School will soon be out for summer. Many moms are exhausted just thinking about that final ring of the school bell that marks the last day of uninterrupted days. For the kids, however, the bell signifies freedom from schoolwork and rigid schedules. It’s been a few months since spring break and they’re feverish for activities with friends and family. Mom, are you mentally and emotionally prepared to switch up the routine? The pressure is on and expectations may be high. You are responsible for … [Read more...]
The Mother’s Day Gift That Will Keep On Giving
May 9, 2013 By
Recently, my younger brother found out that my mother, who had been a concert pianist, had really wanted to be a lawyer. He was stunned by that revelation. It got me thinking about how well we know any of our parents. With all of the advertising for Mother’s Day, and all of the possible gifts and flowers that you can buy, I wondered if there was a more appropriate gift – really getting to know your mom, not just as a mother, but as a person in her own right. What questions could you ask that … [Read more...]
Smart but Scattered?: Strategies to Improve Executive Function in Children & Adolescents (Part 2)
April 6, 2013 By
My last article covered the definition of Executive Functioning (EF) and the challenges children with EF deficits face. Now that you have a better understanding of the eight areas that comprise EF (inhibit, shift, emotional control, monitor, working memory, planning and organization, organization of materials, and task materials), let’s look at a few of them to learn how to assess your child’s EF deficits and to review some examples of how to help. The domain of Emotional Control exhibits … [Read more...]
Book Review: Asperger Love by Amy Harmon
April 1, 2013 By
In her Kindle book Asperger Love: Searching for Romance When You’re Not Wired to Connect, Amy Harmon writes with warmth and empathy as she follows Jack Robison and Kirsten Lindsmith through their day-to-day lives. Both of them have Asperger’s disorder and although they love one another, they struggle daily with the role that their inability to read social cues plays in their desire to find closeness and intimacy in a relationship. For those of us who have worked with Asperger’s patients, this … [Read more...]
Smart but Scattered?: Understanding Executive Functioning in Children & Adolescents (Part 1)
March 19, 2013 By
Is your child smart, but scattered? Children face many challenges in today’s dynamic world, and it can be difficult for them to easily navigate its course. You may be realizing that you personally struggled with the same signs of anxiety, disinterest or frustration that your child is experiencing. At home, it may seem like harmless daydreaming, frustration over dressing for school, emotional outbursts over changes in plans, or even laziness over not wanting to complete a homework … [Read more...]
