Adult Transition
Helping A Child Find Their Own Voice
We all want children who can make decisions, solve problems, express their needs, and eventually navigate adulthood without relying on someone else to tell them what to do. We want our children to become independent, but also confident and happy. But how we should build and support a child’s ability to find their own voice is…
Read MoreSupporting Your Teen’s Growing Independence
As a parent, you’ve worked hard for years to keep your child safe, healthy, and supported. When your child has neurodevelopmental differences (e.g., autism, ADHD, or a learning disorder) or if your child has a medical condition, your protective instinct can feel even stronger. You’ve likely spent much of their childhood coordinating appointments, advocating at school, and stepping in when the world wasn’t quite ready to meet their needs.
Read MoreThe Limitations of a Psychoeducational Evaluation
It’s distressing to sit with parents after they’ve taken a long winding path, and they’re still searching for answers about their struggling child. They are frustrated and anxious. They may question the diagnosis given to their child or worry about minimal progress with tutoring or therapy. When the child had a prior psychoeducational evaluation, they…
Read MoreTips for College Students with ADHD
ADHD (including the former diagnosis of ADD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that first presents in childhood, but most individuals are impacted as adults. Adults with ADHD need to self-advocate when they require supports in their life. College is one setting where teens and young adults with ADHD may need accommodations. ADHD can significantly impact a…
Read MoreWhat’s After High School for Teens with Special Needs?
Young adults with a history of developmental differences may not follow the same path as their peers. It’s easy to feel lost when counseling centers and teachers focus primarily on transition to a 4-year college. This may not be the path your teen should take. You can start by looking at your teen’s strengths…
Read MorePsychoeducational vs. Neuropsychological Evaluation
If your child has been referred for a psychoeducational evaluation, you are likely noticing differences, delays, or problems at school. The goal of a psychoeducational evaluation is to evaluate intellectual functioning and academic functioning. Foundational language skills (e.g., phonological processing, verbal retrieval and fluency) may also be evaluated because weaknesses can contribute to a learning…
Read MoreAnxiety, it’s not what you think.
Anxiety is a core area that should be evaluated in every child presenting with developmental differences. Science tells us that elevated anxiety is becoming more common. Early identification can help reduce its impact on a child’s life. For children with a medical history, and especially those who require ongoing medical procedures, treatments, or surgeries, they…
Read MoreBuilding Self-Awareness with Metacognition
Metacognition may be an esoteric word, but it’s a foundational skill that all children need to be independent. It means to think about, to reference, to reflect upon, and to be aware of your own cognitive processes. This includes how a child thinks about their own behavior, emotions, and social interactions, as well as their…
Read MoreLaziness, Procrastination, and Low Motivation
These are among the most common concerns from parents beginning in late elementary school and increasing into the teen years. While it may seem that there are simple solutions, these are actually complex problems. It’s not a matter of will power. There are a number of factors that contribute to laziness, procrastination, and low motivation. …
Read MoreHow to find a qualified Neuropsychologist
Clinicians who complete neuropsychological evaluation services have variable training and experience. It’s important that you do your homework to select the right clinician for your child. You don’t want to waste time, money, and resources. An easy way to see your clinician’s training and experience is to find their CV on their website. It is…
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