it is familiar) and, perhaps, stick to just scissors. Earplugs or earbuds with music playing can also help with sound sensitivity. Consider bringing an extra shirt for your child to change into after, in case they are bothered by tiny hairs that make their way in during the cut.

#5 Offer A Visual Timer

To give your child a sense of how long this will take overall and how much time is left, consider using a visual timer like this one.

#6 Curb The Wiggles & Anxiety

Consider offering your child a distraction as well as a way to “move” while being still for the stylist. A fidget toy can work well and/or a weighted lap pad or weighted vest . Local company Fun and Function has excellent options.

#7 Consider a Reward

Who doesn’t love a reward for a job well done? Plus lollipops are kind of the standard in this scenario. Consider offering your child one at the end and using that as an incentive when you need to start back at the top of this list next time!

L ocal Resources Who Can Help

In the Greater Philadelphia area we are fortunate to have resources that specialize in sensory friendly haircuts for children with Autism and and other developmental delays. Here are two we have heard great things about from other local parents:

Cimino's Barbershop in Collegeville has a licensed behavior consultant available to assist during haircuts to support individuals with sensory needs or anxiety. There is no additional charge to receive the support of our behavior consultant during your appointment.

Ausome Cutz is a non-profit started in 2023 by barbers and partners Ronald Berrian and Jamel Owens, two fathers who are raising two young men on the spectrum. They are on a mission to to provide free haircuts to the local neurodivergent community at pop-up events at various venues and, hopefully in the future, via a mobile barbershop .

Hairapy by Laura is a salon established in 2021 in Erdenheim, Pa open to all but specializing in haircuts for children and individuals with special needs.

The Power Of Family Meetings: Fostering Executive Function Skills and a Positive Household

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 20:57:01 GMT

The Power of Family Meetings: Fostering Executive Function Skills and a Positive Household

As parents, we witness our children grow from dependent babies to independent individuals with unique thoughts and preferences. Our home should be a safe space where they can freely express themselves. Setting boundaries and allowing them to make decisions within those limits is crucial for their development and future success. One effective way to achieve this is through regular family meetings. In this article, we'll explore the science behind why family meetings work, provide strategies to implement them, and offer a comprehensive agenda to make these meetings impactful and engaging.

The Science Behind Family Meetings

Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive effects of involving children in decision-making processes. When children actively participate in family meetings, they develop a sense of autonomy, responsibility, and ownership over their choices. This "skin in the game" empowers them to make better decisions and builds their confidence in navigating life's challenges.

When children feel valued and heard within the family unit, their behavior improves both in the presence of their parents and when unsupervised. This validation and inclusion create a nurturing environment where children feel secure, loved, and respected. This aspect of family meetings is crucial for their overall growth, emotional well-being, and development of vital life skills.

Now that we understand a little more on the science behind family meetings and their positive impact on children's development, let's explore some practical agenda options that can make these meetings engaging and effective. By incorporating these agenda items, you can create a structured framework that promotes communication, problem-solving, and personal growth within your family.

Creating A Family Meeting Agenda

To ensure productive family meetings, it's important to have a well-structured agenda. Here's a breakdown of what you can include:

#1 - Topics Of Discussion

Dedicate time to address any concerns, new rules, or issues that arose during the previous week. This section promotes open communication and problem-solving within the family. For example, you could discuss strategies to manage sibling conflicts or establish rules for screen time usage.

#2 - Calendar

Discuss upcoming events, holidays, extracurricular activities, and even date nights. This part of the agenda helps parents align their schedules and minimizes conflicts. Discussing upcoming events during family meetings creates a sense of predictability and routine for children who may struggle with transitions or uncertainty, providing them with a greater sense of security and stability.

#3- Word of the Week

Select a new word to learn and discuss its meaning as a family. Encourage your children to incorporate the word into their daily conversations, fostering their vocabulary and communication skills. You can even get creative with it and make a "Jar of Jargon" - put an item (pasta, pennies, paper clips) in the jar every time you hear a family member using the word correctly in a sentence and when the jar is full you can have a pizza or ice cream party! (Bonus points for taking turns picking the word, but also consider letting you child have say in choosing the incentive/reward)

#4- Skill of the Week

Assign each family member a skill they would like to work on. This could include anger management, active listening, maintaining a healthy lifestyle or skills like cooking a planned dinner or learning to do laundry. Once a skill has been selected, guide the family in creating a plan to work on it throughout the week. Discuss specific actions, resources, or strategies that can be implemented to develop and improve the chosen skill. Encourage family members to set individual goals and identify opportunities for support and accountability within the family. By focusing on personal growth, you create a supportive environment for everyone to develop essential life skills.

#5- Something Nice

Take turns expressing appreciation for one another. Encourage family members to share specific actions or qualities they admire, fostering a positive and loving atmosphere. This can feel a little forced at first, but it is because families aren't used to doing this regularly. In time, this will get much easier.

#6- Fun Activity

End the meeting with a game or engage in a fun activity together. This promotes bonding and strengthens the family unit. Whether its a Tic-Tac-Toe Tournament or a short game of Uno and Hangman, these kinds of experiences will be remembers much more than gifts purchased once your children are grown.

Additional Agenda Items

You can customize your family meeting agenda by including items below that best suit the unique needs and interests of your family.

Challenges and Solutions:

Address individual or family-related challenges and brainstorm solutions together. Always remember to allow your children to be heard and validate those feelings as a way to promote openness and communication during difficult conversations.

Concerns for Others in the Family:

Create space for family members to express their worries and provide support.

Meal Planning:

Involve everyone in deciding meals for the week, encouraging a sense of ownership and variety.

Open Discussion:

Allocate time for family members to share any thoughts or concerns they have on their minds.

T hings to Celebrate/Things to Fix:

Acknowledge achievements or exciting events while also finding solutions for any problems that arose.

Discipline Tools and Strategies:

Introduce new expectations or discuss approaches to handle certain situations effectively. Be clear and concise and always allow your children to speak on behalf of these new expectations, but hold the line, be authoritative and reciprocal.

Conversation Starters:

Use fun questions to spark engaging discussions and gain insights into each other's perspectives.

Something Good and Something Bad:

Reflect on positive and negative experiences from the previous week, fostering gratitude and problem-solving skills.

Service or Acts of Kindness:

Encourage empathy and compassion by engaging in charitable acts or volunteering as a family.

Conclusion

Implementing regular family meetings can transform your household into a nurturing environment where children learn valuable life skills, feel empowered, and develop strong relationships. By following a structured agenda and involving every family member, you create opportunities for growth, communication, and fun. Remember, these meetings not only benefit your children but also foster a positive and harmonious family dynamic. Start implementing family meetings today and witness the positive impact they have on your household.

Thank you to Nicole Rouleau of Igniting Your Mind for this g uest post.

Yes-Social Skills Can Be Taught!

Sun, 03 Sep 2023 12:41:39 GMT

Yes-Social Skills Can Be Taught!

We frequently see families come in and express concerns that their children seem to struggle with new social situations. Some may have IEP’s related to this, while others may struggle with anxiety, and still others may just want to grow into a social butterfly. Occasionally people will say, “what can you do- some people are not good in social situations”. While this may be true to a degree, it absolutely is possible to help your child develop positive sets of social skills.

Our Social Skills Program is built on the best practices we know leads to behavior change. First and foremost, we spend time talking through social situations and actions. While students may learn classroom rules in school, we know that there is honestly not enough time to dedicate to elaborating and differentiating when it comes to why we behave certain ways in class; usually we stick to a list of “do” and “don’t” behaviors. Some kids need more!

In our lessons on social skills, we talk through real life scenarios with children to allow them room to ask questions and space for us to guide them in understanding others. Being able to dedicate time to discussing social skills directly is extremely beneficial, but without guided practice, there will likely be little change in behavior.

That is why we use small groups for our social skills program. By working with peers, they hear questions from others and see how their peers perceive and react to their behaviors. In essence, the lesson become the practice. But we don’t stop there! Each lesson is structured with real like scenarios for our students to put skills to the test. We may have a meal together, practice tasks like shopping, or engage in games and physical activity to put our social skills to the test.

Check in are also key for sustainable growth in your social skillset. First and foremost, we loop parents in to their child’s progress, including strategies to use at home and how to monitor progress. Sometimes parents may even request an individual progress report for their child, and we find that can be helpful. They key is that you and your child leave with tools to use in the future.

Ultimately, learning social skills takes practice in a structured environment to see the best progress. Our teachers know this and serve as supportive guides for children during our program, as well as a consistent source of positive and low-risk social interaction. We work to build confidence and produces results, whether academic or social!

Thank you to Cris Fick for this guest post .

Understanding PANDAS, PANS & POTS; A Guide For Concerned Parents

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 20:35:19 GMT

Understanding PANDAS, PANS & POTS;
A Guide For Concerned Parents

Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry offers a guide to understanding PANDAS, PANS & POTS for concerned parents.

Can I Ask For My Child's School Records?

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 13:20:10 GMT

Can I Ask For My Child's School Records?

Personal privacy is something we all value and understand the need for. This is especially true as we daily face the challenges of unlimited access to data on the internet. Cyber criminals hack our email accounts, steal our credit card numbers and even our identities. Obviously, we understand the need for and are thankful for procedures institutions have implemented to protect our personal information. Treading along the line between security and access to your own information can sometimes be tricky.

Sometimes as schools work to protect your child’s privacy you may find yourself unsure what records you are able to request and what data you’re allowed access to. You may also be a little unsure what rights you have concerning what you see in the records. The Federal law that addresses these questions is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) . Specifics pertaining to children with disabilities are addressed in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Your basic rights include:

The right to see your child’s records . These include report cards, disciplinary records, contact and family information, attendance records, standardized testing results and any special education records. You may request to see them at any time and a school is not allowed to refuse you access. You are also entitled to see any video footage of your child that the school keeps. However, the school is not required to share any personal notes made by counselors or teachers.

The right to keep your child’s records private . The school must get your written consent before anyone outside of the system can see your child’s records. An exception to this is when they send records to another school or college acceptance board.

The right to correct your child’s records. You may ask the school to change any inaccuracies in the records (i.e., a B notated for a class when the child actually received an A) and anything you think violates your child’s privacy. If the school officials do not agree with you, you have the right to request a records’ hearing. If you lose at the hearing, you have the right to put a written statement in the records explaining the problem.

The bottom line here is that you have a right to see information concerning your child – just ask! This article is a general summary of FERPA and we understand that you may have more specific questions regarding your child’s records. If you need any help navigating interactions with your child’s school, an advocate who has been in these situations before is invaluable. Reach out to us if you are unsure of what the next best step should be for you and your child.

Thank you to Cris Fick for this guest post .

Full Spectrum Fitness: Exercise Programs for Neurodiverse Children, Teens & Adults

erica@beaconfidentparent.com (Erica Desper) — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 20:56:19 GMT

Personal trainer Pete Phillips is on a mission to make exercise enjoyable and attainable for everyone..

If you are the parent of a neurodivergent teenager, you are likely all too familiar with the struggle of finding physical activities they are willing to participate in. Team sports move too fast for my son who has several diagnoses including Developmental Coordination Disorder, ADHD and Autism. Historically, I have to "force" him to try new things and stick with them. You can imagine my pleasant surprise after our first session with Pete when my son declared, "KEEP HIM! That was awesome."

Pete brings over a decade of experience in the special education, physical education and personal training fields to his studio. He has founded programs to teach sports and the related social skills to those on the autism spectrum, and has taught Adapted Physical Education at a school for students on the autism spectrum and a school for students with visual impairments. From his studio space in Bala Cynwyd he is able to enjoy his favorite aspects of training- building relationships with participants and their families and being able to use his ability to adapt exercises and activities to promote success.

Full Spectrum Fitness offers 1:1 training sessions, semi-private sessions, and small group sessions. They work with children (ages 8+), teens and adults with a diagnosis including (but not limited to): Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Dyspraxia, ADD/ADHD, Traumatic Brain Injury, Sensory Processing Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Social Communication Disorder & Obsessive Compulsion Disorder.

By combining expertise in the fields of Special Education, Exercise Science and Adaptive Physical Education, Full Spectrum Fitness is able to develop person-centered fitness programs tailored to meet each participant at their current level of physical fitness, preferred learning style and type of support needed. They have the ability to identify strengths & needs in order to adapt each exercise and movement throughout the session, allowing for success and leading to increased confidence and an enjoyment of exercise.

They offer a free 45-minute assessment session for new participants where you and your family are able to meet your trainer, discuss any personal goals you might have, get comfortable in the studio and perform a number of exercises that are used in their program.

Learn more or book a free assessment session here:

Executive Functions: What Are They And How To Build Them?

Sun, 09 Jul 2023 13:44:13 GMT

What Are Executive Functions?

As human beings, we all rely on our executive functions to help us plan, organize, initiate, and complete tasks. Executive functioning skills are especially critical for success in academic and social settings and they can significantly impact an individual’s overall quality of life. Not only do they refer to cognitive or thinking abilities, but these skills also enable individuals to control their impulses, regulate their emotions, and make decisions based on reason and logic.

At Comprehensive Neuropsychology Services, Katherine Baum, PhD, ABPP-CN, specializes in identifying and treating issues related to executive functions.

Key Executive Functions

Although definitions vary, executive functions can be divided into several key areas:

Working Memory: The ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind for short periods of time.
Cognitive Flexibility: The ability to shift between different activities, perspectives, and strategies.
Inhibitory Control: The ability to resist impulsive behaviors and control emotions.
Planning and Organization: The ability to set goals, create plans, and manage time effectively.
Self-Monitoring: The ability to reflect on one’s performance or behavior and adjust as needed.

Each of these areas is essential for success in different aspects of life, from managing daily tasks to achieving long-term goals.

How Can a Neuropsychologist Help With Executive Functioning?

A neuropsychologist is a specialized healthcare professional trained to assess and treat a wide range of neurological and developmental conditions. When it comes to executive functions, Dr. Katherine Baum, a private practice neuropsychologist, can provide invaluable support in several ways:

Developing A Personalized Treatment Plan

Based on the evaluation results, a neuropsychologist can guide the development of a personalized treatment plan to address issues related to executive functions. This may include strategies or treatments for improving working memory, cognitive flexibility, planning and organization, and self-monitoring. Supports at home, school, or in the community may help.

Providing Ongoing Support & Guidance

A neuropsychologist like Dr. Katherine Baum can provide ongoing support and guidance through executive functioning coaching, helping the individual work to improve his or her executive functioning skills. Therapy or coaching may involve regular check-ins, additional assessments, and modifications to the treatment plan as needed.

Collaborating With Other HealthCare Professionals

A neuropsychologist can also collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as educators, therapists, or physicians, to ensure that an individual’s treatment plan is comprehensive and tailored to their needs.

Bottom Line

At Comprehensive Neuropsychology Services, we understand the importance of executive functions for success in all areas of life. Dr. Katherine Baum, a private practice neuropsychologist, is dedicated to helping individuals improve their executive functions through personalized evaluations and treatment planning.

Thank you to Dr. Katherine Baum for this guest post .

ADHD-Let's Break It Down

Sun, 18 Jun 2023 12:04:37 GMT

ADHD-Let's Break It Down

We all know someone who has ADHD, right? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (aren’t you glad we don’t have to say that all the time?) Numbers are on the rise and it’s currently estimated that 11 percent of children and 4 percent of adults struggle with this condition. We hear about it often, but do we really understand what it is?

