House hunting with children is rarely a walk in the park. And when you have a little one with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the process can be even more of a challenge. In addition to finding a home that fits your budget and lifestyle, you’ll need to keep your child’s sensory needs in mind when […]
Tips for Navigating Playdates During a Pandemic
Here are a few ideas for helping your child make the most of playdates. The return to school in full swing may be a relief for most parents. For those of attending school in person, we are no longer tasked with organizing school schedules, attempting to balance (sometimes faulty) technology, and keeping up with never […]
Back to Life. Back to Reality
As a parent of school-age children, you might find yourself falling in one of two camps. Camp 1) “Take my child now” Camp 2) “If we never have to return and complete any more homework, it would be too soon!” Regardless of which group you fall in, preparing your child for the transition back to […]
Adding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Your Toolbox; The Key to Developing Coping Skills
Often I hear statements from parents such as “the toolbox you made didn’t work” or “he/she got MORE upset when I reminded them of coping strategies.” As an LPC who works with a wide age range of children and adolescents, this type of feedback is not uncommon. Understandably for a parent though, it can be […]
Grandma’s Rule; Cultivating Motivation
When working with parents, I’m often asked things like, “How do I get my child to clean up, eat vegetables, share, follow directions, or be kind?” My go-to response has always been the Premack Principle, commonly known as Grandma’s Rule. Simply put, Grandma’s Rule is a system of reinforcement where a less probable behavior (eating […]
Put Your Oxygen Mask on First: Reframing Self-Care
We often see “#selfcare” on social media platforms or use it as a buzz word when talking with friends, but what does it mean and how can it help us to live happier, healthier lives? At times, practicing self-care can be perceived as self-pampering or engaging in selfish, unproductive behaviors. However, self-care is fundamentally taking […]
Balance in the Time of COVID
The rhythm of our lives has been disrupted in ways we likely never thought possible. This time is stressful, and it’s important that we work together to support one another as we’re able. Adults and children can maintain some balance by: Keeping consistent sleep schedules Getting regular aerobic exercise Planning for the day and following […]