Blog
“Is ADHD a Valid Disorder?”
“‘I think the current diagnosis of ADHD is a mess and has been wildly overdone. It blames a variety of symptoms entirely on the child’s brain, and ignores the child’s environment and the interaction with it." (Dr. William B. Carey, pediatrician, researcher, and...
“The Diagnosis,” Medication and Knowing the Limits
If you have followed this blog a while, you know there are emerging themes that reoccur. One of the big ones that I find myself continually beating the drum over is pushing back on “the diagnosis” (typically “ADHD” or “ADD”) after a few choice “buzz word” have been...
“Screens R’ Us” – Two Minute Tidbit Tips
In today's Two Minute Tidbit Tip, Dr. Selznick discusses screens and the effects they have on young children.
“It’s Getting Late Early” – Two Minute Tidbit Tips
In today's Two Minute Tidbit Tip, Dr. Selznick discusses what to do when kids shut down early.
“A Big Bowl of …”
A frustrated mom named Jan, who I spoke to some time ago really reduced things to its basic terms. Discussing her 12 year old sixth grader, Jackson, she went through a list of issues: resistant to homework hates reading frequent meltdowns constant YouTubing...
“Hmmm… Let Me Think About It” – Two Minute Tidbit Tips
In today's Two Minute Tidbit Tip, Dr. Selznick discusses self-monitoring and flexibility of thinking.
The Frustration of Nonchalance
Synonyms for “nonchalance:” apathy, complacence indifference, unconcern, torpor Antonyms for “nonchalance:” concerned, interested, motivated A parent came to talk to me about her 13 year old son, Aaron. Previously “diagnosed” with ADHD of the inattentive variety,...
“Meltdowny Children”
Lots of parents come to me to talk about their children who are “meltdowny” (a word I made up). To explain these “meltdowny” types, let’s look at the story of five-year-old Jared. Prone to having meltdowns when he does not get his way, Jared shows extreme reactions...
Value of Assessment & the Right Questions to Ask
Whenever I do an assessment I know that in many ways I am swimming against the tide in the way that I approach things. Parents are focused on “the diagnosis,” largely supported by the medical model. Such a model embodies a, “Yes, he has it,” or “No, he does not have...
“We Live in a Decaying Age”
Frequently, we adults are shaking our head and muttering about the state of childhood, as child behavior can “pluck our last nerves,” as the saying goes. Collectively, we “tut-tut” and wonder how it’s all unraveling around us, with everything going into a horrific...
Schools Don’t Diagnose
This is a follow up to a recent blog post – “Back in the Zone (of No Zone): Back in the Zone (of No Zone). Parents frequently talk to me about their frustration (insistence) that schools diagnose their child’s dyslexia (or other learning disorders for that matter)....