Here are the basics:

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that makes it difficult to concentrate and causes hyperactivity.

ADHD has a strong genetic component so if someone in a family has been diagnosed with it there is a chance other family members have it as well.

ADHD contributes to depression and getting treatment can help reduce depression by up to 20 percent.

Having ADHD does not mean someone is dumb. The struggles are caused because their brain is wired to function in a different way.

The good news here is that there are numerous strategies that if regularly practiced can help people who have an ADHD diagnosis.

Encourage your child or family member to practice deep breathing to calm their nervous system.
Focus whenever possible on one task or job to alleviate anxiety over not completing tasks.
Take frequent movement breaks.
Set a time to work on a task for short periods of time. Gradually increase the length of these periods over time.
Reduce sugar, alcohol, and smoking.
Other strategies include having an organized environment and giving rewards if goals are met.
Remember that different is not bad and many people with ADHD are very creative because they think outside of the box.
An Executive Function Course is a very effective help for children with ADHD. We offer a 10-week course with topics ranging from Time Management to Test Taking Skills. Your child can learn to communicate effectively and is capable of getting good grades!

If you would like more detailed information on the Executive Function Course, our tutoring services, or if we can assist your child schedule time with us to talk!

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” – Albert Einstein

Thank you to Cris Fick for this guest post .

Neurodiversity: You Hear About It, But What Is It?

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 18:09:02 GMT

What Is Neurodiversity? Brianna Matey Psy. D Of Open Minds Psychological Breaks It Down.

The Evolution of “Neurodiversity”

People experience and engage in their world in a variety of different ways. The general idea of neurodiversity is there is no right or wrong way of thinking, learning, behaving, and navigating the world. Accepting differences as assets and not deficits is critical to widening our perspective of the world and continuously shaping who we are becoming.

An Australian sociologist, Judy Singer, coined the term neurodiversity in the 1990’s in an effort to advocate for equality and inclusion for those in the “neurological minorities”. Initially, neurodiversity was focused on a social justice movement but as time has passed it has come to represent how clinicians view and address various diagnoses and neurological conditions.

Diagnoses that are often included when thinking about neurodivergence are Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Tourette’s Syndrome, and various learning disorders such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, and Dyscalculia.

Why is Neurodiversity Important?

Our world exists and thrives based on the diversity of every living thing. When diversity decreases or is limited we see major changes in our ecosystems. Humans like plants and animals need diversity to grow, thrive, and ultimately survive. People that identify as neurodivergent offer many strengths to society that support innovative, creative, and analytical thinking.

Some examples of Strengths individuals that identify as neurodivergent offer:

Intense focus in a specific area
Creative thinking
Orientation to the details
Specialized skills in areas such as Math, Art, and Music
Acute long term memory abilities
Candor when dealing with others
Energetic
Observant
Problem solver

Some examples of Challenges individuals that identify as Neurodivergent experience are:

Maintaining eye contact
Needing more than one opportunity to complete a requested task
Engaging in group activities
Sensitivity to noise and light
Understanding verbal communication that includes sarcasm, euphemisms, and implied messages
Initiating and sustaining attention

Now that YOU know, here is how YOU can support Individuals that Identify as Neurodivergent:

Ultimately the focus is to be accepting and understanding. Ask about individual preferences and needs.

In Families

Talk with your children about neurodiversity, neurodivergence and acceptance
Use books to learn and talk about neurodiversity and neurodivergence
Find meaningful ways to include neurodivergent children in your social activities
Look for appropriate ways for your child to communicate with neurodivergent friends

In Schools

Changes to the environment for children with sensory sensitivities (available quiet spaces, adjust lighting, allows sensory items
Diverse teaching methods (offering video presentation instead of in front of the class presentations, use of computers instead of writing, provide verbal and written instructions)
Structure play experiences to include neurodivergent children (provide lessons on neurodiversity, offers clubs outside of the standard offerings (Legos, Chess), monitor play activities to provide support where needed)

In Communities

Be aware of the language you use
Challenge unhelpful attitudes
Avoid assumptions
Look for ways to make your community more inclusive
Talk respectfully about neurodiversity and neurodivergence

In the Workplace

Workspace design that supports sensory needs
Quiet break space, communicate expected loud noises (like fire drills), offer noise-canceling headphones.
Flexibility with the need for movement while working such as standing, breaks to allow for walking around
Communication that is clear and concise verbally and step by step written instructions
Avoid sarcasm, euphemisms, and implied messages
Explain the rules and confirm that they understand them
Try to give advance notice if plans are changing, and provide a reason for the change.

Thank you to Brianna Matey for this guest post .

What Do Executive Function Skills Have To Do With Empathizing?

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 12:40:50 GMT

Tara, owner of 2BeSocial shares tips to help with Empathizing...

Have you ever heard someone say "Autistic people cannot empathize."? Well, I have. Actually, I have heard it a lot over the last two decades. Do you believe that statement? If you do believe it, stick around because I have some things to share that may change your mind.

Walking In Someone Else's Shoes Is Not Easy Or Natural – Empathizing, being able to understand what someone else feels, even if we don't have direct experience with the other person's circumstance is a necessary social skill. This ability to take someone else's perspective is intuitive to many people, but most often times needs to be learned explicitly by those with ASD.

The ability to "walk in someone else's shoes" is difficult because we live in our world, inside of our own brain 24/7. This is how we see, feel and make sense of the world around us. It takes some work to see the world through someone else's eyes by understanding that it will be different from our own, even if only slightly. For many people this learning was intuitive during child development. For autistic people, especially ASD1/Asperger's, the feelings of sympathy are strong, but how to take that extra step to empathize was not naturally learned.

Executive Functions Related To Social Emotional Intelligence – The autistic brain is overloaded with immediate stimuli internally as well as externally. This overstimulation of information, including feelings, makes it difficult to process and organize information, which presents as executive functioning challenges. Executive skills are necessary in order to navigate social interactions in the moment and need to be automatic as social is extremely quick moving.

The skills related to executive functioning are things like; anticipating what someone may say or do, listening to someone else and formulating a related thought/question, the expectations in any given situation, timing and nature of responses. There are many more, but all are related to the ability of taking another's perspective.

Lack Of Sympathy- Acute Sympathy? – In my professional experience over the past two decades, I feel that acute sympathy is often to blame for what appears to be a lack of empathy. Of course, empathy is hard and needs to be taught explicitly to those with ASD. Now, if you have ever thought that an autistic person does not feel strongly about a sensitive topic or tragic event, it may because their feelings connected to that topic or event are extremely strong, possibly unbearable. This would cause them to suppress the feeling or react in an unexpected way. Another reason is the inability for the brain to make connections between feelings, events and/or expectations.

Tips To Help People With ASD1/Aspergers Sympathize

1)Recognize The Feeling

Help the person identify the experience the other person is encountering. Discuss the feelings we have about the situation and then discuss all of the possibilities if that was happening to us. Sharing our thoughts helps to increase the understanding that we all have different thoughts and feelings, even about the same situation. Now, ask "What do you think they could possibly be feeling?" and give prompts in relation to experiences that are new/novel. An example would be if their friend's grandparent passed away and they have no experience with loss of this nature, they may not be able to empathize. Try to help them understand their friend's perspective by saying something like, "What if you did not get to see Grammy on your Birthday"? or a situation that was sentimental or valuable to try and invoke an emotional connection.

2) Explain The Purpose

It can be challenging to persuade others of the value of empathy, but it is essential in building strong and meaningful relationships. When we genuinely care about someone, we want them to know that we care. This is not only beneficial for them but also for ourselves. By making an effort to understand their perspective, we can establish a deeper connection with them. This deeper connection can lead to closer friendships that are built on trust and mutual understanding. Ultimately, showing empathy is an essential aspect of building healthy and fulfilling relationships.

Short example: In school we are often passed a test from the teacher or another student. The expected convention is to say "Thank you.", but why? We say 'thank you' not because we are necessarily thankful for the test, but rather for the fact that the person is handing us the test. Just that simple action alone we should say thanks so that the other person feels good about the act of handing the test to us nicely.

Thank you to Tara of 2BeSocial for this guest post .

Time Management For Parents

Thu, 25 May 2023 14:12:30 GMT

Rachel, Director Of Recruitment at Teacher Time To Go and Mom to 3 Littles Under 4 Shares Some Time Management Tips...

Hi, I’m Rachel, the Director of Recruitment for Teacher Time To Go, and I am writing this blog post for myself! A little about my background if you are new to our blog, I am a work-from-home mom of 3 littles under the age of 4. So time management is ALWAYS something I am working on.

When I was a full-time teacher, time management was something I never struggled with. I could create a schedule and stick to it with no problem. We had specific times throughout the day when students needed to be in different places, and there was no wiggle room. Dare, I say not much has changed since staying home to raise my babies? There are still errands to be run, appointments to be met, and throw in working from home part-time, WHEW. It can be overwhelming.

Here are 3 of my biggest go-to’s when it comes to managing my time. They aren’t foolproof, and they may have a learning curve, but they do help even when used loosely.

Time Blocking – I have seen this strategy used in multiple ways. One way is setting up a Google calendar and blocking out every awake hour in your day with what you’ll be doing. Include everything such as resting, lunch, clean the bathroom, etc. The way I use time blocking is more of a laid-back approach. I use nap time, typically 2 pm–4 pm (on a good day) as a time block to get as much work done as possible. Within this 2-hour block, I create mini blocks for interviews, emptying the dishwasher, answering/replying to emails, and sometimes even watching an episode on Netflix. To me, this type of time blocking is much more efficient because it’s only part of my day.

Priority Lists – The amount of lists I have around my home is almost comical. With 3 littles, if I don’t write it down or add it to my schedule within 3 minutes of hearing it, it’s forgotten. The way I successfully manage my plethora of lists is to scan each one every morning, and pick out my top 5 priorities for the day. These are tasks that MUST get done that day. Next I’ll choose 3 bonus things that I would LIKE to get done. On a good day, I can knock out all of my “must-do’s” and “like-to do’s” with no problem! On busier days, when things don’t go as planned, I’m still able to feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day because I’ve completed all my “must-do” tasks!

Grace / Time Buffers – This may sound silly. But sometimes the biggest time management tip as a parent I can both preach to you and apply myself is Grace. It is helpful to build time buffers into your schedule. Some days things will simply not go as planned and tasks will not be completed. No matter the length of the to-do list, no matter how late you are running. Your children need you in that moment. Having extra time will allow you to pause and give them your undivided attention. Then, invite them to help you complete your tasks, or show them that they can have your attention and you can complete what needs to be done. With my children being as young as they are, they are learning A LOT. By my actions, by my responses, by my body language. Building extra time into my schedule for leaving the house, making phone calls, etc. enables me to reduce my stress and respond in a positive manner when those moments arise that my children need me.

What is something you have found that helps you manage your time? I would love to learn and grow from your knowledge and experience, too! Share in the comments below.

Be Silly. Be Honest. Be Kind.

Thank you to Rachel of Teacher Time To Go for this guest post .

Explaining Structured Literacy and Why it Matters for Students

Tue, 09 May 2023 11:08:52 GMT

Literacy specialist Dr. Truong of A First Foundation Shares Why Structured Literacy Matters for Students

In this blog post I will discuss what structured literacy is, how it differs from balanced literacy, and the benefits it offers to children who are learning to read and write.

What is structured literacy?

Structured literacy is an evidence-based instructional approach for reading and writing using a structured framework to teach the fundamental components of language, including phonology (speech sounds), sound-symbol association (the relationship between sounds and symbols), syllables (units of oral or written language with one vowel sound), morphology (the study of words and their parts), syntax (the structure of words in a sentence or clause), semantics (the study of meaning in language), and orthography (the conventional spelling system). The term was originally developed by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). One of the important goals of structured literacy instruction is to help students succeed in decoding skills and build automaticity in word recognition, preparing them for higher-level literacy learning.

Structured literacy is characterized by three key features.

1) Direct and Explicit Teaching Methods.

As opposed to discovery methods of learning, in a structured literacy lesson the teacher will directly explain concepts in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and writing. It is not assumed that the student will learn these skills on their own.

2) Systematic and Cumulative Lessons.

Structured literacy instruction follows a specific order of skill sets, beginning with those that are easiest and working up to harder skills. Instruction is broken down into small, manageable steps and students are taught to master each skill before moving on to the next one, making it cumulative. As new skills are introduced, previously taught skills are reviewed.

3) Diagnostic Instruction.

Ongoing informal and formal assessment promotes progress by allowing for instruction to be adjusted to the student's needs and is an essential part of structured literacy.

How does Structured Literacy Differ from Balanced Literacy?

In structured literacy the emphasis is on foundational skills, for example, phonemic awareness and phonics, so that children can become accurate decoders and increase their word recognition, in turn, enhancing higher level skills such as comprehension and written expression. Skills such as morphology and vocabulary are directly taught and also aid the development of meaning. Decodable readers, or books made up of words that can be sounded out using phonetic rules that have been taught, are frequently used in instruction to provide students an opportunity to practice new phonics skills. During oral reading, teachers provide feedback that is directed towards grapheme-phoneme relationships and provide support in decoding words.

On the other hand, balanced literacy is a more holistic approach to reading and seeks to find a balance between skill sets such as phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. Teacher-led instruction frequently coincides with small, guided reading groups and independent reading and writing. Balanced literacy instruction emphasizes the use of authentic texts so readers can engage in meaningful reading and writing activities, as well as leveled readers, which are books that have been classified according to complexity of words, number and length of sentences. During oral reading, teachers may encourage guessing at words based on context or picture clues.

What are the benefits of structured literacy instruction for students?

Structured literacy has been shown to be particularly effective for struggling readers and writers, including those with dyslexia, a specific learning disability in reading that is neurobiological in nature. Moreover, structured literacy instruction has been found to be beneficial for all students and some students need this form of instruction to learn to read and write successfully. Listed below are just a few of the benefits of using this framework of instruction:

Improved reading and writing skills: Structured literacy provides children with the foundational skills they need to become successful readers and writers. By explicitly teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing, children develop strong skills that will enable them to read and write at more complex levels.

Increased confidence: Children who struggle with reading and writing often feel frustrated or discouraged. Structured literacy provides these children with the support and guidance they need to succeed, which can boost their confidence and self-esteem.

Better outcomes in school and life: Strong reading and writing skills are essential for success in all academic areas. Structured literacy provides the tools for children to not only learn to read, but to read to learn.

Structured literacy is a science-based instructional framework for teaching reading and writing. If you are a parent looking for private structured literacy instruction, please contact Dr. Truong here to help your child develop the skills and confidence they need and deserve.

Thank you to Dr. Marissa Kiepert Truong of A First Foundation for this guest post .

The Power Of Possibility: Unlocking Your Potential Through Mindfulness Productivity

Tue, 09 May 2023 02:07:22 GMT

The Power Of Possibility: Unlocking Your Potential Through Mindfulness Productivity

Do you ever find yourself sitting down to work but struggling to focus on the task at hand? Perhaps you have all the right equipment and a comfortable workspace, but your mind is wandering, and you're feeling anxious or stressed.

As students, it's essential to optimize our productivity to succeed academically, but sometimes, our minds and bodies are not ready for work.

One solution to this problem is mindfulness productivity, which involves being present in the task at hand while also being aware of our mental and emotional states. By acknowledging and addressing these states, we can better focus on our work and increase our productivity.

