Posts in ADHD Counseling
Children with ASD/ADHD and Video Gaming

It’s the year 2021… we all have screens everywhere. We have our phones, Ipad, TV, and computers. It can be a struggle to get off of them with the bright lights, access to our contacts, social media, etc. Imagine how difficult it would be as a child to have to turn off that type of powerful stimulation. I have these conversations with parents all the time… how do I limit my child’s screen time? Why does it seem my child is addicted to video games? Why does my child become so angry when it’s time to get off the electronics? What is the right amount of screen time? These are all wonderful questions, and there is not one right answer to these questions.

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Building Impulse Control

Impulse control is an essential skill for completing daily tasks. Impulse control takes place in our prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain that manages executive functions. Children’s brains are continually growing and certain activities can help facilitate growth.

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Executive Function: Impulse Control   

Executive function refers to a group of mental skills responsible for getting things done. These skills include an individual’s ability to plan, pay attention, organize, self-regulate emotions, self-monitor, and stay focused on tasks. The three main areas of executive function include: Working Memory, Cognitive Flexibility, and Inhibitory Control.

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AD/HD: To Tell Them or Not to Tell Them, that is the Question

our child was just diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD). One of the first things that pops up may be, “do I tell them or not.” I whole heartedly advocate for telling you child about their diagnosis. Not telling your child about their AD/HD diagnosis may cause them to feel like having AD/HD or being different from others is shameful.

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Sensory Processing Disorder and Halloween

            Sensory processing occurs when our nervous system integrates information from our senses and organizes it in to appropriate behavioral responses, according to the situations we are in (Bennie, 2010). Sensory Processing Disorder or SPD occurs when, “sensory signals are either not detected or don’t get organized into appropriate responses” (“About SPD,” 2018).

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Your Flexible Brain

This is also known as flexible thinking. Stephanie Madrigal and Michelle Garcia Winner, authors of Superflex: A Superhero Social Thinking Curriculum, use the term Superflex Thinking. Superflex Thinking is defined as, “a flexible thinking pattern in which a person is able to consider different points of view or ways to do something”

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We get ya, parents. We get ya, children.

Tonight I was asked to do a talk on Developmental Coordination Disorders and the impact on academics, behavior, and emotional functioning at an ADDA-SR Parent Support Group. I love talking all things to do with learning disabilities, AD/HD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, etc. 

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I Get You

This time of the year brings out all the feels for people. I can see the stress and anxiety building in my child and adolescent clients. Before the first day of school, there are...

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Research Based Interventions for AD/HD

While AD/HD is not considered a specific learning disability, it certainly impacts a child’s academic performance. AD/HD diagnoses are on the rise and some researchers estimate more than 5 percent of preschoolers are diagnosed with the condition. 

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