What is PANDAS and Why Should You Care?
If your child has recently had strep, has stopped eating, has started showing OCD behaviors, or has angry tantrums, then you need to be aware of the possibility for PANDAS.
Issues & Conditions
25 Activities for Developing Social and Language Skills in Children With Autism
When creating my very first classroom schedule, a concerned parent asked me, “Why do you have so much time devoted to play? I don’t want … Read more
The Complete Dyscalculia Guide for Parents
Are you bad at math? Are your children bad at math? Many people express a dislike of math, saying that it is difficult or boring. … Read more
38 Activities to Help Your Child Develop Sensory Processing Skills
Sensory processing is vital to the normal development of children, because the senses are the way that children gather information about their world. If the … Read more
Shyness: What’s Typical and What’s Not for Children and Teens
Most people knows what it feels like to feel shy; that rush of blood to your face, the shaky feeling shooting through your body, the … Read more
Dysgraphia Guide
Handwriting is a skill that all children must learn before they can effectively communicate their thoughts on paper. Legible handwriting is vital to a child’s … Read more
Is Your Child Struggling with OCD? These Healthy Foods May Ease the Symptoms
For children living with mental health conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a healthy diet and regular exercise are essential for managing the symptoms. So, what … Read more
Avoiding These Unhealthy Foods May Ease Your Child’s OCD Symptoms
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder that causes obsessions (illogical, irrational, and baseless thoughts) and compulsive (repetitive) behaviors, often disrupting one’s life. … Read more
Struggling with Depression? These Healthy Foods May Help
Did you know that a combination of factors (hormonal imbalances, genetics, chronic illnesses, and high stress levels) can cause you to spiral into the deep … Read more
Can Autism Be Cured? A Close Look at the “Culture” of Autism
As an educator and a behavior analyst, this is the question parents ask me the most. The simple answer, as heartbreaking as it sounds, is … Read more
The Effects of Having a Parent With Bipolar Disorder – Observations by a Family Therapist
As a Marriage and Family Therapist and Family Psychologist, I have interviewed and treated many clients who grew up with a parent suffering from bipolar … Read more
Checklist: Autism Spectrum Disorders Symptoms and Signs
The following checklist is a tool to help parents, doctors, and mental health practitioners discuss symptoms, behaviors, and needs that might relate to Autism Spectrum Disorder. … Read more
How ADHD, Anxiety, and Other Disorders can Mask Autism Spectrum Disorder
How do we know if our son has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or maybe both? Where does anxiety fit … Read more
Autism Spectrum Disorder Checklist: A Tool for Parents and Teachers
Traditional autism checklists focus on broad areas of strengths and needs. The following checklist was developed by Hannah Grieco, an education and disability advocate, as … Read more
Self Evaluation Checklist for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have a variety of strengths and needs. The following checklist was developed by Hannah Grieco, an education and disability … Read more
Is My Child’s Anger Normal?
Anger can look different for every child, but some common anger symptoms in children are irritability, yelling, crying, negotiating, and talking back or being disrespectful … Read more
Is My Child’s Sadness Normal? Or Is It Depression?