To implement mindfulness productivity, try this process:

1. Start by doing a mental check-in before beginning your work. Release yourself from past and future concerns. Don't dwell on past work problems or future worries. If you're struggling with a painful memory, use the " noterday" (let go of yesterday) exercise to move on and focus on the present moment.

2. Set SMART goals for your work session and write them down in a visible place. Here is a link to a short interactive SMART goal tracker. Feel free to make your own copy and use it regularly!

3. Take a few deep breaths and ask yourself how you're feeling mentally and emotionally. Achieve a flow state. Find the balance between the challenge of the task and your own skill level. Cut out distractions and keep your mind attentive to stay relaxed and focused. This is not about judging your emotional and mental states. Rather, it’s about being aware of them, accepting them, and moving on so you can get back to being productive. Each time your mind wanders, just acknowledge the thoughts and emotions, and bring your attention back to the task at hand.

4. Write down anything that's on your mind or affecting your mood. This step allows you to acknowledge your current state and be more present in your work. Question your procrastination. Identify the root cause and develop a plan to overcome it. Think, visualize and write it out.

5. To stay mindful of your mental state during your work , try writing down any distracting thoughts on a piece of paper and tell yourself you'll deal with them after you've completed your goals.

6. Check in with yourself periodically and take deep breaths to refocus your mind. If you find yourself getting distracted from your goals, remind yourself of your SMART goals and ask if what you're doing is helping you achieve them. Avoid multitasking. Use mindful context switching to balance productivity and responsiveness.

7. Cultivate curiosity. Observe the world, take time to learn, ask questions, and don't take anything for granted. Be mindful of your work environment. Be aware of how your environment affects your productivity and adapt accordingly.

8. Develop a growth mindset. Believe in your ability to improve and practice the "not yet" technique. Use metacognitive strategies. Plan, monitor, and evaluate your learning experiences.

9. Take mindful breaks. Not just getting up to grab a cup of coffee, but instead using breaks to remind yourself to be mindful of your thoughts, emotions, and your environment. Widen your visual field especially if your work sessions were on a computer and avoid looking at social media. Check out this Chrome Extension called "Teeny Breaks" to help you set mindful breaks into your work session.

Incorporating mindfulness productivity into your academic work can help you optimize your productivity and stay focused on your goals.

It's essential to take care of your mental and emotional states to succeed academically, and mindfulness productivity can help you do just that.

Thank you to Nicole Rouleau of Igniting Your Mind for this guest post .

When A Problem Seems Insurmountable, What’s The Real Challenge?

Mon, 01 May 2023 15:15:46 GMT

Justin Menda of Rocket Prep Tutor shares his thoughts on when a problem seems insurmountable...

“Oh, man. See… When I see a question like this, it just makes my head spin.”

That’s a direct quote from one of my students in a recent session. My student was looking at the kind of math problem that buries a very simple question under layers of geometry and several lines of text.

Although this kind of problem can seem intimidating, it’s easily solved using simple methods and a little patience. It’s an excellent opportunity to show how complicated-seeming problems can be broken down and conquered with surprisingly little effort. That lesson isn’t just useful on a test; it’s also vitally empowering.

The math problem was important for another reason: it made my student visibly anxious. If we could tackle it at that moment with a simple and powerful method, that might have significantly improved my student’s state of mind and bolstered our rapport.

In other words, my student was handing me a golden opportunity to teach one of the easiest, most impactful lessons I could possibly teach. The moment practically begged me to jump in and lead.

I did lead – but I didn’t jump in.

I signaled that I had heard and understood what my student had said. Then I watched, waited, and said nothing. I paused. I held myself back for less than half a minute. And in that time, my student slowly started chipping away at the problem until the solution was clear.

As a tutor, it’s easy to see situations like this as invitations to take over and deliver your highly effective anxiety-crushing methods. You don’t want to see your students struggle in vain, especially with something you’re being paid to help them learn. You want them to see you delivering the solutions they expect. And although you’d hate to admit it, you want the feeling of vindication that comes from demonstrating an easy solution to someone’s apparently intractable distress.

But I hadn’t been invited to jump in. It took careful observation of body language and facial expressions to notice, but my student hadn’t given up. The anxiety was real, but it was manageable. My student’s comment was an invitation to listen and understand. It warranted receptivity and validation, not rescue. It demanded respect for my student’s space and capabilities.

Had I jumped in at that moment, I would have replaced my student’s solution with my own. If my student felt any positive emotion after that, it would have been nothing more than an evanescent sense of relief. The price for that relief would have been validation of my student’s initial anxiety and suppression of their talent. I would have denied my student the chance to see and exercise their own strength – something more valuable than literally anything else I could have offered in that moment.

This is a context in which vision is crucial for a tutor. What was my student’s most important struggle in that moment? Despite initial appearances, it wasn’t the struggle against the math problem itself. We know that because my student soon solved it. The most important struggle was against the illusion that the problem was too difficult to solve without help. It’s hard to imagine a better way for my student to prevail than literally solving the problem without help.

I’ve never been in a situation in which a moment of attentive silence has truly gone amiss. I have been in countless moments in which attentive silence has allowed my students to practice seeing skills and capabilities in themselves. I’ll take that over the alternative every time.

Students come to a tutor for guidance. Sometimes they also need a boost. But nothing should eclipse the need for space.

Thank you to Justin Menda & Buneka Islam for this guest post .

GET Café: A Narberth Community Space for All Abilities

erica@beaconfidentparent.com (Erica Desper) — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 15:26:14 GMT

I had the privilege to visit GET Café, meet the founder, and learn the family's story and all about their mission and contribution to the community.

The Goodspeed Family's Story

A Dream is Born

Enlightened with a clearer understanding of the stigma, misconceptions, and discrimination that individuals with disabilities and their loved ones face, the Goodspeed family, along with a team of dedicated and inspired community members, created a vision of acceptance and inclusion that would grow in the Greater Philadelphia area, and GET Included, Inc., a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status pending, and the GET Café were born.

Community Offerings & How You Can Help

To date, GET Café has employed more than 40 neurodivergent individuals and/or individuals with disabilities, who have in turn successfully served over 16,000 customers in the community at large. They have a blog , an events calendar , live music nights, and a shop both in the café and online . Their work is made possible by essential contributions from generous community members. At their 2022 GET Gala they raised $50,000 to support their mission.

Congratulations to the Goodspeed family on such a vital contribution to our community! Stop by for some delicious La Colombe coffee and pastries and be sure to show your support in whatever way you can!

Getting It Together: Help You Or Your Child Get Organized And Meet Goals

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 20:23:03 GMT

Dr. Katherine Baum Offers Tips for Getting Organized and Meeting Goals

In today’s world, it can be challenging for both children and adults to juggle the many responsibilities, activities, and demands they face day-to-day. To successfully function at home, school, work, and in relationships, it is vital to set goals, plan and organize an approach to meet those goals, and be able to flexibly and efficiently execute that approach.

Unfortunately, organizing, planning, and meeting goals can be especially difficult for people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by inattention and in some cases impulsiveness and hyperactivity. These and other related symptoms cause individuals with ADHD to struggle to perform well in multiple areas of their lives.

The good news is, we know how to help. Below are a few key ideas to consider in helping you or your child “get it together” and more effectively meet goals.

Structure the environment

Set a time and designated space to complete tasks (homework, projects, email)
Minimize distractions – remove items from the workspace, turn off tv, and put your phone on ‘do not disturb’ mode.
Consider the Pomodoro technique which involves setting a timer and working for ~25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break. Adjust the times to fit your needs. Also, take longer breaks after 4 cycles

Get involved in the plan

Decide or have your child decide what organizational tools work and get them (e.g., a dry erase board, colored folders, a binder, planner, or pencil bag).
For parents, ask your child if you can share a strategy you’ve tried. Avoid telling them what they need to do. Their buy-in is important.

Teach skills

Break down a skill (turning in homework, making a complex meal) into steps.
Teach and practice one step at a time (write down assignment, make grocery list). Identify any barriers and problem solve new solutions.
Write out or have your child write out remaining steps and a plan on when to practice those steps. Put the plan where it can be seen.
For parents, refer your child to the plan, rather than telling them what needs done.

Develop habits

Be specific about where and when the task or step will be completed.
Decide how you/your child will be reminded. Consider phone reminders, post-it notes, or even a paper hanging in the middle of a doorway. Obvious is best.
Anticipate what will get in the way and problem solve ways to avoid them.
Keep at it! Habits can take weeks or months to be engrained.

While improving organization, time management, and goal-setting can be helpful for all of us, building these skills and habits are especially important for individuals who struggle with ADHD. If you, your loved one, or your child is experiencing symptoms of inattention, such as distractibility, forgetfulness, trouble organizing and following through, or hyperactivity and impulsivity, it may be helpful to seek an ADHD evaluation and testing .

Evaluations involve a thorough interview, observations, questionnaires, and often standardized tests. The comprehensive evaluation is key, as it helps to rule out known causes of ADHD symptoms and determine if other factors may explain or contribute to the symptoms. For example, some individuals with ADHD also have anxiety or depression, and it is essential to address these conditions in order to manage the symptoms of ADHD effectively. A neuropsychologist is well-suited to conduct these evaluations and help individuals and their families move toward a life with greater joy, fulfilment, purpose, satisfaction, and connectedness.

Thank you to Dr. Katherine Baum for this guest post .

How Much Does A Good Tutor Cost?

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 19:41:25 GMT

Justin Menda of Rocket Prep Tutor is here to answer your questions about the cost of a good tutor.

As in any field, tutoring and academic coaching happens in a wide price range. There’s no shortage of college students who will charge $20 per hour or less. There are also professional tutors who will charge hundreds of dollars per hour.

What’s a fair price? What are you getting when you spend more? How can you tell whether it’s worth the money? What credentials justify higher prices? How much does a 4.0 GPA or a 1600 on the SAT count for?

There’s a lot to unpack here, and it starts with understanding what words like “tutor” and “coach” mean.

Understanding the levels of tutoring and coaching

There are three basic skillsets to consider.

The first is simply being a subject matter expert, or SME. This is when a person knows their stuff, has aced their classes, has published original research, and so on. They know a topic better than most.

The second is being able to explain the subject matter to a non-expert. This is a completely different and separate skillset from being an expert in the subject.

The third skillset is being able to teach or coach. Teaching and coaching go far beyond explanation to devising systems to support ongoing learning. If you’re really teaching, explanation is only part of what you’re doing. The real work of teaching is to engage the minds of learners, enticing them to acquire knowledge and develop skills, and facilitating those processes. Coaching zooms out even further, helping a learner create systems for learning and development more broadly, and helping a struggling student move toward self-sufficiency. These are complex tasks, and they’re where the real benefits lie.

In other words, there are two quantum leaps in expertise to consider: SME to explainer, and explainer to teacher/coach. Each leap comes with massive benefits, and usually – though not always – a price increase.

Anyone can call themselves a tutor

We tend to think that if someone is an SME, that fact alone makes them a good person to learn from. Even colleges and universities tend to operate on that premise; most professors are little more than SMEs.

This is one reason why there are so many tutors out there. Because it’s so common to assume SMEs are good people to learn from, anyone who has earned good grades or successfully majored in a subject can hang out a shingle as a “tutor”, regardless of how well they can explain, teach, or coach. There are a lot of people who fit this description, hence the relatively low prices at which they tend to operate (think $20-$30 per hour).

Sadly, for most students, a tutor who is just an SME – and not a good explainer, teacher, or coach – will likely be ineffective or worse. They may be charging very little money, but they’ll deliver even less. In fact, expecting help from someone who can’t effectively explain, teach, or coach can leave a student feeling even more daunted than they were before. If a student still can’t understand the material after hiring a tutor, they’re likely to think the material must be even further out of our reach than they had initially thought.

Could you get lucky and find a good explainer or even a decent teacher or coach in the $20-$30 per hour range? Maybe. If you do, hold on to that person with both hands. But don’t bet on finding them.

Explanation can’t explain everything

SMEs who can explain their subjects to non-experts are rare gems. When they become tutors, they command higher rates. Exceptional explanatory ability is typically what takes tutors beyond $20-$30 per hour.

The ability to explain things is deeply valuable for obvious reasons. But it’s also vastly overrated. It’s often the main thing people come up with when they think about what makes a good tutor or teacher, even though we know it’s only part of the puzzle. We know you can’t listen your way to real expertise. Real learning comes from trying things and receiving feedback, and that can’t be replicated just by listening to or watching something. That’s why doctors do residencies, craftspeople do apprenticeships, and employers look for experience.

The real value of effective explanations is:

To give you a head-start at learning something for real, or
To help you make sense of something you’re already learning.

Some students don’t need much more than this. A student who is highly motivated, conscientious, and self-aware, but who struggles with understanding a certain subject, might get enough of a boost from a decent explanation of certain topics. In that case, it’s the student who’s really doing the teaching – or, more accurately, self-teaching. The tutor is there to translate complex and esoteric concepts into language the student can handle.

Unfortunately, that’s not enough for most students. Most need at least some help figuring out how to learn a topic effectively, not to mention executing those methods. For them, if a tutor doesn’t understand or can’t work with the complex dynamics of teaching and coaching, they will be unhelpful at best and counterproductive at worst.

Highly effective and dazzling explanations can often mask this problem: they can give students a short-term feeling of having improved their understanding, which makes it harder to realize that they have a hard time implementing that understanding. This, in turn, makes them prone to the same “what’s wrong with me?” self-criticism described at the end of the previous section.

In my experience, that masking effect is often a factor in the very high prices of some tutors. I’ve seen a lot of tutors who charge well over $100 per hour – sometimes a few times that – who have unparalleled expertise and explanatory ability, but minimal teaching or coaching skills. Their explanations are so impressive that most people don’t question the price premium even if they haven’t really learned effectively. Instead, they blame themselves.

To sum up everything thus far: if you want a tutor who is more than just an SME, you should expect to pay more – though paying more doesn’t always guarantee a better result.

The real deal: Teachers and Coaches

If you really want to get better at something, you have to work your way up to the level of expertise you want. On the way there, the tasks and the pace have to be right. And what’s right for you is going to change as your skills and circumstances evolve, so you need to be able to adjust.

This is where teachers and coaches come in.

Identifying the right path from novice to expert – and helping a learner to walk that path – requires a teacher or coach to:

Figure out the personality, predispositions, skills, and unique challenges of the learner;
Visualize the expert that the learner could become;
Understand what skills the learner will have to develop, and in what order to address them;
Design experiences that will help the learner develop those skills in the right order;
Anticipate and perceive new challenges as they come up;
Be sensitive to external factors that might affect the process;
Do all of this while maintaining a good working and personal relationship with the learner; and
Be ready and able to adjust any and all of these factors at any time as work proceeds.

This is why good teachers and coaches are so rare. This is why good teachers and coaches charge more for their services. Getting good at teaching and coaching requires a lot of time, a lot of talent, and a commitment to continual improvement. The result is someone who can do much more for many more people.

For these reasons, good teachers and coaches are rare at low and even moderate price points. If you can find one under $200 per hour, and if you can afford to pay that, jump on it.

If that kind of expense is a stretch, consider this: the job of a teacher or coach is to get you to the point that you no longer need them, and a good one will get you there faster. With the right one, you might spend more per hour, but you could easily spend fewer hours for better results.

