In these Bite-Size Parent Coaching segments, I take larger parent coaching concepts and boil them down into bite-size overviews so parents can start to use the skills at home. Parents of children with autism and other behavioral and developmental difficulties may find this series of skill overviews helpful – but the skills may be useful […]
This last month many of us were unexpectedly thrown into a new endeavor – teaching our children at home. This sudden added role is further complicated by several other factors, including our own work expectations, meeting the learning needs for multiple children, and managing stress levels in this chaotic time. If you have a child […]
Does your child struggle with self-doubt? Is motivation an issue? Is schoolwork completed to the best of his or her abilities? Heather Dukes-Murray, PhD, licensed independent clinical psychologist, discusses how encouraging a growth mindset for your child, and developing a growth mindset in parenting, can help your child develop resilience in thinking and actions. She […]
In the last few years there has been increased buzz in education about growth vs fixed mindset. Carol Dweck, a psychologist, has led the research into the impact of one’s mindset on performance and achievement. She identified two types of mindsets: growth mindset and fixed mindset. Dr. Dweck identified that individuals with a growth mindset […]
April is World Autism Awareness Month, with April 2nd being World Autism Awareness Day. Individuals with autism, their parents, and their teachers are “aware” of autism every day. Let’s use this month to encourage not only awareness, but also understanding, support, and celebration of all that makes the neurodivergent members of our community unique. Here […]
As parents of young children, we get excited about the milestones our little one’s hit. We brag about their giggles, their words, their steps. We feel proud when our child is moving along as expected. On the other hand, we can feel hesitant, scared, even overwhelmingly anxious, to talk about a difference or delay in […]
Inconsistent or lack of response to his/her name is a significant red flag for autism that can be identified early. In the absence of a hearing difficulty, response to one’s name is expected to develop around 6-9 months of age. We want to encourage this skill for a child with autism as it is a […]
Progress in the area of autism identification is significant: awareness of autism continues to rise; pediatricians’ offices routinely screen for autism; and treatment providers are more available. This is reflected in the most recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which found that prevalence of autism among 8-year-old increased (1 in 59 […]
As a psychologist who mainly focuses on evaluations, I quickly become familiar with families. I have many frank discussions with parents where we talk about a child’s strengths, areas for growth, and ultimately a new diagnosis, all with the purpose of leading to better outcomes. Some welcome a diagnosis and view it as a way […]
It feels like school just started! But the homework battles and mounds of papers on my kitchen counter tell me that school is fully underway, and we are already nearing the end of the first quarter. Whether the school year has been calm or hectic for you, it is about to kick into high gear […]