Neurodevelopment
Is My Child Lazy? What Their Behavior May Actually Be Telling You
Few words worry parents more than lazy. It often starts with observations that seem difficult to explain. Your child avoids homework, but happily spends hours building with Legos. They can focus for hours on a video game but struggle to even begin a writing assignment. They promise they’ll clean their room, but somehow never get started. Or…
Read MoreMy Child Is a Picky Eater. When Should I Be Concerned?
Few parenting challenges create as much daily stress as mealtime. One child happily eats almost anything that is served (at least before a certain age…). Another insists on the same five foods every day. One refuses vegetables. Another won’t eat foods that touch each other. Some children gag when trying a new food, while others…
Read MoreWhy Some Kids Forget How to Play Without Screens
During school breaks or weekends, parents report that their child is “bored” when screens are removed. They wander around the house, complain that “there’s nothing to do,” or seem unable to settle into independent play. Some children move quickly from one activity to another without staying engaged for long. Others become frustrated, restless, or emotionally…
Read MoreWhy Bright Kids Get Missed
Parents of bright children describe a similar and confusing experience when concerns arise: Their child is described to be very capable, intelligent, creative, or advanced. They may read above grade level, speak like little adults, or do well on (most) tests. But at the same time, something doesn’t fully add up. Homework may take far longer…
Read MoreIs My Child Too Young for an Evaluation?
When parents of a young child start to observe developmental differences with language, attention, behavior, school readiness, social connections, and more – they often wonder… Is my child too young for a neurodevelopmental evaluation? Let’s talk about what an evaluation at a young age actually does—and what it does not do. An Evaluation Is Not…
Read MoreShould You Tell Your Child Their Diagnosis? (explaining ADHD, autism, and learning disorders)
One of the most common questions parents ask after an evaluation is: “Should I tell my child their diagnosis?” The simple answer is, “yes”… but let’s talk through why, how and when. Sometimes the diagnosis feels helpful and clarifying. Other times it feels heavy. Parents may worry about labeling, stigma, or whether their child will see themselves differently. …
Read MoreWhat Research Is Teaching Us About Dyslexia
Over the past two decades, researchers have learned much more about how children learn to read, why some children struggle, and how best to support them. As a neuropsychologist who frequently evaluates children for dyslexia and other learning differences, I believe it is important for families to understand how this evolving research is shaping the…
Read MoreWhen Parents Need Direction, Not Just Schools
Families often come to me after a prior evaluation with a diagnosis in hand—and lingering questions about what to do next. The report may be detailed. It may include diagnostic clarity and thoughtful recommendations. The school received guidance about accommodations or services. Yet parents frequently describe feeling unsure how to translate that information into everyday…
Read MoreHow Do I Know If My Child Needs a Neuropsychological Evaluation?
At some point, many parents find themselves asking a quiet but important question,“Are we missing something?” This question often comes after you’ve already taken steps to help your child. Maybe your child has been evaluated before. Maybe they’re in therapy, receiving school supports, or taking medication. On paper, it can look like you’re doing everything right—yet…
Read MoreADHD, Autism, and Anxiety: Why Diagnosis Can Be Complicated
Many parents come in with the same question: “We’ve been told it’s ADHD… but something still doesn’t feel quite right.”Sometimes anxiety has been mentioned. Other times autism has been raised—often later than expected, or after years of trying to understand why certain things feel harder than they should. Parents may hear different opinions from teachers, therapists,…
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