Also consider the value of having learned real skills and gotten your feet under you. A tutor who has good teaching and coaching skills won’t just help you know things or succeed in one topic area; they will help you develop broadly applicable tools like metacognition, self-awareness, self-efficacy, and techniques to manage stress and mental workload – tools you can use anywhere on any task. Those skills will keep paying off long after the impact of your GPA or test score has faded into insignificance.

Again, paying more is no guarantee of a better result. But better results almost always warrant higher prices.

What if I want the highest level of expertise but not the highest prices?

Don’t worry! You have a few options.

Do a few sessions with a tutor who has good teaching and coaching skills, and then scale back your sessions with them as you continue on your own. This requires solid discipline on your part, but it’ll pay off in a big way if you can pull it off. Your tutor can help you get a framework in place, and then they can step back as you take the reins. You can always set up a schedule to check in with them at longer but regular intervals.

Get together with friends or peers for group sessions. Multiple people can split the fee, making it much more manageable. With a good tutor and the right group, it won’t be like any old class; it’ll be like multiple people getting high-quality individual tutoring at the same time. If that doesn’t seem possible, contact me.

Conduct a lot of interviews – and, if possible, auditions. Any good tutor should be willing to have an initial open-ended meeting with any prospective student. Take advantage of this. Make sure the tutor you select has a good understanding of what you need, good ideas about how to help you, and clear evidence that they can do what they say they can. Personality counts for a lot, too. If you can relate to each other effectively, that will have just as big an impact as any other asset the tutor might bring. Finding the right combination can take a lot of work, but it’ll also help you get the most for your money – or save you from spending too much.

Thank you to Justin Menda & Buneka Islam for this guest post .

The Price Of Perfectionism

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 19:12:12 GMT

Do you have concerns about the price of perfectionism for your child?

Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry breaks down how a perfectionist mindset can negatively impact your teenager.

Psychological Evaluations: What Are They & Who Can Benefit From One?

Sun, 16 Apr 2023 12:15:14 GMT

Have You Ever Wondered How A Psychologist Can Help You?

It is important for parents and adults of all ages to understand the basics of psychological evaluations. After all, an evaluation can provide valuable insight into our cognitive strengths and weaknesses as well as how we process information. In this blog post, we will answer what a psychological evaluation is and why it may be beneficial for you- so read on to find out more!

Through psychological evaluations, one can gain a better understanding of their unique cognitive abilities, social-emotional strengths, and potential areas for growth. Whether it be the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), assessments can be used to provide valuable insights into one’s mental health. Furthermore, evaluations can measure academic and executive functioning, helping individuals reach their utmost potential. With the aim of understanding the individual's unique strengths and needs, these evaluations provide recommendations aimed at unlocking your best self.

Have you ever wondered how psychologists can help you? Well, one of the most important tools that they use is psychological evaluations. Evaluations are designed to uncover potential mental health conditions, behavioral issues, and other factors that could be impacting performance, relationships, and daily functioning. By taking the time to understand your unique situation, a psychologist can provide diagnostic considerations, overview of strengths and needs, and provide recommendations on treatment as well as environmental, behavioral, or accommodations that support development.

If you feel like something is hindering your ability to thrive in your daily life, work, or relationships, then a psychological evaluation could be the compass you need to stay on track. A thorough assessment can provide valuable insight and direction towards awareness, support, and a better quality of life. Don’t hesitate to seek help and gain a new perspective and support on your journey.

Thank you to Dr. Katherine Baum for this guest post.

Mastering Meltdowns: Practical Tips For Parents And Caregivers

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 00:17:19 GMT

Mastering Meltdowns: Practical Tips For Parents And Caregivers

Parenting can be challenging, especially when it comes to managing meltdowns in children of all ages. Whether it's a toddler throwing a tantrum or a teenager reacting emotionally, meltdowns can be stressful and overwhelming for parents. But rest assured, you're not alone in this struggle. In this blog, we'll explore some practical tips and strategies to help you navigate these challenging moments and support your child's emotional well-being. So take a deep breath, and let's dive in!

The pandemic may be over 3 years since it began, but the significant changes it brought to our lives continue to impact us today. From remote work and online schooling to social distancing and ongoing uncertainty, the past couple of years have taken a toll on everyone's mental health and well-being in one way or another. For children, especially, the disruption to their structured and predictable environments has been particularly challenging, leading to increased levels of stress, anxiety, and emotional outbursts.

As a parent or caregiver, there's nothing quite as challenging as dealing with a child's meltdown. Whether it's triggered by a missed nap, a frustrating school assignment, or a simple disagreement, these emotional outbursts can quickly escalate and leave everyone feeling overwhelmed and stressed. In fact, in my work with families, I've noticed a sharp rise in the negative impact that meltdowns can have on family dynamics. That's why I'm excited to share some evidence-based, practical strategies that can help you manage meltdowns and support your child's emotional well-being, no matter what their age.

Tip #1 - Work hard to find and understand the triggers and patterns

The first step is always to ensure that your child's basic needs are met. Fatigue, hunger, illness, not feeling safe, or lack of sleep, can all contribute to additional stress and a lack of emotional control.

Next, it's essential to look at the triggers by observing what is happening just before meltdowns occur. While we often think they come out of nowhere, there are always signs that can help us anticipate and prevent future meltdowns. This might involve taking note of certain environmental factors or situations that tend to trigger your child's emotional outbursts and finding ways to avoid or manage them proactively.

Does your child do her math homework fine, but then gets restless and irritable when it is time to do her reading? What might this tell us? Perhaps, she is struggling with reading or doesn't know where to begin and is feeling stuck. Does your teenage son have an attitude with you after getting home from hanging out with his friends? What could have gone on? Maybe he had an argument or was feeling left out. Understanding the triggers and patterns will greatly help you with meeting your child in times of distress with greatly curiously and compassion.

As parents, we are quick to say, "Why is my child having this behavior and how do I stop it?"

Instead ask, "What is this behavior telling me about why my child is struggling?"

Tip #2 - Communication During Meltdowns

Validation: By empathizing with their emotions and validating their experiences, you can help them feel heard, understood, and supported, which can go a long way in helping them manage their emotions and prevent future meltdowns.

Co-regulation: This consists of a few important actions on your part. First, your tone of voice should be calm, quiet and match the tone you are wanting to hear from your child. Next, your facial expression needs to be warm and inviting. Make eye contact and show empathy. Finally, you must show an open posture which means you are not crossing your arms, but rather opening your arms, palms facing our with you chin and chest facing upwards. This shows your child that you are inviting them in for warmth, affection (if they will allow it) and an invitation to calm their nervous system.

Co-regulation requires adults to maintain a calm brain state during a conflict. This strategy will help a young person calm their nervous system in a time of stress.

Less is More: We cannot make sense of meltdowns in the moment, so don't try. In fact, your child's thinking brain is no longer making decisions, so no amount of helping them to think will be worth your time and energy in the moment. Less talking is actually more helpful, after you have validated their emotions in a clear and concise way, of course. All we want to do at this time is help them to calm their nervous system.

Tip #3 - Coping Skills

Help your child develop coping skills. This might include teaching them deep breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, or other relaxation techniques that can help them calm down when they're feeling overwhelmed. If you have a child resistant to your direct support or affection, come up with a "Calming Center" in your home where your child can go to reset. This might include offering them a choice of calming tools, such as fidgets, Thinking Putty, or a beanbag, as well as the option to play calming music or snuggle with their favorite stuffed toy or pillow. By giving children some control over their environment, they can feel empowered to manage their emotions and cope with stress in a healthy way.

Consistency and repetition is critical in teaching coping skills, emphasizing that these skills take time and practice to develop. Offer tips for teaching these coping strategies to your child, such as practicing them together when things are feeling calm, role-playing different scenarios, and providing positive reinforcement for their efforts.

Parents, you must do your best to model healthy coping strategies yourselves, as children often learn by watching their parents' behavior.

Tip #4 - Communication After Meltdowns

When communicating with children after a meltdown, it's important to teach them that it's okay to have strong emotions but not okay to act out. By having open and supportive conversations about their triggers, parents can help their children become more self-aware and manage their emotions appropriately. With practice, children can learn to anticipate and avoid triggers by coming up with alternative ways of thinking and perceiving the problem. Parents can also choose to respond to their child's behavior in a calm and constructive manner, rather than reacting with anger or frustration. Revisiting previous events and strategizing about what could have been done differently can help children gain confidence and improve their self-management skills. Overall, consistent communication and a positive approach can help parents and children work together to manage meltdowns and develop coping strategies for the future.

In conclusion, managing meltdowns in children and teens is not an easy task, but it is crucial for their emotional and mental well-being. It requires a combination of strategies that address the situation and the underlying factors contributing to the behavior.

By remaining calm and empathetic during a meltdown, parents, caregivers, and educators can help children and teens regulate their emotions and regain control. However, it is also important to provide consistent practice and a supportive environment for them to learn and develop coping skills for future situations.

Using a combination of strategies in the moment and afterwards, children and teens can learn to manage their emotions and cope with stress in healthy ways. This can lead to improved overall well-being, greater independence, and success in life.

Thank you to Nicole Rouleau of Igniting Your Mind for this guest post.

5 Tips For Making Your Home A Literacy Rich Environment To Promote Reading and Writing

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 12:09:32 GMT

Literacy specialist Dr. Truong of A First Foundation Shares 5 Tips for Making Your Home a Literacy-Rich Environment to Promote Reading and Writing.

Instilling a love for literacy and books is likely a goal you have as a parent of a young child. In the age of iPads, apps, and online games, it can be challenging to ensure that your child is exposed to the appropriate reading materials and books. However, research has shown that families who engage in literacy activities with their children are more likely to show signs of emergent literacy, or foundational skills such as recognizing letters, that build the strong basis for early reading and writing.

As your child’s first and most important teacher, readiness for school begins in the home, long before a child enters a formal classroom. Curious how you can help your child be ready to read and write? Here are 5 tips for making sure your home is a literacy-rich environment.

1. Make Books Accessible

Having lots of books available for book play and handling will give your child a jump start on print awareness skills, or an understanding of how print works. Make sure your child's books are easily reachable so they can look at them on their own or with support from a grown-up. You can create a reading nook with soft pillows, a bookshelf, and even a cozy canopy, or simply have bins of books in rooms around your house.

2. Read Together Regularly

Access to books is the first step but be sure to read aloud on a regular basis. Choose books that are developmentally appropriate for your child and interesting. Not sure what types of books to include in your home library? Check out 10 Book Categories To Include In Your Child's Home Library to get you started. Intertwining reading into your daily routine, such as at mealtime or at bedtime, can turn these tasks into teachable, skill-building moments and strengthen the bond between you and your child.

3. Set Aside Time For Writing

Writing together is as important as reading. Involve your child in writing activities that you do on a regular basis such as making a grocery list or scheduling appointments in a calendar. Creating a family journal where everyone can share their thoughts and feelings is also a fun way to promote the foundations for early literacy.

4. Combine Literacy With Play

Provide books and other printed materials in your play spaces in your home. If your child has a kitchen set for pretend play, be sure to add things like menus, a cookbook, or small note pad which can encourage reading and writing while role-playing as a chef, waiter, or restaurant patron. This free printable can accompany a doctor kit for literacy-skill building, or this art book can inspire creativity at your easel.

5. Have Words And Numbers In View

Labeling toy bins, or shelves in your pantry, is an easy way to not only promote organization, but expose your child to words and print. Likewise, it’s beneficial to have numbers in your child’s view to encourage “reading” numbers. Clocks and calendars promote number recognition and help children gain planning and time management skills as well, which are essential components of executive functioning.

Sometimes creating a supportive home environment is not about what you are doing but about what you are not doing. It is important to limit screen time for both parents and children. If you are reading a book, your child is more likely to pick up a book too, to be like mom or dad. While online apps and games can be valuable learning tools, set aside a time for your child to use them. When the time limit is up, encourage reading, writing, and most of all – playing!

By incorporating these tips into your home environment and daily routine, you can help your child develop important early literacy skills prior to entering school. Remember, you are your child’s first and most important teacher, so start fostering a love for books, reading and writing today!

Thank you to Dr. Marissa Kiepert Truong of A First Foundation for this guest post.

Speed Matters: Understanding The Importance Of Processing Speed

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 14:38:33 GMT

Processing speed is a cognitive ability that refers to the speed and efficiency with which an individual can perform mental tasks, such as perceiving, recognizing, and responding to information.

Specifically, processing speed is the ability to quickly and accurately process information, and make decisions based on that information.

For students, processing speed can affect how quickly they can complete tasks and assignments, and how well they can keep up with classroom instruction. Students with slower processing speed may take longer to read and comprehend texts, solve math problems, write essays, and complete other academic tasks. They may also have difficulty following complex instructions, organizing their thoughts, and staying focused.

Processing speed is a key component of many cognitive abilities, including attention, working memory, and executive function. Difficulties with processing speed can impact a student's overall academic performance and achievement.

However, it's important to note that processing speed is just one aspect of cognitive function, and that students with slower processing speed can still be successful with appropriate accommodations, strategies, and support.

Behind the Curve: How Processing Speed Deficits Can Affect Performance in Many Areas of Life and How We Can Help?

Slow processing speed can affect students in various areas of their academic and daily lives. Here are some common areas where slow processing speed may show up in students:

Reading

Students with slow processing speed may struggle to keep up with reading assignments, especially when they encounter complex or lengthy texts. They may take longer to process and comprehend the information, which can make it difficult for them to finish reading assignments on time.

How Can We Help with Reading?

Provide audio books or other assistive technology to help students with slow processing speed keep up with reading assignments.
Teach active reading strategies, such as highlighting or note-taking, to help students focus and retain information.
Encourage the use of reading guides or summaries to help students better understand and process complex texts.

Writing

Slow processing speed can also affect a student's ability to write essays or complete written assignments. These students may take longer to organize their thoughts, plan their writing, and express their ideas coherently.

How Can We Help with Writing?

Provide explicit instruction on the writing process, including prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. Offer checkpoints throughout this process.
Discuss ideas and help students visualize their task prior to writing. Use graphic organizers to help students organize these thoughts and ideas before starting to draft.
Allow for extended time on written assignments to accommodate slow processing speed.

Math

Students with slow processing speed may have difficulty completing math problems or following multi-step instructions. They may take longer to process and solve problems, which can make it difficult for them to finish math assignments in a timely manner.

How Can We Help With Math?

Use visual aids, such as diagrams or graphs, to help students better understand mathematical concepts.
Break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable steps.
Encourage the use of math manipulatives, such as blocks or counters, to help students visualize and solve problems.

Attention

Slow processing speed can also impact a student's ability to pay attention and stay focused. These students may struggle to keep up with lectures or classroom discussions, and may need more time to process information before they can fully engage in class.

How Can We Help With Attention?

Break down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. By doing this, you can help reduce the cognitive load on the student, which can in turn help them focus better and avoid becoming overwhelmed.
Providing visual aids and hands-on activities can also help keep their attention focused and engaged.
It's also important to provide regular breaks and opportunities for movement throughout the day, as this can help improve attention and overall cognitive function.

Memory

Students with slow processing speed may also have difficulty remembering information, such as facts, dates, or concepts. They may need more time to review and practice new material in order to commit it to long-term memory.

How Can We Help With Memory?

