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The topic of Taylor Swift’s artistic merit seems to be as divisive as the great cilantro debate (a flavor to be savored, or a soapy abomination to the herb world?), yet critics and fans alike have praised the inspired verses of her latest album “The Tortured Poets Department” (TTPD).Celebrated for their vulnerability and relatability, her latest lyrics, capture many of the current mental health struggles felt by today’s youth. Her words speak to numerous and seemingly unrelated struggles …

Preparing for a recent vacation, I had a complete checklist.Outfits for all weather? Check. Toiletries? Check. Shoes for different activities? Check. Cash and cards? Check. I was covered. Nothing was left to chance.So, imagine my surprise when, not five miles into my road trip, my low fuel light came on. I’d spent all this time preparing, but the one major element I needed—the most critical one—I had forgotten.Although it was a simple hiccup in an otherwise fantastic start to vacation, it g …

Sleep. Did you know getting the recommended amount of sleep can increase your attention span and memory? It can support your immune system and improve your health. It can lower your risk for health problems like diabetes and heart disease. Sleep can also help manage your weight. Not only that, sleep can help lower your anxiety and depression. It can help you get along better with family, friends, and coworkers.The same is true for children. Getting the recommended amount of sleep has many …

Like many families when the pandemic shut down schools, I had young children at home. While juggling a new puppy, a potty-training toddler, a preschooler, a second-grader, and my own newly-remote school counseling position, I embraced the opportunity to spend quality time together while trying to maintain their love of books.For us, books and root beer floats became our new tradition. While I assembled the floats, my oldest grabbed copies of our favorite wizarding series, and we met outsi …

When it comes to autism, many people think of the diagnosis in terms of perceived weaknesses. In fact, the diagnostic criteria for autism in the DSM-5 (a reference book used universally by health professionals concerning health and brain-related conditions) emphasizes common “deficits” of core social skills as well as “restricted” and “repetitive” patterns of behavior.As neuropsychologist who have the opportunity to meet and work with young people on the autism spectrum and their families, …

Fail? For the win?Who in their right mind would ever want to fail? And how can it be considered a win? Whether we like it or not (and trust me…we don’t like it!), somewhere along the road to adulthood and maturity, our kids will experience setbacks, disappointments, and failure. They won’t make the team. They’ll flub a word in the spelling bee. They’ll lose out on the lead in the spring musical. They won’t get admitted to their first-choice college. They’ll be sad or angry or disappointed, …

When you think of school counselors, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? If you’re anything like me, what comes to mind is getting your classes scheduled and receiving pamphlets about countless colleges and universities. The outdated term “guidance counselor” might even spring to mind. Those days are long gone. Who are today’s school counselors? Today’s school counselors are masters-level professionals who have been extensively trained to provide a variety of services within …

ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental condition that significantly impacts a child’s capacity to regulate their attention, and/or impulses, and/or activity level. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nine percent of U.S. children between the ages of 3 and 17 have an ADHD diagnosis. ADHD can affect a child’s social success. For example, difficulty focusing and sustaining attention can result in missing social cues, forgetting conversations, and failing to n …

“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.”The first time I encountered this idea from Karl Barth was in a 20th Century Theology class I took while in college. I thought it sounded deep and profound, and I made sure to doodle it in the margins of the class notes of my trusty three-ring binder.Over the years I’ve seen that line pop up again and again. It’s an inspirational quotation on wall calendars and day planners. I’ve seen it calligraphed on coffee cups and etched on tchotchkes.But ever si …

Recently, a parent group for our local school district posted this question: “Starting the year in a new school. What can I do to get my kid ready?”What a great question! And it got us thinking, there are a number of things you can do to help your child get ready for a new year or new school, such as: make sure they are going to bed earlier, practice getting up earlier, eat well, make sure they know and practice how to introduce themselves, review with them what it means to be a good friend …