Grade School

Food and Behavior – It’s Complicated

In the days leading up to Halloween or Christmas or Valentine’s Day, teachers and parents often wring their hands. Kids seem rambunctious and gleefully hyperactive. The amount of sugar these kids consume is remarkable.

Q+A: What’s the Difference Between Slow Processing and Other Disorders?

What is the difference between Slow Processing Speed, Auditory Processing, Sensory Integration, and Autism Spectrum Disorders? They all seem so similar. Is there a lot of misdiagnosis? – Patrice B., Facebook  

This is a great question and one that I hear frequently. There’s a good reason why you’re asking it.

Psychosis in Children and Teens

Let’s play a game.

I’m going to tell you about some hypothetical patients. These aren’t actual patients, but they could be. And it is that possibility that I want you to keep in mind as you try to figure out what, if anything, ails these individuals.

Patient #1.

What Does It Mean to Be “Gifted?”

Giftedness. It’s such a loaded word.

Almost all parents think their children are gifted. And in a sense, they’re right. Watching a child grow from an infant into a human who can read, complete math problems, and have friendships seems miraculous. No wonder many parents think this way.

Q+A: I Struggle with Anxiety and See It in My 7-Year Old. I’m Worried – What Should I Do?

Question: I’ve struggled with anxiety my whole life and now I see my seven-year-old son struggle with it too. I’m worried about his future.

Playing the Insurance Game: When Is Testing Covered?

John’s mom was perplexed. John’s teacher had suggested he be evaluated because he was having trouble learning to read and paying attention in class. John’s mom, Lisa, didn’t want to get the testing completed through the school system because Lisa’s friend recommended a psychologist, Dr.

Q+A: Is My Son Hyperactive and Unfocused, or Just Being a Boy?

Question: My child’s teacher told me that she’s worried about my son’s behavior at school. She said he’s hyperactive and unfocused. I think he’s just being a boy. I took him to our pediatrician who said we could wait and see before putting him on medication. I liked that idea.

How Do You Measure Executive Function Skills in Kids?

Executive Functions is one of those “buzzy” terms that teachers use a lot these days.

DMDD Versus Bipolar Disorder

We’ve written about bipolar disorder before.

We’ve also written about the controversy surrounding the diagnosis.  Until about 25 years ago, most clinicians felt that bipolar disorder in children and adolescents was extremely rare.

Q+A: Are Behavioral Issues Among Kids as Common as They Seem?

Question: It seems like every child these days has some kind of problem. ADHD. Anxiety. Depression. Are these things as common as they seem?

Answer: Are behavioral challenges among children as common as they seem? Well, it’s difficult to say because the line between normal and abnormal behavior is often a matter of degree.