When you're asking your students questions, remember that giving them enough time to process and respond is key. By allowing for sufficient wait time, you give them the opportunity to carefully consider their answer and demonstrate their knowledge. So before assuming that they don't know or don't want to answer, make sure you're offering plenty of wait time to help them shine!

Identifying and Supporting Slow Processing Speed Across Different Areas of Life

Social Interactions

Students with slow processing speed may struggle with social interactions, such as understanding jokes or sarcasm, or following conversations.
Teachers can help by providing opportunities for one-on-one interactions with students, such as during office hours or after class.

Sports & Physical Activities

Slow processing speed can impact a student's ability to react quickly or make split-second decisions, which can be a challenge in sports or other physical activities.
Teachers can help by providing opportunities for students to practice and build skills in a low-pressure environment, such as during practice or in small groups.
It may also be helpful to provide visual aids or other supports to help students understand and execute complex movements or strategies.

Daily Routines

Slow processing speed can make it difficult for students to complete daily tasks in a timely manner, such as getting dressed or packing their backpack.
Teachers and parents can help by providing clear and consistent routines, breaking tasks down into smaller steps, and allowing extra time for students to complete tasks.
Visual aids, such as checklists or pictures, can also be helpful for students who struggle with processing speed.

Promoting Success and Confidence in Students by Addressing the Challenges of Slow Processing Speed

Although processing speed deficits can present significant challenges for students, with the right support from parents and teachers, they can still achieve great success. By understanding the impact of slow processing speed on learning and implementing effective strategies to accommodate it, we can help students reach their full potential and feel confident in their abilities. With patience, encouragement, and a willingness to adapt, we can create a learning environment that empowers all students to succeed.

Thank you to Nicole Rouleau of Igniting Your Mind for this guest post.

10 Things to Do While Waiting for Your Child's Evaluation

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 03:00:52 GMT

Are you biding your time on a lengthy waitlist for an appointment with a specialist or an evaluation? Our Resource Coordinator Steph shares some ten things you can do while you wait.

Getting an appointment with a specialist is a challenge in our area right now. There are long waits, up to 18-24 months, and some specialists aren’t even accepting new patients. As a parent who is overwhelmed by needing help, waiting to see if it was just a phase or if they would grow out of it, you are anxious for answers.

While you are waiting for your appointments, there are some things you can do. First, take a deep breath. You are doing everything you can for your child and even though it can’t be right now, you are taking the next steps and that’s all you have to do at this moment. Great job!

Here are some ways to make your wait a little easier:

Continue to Love and Cherish Your Child

They are who they are and any diagnosis or description from a doctor (specialist or otherwise) doesn’t change that!

Take Lots of Deep Breaths and Breaks For Yourself

Call on your spouse, family, and friends to give you some time away (even if it is only into the bathroom for a relaxing bath).

Continue to Educate Yourself About the Resources for Your Child and Their Challenges

Ask any current service providers for information and material in the way YOU learn best (ie. handouts, books, websites, podcasts). Don’t be afraid to ask questions and ask them again if you don’t understand. (Your providers LOVE to dive in and show their expertise, don’t be afraid to ask them to explain something in a different way).

Set Up a Support System for Yourself

Find parent groups for parenting a child with neurodivergence, there are general neurodiverse groups, that can be really helpful. It gives you an opportunity to see you are not the only one going through this, and also allows you to exchange some strategies/ideas with some other moms who are going through the same daily struggles. This is not a place to get all of your answers or to go down a rabbit hole, so be aware of the way people ask for and offer help to make sure it’s a right fit for you.

Spend Time With Friends Who Have Kids The Same Age

It is important to surround yourself with people who are supportive, but you do not need to be reminded of diagnosis/delays all of the time. It’s good for your child to be around typically developing peers and vice versa - encourage learning and acceptance.

Don't Stress Over Whether This Doctor/Specialist Will Change The Outcome of Your Child's Life

Your child is who they are and the doctors may put a name to the symptoms but it doesn’t change the outcome of who your child will become. In fact, most of our kids’ challenges in dealing with routines become their strengths as adults when they are able to do things in the way that suits them best.

Implement The Daily Strategies Your Child's Team is Putting Into Place

Let the therapists know what strategies are working or not working, or which ones you just can’t take on right now so you can create a more realistic plan.

Allow Your Child to Progress at Their Own Rate

They will get the new motor skill, the words, the ideas in time. It may not look like you imagined, and we still need to move one step at a time.

Know That It's Okay To Cry

You had this idea of who your “perfect child” would be and you have to grieve for that loss. Many parents seek out professional services for themselves during this time as it is a lot of stress on the whole family.

Call The Doctor/Specialist Your Child Is Scheduled With Often

Call to see if there are any earlier appointments or put your name on the cancellation list. The people you are speaking to will have you on their mind and will be more likely to call you to fill a last minute opening.

Remember You Are Not Alone

There are many families going through something similar. There are resources for everything you need. If you haven’t found one that feels like a good fit for you, keep asking, keep searching.

If you are going through this process and need help figuring out how to find the help you need, the Special Needs Collective is a local resource that brings parent recommended providers with availability and a variety of expertise together all in one place for parents to get the information they need. Our community discovery call s take place twice a month on Monday mornings and are an open and free call for parents to ask questions about finding the services they need and finding excellent providers to support them on their journey through raising a child with neurodivergence.

Does My Child Learn Differently? Learning Disabilities 101

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 15:00:58 GMT

Does My Child Learn Differently?

As a parent, watching your child struggle in school can be a heart-breaking experience. If your child consistently falls behind, has trouble retaining information, or can’t focus in class, you might wonder if they have a learning disability or another developmental concern. But what exactly is a learning disability, and how can you tell if your child has one?

When it comes to children with learning disabilities, getting a proper diagnosis is the first step in accessing the support they need to succeed.

What Is A Specific Learning Disability?

A specific learning disability or disorder (SLD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects a person’s ability to take in information, process it, and send it back out into the world. Learning disabilities are seen in specific academic areas, like reading, math, and written expression, and exist regardless of an individual’s intelligence. They can be “invisible disabilities” because sometimes they are difficult to detect. A learning disability means that a child’s brain learns differently than their peers, but they can still progress in school.

Every child is unique. Children with learning disabilities can have a range of strengths and weaknesses, and the specific symptoms and severity can vary from child to child.

Signs Of A Learning Disability

How can you tell if your child has a learning disability? Although this varies widely depending on age, here are a few signs that you can look for:

*Struggling in school: Your child is consistently falling behind in school or is having trouble retaining information. He or she does not always understand what is said.

*Reading difficulties: Your child struggles with rhyming, sounding out or reading words, or reading fluently when their same-aged peers are able to do this more easily. He or she may mix up words or commonly make errors in spelling.

*Trouble managing classroom demands: Your child does not always follow directions, struggles with transitions, or does not interact appropriately with peers. This could be due to learning, social, behavioral, and/or psychological difficulties or diagnoses.

*Difficulty attending to homework or schoolwork. Your child avoids doing school work or has trouble staying focused on it. Other factors, such as executive functioning, attention, or emotional difficulties, could also play a role.

*Difficulty writing: Your child has trouble forming and spacing letters or words, or struggles to organize or get his or her thoughts on paper.

*Struggles with math: Your child has trouble with math concepts, including arithmetic, quantitative concepts, or completing multi-step math problems.

Is School Based Testing Different From Neuropsychological Testing?

Psychoeducational evaluations can sometimes be completed through your child’s school at your request. While both evaluations assess aspects of attention, mood, and behavior, neuropsychological evaluations are more comprehensive. Additionally, school-based evaluations test a small portion of the broad cognitive abilities that allow children to function.

Neuropsychologists work collaboratively with schools, including on testing, to ensure your child and family have the information necessary to best understand your child.

Resources

To learn more about the public school mandate to provide free and appropriate education to students with all levels of need or disability, see information about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act . For more information on special education law and resources for advocating for the education of children with disabilities, see Wright's Law .

How To Help Your Child With Learning Differences

Start by talking with your child’s school. They can help you better understand the process for evaluating your child for special education support, including under the classification of specific learning disability. You can also rely on a neuropsychological consultation, as an outside provider familiar with developmental disorders and special education law can help support your family as you move through the process.

The earlier your child is diagnosed, the better their chances are for success in school and in life. With the right support and resources, children with learning disabilities can go on to lead successful, fulfilling lives.

Thank you to Dr. Katherine Baum for this guest post.

10 Book Categories to Include in Your Child's Library to Jumpstart their Language & Literacy

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 17:28:07 GMT

Are You Wondering What Should Be Included In Your Child's Home Library? Literacy specialist Dr. Truong of A First Foundation weighs in on 10 categories that promote language, literacy and diversity.

Creating a library or collection of children's books in your home can be a fun and easy way to jump start your young child's listening, language, and literacy skills. In addition, children learn other skills from books such as life lessons, facts, and important values. Books can also expose your child to diversity.

If you are not sure where to begin, below are 10 recommended categories of books and book suggestions to help get you started on creating the perfect little library in your home.

1. Alphabet Books

These books highlight the alphabet, often in alphabetical order, and teach children the alphabetical principle in a fun or creative way. Frequently alphabet books utilize alliteration to highlight letter sounds such as in the phrase " alligators all around, " from Maurice Sendak's book with the same title, or pair the letter with an object that starts with its sound, like A is for apple. Alphabet books like Chica Chica Boom Boom , a favorite among preschool teachers, incorporate letter names into the story line. Given their ease for teaching such an important early literacy skill, alphabet books should be a staple in any child's home library.

2. First Word Books

A first word book is one that pairs a picture of an object with its name. Aimed at teaching infants and toddlers new vocabulary, these books are not known for having a plot, but you can often find first word books organized around a theme such as colors , objects, or even love . First word books can be used long after your child graduates from the toddler phase, too. Older children learning another language can practice their skills with first word books, and these books expose children to some decodable words which follow the rules of phonics like cup, cat, or bike. The versatility of first word books makes them a great addition to your child's home library now and for years to come.

3. A Collection Of Nursery Rhymes Or Poetry Books

Every child's home library should include at least one collection of nursery rhymes or a poetry book because they are beneficial for helping children learn the foundational skills for reading. In particular, children gain phonological and phonemic awareness, and children with stronger skills in these areas generally have an easier time learning to read. Phonological awareness is a broad term for being able to identify and manipulate larger parts of spoken language such as words, syllables, onsets and rimes; it also includes awareness of oral rhymes, alliteration and intonation. Phonemic awareness is a narrower term that is a subset of phonological awareness and includes identifying and manipulating individual phonemes (or sounds) in spoken words. Classic nursery rhyme collections include The Real Mother Goose and Mary Englebreit’s Mother Goose: One Hundred Best-Loved Versus . Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends , a collection of children’s poetry,and Runny Babbit , a book with spoonerisms and rhyming verse, are examples that can also help foster these early literacy skills.

4. Classic Picture Books

Classic picture books that you can read on repeat will build lasting memories - which is why they are a valuable addition to your child's home collection. Most adults recall a book from their childhood that they adored, and chances are, it is a book that has stood the test of time and still read to children today. Your child's home library should include a few classics with beloved characters, vivacious illustrations, and inspiring storylines - all things that make them a "classic." This blog post from Childhood 101 highlights 50+ classic children's books to help you remember some you may have forgotten, or may want to explore for the first time with your own child.

5. Wordless Books

Wordless books are exactly what they sound like – books with no words, or sometimes, very few words. These books tell the story through the illustrations and promote storytelling, imagination, critical thinking, and language development. What is more, you can “read” these books regardless of your child’s reading level. Wordless books are beneficial for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children alike and will be a part of your child's home library for many years. For infants, wordless books such as Tana Hoban’s Black and White or White on Black are a visually stimulating activity; for older children, Chalk by Bill Tomson is a favorite and wordless books by Dan Wiesner such as Flotsam and Mr. Wuffles are high recommended.

6. Non-Fiction Books

A non-fiction book is one filled with facts and information. You can find a non-fiction book on nearly anything and everything you would like to learn about or explore. Non-fiction books are a great way to teach your child about the parts of a book like the table of contents, chapters, or a glossary. Many non-fiction books include photographs instead of illustrations, truly bringing the outside world into your own home. Relate the topic of the non-fiction book to your child’s personal experiences or activate prior knowledge on the topic through discussion for an extra boost in learning. Given the vast learning potential of non-fiction books, they should be included in a start-up children’s home library. If you are looking for a few to get your collection started, non-fiction books from DK include many topics for kids to dive into.

7. Books That Teach Life Lessons Or Other Skills

Books are not only useful in enhancing early literacy skills, but they can also teach your child important lessons about life and values such as kindness, perseverance, respect, or courage. Since books on these topics can spark lively or thoughtful conversations, you’ll want to think about the life lessons, values, or concepts you want to instill in your child and do a little research to find the best books on those topics. That said, here’s a list of books that would be valuable to any home library.

The Invisible String tackles the topic of fear of being separated from a loved one. Insecurity, anxiety, and fear are emotions that will come and go throughout stages of early childhood and having this book at your fingertips in your library will prove to be useful in many situations.

Those Shoes is a story about a boy who longs for a pair of shoes that everyone at school is wearing, but his family cannot give into what they “want” and have to worry about what they “need” - like new winter boots. The book has a moral that is definitely worth teaching and in the end the boy learns to be thankful for what he does have.

I Like Myself carries a valuable lesson for young children and that is to simply embrace your individuality and what makes you special. All children need to hear that it is OK to be different and learn to love themselves, even the things they may not like.

The Boy Who Wouldn’t Share is a great book to have in your library since sharing is a common early childhood skill that you’ll want your child to learn, and one that often does not come easily to many children. The Rainbow Fish is a well-known children’s book with a similar moral and delightful animal characters. It is also available in a condensed board-book version for infants and toddlers.

My Friend is Sad is part of the Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems. At its core it is a tale about compassion, feelings, and friendship that serves as a kid-friendly learning experience. These characters are humorous too, so beware that your child will want to read this story on repeat and likely want to pick up others from this author, too.

8. Multicultural Books Or Books With Diverse Characters

While books about diversity can fit into the latter category, they deserve a mention all on their own because they are a necessity for your home library and expose children to people who may be different from them. On the contrary, they may also reflect your own background or experience, and seeing oneself represented in a story is important for children, especially for those who are underrepresented in children’s books. Be sure to include in your collection books with children of different races, social or economic backgrounds, and special needs. The Colors of Us , The Name Jar , Hair Love , Happy Dreamer , The Bugabees: Friends with Food Allergies , and The Family Book are a few you may want to check out to see if they are a good fit for your home library.

9. Interactive Books

As adults we want to instill a love of learning and reading into our children. Interactive books make this goal fun and a little easier. An interactive book is one that steers away from a traditional story line and engages the reader in a unique way. Interactive books would include lift-the-flap stories, search-and-find books, touch-and-feel books, or others that grab the reader’s attention in some way. Tap to Play and Press Here are creative books that feel like video games without the screen. Usborne’s Busy Train Track book comes with four tracks and pull-back train for hours of reading and fun. The Monster at the End of this Book is a classic interactive book with beloved Grover monster from Sesame Street and sure to be a family favorite.

10. Books Specific To Your Child's Interests

Reading books that are interesting and meaningful to your child helps to build retention of skills and knowledge. What is more, books that your child finds interesting will provide motivation to read and motivation can sometimes be half the battle. Scholastic books are a good (and affordable) place to start looking for books on various subject areas or interest topics.

