Many people reject using punishment procedures because of the bad rep it has received over the years.  However, a little use of time out from a highly rewarding activity for your child can go a long way to eliminating  inappropriate behaviors in the home. There is an effective way to use time out, and there is also an ineffective way to use time out. Let’s go...

I just discovered this video lecture series on itunes by Emory University.  (http://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/the-autistic-child-videos/id422859773) All of the videos are less than 2 mins long.  It should be a very good resource for educating new teachers for the upcoming school year, new babysitters, or parents of new classmates for your child. Autistic Child...

Balancing calmness and sanity in my day to day in the field of special ed is a challenge, no matter how patient and motivated I am, or how amazing the kids are. That is why I was particularly drawn to this recent study by researchers at the University of Michigan and Portland State University titled, “Mindfulness Training Effects for Parents and Educators of...

Your child has just started preschool, and according to her teacher, she is the only one that can not sit still during circle time.  She is constantly walking around the classroom and touching everything.  She is always fidgeting with her clothes.  “You need to have your child diagnosed and treated, I’m afraid she has ADHD” says your...

Today, I would like to discuss the topic of anxiety in children, and how it’s symptoms seem to often become classified as something else in the school environment. In my field, I have come across many children who have severe anxiety in the school environment due to previously having terrible experiences in other schools.  Their reasons range drastically from...

The extra hours during summer break is a perfect time for your child to test out new activities, without having to feel the stress and exhaustion of being in school all day. Planning a meal together with your child is a great activity to work on executive functioning skills with your child.  Have them plan out a shopping list independently, and cook the meal under...

It’s easy to lose track of time during the summer when your routine isn’t dictated by a school schedule.  As I write this, I am trying to figure out how my days have flown by since the school year ended last week.  You’ll lose hours watching tv, or shopping online, simply because you have nowhere to be or an obligation to fulfill. That’s why...