Living well with ADHD, Anxiety, and Autistic Stress
Advice from our Maryland Therapists for LGBTQIA+ families, neurodiverse families, and YOU
Keeping the Pandemic in Perspective
Living in the here and now is usually a good thing. It helps keep our anxiety about the future at bay. Right now, however, our day to day behavior is centered around prevention of illness. We are focused on the worst case scenario in order to stay safe. So how do we keep some perspective during this time?
Overcoming Discouragement at Homework and Chore Time
Shelter in place orders have turned homework time into an all day process! Now is a great time to teach your child the skills involved in getting started with, and sticking with, a difficult task.
Distance Learning when Your Child has an IEP or 504 Plan
Online learning is our children’s reality for the foreseeable future. If your student normally has a special education teacher, case manager, paraeducator, or aide in the classroom with him or her, the idea of doing it all from home is especially daunting.
Our March Newsletter is Here!
See our March Relationship Booster to find out how you can expand your understanding of what you’re feeling, manage your stress with basic mindfulness techniques, and collaborate effectively with your children during “distance learning.”
What “I’m Bored!” Really Means
Even if you have structured everything perfectly this week, chances are you’ve heard “I’m bored” at least once. As parents we tend to assume this means “Hey you, entertain me!” We might feel annoyed, and wonder how we raised someone with such a sense of entitlement. That seemingly entitled child is actually asking for a moment of your attention.
Congratulations Parents: You Survived Day One!
The coronavirus outbreak has put many parents in a position of trying to homeschool their kids while also working from home. If this is you, you accomplished something amazing today (however imperfectly).
Why Does My Child Argue with Me? A Family Therapist's Answer
Earlier this week I committed the cardinal sin of therapist parenting. I yelled at my child for being anxious. You might think as a child therapist I would be immune to that. I’m not. When my own child runs off the rails sometimes I do too. (I feel you, parents, I really do!)
Let Go of the Mom (or Dad) Guilt
It happens to us all. We learn something new about ourselves or our child and our first thought is “I should have figured this out sooner.” This tendency to self-criticize can be amplified when children are diagnosed with ADHD, autism, or a learning difference that was previously unknown.
The Most Precious Gifts for Valentine’s Day
Though flowers and candy are nice, the best gifts give what your partner and your children want most: you. Try these gift ideas this Valentine’s Day.
Balancing Support and Independence with your Special Needs Child
As soon as we become parents our news feeds fill with articles about how to get it right. We have terms like “helicopter parent” for those who seem to help too much and “free range parenting” to describe a more hands off approach. For parents of children with special needs, it can feel impossible to decipher the messages in these articles and apply them to our own families.
The Gifts We Need the Most
Gift giving season is upon us! At this time and throughout the year, we encourage families to think about what they would truly most like to give and receive. In addition to your holiday lists filled with toys and gadgets (those are fun too), consider asking for just one thing that would truly increase your happiness.
Does My Child Need Therapy? / Does My Teen Need Therapy?
Childhood and adolescence are full of emotional ups and downs. How do you know whether your child is experiencing the usual growing pains or showing signs of anxiety or depression? Our child counselors and teen therapists weigh in.
Raising Mentally Healthy Adults
We teach our children everything we can imagine they might need to know. We focus on nutrition, exercise, study skills, work ethic, and (hopefully) money management. However, few families systematically teach their children about mental health.