Having a well-rounded children's library in your home is one of the first steps in raising a reader! Read here to learn tips for making reading together even more fun and effective.

Thank you to Dr. Marissa Kiepert Truong of A First Foundation for this guest post.

How Is Your Relationship With Your Teen?

Sun, 05 Mar 2023 12:42:28 GMT

As parents, it can be tough to see your teenager become distant or angry with you. These 10 tips can help you relate and reconnect.

It's not uncommon for teens to go through phases where they seem to hate their parents. But why does this happen? Through my experience coaching teens and being a mom to three children, I've learned that there are common themes in what teenagers find annoying and frustrating about their parents. Below, I've listed the most common complaints I've heard from teens about their parents and what you can do to help.

1. Frequently remind teens not to waste their potential. Telling teens that they aren't living up to their potential may seem like a good idea – after all, you want the best for your child. However, this approach can have an adverse effect.

Teenagers often feel like failures if they're on the receiving end of this type of comment. It can also lead them to believe that their parents' love is dependent on how successful they are. Instead of nagging or lecturing your teens, encourage them to reflect on their current situation. Help them to gain self-awareness without criticizing or reprimanding them. Ask them gently about what they plan to do to make progress. Don't forget to celebrate small wins along the way. You can also make positive comments to acknowledge your teens' effort when they work hard or implement good study habits, regardless of the outcome.

2. Parents overreact to small mistakes. We all make mistakes – it's a part of how we learn and grow. However, the way you respond to your teens' mistakes can cause problems.

For example, your teenager might have lost track of time while hanging out with friends. They're now late in getting home, and you're annoyed. It's important to take a step back and respond rather than react. First, ask your teen why they're late. Once you understand the situation better, you can then discuss strategies with them to prevent the same thing from happening in the future. Help them learn problem solving skills. The key is to not overreact. If you frequently overreact, it will create emotional distance between you and your teen.

3. Parents overemphasize academic achievement. Academics are important, but are they the only aspect of your teens' life worth discussing?

Rather than only asking your teens questions related to school, focus on building a connection with them. Try starting conversations by talking about things that your teens are interested in. Find out more about what they like and dislike, and about what their perspective is on various issues. Once you build a strong, trusting connection, teens will love to share their opinions, and in my experience, it is usually just as you are ready to go to bed! Give them time when they are ready to talk, before you know it, they are adults living their own life and you will wish you could get this time back.

The deeper the connection you have with your teens, the more likely it is that you'll be able to influence them when it counts.

4. Parents continually criticize and nag their teens. When raising teenagers, there will be opportunities for you to provide constructive criticism. However, nobody enjoys receiving constant criticism.

If you continually criticize your teens, it will hurt their self-esteem. Your teens might even become convinced that it's impossible to live up to your expectations. Try replacing negative comments with acknowledgments of your teens' progress. Make a positive comment whenever you observe your teens trying hard or behaving responsibly. This is a fantastic way to motivate your teenagers and show them that you're their biggest supporter.

5. Teens often feel disrespected by their parents. Nobody likes to be talked down to or treated disrespectfully. Even though you have more knowledge and experience than your teenagers, avoid being condescending.

Think back to when you were a teenager. You probably thought you knew better than your parents, so don't be surprised if your teens think they know better than you. So treat your teens with respect. If you don't, it'll be hard for you to expect the same kind of treatment from them.

6. Teens feel pressured to pursue their parent's dreams.

It can be tempting to view your teens as younger versions of yourself, but you need to respect their individuality and support them as they work toward goals they find meaningful. You might work hard to offer opportunities for your teens to do things you couldn’t do when you were younger. Is it possible they feel like you are pushing them towards a career path or extracurricular interest? It's important to acknowledge that your teenagers have their own unique personalities and passions. As a parent, you should honor their individuality and encourage them to pursue their own meaningful objectives.

7. Do you downplay your teen's feelings? It's important not to dismiss or invalidate your teen's feelings, as this can minimize issues that are important to them.

Remember that acknowledging your teen's emotions doesn't imply that you approve of their actions or beliefs. It just means that you are actively listening to their perspective, empathizing with their situation, and showing them that you value their feelings and your connection with them. It is crucial to validate your teenager's emotions as it provides them with a sense of support and reinforces their belief that they can confide in you regarding their problems and worries.

For instance, if your teenager expresses distress over not being selected for the soccer team, it is essential to acknowledge their emotions and offer support rather than dismissing their feelings with advice such as practicing harder for next year. Instead, phrases like "I can imagine how tough it must be to not make the team after putting in so much effort. It's understandable to feel upset" can validate their feelings.

By validating your teenager's emotions, you help them feel less isolated when dealing with life's challenges, and you offer them a trusted source to work through their emotions, which can be beneficial in future predicaments. Validation is a critical skill that is often encouraged and practiced during many therapy sessions, especially in DBT.

8. Parents often overlook the things that matter to their teenagers.

What sort of things really matter to you teens? Along the lines of validation mentioned above, we must try not to be dismissive of things that are important to your teens, even if you think they might be a waste of their time.

9. Do you apologize when you are wrong?

It can be tough to admit when you're wrong, but apologizing takes courage and models responsible behavior for your teenagers. It can inspire them to do the same when faced with a similar situation.

10. Teens often say that their parents don't include them in the decision-making process.

As teens get older, they'll start to test existing boundaries. It only makes sense to include your teens in setting expectations and boundaries. Working together to establish healthy boundaries is beneficial to both parents and teens. After all, we want our children to become confident decision makers as young adults. This is actually a skill and needs to be taught.

Let's face it, maintaining a healthy relationship with your teenager is essential for their emotional and mental well-being. By identifying which reasons ring true for you and your teen, you can take steps to mend the relationship and strengthen it too. With time and effort, you can bring out the best in your teen and build a positive relationship.

Thank you to Nicole Rouleau of Igniting Your Mind for this guest post.

Could My Child Be Gifted or Twice Exceptional?: Tips for Assessment & Programming

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 16:04:00 GMT

Could My Child Be Gifted? What Does Twice Exceptional (2e) Mean? How Do We Find Out?

One of the most important ways to nurture a child’s ability to actualize their brain’s potential is to understand and nurture their strengths, while identifying and supporting their areas of weakness. We do this by providing a delicate balance of stimulation and challenge with structure and support. Individuals who are gifted and talented have these same needs because their brains are wired differently than the brains of others their age. Although definitions vary, both ‘gifted’ and ‘talented’ are broadly defined as having natural ability or an exceptional talent or skill.

What is gifted and talented? What does twice exceptional (2e) mean?

Gifted and talented individuals have exceptional abilities in one or more areas. Most often, people think of giftedness as academically gifted, though gifted can also be artistically, musically, or socially to name a few. Gifted and talented students have exceptionally high intellectual abilities and also academically perform, or have the capability to perform, notably above peers , but it does not end there. They often have an innate intellectual curiosity, natural creativity, ability to easily comprehend complex concepts, and internal motivation to understand the world around them.

At the same time, some who are gifted and talented also face learning and developmental challenges such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, autism, or sensory processing issues. Individuals with these unique needs are called “twice exceptional” or “2e.” For both gifted and 2e children, the demands of day-to-day life and academic work can create frustration and restlessness, contributing to the high risk these children have for co-existing mood-related problems that include anxiety, depression, lack of self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation. Therefore, parents must prioritize their gifted or 2e child’s emotional and psychological well-being while also targeting their intellectual and academic abilities.

How do I know if my child should be screened for giftedness or twice exceptional (2e)?

Parents know their children best. At the same time, gifted and 2e children oftentimes get overlooked because they may not show their skills and abilities in settings like school. Their strong intellectual abilities and academic potential may be hidden behind frustration with school work, boredom in the classroom, oppositional behavior, or inattention and hyperactivity at school. For 2e children, the developmental learning, attention, or social disorder may ‘mask’ the giftedness, making both difficult to identify.

Families should pursue giftedness testing if they suspect giftedness or 2e in their child. Schools may conduct brief sceeners or parents can pursue evaluations privately. Once children are identified, families can often work with their child’s school to ensure they receive the much-needed support. Support could involve enrichment through enrollment in a giftedness program or advanced academic placements. At the same time, 2e students may need testing targeting attention, behavior, or academic abilities, as the results can help align the child with targeted academic or behavioral supports.

What is involved in testing for children who may be gifted or twice exceptional (2e)?

Testing for gifted and talented and twice exceptionality may involve:

Cognitive testing
Assessment of academic abilities
Measures of executive functioning, attention, or memory
Social and emotional measures

Importantly, there are no national or state-wide standards for identifying gifted and talented students. Instead, it is left up to individual school districts regarding how, and if, they provide support for gifted students. Based on their State of the States in Giftedness Education Report (2018-2019), The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) and The Council of State Directors of Prgrams for the Gifted (CSDPG) revealed nearly all states (44 of 50) had a formal definition of giftedness. Fewer states (38 of 50) have legal mandates to identify gifted and talented students.

What does programming for gifted and talented and 2e children include?

Gifted and talented students thrive when provided with specialized enrichment programs, and opportunities to engage their curiosity and creativity with their peers. Key research-based components of gifted programs include educational acceleration, or moving through the curriculum faster than peers, and ‘compacting,’ or condensing and streamlining the curriculum to avoid unnecessary repetition of previously learned material. Schools vary widely in their offerings for gifted and talented students, some of which depends on the age of the student. In addition to an accelerated curriculum, supplemental experiences or classes and out-of-district placements can be explored to ensure the child receives the best education for his or her needs.

Resources: Check Out These Helpful Links

Thank you to Dr. Katherine Baum for this guest post.

Is It "Behavior" or One of These 3 Underlying Issues?

erica@beaconfidentparent.com (Erica Desper) — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 20:49:35 GMT

If you are a parent or provider of a child struggling with behavioral challenges, you'll want to consider this.

If you are the parent, teacher or provider of a child exhibiting challenging behaviors, be sure to consider these three subtle but commonly overlooked triggers.

Subtle “Behavior” Trigger #1: Hidden Constipation

Studies suggest that up to 30% of children have functional constipation.[1] Contrary to what you might think, that doesn’t always present the way you might expect, skipping bowel movements for days. Many constipated children produce at least one bowel movement each day (this is new, loose stool making its way around an older, harder mass of stool) and do not complain about belly pain. Instead, the only outward signs may be that a child becomes irritable, moody, clingy and/or restless. Bedwetting can be another subtle clue as the mass of stool begins to press on the bladder during sleep. Could your child’s behavior be caused or exacerbated by constipation? Check out the common signs below and take the constipation quiz to learn more.

What to Do?

If you suspect your child may be suffering from hidden constipation, discuss your concerns with their pediatrician and/or a gastroenterologist who can offer a clean-out regimen and maintenance plan to get and keep them comfortable.

Subtle “Behavior” Trigger #2: Sensory Processing Difficulties

Put simply, behavior is the tip of an iceberg: a visible response or reaction to how a child’s nervous system is processing sensory input under the surface. When a child struggles to manage that input easily or appropriately, they are often labeled incorrectly as a “behavior problem” rather than as a child who needs support with a lagging skill or an unmet need. One study that examined the relationship between sensory processing difficulties and behavioral problems states, “Children who presented in our clinic due to developmental and/or behavioral concerns had a high prevalence, as high as 64.4%, of sensory processing difficulties…These results highlight the notion that addressing behavioral problems without understanding and addressing accompanying sensory difficulties may hinder progress in treatment as targeted behavioral difficulties may mask underlying sensory processing difficulties.” [2]

What to Do?

Take the quizzes below to determine whether your child’s behavior issues could be a sign that their nervous system needs support. Many children benefit from Occupational Therapy to develop better self-regulation and to find more ideal coping mechanisms for sensory challenge so share the results with your pediatrician and ask about an OT evaluation.

Subtle “Behavior” Trigger #3: Insufficient Sleep

Probably the most common cause of challenging behaviors and poor self-regulation is when a child is getting too little sleep. Think your child is getting sufficient totals? You may be surprised to learn both what is recommended and how few children truly get enough. Research inarguably shows that adequate sleep is a major predictor of the ability to self-regulate, to control impulsive behaviors and to make good decisions. [3] Anayansi Lasso-Pirot, MD, a pulmonary pediatrician at the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital, says, “Children with sleep deprivation have more difficulties learning in school and more behavioral problems.” Not getting enough sleep can also heavily affect teenagers, according to Dr. Lasso-Pirot, who noted that a lack of sleep can increase teens’ penchant for “risky behaviors.”[4]

Despite the importance of adequate sleep, a 2021 study found that a third of children do not get enough each night.[5] Even worse, the current generation of teens is the most sleep-deprived in human history with only only 15 percent of high school students getting enough by the time they are in their final year. It is estimated that one in five high school students sleeps less than six hours per night, while the average is six and a half hours per night.[6]

What to Do?

First things first, compare your child’s average nightly sleep totals to the recommended range for their age. If they can’t get enough by the time they need to wake each morning, you may want to seek the support of a sleep specialist to help create a plan to tweak their schedule, environment and routine.

[1] https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chronic-functional-constipation-and-fecal-incontinence-in-infants-children-and-adolescents-treatment

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3891772/

[3] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/07/220730125455.htm

[4] https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7038a1.htm?s_cid=mm7038a1_w

[5] https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7038a1.htm?s_cid=mm7038a1_w

[6] https://www.sleephealth.org/2022/05/26/sleep-deprivation-takes-toll-on-teens/

School Options for Neurodiverse Students

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 20:09:30 GMT

School Options

Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry has compiled a comprehensive list of local schools that support students with learning differences and other challenges.

Resources for Education Law

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 13:31:46 GMT

Education Law Resources

In my experience, we found out everything we needed to know about our rights and the special education process JUST after we needed to know it. Knowing the jargon and ins and outs of the law - or working with an advocate who does, is critical to a smoother, more expedient journey for your family. We've collected the best free and paid local resources to get you started.

The Education Law Center offers fact sheets and guides including their ELC Parent and Advocate Guide: Right to Special Education which provides clearly explained legal rules for special education and early intervention programs in Pennsylvania for children from ages three to 21.

The Arc of Philadelphia’s Child Advocacy services provide information & referral, educational advocacy services, and systems advocacy services for children with disabilities and their families, often at no cost to the families.

The Child Advocate assists families in accessing supports & services for their child with a disability, including early intervention services, free and appropriate special education services, and issues involving health care and behavioral health.

The Arc also links families to sources of social support, such as support groups, parent groups, and training opportunities. Inclusive practices and presumed competency are our guiding principles. Learn more about how to advocate for your child. Please contact Bonita McCabe for more information.

PaTTAN’s Family Support Specialists and other staff aid families in understanding the special education process, share information and resources, and work with state agencies who support families like yours. PaTTAN encourages partnerships among families, schools, and communities to foster success for all children.

Free resources are great but, if I had just one piece of advice to offer families privileged enough to accept it, I would say " Hire an advocate immediately !" Find advocates that families and colleagues have recommended on our directory.

Finally, sometimes it just takes an attorney to get the job done. Whether you are headed for Due Process or seeking compensatory education, here are the most recommended special education law firms in our area.

ADHD Resources for Parents

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 14:54:29 GMT

ADHD Resources for Parents

Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry offers a list of tips and resources to help mitigate the effects ADHD has on a student's daily life.

