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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 disorder (manic depression). Here are my observations
Continue readingChecklist: 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. The checklist was developed
Continue readingHow 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 in? Does this have anything to do with his constipation
Continue readingAutism 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 a tool to help teachers and parents
Continue readingSelf 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 advocate, as a tool to help your
Continue readingIs 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 with parents. As children become
Continue readingIs 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 like something that develops as
Continue readingWhen 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 later that my five-year-old was hiding under her desk, punching
Continue readingSeparation 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. By the age of three, children usually learn to
Continue readingSeparation 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 child development. These behaviors are also some of
Continue readingThe 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 work as a therapist in a private hospital, I have an appreciation
Continue readingExecutive 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, organization, working memory, task initiation,
Continue readingDepression in Children and Teens
Depression is a type of mood disorder that tends to run in families. That is why it is so important to treat depression symptoms as soon as they arise. The good news is treatment can prevent the most
Continue readingOppositional 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 tantrums are becoming a more
Continue readingDiet 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 your child’s treatment plan. Families of children
Continue readingPost 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 affects people of all ages, and
Continue readingThe 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 the ins-and-outs with you, so you can determine if these blankets
Continue readingYour 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 of others can cause one’s stomach to knot up (butterflies
Continue reading16 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 and emotional lives. During this time of change
Continue reading25 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. Because of them, we are able to reflect
Continue readingThe Best Weighted Blankets That Will Keep Your Kid Sleeping Through The Night
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 ask them if their child is sleeping
Continue readingEverything 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 that are important for success in the 21st century,
Continue readingA Psychologist’s Guide to Weighted Sleep Masks: Do They Work? And Why?
Good sleep is essential for our mental functioning, memory, and wellbeing . No matter the cause, interrupted sleep holds these potential consequences for the sufferer: Impaired mental acuity, Poorer
Continue reading17 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 hard time learning how to read, and it gets even harder when you see
Continue readingADHD 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 as there are always new developments going on with new medications. Note:
Continue reading13 Foods to Avoid if Your Child Has ADHD
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 when it comes
Continue reading7 Foods To Eat If Your Child Has ADHD
While managing the symptoms of ADHD can be troublesome as an adult, helping your child manage them can be even more complex and challenging. As a result, I have started to include lifestyle changes like
Continue readingThe 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 . Introduction Sleep problems are a widespread issue that
Continue readingPrevent 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. And yet, since parents serve as a child’s
Continue reading9 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. Marteo Meo and ASD When your child is diagnosed
Continue readingWhat 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 the temptation we are faced with. We seem to think that this is
Continue readingHow 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 kids with autism can be so different from one another. In
Continue readingThe 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 translate to an emotional sense of calm, peace and happiness? That’s exactly
Continue readingYour 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 are so severe
Continue reading30 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,
Continue readingPaternal 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? Paternal depression just isn’t talked about, so it can be difficult for men
Continue readingThe 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 of Mental Disorders,
Continue readingNight-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) – even though the two conditions
Continue readingThe 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 unexpected difficulty in reading
Continue readingMy 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 affected at least 1% of the population
Continue readingThe Best Weighted Blanket According to Our Psychologist (2019 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 weighted blankets to clients who suffer from physical and
Continue readingADHD: 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 qualities. It wasn’t until the late 1800’s
Continue readingBeing 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 was in a flurry of preparation. I was preparing for this little person,
Continue readingADHD 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 so many people suffer from it makes recognizing the signs of ADHD in
Continue readingAutism 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)
Continue readingBinge 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 outcome. Signs and Symptoms Binge-eating
Continue readingThe 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, with peers, and in their personal life. It is important to note that
Continue readingBulimia 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, Inc. Written by: Dr Kim Langdon
Continue reading9 Ways to Help Your Child with ADHD be Successful at School
ADHD in School Age Children Did you know that approximately 11% (about 6 million) school-age children from the ages of 4-17 are diagnosed with ADHD? U.S. Department of Education. (2003). Identifying and treating
Continue readingAnorexia 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 Langdon MD Reviewed by: Dr. RY Langham
Continue readingBeyond 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.
Continue readingMoms 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 Swain in 1996 (1), reported that, among other factors,
Continue readingThe 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. Knowing how to recognize these symptoms and support your
Continue readingPostpartum 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, so they end up experiencing needless pain for months and
Continue readingPostpartum 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 article we explain what postpartum anxiety is, what the risk
Continue readingPostpartum 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 identify the signs and symptoms
Continue readingCase 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 development, can greatly influence their well-being. Based
Continue readingMy 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, after having been married for two years. We had planned it, the timing
Continue readingPostpartum 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 why we need
Continue reading