Depression is usually associated with adults. The thought of a child being depressed is something that seems unimaginable to parents and caregivers, as depression seems … Read more
When Autism Isn’t Typical
“Your son is such a rude boy!” The assistant principal at my son’s school spoke loudly, her voice piercing through the phone. I found out … Read more
Separation Anxiety Disorder
It is common to see infants and toddlers upset when separated from their parent or caregiver. Separation anxiety is a normal part of emotional development. … Read more
Separation Anxiety in Children
What is separation anxiety? Tears, clinginess, and tantrums are all common reactions to separation from a parent or a caregiver in the early stages of … Read more
The Best Fidget Spinners and Cubes According to Our Psychologist
How These Toy-Like Gadgets Can Be Used To Improve Your Emotional Wellbeing Hi there, my name is Daniel and I’m a clinical psychologist. In my … Read more
Executive Function Disorder in Children
Executive function disorder is a term commonly used to describe deficits in the skills that are used to manage life’s everyday tasks — impacting planning, … Read more
Depression in Children and Teens
Depression is a type of mood disorder that tends to run in families. [1] When a child or teen has depression, they typically experience extreme sadness … Read more
Oppositional Defiant Disorder Guide (ODD)
Have you ever wondered if your child’s misbehavior, defiance, or argumentative personality are normal? Have you ever been concerned that your child’s aggression or temper … Read more
Diet and Supplements for Autism: Examining the Evidence
If you have a child with an autism spectrum disorder, you may have found yourself exploring or including dietary and alternative therapies as part of … Read more
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
What is PTSD? Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating, and often chronic, mental health disorder that develops after exposure to a traumatic event. PTSD … Read more
The 5 Best Weighted Blankets for Anxiety – By A Clinical Psychologist
Suffering from anxiety? If so, have you thought about trying a weighted blanket? As a clinical psychologist I will be happy to share all of … Read more
Your Guide to Social Anxiety Disorder
It’s normal to experience some degree of nervousness, fear, or worry in social situations. For instance, going on a first date or presenting in front … Read more
16 Tips to Help Your Child Get Better and More Effective Sleep
Sleep is vital for our health and wellbeing. This is especially true for children, who are experiencing exponential growth in terms of their bodies, brains … Read more
25 Activities to Improve Your Child’s Executive Functioning
Executive functions provide the necessary base for learning and development. They are the brain functions that enable us to focus, plan and organize our behavior. … Read more
The 6 Best Weighted Blankets for Kids & Toddlers that My Clients Love
When I meet a parent with a child who is experiencing psychological distress, anxiety, depression, ADHD symptoms, chronic insomnia, or sensory processing issues, I always … Read more
Everything You Need to Know About Executive Functions
What are the Executive Functions? Executive functions are the set of mental processes that help us get things done. These functions are critical for skills … Read more
A Psychologist’s Guide to Weighted Sleep Masks: Do They Work? And Why?
Good sleep is essential for our mental functioning, memory, and wellbeing [1]!. That’s why, as a clinical psychologist, I like to help my clients learn natural ways … Read more
17 Activities to Support Kids with Dyslexia
If you are a parent of a child with dyslexia, you’ve witnessed the struggle: It is difficult to understand why your brain has such a … Read more
ADHD Medications & Side Effects: A Summary Chart
Below is a chart that summarizes the main medications used to treat ADHD at the present time. Keep in mind that it is not limitless … Read more
Avoiding These 13 Foods May Help Your Child’s ADHD Symptoms
Did you know that doctors have conjectured that certain foods could possibly trigger or worsen attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms? Although research studies are limited … Read more
7 Foods To Eat If Your Child Has ADHD
Managing the symptoms of ADHD can be troublesome as an adult, and helping your child manage them can be even more complex and challenging. As … Read more
The Ultimate Guide to Sleep Disorders and Sleep Problems in Children
This guide was written by Daniel Sher, a clinical psychologist at a private practice and a locum therapist at the Western Cape Health Department . … Read more
Prevent PTSD: 11 Things To Do If Your Child Has Been Through Trauma
Knowing that your child has gone through a traumatic event is arguably one of the most stressful, devastating, and overwhelming things a parent can experience. … Read more
9 Ways to Stimulate Social and Emotional Development In Your Child
Note: this article was originally written for parents of children with ASD. However, the advice contained is relevant and helpful to parents of ALL children. … Read more
What does it mean to be addicted?
The way we tend to think about addiction doesn’t usually awake sympathy or empathy. We connect it to the weakness of the mind to fight … Read more
How Kids with Autism Think and Learn: A Guide for Parents
You may have heard the saying, “If you’ve met one child with autism, you’ve met one child with autism.” This is a popular saying because … Read more
The 5 Best Weighted Lap Pads: Reviewed By a Clinical Psycholgist
Have you ever wondered why a hug from a loved one can make you feel so good? Isn’t it amazing that a physical squeeze can … Read more
Your Guide to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that is characterized by obsessive or intrusive thoughts that trigger compulsive behaviors. The obsessions and compulsions … Read more
30 Signs of Anxiety In Children And Teens That You Need to Know
It is extremely important to know the signs and symptoms of anxiety at various life stages so you can ensure that you and/or your loved ones receive the care they need to live happy and productive lives, free from the burden of anxiety.