What is Autism?

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 14:27:43 GMT

What is Autism?

Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry breaks down what Autism is, common indicators of Autism and how it is diagnosed.

What is Movement Therapy?

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 14:13:09 GMT

Is Movement Therapy Right for Me?

Are you tired of all the chit chat and want to find a way to go deeper into your healing journey? Do you have trouble connecting with your body or are you painfully aware of your body and the space you take up in this world? Does it feel like talking just doesn’t always cut it for you? Are you stuck in your current therapy process and need some help getting deeper into your process? Movement Therapy may just be the next step you are looking for in your healing journey!

Movement therapy is a type of treatment that utilizes safe movement and exploration to process experiences in the body and gain a deeper understanding and healing of your emotions. Movement therapist, Natalie Makardish, BA, MA, describes it as getting our “emotions in motion”. Whether in recovery from trauma, disordered eating, body image concerns, grief, depression, or chronic pain and illness, movement therapy offers a safe way to explore dis-ease in the mind and body and develop an intuitive awareness to what the body is in need of, facilitating release, connection and ease.

When looking for a movement therapist, whether that be a yoga therapist, dance movement therapist or other, make sure their approach feels gentle, non-restrictive or rigid, emphasizes the wisdom of the body and is focused on your internal experience (not your external looks!).

Here’s a quick guide to finding the right kind of Movement Therapy to support your recovery:

Movement Therapy helps you…

- deepen your recovery

- explore sensation safely in the body

- build intuitive awareness

- process and express felt emotions and needs

- heal your relationship with your body

- reclaim the joy of movement!

Movement Therapy is not…

- A performance

- About how you look

- Focused on calorie burning or weight loss

- Rule-based

- Restrictive

We feel blessed to have movement therapists at Spilove Psychotherapy, specializing in yoga therapy, authentic movement, and dance therapy from a trauma informed, body neutral lens.

Learn more about one of our Movement Therapists below and call today to schedule a FREE 15-minute phone consultation to find out if Movement Therapy is for you! 484.784.6294

Thank you to Spilove Psychotherapy for this guest post.

Why Should You Hire an Advocate?

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 13:59:51 GMT

Why Should You Hire an Advocate?

To start off, we want to be clear that there are times when you do not need to hire an advocate. If your child does not have or need an IEP or 504 plan, if the current IEP or 504 plan is being successful, and you are generally content and fairly accommodated by the services your district is providing, you probably don’t need an advocate. Still, we know situations change as a child moves through school and encounters new administrators, teachers, or academic goals. If you are ever questioning how an advocate could benefit your situation, consider the following pieces of advice:

Advocates bring deep expertise on educational services, advanced education in those areas, or a combination of both! Quite honestly, parents are focused on so many aspects of a child’s life as well as their own careers, relationships, and duties that it’s not feasible to become a master of educational law and strategies to advocate for your child. Bringing in an advocate with expertise allows you to focus on identifying the needs your child has and the goals you’d like them to achieve while the advocate strategizes on how to approach the process. Even if you only hire an advocate for a year (or less) you’ll have expertise attached to the context of your child’s case and be able to know what and how you can get the most appropriate education from the school district.

Advocates are investments in networks and resources, not just a single person. Advocates know cases and other advocates. They know professionals who can help your child beyond the team at your school district. Imagine working with an advocate and making a connection with a reading specialist that works with children with dyslexia, for example. If your child has dyslexia, this is invaluable. Additionally, an advocate may be able to help you secure funds for highly trained professionals (like our example) that can work with your child. An advocate is a professional team builder!

You may want to reassess the IEP part-way through the year. Did you know you can do this? Don’t let your child receive a full year of inadequate services! If you want to go this route to fix any glaring issues with an IEP, it is almost always best to have an advocate on your side. Revisiting an IEP during the year can lead to obstacles and roadblock when pulling together the entire education team.

Advocates know how to push timelines to ensure change happens quickly so it can still improve your child’s academic year and show that you are serious about getting the best IEP for your child!

Increasing services outlined within an IEP is a natural part of the process as your child enters high school. You will need to consider post-graduation transition services, more intensive accommodations for more rigorous courses, and approaching high stakes tests that are important to get right in the IEP. Even if you have had an IEP for multiple years without issue, an advocate can be a great way to use the IEP to appropriately look ahead at your child’s future. Consider an advocate for those big years, such as going to middles school or high school, or if your child switches districts.

Advocates also make a great partner to have for when unexpected occurrences pop up. In the same way you might want a lawyer on retainer if you own a large business, you may find have an advocate you work with occasionally to consult on emergent issues is invaluable. It’s almost like a safety net to ensure that you are making the right steps in each iteration of your child’s IEP.

It’s almost like a safety net to ensure that you are making the right steps in each iteration of your child’s IEP.

The bottom line is this: Advocates are a great option when you need to immediately add a highly trained point of view and powerful voice to conversations and decisions surrounding an IEP or 504 plan. School districts know that a parent with an advocate is serious about achieving the best outcomes for their child and are able to manage a sometimes complex IEP.

As always, we are here to answer your questions surrounding advocacy and encourage you to start a conversation sooner rather than later!

Thank you to Cris Fick for this guest post.

Neuropsychological Evaluations: What You Should Know

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 13:35:35 GMT

Neuropsychological Evaluations: What You Should Know

If you or your child are struggling, you may have been told to consider a ‘neuropsychological evaluation or assessment.’ and you are curious about what that involves. It’s a well-established set of procedures that focuses on understanding how individuals’ brains work while diagnosing conditions related to brain functioning.

What Is A Neuropsychological Assessment?

Neuropsychological assessments evaluate the brain’s ability to pay attention, communicate, remember information, read, write, process emotions and social situations, and make decisions, to name a few. Importantly, the results of neuropsychological evaluations inform treatment, helping patients, parents, and families make decisions about medications, therapies, work/school accommodations, strategies, and community resources.

Who Provides Neuropsychological Evaluations?

The brain is a complex organ and understanding its multiple functions requires a professional with specialized training. A neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist who has a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) followed by a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology. A board-certified neuropsychologist takes an extra step, undergoing a rigorous certification process that reflects the highest level of competence in the field.

Neuropsychologists may specialize in a particular age group, like a pediatric neuropsychologist who specializes in children. Regardless of the age range in which they specialize, they are trained to detect underlying factors that contribute to an individual’s behavioral, emotional, social, and cognitive functioning. Importantly, neuropsychologists often work closely with physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational or speech therapists, and schools.

What Is Involved?

The evaluation process involves a few steps.

Interview or consultation to discuss history, concerns, and goals for the evaluation.
Testing of cognitive skills like attention, memory, language, executive functioning and more. Individuals answer questions, solve puzzles, and may write or draw. There are no needles or scans.
Interview with the child or young adult patient, as appropriate.
Questionnaires from parents, spouses or loved ones, teachers, and others
Feedback to parent(s) and patient, if interested
Report that gives a ‘big picture perspective, detailed understanding of the patient, results, recommendations, and ideas about treatments or services.

Neuropsychological Evaluations Can Improve Quality of Life

The primary goals of a neuropsychological evaluation are to 1) understand how you or your loved one’s brain ‘works,’ 2) determine if the pattern of strengths and weaknesses are in line with an underlying condition or diagnosis, and 3) guide recommendations, including treatment, school/work support, and suggestions for daily life. With this understanding and guidance, an evaluation can lead to an improved quality of life.

The evaluation might provide crucial information about the person’s diagnosis or condition, paving the way for customized treatment.
Based on the assessment results, specialized therapy or cognitive training might be recommended to help the individual gain the necessary skills and shift him or her toward positive life changes.
The evaluation can analyze and highlight areas of clear strength while detecting weaknesses in an individual’s cognitive abilities so that custom, comprehensive learning profiles can be developed to help them improve.
A neuropsychology evaluation in Paoli, PA, or elsewhere can also help to guide decisions about medications, which is done in collaboration with a physician.

A neuropsychological evaluation or assessment can be helpful, but it is only possible when you seek the support and guidance of a trained and reliable professional. Hopefully, this helped you understand neuropsychological testing for children, teens, and adults so you can make the best decision about this service.

Thank you to Dr. Katherine Baum for this guest post.

Is This ADHD or Typical Child Behavior?

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 13:28:47 GMT

Is This ADHD or Typical Child Behavior?

It can be difficult for parents to differentiate between typical child behavior and a more serious issue like ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder). Many children can have trouble paying attention, struggle to sit still, or refuse to wait their turn. You may hear these concerns from your child’s teacher, childcare provider, or other family members. While it may just be your son or daughter “being a kid,” what if it is ADHD?

Most of the time, key behaviors of ADHD can be seen in your child’s attention span and energy level. Are they more inattentive or hyper than usual, or is this “normal”? We can help you figure it out.

Common Warning Signs of ADHD

A neuropsychologist can identify and diagnose persistent patterns of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity and help determine if the behaviors are getting in the way of your child being his or her best.

Take a look at the following signs of inattention. Is your child:

Easily distracted?
Generally forgetful?
Struggling to pay attention to details in their schoolwork and other activities?
Appearing to ignore a speaker, even when the speaker is talking to them directly?
Avoiding tasks that require prolonged mental effort or attention?
Getting side-tracked when finishing tasks or chores?
Having trouble staying organized?
Struggling to follow instructions?
Making careless mistakes or struggling to focus on details?
Often losing or misplaces things?

Some of the hyperactive/impulsive signs you might see include:

Constantly fidgeting or squirming,
Trouble remaining seated,
Running or climbing excessively or being constantly in motion,
Talking nonstop, blurting out answers, or interrupting others,
Difficulty waiting his or her turn
Having a quick temper or short fuse

Steps to Take If You Are Concerned About ADHD

Seek support from a professional. While pediatricians are often a good initial resource in discussing the possibility of ADHD, they often use brief questionnaires to assess symptoms. A more thorough assessment with a licensed neuropsychologist can determine if a formal ADHD diagnosis makes sense. Importantly, it can help to have a professional evaluator rule out other causes for your child's behavior. A proper diagnosis guides effective treatments, which, in turn, can improve the overall health of your child. When children are enrolled in the public school system, teachers and special education teams can conduct more in-depth assessments when requested by parents. While their evaluation can not provide a clinical diagnosis, they can determine if your child needs special education supports through a formalized educational plan.

Why is it Important to Treat ADHD?

It is essential to follow up with your doctor, and ideally, a trained psychologist or neuropsychologist, so they can suggest proper treatment for your child with ADHD. Long term studies show if ADHD is left untreated, there can be serious consequences including:

Falling behind in school
Challenges establishing or maintaining friendships
Getting into conflicts with parents
Risk-taking that puts the child or teen at risk for injury, including automobile accidents, alcohol or drug use, and risky sexual behaviors
Difficulties into adulthood related to romantic relationships, family interactions, and job performance

The Bottom Line

Choose a medical professional, like a neuropsychologist, who can work with you to better understand your child. Seeking a professional opinion and starting appropriate treatment as soon as possible will improves your child's mental health and well-being and your family’s.

Thank you to Dr. Katherine Baum for this guest post.

What Exactly Is Executive Functioning?

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 13:23:21 GMT

What Exactly Is Executive Functioning?

If you are a parent of a child anywhere from preschool age to college age then I can guarantee, with almost 100% certainty that you have heard of the latest buzz word in education – Executive Functioning (EF).

Let me start by mentioning that even though I was a classroom teacher for 10+ years with my Masters in Education and Special Education, the term Executive Functioning still overwhelmed me. So, you are not in this alone if you are struggling to make sense of this concept. It wasn’t until I took a step back to look at the bigger picture and find ways to make it relatable to myself and more importantly, my students, that it finally began to click.

EF can best be understood as skills that we use everyday to learn, work, and manage daily life. Here is a quick breakdown of 5 of the main EF areas and a quick highlight of each:

Goal Setting – setting academic and personal goals
Thinking Flexibly – processing skills in a new way
Organizing Information – categorizing and sorting information
Working Memory – juggling ideas in the brain
Self-Monitoring – recognizing mistakes and self-reflecting

Individuals with Executive Functioning deficits, struggle in 2 or more of these areas. So, if your child fits this description, or if you do, then read on for some tips on how to create and develop some EF skills that are proven to work! You will notice the re-occurring theme for each of these : )

Develop A Routine-TOGETHER

Whether it is the morning rush, or after school chaos, pick one time that seems to be the most unsettled with your child. Together, discuss what should happen vs what actually happens (ie: Instagram vs reality). Visualize the steps that could be taken to make it a productive and effective time together. Maybe a checklist is involved, maybe there are timers, find what works and as I like to say, just show up! It takes 21 days for an action to become a habit, so stay consistent.

Note: after you accomplish one part of the day, move on to the next and so on and so forth.

Set Realistic Expectations-TOGETHER

There is nothing more discouraging than setting a goal and giving up after 2 days. The reason most people give up is because the goal was not realistic from the start. When something is out of reach, it becomes too overwhelming to face. We’ve all had those goals like: no scrolling on social media all day. What if we re-phrased it as: I am going to allow myself 5 minutes of scrolling time 2x a day? This wording is more measurable and attainable. That is what we have to do with our kids. We need to allow them to make the choices that work for them, in a way that makes sense and then hold them accountable.

Model Behaviors- TOGETHER

My first year of teaching I wanted to hit the ground running. By day 3 I was already teaching math facts and by the end of the week the students were in small group centers. Guess what happened week 2? I realized I never modeled what getting in a line looked like, my students didn’t know where the bathroom was and our classroom library was in shambles. I spent the next 2 weeks modeling (leading by example) how things should be done to be effective and productive. That is what you have to do with your children. Together, model what it should look like. Role play what developing a routine (tip 1 above) should look, sound, and feel like. While it will be hard at first, if you stick with it, everything will fall into place!

If you are looking for individualized support for your child or a consultation session for yourself, please feel free to reach out to Teacher Time To Go. We are a “travel to you” and virtual tutoring company providing Individualized Tutoring, Homework Help, Test Prep, Enrichment Services, Special Education Support, and Executive Functioning/Organizational Skills for kids PreK-College and we are here to help!

We hope you found this information helpful and inspiring and if you took just one thing from article, consider it a win :)

Thank you to Teacher Time To Go for this guest post .

How Can We Promote Reinforcing Language?

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 13:20:22 GMT

How Can We Promote Reinforcing Language?

Throughout my years of teaching, I always thought of the term "Reinforcing Language" as an educational one. It was used to teach teachers how to speak positively to their students. However, through my experience as a mom and now full-time Executive Function Coach, I realize that "Reinforcing Language" could and should be used by anyone in direct contact with children. This is for parents, coaches, doctors, psychologists, and yes, definitely teachers!

Stay Focused On Progress and Effort!

Help students concentrate on the process of learning. They need to learn that if they persist in working hard, they will create work they can be proud of without focusing on the "grade."

Help Them Form Positive Visions Of Themselves

Inspire children to see their true capabilities by hearing your reinforcing feedback. This can help them concentrate on the process of learning, showing them how to persist and create work they can be proud of.

Focus On Their Strengths

When we focus on strengths, we help students to build a positive internal dialogue and use this as an asset to tackle new challenges. Teach students that success is more about persistence, attitude, and and hard work rather than "being smart."

Help Children To Become More Self Motivated

Reinforcing language helps students to reflect on their actions, think about their learning process and name for themselves what they did well and where they need to keep trying. Self-reflection can motivate them to take ownership which can help lead to growth and independence.

