Going trick-or-treating can be such a fun experience for a child. Dressing up, spending time with friends and family, seeing spooky decorations, and (most importantly) getting candy are all things children typically look forward to. Coach your child on these areas ahead of time to make sure it is a positive experience for him as well as whoever he is with. Remind your child to stick with his friends and chaperone. Children often hyper-focus on getting candy and forget to walk

My teacher said my child needs psychological testing. What is that? Psychological testing provides parents with more information about their child’s IQ and learning style as well as underlying cognitive abilities including: attention, information processing, memory, and executive functioning. It can allow parents and educators to capitalize on the child’s strengths and minimize any interferences with his or her learning and academic performance. Should I go through the schoo

“I know you hear me, but are you listening?” These words still ring in my head from my childhood. I remember my dad saying this to me during his many “life lectures,” as I endearingly refer to them. The dialogue went like this: Dad: “Are you listening?” Me: “Yes, dad, I hear you.” Dad: “I know you hear me, but are you listening?” The meaning was lost on me as a child and teenager. But now, as a parent myself, it holds so true. While my dad’s goal, no doubt, was for me to l

With the school year now well underway, and parent/teacher conferences right around the corner, the term “executive functioning” may be something that parents start to hear more often. So what exactly does it mean when someone says your child is struggling with executive functioning skills? In short, this is a broad term that describes those skills that allow for planning and organization. Often individuals who struggle in this area have difficulty keeping their room clean

Hearing your child say “No one wants to play with me at school” is heart-breaking for any parent. Here are some tips in how to respond if your child says this to you: 1. Be sure to listen (truly listen). Let your child lead the conversation. Ask open-ended questions to keep him talking. 2. Validate your child’s feelings. Try not to make statements, such as “I’m sure everyone wants to play with you,” as this trivializes your child’s experience and makes him think you don’t bel

Is your child exhibiting negative behaviors? Are you having a hard time motivating your child to listen or follow directions? It can be incredibly frustrating when you don’t feel in control of your own child. Don’t worry, positive behaviors can be taught. Positive behavior support, or positive reinforcement, is a style of behavior management that consists of strategies used to promote positive attitudes and behaviors. You can use positive reinforcement to shape new, appropria