Pandemic Leaves Families Of Children In Special Ed Feeling Left Behind

 With a wildly spreading delta variant, many families of vulnerable children with disabilities feel forgotten by state and school leaders and disregarded by those who reject mask wearing. Read More >

Study examines facial expressions in people with autism

Individuals with autism may struggle to form spontaneous and appropriate facial expressions, which could affect how they are perceived in social interactions, according to an analysis of 39 studies. However, older participants produce facial expressions almost as well as the control group.

Spectrum News

Selective eating tied to anxiety, depression in some youths

Children with selective eating behaviors were nearly twice as prone to depression, generalized anxiety or social anxiety compared with those who weren't picky eaters, according to a study in Pediatrics. Researchers said more than 20% of youths ages 2 to 6 are picky eaters, with most of those moderately selective eaters.  HealthDay News 

Mental Health- The Attack of the Teenage Brain by Dr. John Medina

Dr. Medina says “Marvel at the neuroscientific reasons why smart teens make dumb decisions!” Whether you're a parent interacting with one adolescent or a teacher interacting with many, you know teens can be hard to parent and even harder to teach. More specifically, it's their brains. His ability to weave science with his entertaining insight challenges readers to change the way they think about teen behavior and empower parents, educators, and policymakers to collaborate to help challenging, sometimes infuriating, often weird, and genuinely wonderful kids become more successful learners, in school and beyond. Check out a free chapter Click Here . . .

Mental Health In Schools For Troubled Kids,

National Public Radio (NPR) highlighted one Maryland elementary school that offers kids a 12 week training in how to manage emotions, handle stress and improve interpersonal relationships. Created by psychologist Mary Alvord, Resilience Builder Program is designed to help students who are struggling with trauma or cognitive disorders by using group therapy. Resilience Builder Program teaches young students techniques for handling tough emotions, like visualizing a remote control for thoughts so they can switch from negative to happier feelings. Overall, research provides preliminary support for the effectiveness of the Resilience Builder Program® with children with ADHD and anxiety disorder for improving social, emotional, and behavioral functioning according to multiple informants and in multiple environments. To listen to the NPR story, Click Here . . .

Fitbit-Like Device Shows Promise In Predicting Autism Aggression

A system that uses a digital wristband and a mobile app could someday predict outbursts among children with autism, allowing family members and helpers to prevent and prepare for episodes. Read More >

GoTalk NOW App

GoTalk NOW App

Strategies to help mitigate effects of trauma

Students who are affected by trauma -- directly and indirectly -- can experience academic and emotional challenges. Several educators and experts share tips to help students cope with trauma.

U.S. News & World Report

Depression in late adolescence may increase high-school dropout risk

A study in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that older adolescents with depression had a more than twofold higher likelihood of dropping out of high school, compared with those who recovered from earlier depression or those without depression. The findings also showed higher rates of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder among dropouts and at-risk peers, compared with average students.   Reuters

10 Ways to Help Your Angry Child Get Control Over Those Bad Feelings

Yelling. Fighting. Hitting. Tantrums. Biting. Sound familiar? These are typical behaviors of quick-to-anger children. Other kids hold their intense feelings inside, with unreleased anger and pent-up frustrations leading to anxiety and even depression. If you want your child to handle anger more appropriately, you must help her learn substitute behaviors to relieve that pent-up energy and replace current unhealthy strategies. Some parents swear that learning deep-breathing yoga techniques helped their kids manage anger, while others say teens relax more when they go to a dark room and listen to quiet music. The trick is to find what works best for your child so he can…   Read in browser »

Helping Your Child with Special Needs Develop Empathy

All parents want to see their children grow up to be as happy, successful, and productive as possible. But perhaps even more important to most parents is to see their kids — including those with special needs — develop empathy for others. Empathy is what helps children recognize and understand the feelings of other people. When you empathize with someone, you can put yourself in that person’s shoes. No matter how far our children go in life or what they choose to do, the ability to empathize will be essential. Empathy vs. Sympathy Many people confuse empathy with sympathy. Empathy can help someone understand how…
Read in browser »

Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Your Child with Special Needs

My son CJ graduated from college last December—not an event I have ever taken for granted. At this end of things, I’ve found myself reflecting on what got us through. As the parent of any struggling child knows, it’s a long road. Some kids might need a little tutoring or therapy; after a round or two of that, they’re good. This was not my son’s demographic. We were one of those families always looking for the next therapy, the next school, the next answer. It’s not a detour. It’s a way of life. And after all the things we tried, all the therapies we found… Read in browser »

Could Depression Be a Problem for Your Preschooler? 9 Signs to Watch Out For

Depression was once thought to be an impossible ailment for young children. Yet research has found that depression in young children is real and can be identified as young as two years of age. The diagnosis, though rare, is becoming more acceptable in child psychiatry. Depression can be devastating and have a lasting effect on a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. The long-term consequences are too severe to ignore. The best news is, when diagnosed early and properly treated, kids almost always can be helped to feel better, and the earlier parents seek treatment the better. The key is to make…  Read in browser »

Fidget Cube: Small in Size, Big on Benefits

Do you or someone you know bite their nails, click their pens, twirl their hair, or jangle their keys?  Most of us do it, fidgeting is a common characteristic in all ages.  Fidgeting can include small movements of the hands when one becomes nervous, bored or impatient.

A small little device they call the Fidget Cube has been designed to keep fidgety hands occupied!  The Fidget Cube aims to satisfy any urges to click, roll, spin, and other common fidgeting habits.  This cube is small and compact, making it discreet and easy to accommodate in any setting.  With the Fidget Cube being small, it can fit in most pockets making it easy to bring with and use in any situation from the classroom to the board room.   http://ndipat.org/blog/fidget-cube-small-in-size-big-on-benefits-2/ 

4 Steps to Fostering Independence in Children with Special Needs

I once heard a woman talk about the hand she had craved all her life: the hand that would hold her through challenges, direct her out of misery, walk her over to her pile of success, and bang open the door of opportunity. Sadly, this hand was elusive, despite her desperate search over her lifetime. Then one day, she realized that the hand that she had craved, imagined, and dreamed about was the one that was attached to her body. Let’s face it. As parents, finding a comfortable position when watching our children navigate a challenge can be tricky. We may…
Read in browser »

Breathing Bubbles App

Breathing Bubbles is an app that helps kids practice releasing worries and focusing on good feelings. This may be especially helpful for kids who struggle with labeling emotions, moving beyond an event that's causing anxiety, or handling stress in an appropriate manner.

Bullying Often Triggers Fight Response In Kids With Disabilities

Children with disabilities are more likely than other kids to respond aggressively to bullying, researchers say, and they often attack not only those picking on them, but others as well. Read More >

Review of "Self-Reg: How to Help Your Child and You Break the Stress Cycle and Successfully Engage with Life"

When we attempt to see things from the child’s perspective, we have the opportunity to better help them recognize when they are having a problem and to know what they need to do to regulate themselves. This book helped me to broaden my perspectives about what is going on in the background for children experiencing problem behavior and I am a better parent and teacher because of it. Read more here: http://positivelyautism.weebly.com/blog/review-of-self-reg-how-to-help-your-child-and-you-break-the-stress-cycle-and-successfully-engage-with-life

Helpful APP' on Grouchy moods Mood

The Grouchies by Debbie Wagenbach is a lighthearted story about what to do when the grouchies take hold. With funny rhymes and a silly chant, this app shows kids some simple and fun ways to turn around grouchy moods. Children will also learn how their mood and negativity can affect their family and friends, and really get in the way of having a good day. Developed by the American Psychological Association, the app also includes an extensive Note to Parents, which offers parents easy-to-apply tips and tools for helping their kids when a grumpy day comes along. Download the app from the iTunes Store and learn how to make the Grouchies go away!   https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grouchies-by-debbie-wagenbach/id385919059?mt=8