School Age
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 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 MoreHelp Your Child Build Study Skills
Supporting your child’s learning at home can feel like a delicate balancing act. You want to help—of course you do—but you also want your child to grow confident, independent, and capable. The good news is that with a few intentional strategies, you can create a homework routine that builds study skills, lowers stress, and supports…
Read MoreThe Importance of Early Intervention for Autism: What Parents Need to Know
When you’re raising a child who processes the world differently, you’re often the first one to notice the little things. Maybe it’s the way your child struggles with transitions, avoids certain textures or sounds, has difficulty with conversation, or melts down the moment you get home from school. Maybe things just feel harder than they…
Read MoreSeparation Anxiety in School-Aged Children
Your 8-year-old clings to you at the classroom door. Your 10-year-old insists on sleeping in your room. You wonder… Is this normal, or is something else going on?
Read MoreReduce Learning Losses Over Summer
To reduce the effects of the “summer slide”— or the academic regression that many students experience during extended breaks from school — try to blend learning opportunities into your child’s preferred activities or daily routines. Here are some ideas that you can adjust based on your child’s age… Daily Reading No matter your child’s age,…
Read MorePrepare in Advance for Teacher Conferences
Teachers don’t always have time to communicate with parents on a regular basis. Things get missed – all the time. Parents can be surprised by how much they learn when information is directly requested. If you are already aware of things you need to monitor, write down your questions so you don’t forget. If your…
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 MoreAnxiety and ADHD
Recent estimates from a very large US study (>45,000 participants) with the CDC shows that around 35% of children and 43% of adolescents/teens with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder (Danielson et al., 2024). Next to behavioral/conduct problems, anxiety is the most commonly associated disorder with ADHD. Why and how are anxiety and ADHD related?…
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