Attention
Curious About ADHD and ADD?
When a child or teen is struggling at school, parents often have questions about how attention problems (e.g., easily distracted, problems with focus or concentration, daydreaming) and behavior challenges (e.g., can’t sit still, too much energy, trouble with personal space, impulsive) could be related to an attention disorder, such as ADHD or ADD. A few…
Read MoreWhy is My Child Acting Out at School?
Behavior problems at school may not be what they seem. After all, challenging behaviors are typically a clue about something else. Don’t assume your child is intentionally acting out and doesn’t want to do well in school. Here are some considerations for what to do: First, meet with your school team to collect as much…
Read MoreDoes My Child Need Help?
As parents, we can see our whole child. This includes their incredible, unique, and special characteristics, but also the ones that make us worry. Every child has both strengths AND weaknesses. Development is also really discontinuous. This means that some areas mature earlier than others, early concerns will resolve, and later concerns can show up. Even…
Read MoreMonitoring Your Child After COVID-19
Parents, teachers, therapists, healthcare providers, and more are all noticing the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and teens. Even though the pandemic is over, we are still dealing with the effects. What do we know from science so far? Well, it’s messy. Findings vary based on child age, physical health, school and…
Read MoreHow do attention problems and executive functioning challenges affect your child?
Attention problems and executive skills challenges are the most common concerns from parents of children with developmental differences. These concerns can be confusing in children who also have exceptional strengths. And concerns change across different settings, at different ages, and in different kids, which can also be confusing. Neurological correlates of attention involve connections that…
Read MoreWhy can’t my child retain information?
This is what I hear from parents… Oftentimes the most difficult type of learning and memory is called rote learning. This is learning that has very little content or meaning. As a result, students tend to just review and try to memorize the material, such as with spelling words. While some students can memorize spelling…
Read MoreEarly Signs of Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that affects reading, and it often affects writing, spelling, and aspects of spoken language as well. These difficulties are due to weak processing and manipulation of the sounds of language, despite typically developing cognitive or intellectual functioning. In other words, reading challenges are unexpected in the context of the…
Read MoreThe Importance of Sleep
We take for granted the importance of sleep, but the scientific evidence for the value of sleep is only growing. Sleep is crucial for your child’s overall health and well-being. Did you know that poor sleep can contribute to attention, learning and emotional challenges? When children experience developmental delays and differences, it’s especially important that…
Read MoreSensory Processing, Attention, and Emotions
Imagine yourself in the following places… …a theme park like Disney World …a concert at an indoor theater …a large party with about 100 people …shopping in a large crowd at the mall …sitting in a traffic jam during rush hour in a thunderstorm …a professional sports stadium …a classroom of 25 preschool children (3…
Read MoreIs Therapy Working?
Families often feel overwhelmed with the types of therapies and number of specialists available to support their child. They question what to prioritize, and how to spend their time and money. Even the word therapy is confusing because it can be used for many types of professionals and services, all the with the goal of…
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