It is important to note that Reinforcing Language does much deeper than, "Good Job" or "Nice Work." If you have children or teach them, you may have learned that students with ADHD and other learning differences respond MUCH better when given intentional, specific praise. You must work hard to let them know specifically what they did well. See some examples below.

Thank you to Nicole Rouleau of Igniting Your Mind for this guest post.

Parenting Is One Of The Hardest Jobs We Will Ever Do

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 13:17:49 GMT

Parenting Is One Of The Hardest Jobs We Will Ever Do

Parents are and will always be the strongest advocates for their children.

Don’t believe all the bad news you may hear about your child from doctors, teachers or other people they spend time with. In my experience, children are not lazy, in fact, they want to succeed. Children do the best they can given their current brain state. When you hear school employees describe your child as unmotivated or “slow” to complete tasks, you might think, “Maybe they are right, I have seen this behavior too!” However, it is important to remember, with the right support in place, children can reach their fullest potential, so don’t let a few negative remarks keep you from being the strongest advocate for your child’s needs in their educational setting.

Here is an excellent reference point that Professor George DuPaul, Ph.D. stated in a recent article I read, “While it’s true that your child’s mind may work differently, he certainly has the ability to learn and succeed just like any other kid. Look at it this way — if your child was diabetic or had asthma, would you, for one single minute, hesitate to advocate for his benefit? Just as a diabetic needs insulin and an asthmatic child needs help breathing, a child with a learning difference (ADHD) needs their learning environment regulated.”

Thank you to Nicole Rouleau of Igniting Your Mind for this guest post.

Potty-Training with a Speech Delay: 4 Things I Learned

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 19:27:10 GMT

One Mom shares how her toddler's expressive language disorder impacted their potty learning journey (or didn't!)...

Hi! I’m Amelia, one of the sleep and potty coaches for Confident Parenting and a Mom to a 3 year old with an expressive language disorder. Here are 4 things I learned from my experience potty-training my kiddo with speech concerns.

Set Yourself Up for Success

First things first, make sure your kiddo has the foundational skills required to use the potty independently. This means we need to know if they can pull their pants up and down independently, and can they sit on the potty and stand up on their own. I decided we were going to dive in before I really checked on these skills, thinking my kiddo would pick them up along the way. I was wrong. We were pretty quickly at a roadblock. Once we were ready to add pants into the scenario, he lost the ability to pee without me. We had to work on that skill first. Check out these fun games to help your kiddo practice.

Kids Communicate in LOTS of way

Remember that verbal communication is not the only way that children communicate. How does your child let you know if they are hungry? Tired? Your child likely already uses non verbal cues to communicate their wants and needs. So you can go with what your kiddo already uses or you could use additional tools. Picture cards and sign language are great tools to add to your toolbox for kiddos having difficulty communicating verbally. Check out some examples below and download some free ones here.

I t’s Not As Big A Deal As You Think It Is

When we were approaching potty-training age, I was worried about how my kiddo's speech was going to affect this entire process. We were already working SO hard with speech therapists and I couldn’t imagine needing to wait for more progress before we could start working on potty skills, but I thought that’s what might need to happen. I was pleasantly surprised by how little the speech concerns affected our overall potty learning journey. In fact, potty skills became a great source of pride and confidence for my kiddo who was struggling in other areas.

Have a Plan & Keep Your Cool-That’s Where We Come In!

When there is any concern that is creating a bit of a speed bump for your kiddo, we want to have a plan ahead of time and do our best to keep our cool as we help our little one work through this. If you are struggling with the toileting journey, we are here to help.

My Child With Autism Doesn't Sleep - Help!

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 19:07:13 GMT

If you've been told "It's just part of the diagnosis" you'll want to read this...

Special needs sleep consultant Melissa Doman shares her top things to consider when addressing sleep struggles in children with autism in this guest post.

Whether your child with ASD has struggled to sleep for days, weeks, months…or years, it can feel overwhelming and frustrating as to why it’s just. not. happening. As a parent, you worry how your child can function on the few hours they’re getting.

You may have asked your child’s doctors and therapists about their sleep struggles and have only heard:

“It’s just part of the diagnosis.”

That’s a pretty easy answer to fall back on. And, a bit of a lazy one. It hurts your child when specialists hide behind what might be common symptoms. It takes the responsibility off of them to help you solve the problem.

It’s an answer many parents like you get, but it doesn’t get down to the root of WHY your child with autism isn’t sleeping. Here are the main reasons why your child might be struggling:

Not enough or too much stimulation

One of the first questions I ask parents is what their child seeks or avoids when it comes to sensory inputs. This includes seeing, hearing, feeling, smell/taste, proprioception, interoception. You name it! If your child tends to seek input, there’s no question that their brain will be seeking at night. It’s just not getting enough!

Even with the most intensive therapies, I find that the sensory system is so often ignored. When kids are getting the right stimuli, the brain can be more settled and calmer at night. There can be too much of a good thing, but kids with autism need that input.

On the other hand, for children who are avoiding or hypersensitive see, hear, feel, the world at a much more heightened state. It’s not as easy for them to settle to sleep when their system is overstimulated. This hypersensitivity can also kick in your child’s “fight, flight, or freeze” response. Some children may hear sounds at night that they might perceive as a threat. If that’s the case, they could have a very hard time getting to or staying asleep.

Not enough or too much activity

When we don’t get enough physical activity, our body doesn’t have as strong of a need for sleep. For some children, they might be on the move constantly. However, it might be “chaotic” movement. For example, some children might run from room to room, jump into this, onto that, hours on end. And, this might be related to sensory issues.

Getting adequate amounts of physical activity not only helps create the need to sleep, but it can help “regulate” our many systems. When we are doing regular physical activity, our breathing is deeper and more dynamic, we may feel more focused, we’re in a better mood. All of these can have a great impact on our quality of sleep at night. Going for a walk is one of the best ways to do this!

Some children do need more activity and to stay very active. But again — there can be too much of a good thing. Too much can also make your child overtired, which can affect how deep your child’s sleep is. Through tracking, some parents can find that “happy medium” when it comes to just enough activity for their child on the spectrum.

This also goes for therapy as well. As crucial as therapy treatments are to help your child achieve milestones and give their brain the “exercise” it needs, too much can also affect how well your child goes to sleep and stays asleep. This article outlines a bit more of what to look for and how to help your child feel more calm after a busy day.

Breathing Difficulties

When we have difficulty breathing at night, our ability to get good quality, deep, restorative sleep is greatly affected. For children, this lack of quality sleep can affect focus, mood, sensory perception, behavior and more. Some “red flags” to look for are: sleeping with the mouth open, snoring, teeth grinding, thumb sucking, pacifier/bottle reliance, chronic ear infections, etc.

If you see these on a fairly regular basis, it is important to have your child checked out by their pediatrician or ENT. This is to rule out any issues with tonsils and/or adenoids. If it is severe enough, a sleep study might be helpful to get the right treatments.

That being said, I know dozens of families that have gone through these tests and procedures and their child continued to have difficulty with their sleep well after. However, breathing difficulties should be ruled out, especially if your child is over the age of 3 years old.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Many autistic children struggle with digestive problems or getting the nutrients they need. In one study, 50% of the children with ASD had at least one digestive issue – constipation, diarrhea, bloating, vomiting, etc.

For some children, they may not like the taste, texture, and/or smell of foods. Because of this, they might have a limited number of foods they are willing to eat. Most of the time, these foods are not the most nutrient dense, like chips, candy, fast food, and more. If the body lacks calcium, Vitamin B6, magnesium, and other essential nutrients, it cannot produce enough melatonin to sustain good sleep.

If your child struggles with digestive discomfort as listed above, this can make them feel irritable and can throw a wrench in the works when it comes to sleep. The sensations that they are feeling can be overwhelming and much more intense than what we perceive.

Inability to Produce Melatonin

Honestly, I hesitate to put this here. However, there are some children that are unable to produce enough melatonin naturally. To check this for your child, you can ask for a blood, urine, or saliva test from your doctor.

Over the counter melatonin is one of the most recommended “treatments” for sleep difficulties in kids with autism. However, many families I speak to say it might help getting their child to sleep for the night. But, will not keep them sleeping. Other families have said it gives the complete opposite effect, and their child will be even more wired.

Using an over the counter or prescription melatonin should only be considered as a short-term solution, not a long term. Getting down to the root of your child’s sleep issues will get you far better results.

Your child has learned some not-so-great sleep habits

Over years and thousands of sleeps, we have learned our own ways to get to sleep. Most of us need our pillow and blanket. You might need to have your arms tucked in a certain way, or lie on one side. Whatever it is, you are not dependent on someone else to make sleep happen.

For most of the kids I work with, this is a big part of their sleep difficulties. Many children with autism learn they need a parent or caretaker to rock, hold, lie with, and/or drive them around to fall off for the night. In these instances, parents have become the pillow and blanket. They’ve become their child’s strategy to get to sleep. Some children will insist on snacks, tablet, music, projectors, pacifiers, and other tools to help themselves regulate and get to sleep.

Best case scenario, your child gets this help and maaaay stay asleep. But often, children will continue to look for this help, or these “crutches” over and over again through the night. And, if your child has any kind of sensory issue they will definitely know if their sleep situation changes.

If your child relies on some of these other self-regulating tools listed above, it is important to give your child enough stimulation during the day so they’re less likely to seek for these tools at night. It isn’t an easy process, but your child can learn to sleep without these tools.

So, now I know why – can my child be helped?

Once parents know and learn the why’s behind their child’s sleep, it can be hard to know what are the first steps. For some children with ASD, they might need help in only one or all of the areas listed above.

Either way, it can be a lot of work to do on your own.

My team and I are here to help guide you in that journey to better sleep. We take a “no stones left unturned” approach when it comes to helping our families. We know that children like yours learn, process, and master skills at their own pace. It’s important that any changes you make with your child reflect this.

And, we’ve seen (just about) everything! We have tips and troubleshoots for nearly any issue that can come in between your child and the rest they deserve.

We firmly believe that children like yours CAN sleep better. It doesn’t have to be just “part of their diagnosis.” With the right tools, support, patience, your child can be an incredible sleeper.

5 Tips to Get Sleep Back to School Ready

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 21:04:07 GMT

Whatever your supply list consists of this year, sleep should be at the top of it.

The back to school season tends to elicit a full array of emotions from parents and children alike. As much as you or they may be in the camp of "I'm not ready to think about it yet!" taking time now to ensuring your kiddo heads into the year well-rested will help them (and you!) survive and thrive.

What Does Ideal Sleep Look Like?

Ideal sleep refers to both quality and quantity. For a school age child that means it is uninterrupted and affords them an age appropriate total of hours by the time they need to wake each morning. Preschool-age children need 10 to 13 hours while six to thirteen year olds need 9 to 11 hours. In our experience, few children are comfortable on the lower end of those ranges.

F or example, if your child needs 11 hours of sleep and wakes on their own or needs to be awake by 7:00 a.m., falling asleep at 9:00 p.m. or later the night before will chip into that total. Much like many small charges on a credit card, those losses will begin to accumulate, leaving your child with a sleep debt. More important than any sleep total chart though is your child's behavior . Are they waking on their own or do you need to wake them? Can they happily make it to bedtime or are they falling apart in the evenings? Do they fall asleep on car rides or during screen time? A well rested child should be able to make it to their next regular sleep period easily.

Why Does Ideal Sleep Matter?

Across all ages, behavioral and learning difficulties are often a symptom of sleeplessness. Research tells us that sleep loss leads to problems with learning, attention and concentration, hyperactivity, mood, emotional regulation and behavior . Studies also show that lower sleep totals correlate with lower test scores. So, whether your child will be learning at home or a brick & mortar, from you or from a teacher, their sleep should be the first back to school supply you stock up on.

How Can We Get Back on Track?

If summer vibes or ongoing pandemic chaos have caused slipping schedules and shrinking sleep totals, these five tips will help your family get back on track.

1. Start Adjusting their Schedule in Advance

If your child's schedule has slipped later, start shifting them back well in advance of the start of she school year. As early as two weeks before the first day, begin to gradually shift their sleep and wake times earlier. For example, you might wake your child 10 minutes earlier each morning and then shift bedtime 10 minutes earlier than usual that night. Each day (or every few days if you prefer) repeat the process until your child is waking at the time they need to wake on a school day AND getting the appropriate amount of sleep for their age group . Once you have reached this schedule be sure to stick with it even on the weekends . If daylight or neighborhood sounds are causing an issue at bedtime consider adding blackout curtains and white noise or more of them.

2. Check the Tech

The light emitted from screens interrupts the production of Melatonin, one hormone involved in the delicate dance of bringing on sleep, and tells the brain to wake up. To prevent that disruption, turn screens off at least 1-2 hours before your child's goal sleep time. This is true of every screen including television, video games, tablets, phones, etc. Blue blocking features may not be as effective as once thought so don't rely on them. If a cutoff isn't possible, use a screen that is as far from your kiddo's face as possible - a phone held close may have more of an impact than a television across the room. For older children with their own devices consider having a rule of charging and leaving devices outside the bedroom to avoid temptation. If it helps, set an audible and/or visual timer so they have a heads up as to when screen time will end. The Time Tracker Mini and the Time Timer are great options.

3. Consider their Diet and Fluid Pattern

A heavy meal too close to bedtime can interfere with your child’s ability to fall asleep and foods high in sugar can cause night waking due to blood sugar fluctuations. Caffeine can also interrupt sleep patterns so limit your child’s caffeine intake in general and avoid caffeine altogether within 6 hours of bedtime. Soda and energy drinks are obvious culprits but remember that chocolate has caffeine too so that after dinner treat could be an issue too. Drinking a lot of fluids close to bedtime can lead to overnight bathroom trips so push fluids throughout the day and taper down to a cutoff in the evening . Keep blood sugar stable by pairing a complex carbohydrate with a protein (think whole grain toast with peanut butter) for an evening snack.

4. Create or Revisit a Wind-Down Routine

If a predictable bedtime routine has fallen by the wayside, now is the perfect time to reintroduce one. The sleep routine should take place in the room your child sleeps in and should include activities that help the brain and body to wind down such as reading or being read to, talking about their day or listening to calming music. Kids who have trouble turning their brains "off" at the end of day may benefit from guided meditation bedtime stories for kids or, for teens, a sleep podcast. My son loved Lori Lite 's Goodnight Caterpillar track when he was younger and is a huge fan of the Sleep With Me podcast now, as a tween. The Moshi app is also a very popular option. Be sure their environment is conducive to settling down. A room that is too stimulating or too warm can contribute to restlessness. Magnesium plays an important role in smooth sleep so consider incorporating a magnesium based lotion into the bedtime routine, like 8Sheep Organics Junior Bedtime Lotion .

5. Offer a Compromise to Keep Habits on Track

If your child is anxious about what this school year will bring, this will likely manifest at bedtime or overnight. It is okay to validate those feelings (we're anxious too, kid!) while still maintaining healthy sleep habits. Avoid introducing any you won't want to do in the long term, such as letting them crash in your bed, in favor of a compromise, like returning to check on them often so long as they lay in bed quietly.

We can never know exactly what a new school year will bring but we do know that heading into it well rested will help your family cope . If the above tips aren't enough to get sleep on track, our sleep team is here to help!

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