Blog
Assessment Considerations
When it comes to an assessment for their child, parents are typically focused on “the diagnosis.” Largely supported by the medical model, this approach embodies a, “Yes, he has it,” or “No, he does not have it,” perspective. It is the belief held by many, that once...
“Sharks & Minnows”
Out in the playground, in the lunchroom and on the school bus – really in every possible school situation – group dynamics are always at work. There will be those in the group who are more assertive (sometimes aggressive), and those who are not. Many will be in the...
“Boy, You’re in Hot Water”
Recently, 8-year-old Marty showed some signs of misbehavior when his mom exclaimed, “Boy, you’re in hot water now.” Marty started having a meltdown, screaming and crying, “I don’t want to be in hot water!!!!!!! I It will hurt me!!!” Seven-year-old Marissa became...
“Brief Tip: Getting Clear on Remediation”
Most children referred for assessments are related to struggles with reading, spelling and writing. Parents feel a sense of desperation and don't know what direction to go. Once the issues are identified, the remediation, unfortunately, can be a bit scattershot. This...
All Aboard the Curriculum Ship
Is your child falling off the Curriculum Ship? The Curriculum Ship leaves dock in early September and starts steering its course until mid to late June, when it arrives at port somewhere on the other side of the ocean. Not slowing down even when some passengers are...
Green-Yellow-Red Zone
Liana's mom has seen a great deal of struggling in her 4th grade daughter. After I evaluated Liana, the mom asked me, “Was this a problem that could have been averted?” As I explained to her there are valid and reliable screening measures that can be given early on in...
“ADD-ing”
Over the last couple of decades ADHD (commonly referred to as “ADD") is frequently diagnosed with struggling children. Within the doctor's office, the child's history is reviewed along with the parent filling out a rating scale (typically the Vanderbilt Scale, which...
“‘Bright Kids Who Couldn’t Care Less'”
A common complaint that parents bring to me is some variation on the theme of the child being poorly motivated. Parents will say things like, “He just doesn’t seem to care about anything (other than screens). We’ve tried everything and nothing seems to motivate...
“‘Every Picture Tells a Story (Don’t it)'”
Picking up on last week’s theme with Marla where we talked about her “anger issues (“Marla and Her ‘Anger Issues'”), there were other interactions with the world telling a similar story. A day or so ago, I was with our dog, Ella, in a pet store. Ella was on a pretty...
“Marla and Her ‘Anger Issues'”
One of my favorite kids, Marla, age 6, came in to see me. Nearly six and going into first grade in the fall, I had tracked Marla since she was three. As the mental health professionals like to call it, Marla’s had issues with, “behavioral self-regulation.” Marla’s...
“wuns a pon a time their was a boy…”
wuns a pon a time their was a boy wgo had no frends so he was always alon But than on day evry thing change His mom gave him a voilinto play it sounded horabel so he said I am never playing this again so one Day he went to in the stor and heard the guy play the...