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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 The outdated term “guidance counselor” might even spring to mind.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 …

More than ten years ago, I embarked on an odyssey that, like all good odysseys, completely changed my life. Here’s what happened.It was August 2012, and I was moping around the house, convinced that everyone — yes, Every. Single. One. out there — had a better life than I did. Comparison truly is the thief of joy, and when I measured my life against the picture-perfect lives I saw in my social media feed, I knew I came up short.Oh, look! There’s a photo of someone’s breakfast, complete with …

As summer progresses and schedules get busier, it might be more tempting to allow children to stay home alone. Waking the whole family for an early baseball or softball game of one family member may seem like more trouble than it’s worth. If you are wondering whether or not your children are old enough to be left alone, first call your Child Protection Services to find out the minimum legal age at which they can be on their own. Then consider their ages and abilities. Determine that they …

As a mom, I wanted to instill confidence in my three children, but I always feared that if they became overly confident, they would struggle. Confidence is an attribute that will serve a child for life. However, overconfidence can keep kids from growing, learning, and reaching their ultimate potential. At the same time, if children care too much about the opinions of others, they may start to question or doubt their own intrinsic self-worth. As parents, embracing our children for wh …

Most people don’t have positive associations with the word fear. This is completely understandable. Feeling scared to your core isn’t exactly a pleasant experience.While not necessarily enjoyable, there’s a case to be made in defense of fear. Fear is the body’s way of trying to stay safe – both physically and emotionally. Certain fears (snakes, spiders, or heights, for example) are fairly common because they potentially put our bodies in danger. Other fears, such as public speaking, are co …