Paternal Postpartum Depression Guide
Did you know, if your partner is depressed after the birth of your baby, then there’s a 50% chance you will be too? [4] When … Read more
The Difference Between Anorexia and Bulimia
Eating disorders are actually considered psychiatric or psychological conditions. In addition, they are more prevalent in teenager, than in adults. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual … Read more
Night-Eating Syndrome or Night-Binging Disorder
Night-eating syndrome (NES), also referred to as night-binging disorder (NBD), is a misunderstood eating disorder that is often linked to the binge-eating disorder (BED) – … Read more
The Truth About Dyslexia
According to Sally Saywitz M.D., co-director of the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity and author of the best-selling book Overcoming Dyslexia: “Dyslexia is an … Read more
My Experience With Bulimia
Eating disorders affect people differently, but bulimia is one of the most devastating conditions for your relationship with food in the long-term. This disorder has … Read more
The Best Weighted Blanket According to Our Psychologist (2020 Update)
What are the best weighted blankets? We asked our psychologist and here is what she said: As a child and family psychologist, I often recommend … Read more
ADHD: What You Need to Know
From time immemorial adults have envied the energy, passion and spontaneity of children. For the same amount of time, adults have complained about those same … Read more
Being a Mom with ADHD
Becoming a parent was one of my proudest moments. From the time the strip turned blue until I was heading into the birthing room, I … Read more
ADHD Symptoms and Signs in Toddlers, Children, and Teens
There are more than 3 million cases of ADHD in the United States every year, making it a very common medical condition. The fact that … Read more
Autism Spectrum Disorder Guide
Autism symptoms vary from person-to-person, but symptoms may include communication and social interactions problems and behavioral issues.
In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) there are no longer different types of ASD: Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder are all classified as ASD and are not treated as separate disorders.
Binge Eating Disorder
What is Binge-Eating Disorder? Binge-eating disorder (BED) belongs to a family of eating disorders. It generally develops during childhood and varies in severity, risk-level, and … Read more
The Psychological Effects of ADHD in Children
ADHD can lead to a host of problems both at home and at school, which can interfere with your child’s ability to succeed in class, … Read more
Bulimia Nervosa Guide: Symptoms, Warning Signs, Causes, & Treatments
Approximately 30 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder in the U.S. ~ National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, … Read more
9 Ways to Help Your Child with ADHD be Successful at School
[thrive_custom_box title=”” style=”dark” type=”color” color=”#faf8d7″ border=”#000000″] This resource was created by Dr Ree Langham PhD: a child psychologist with over a decade experience writing and … Read more
Anorexia Nervosa Guide: Symptoms, Risks, Prevention, and Treatment
“Anorexia is the third most common chronic disease among young people, after asthma and Type 1 diabetes.” ~National Eating Disorder Association Written by: Dr Kim … Read more
Beyond Depression: Anxiety, Psychosis and Other Mental Disorders of Pregnancy and Postpartum
A summary of the most common perinatal mood disorders by Dr Calra Brock and Rachel Fink.
Moms With Low Support From Partner & Family – At Risk for Depression
Low level of social support is commonly cited as a risk factor for postpartum depression. For example, an early review by Michael O’hara and Annette … Read more
The Warning Signs of Mental Illness in Children
Though it is not something we like to consider, the fact is that children can develop the same mental health problems as their adult counterparts. … Read more
Postpartum Depression: What Every New Mom Needs to Know
One of the tragedies of postpartum depression (PPD) is that most women who suffer from this illness, do not realize what they are going through, … Read more
Postpartum Anxiety: What You Need to Know
About 13% of new mothers suffer from postpartum anxiety, yet most people are not aware of the symptoms and most cases are ignored. In this … Read more
Postpartum Psychosis: A Complete Guide
Most people have heard of the terms, “postpartum depression” and “anxiety.” In addition, most new health professionals have been specifically trained on how to properly … Read more
Case Study: How I Helped My Preteen Daughter Slim Down (No Diets)
We all want to do what’s best for our child — after all, we’re their ultimate support system and role model. Our actions during their … Read more
My Experience With Postpartum Depression
You think this is something that happens to others, that you are somehow immune. I became pregnant with my first child when I was 28, … Read more
Postpartum OCD: Why We Need to Talk About It
Everyone knows that new mother’s are susceptible to postpartum depression. But did you know that postpartum OCD is also very common? Most people don’t, and that’s exactly … Read more