Dogs can be a source of de-stressing and relaxation. The company of a furry companion is invaluable. Why can a simple task like walking, petting, or brushing dogs make one feel happier and more content? I consulted the research literature to find out. One recent study evaluates participants’ self-reported benefits from being around dogs for just small …
What Is Animal-Assisted Therapy? Animal-assisted therapy is a therapeutic intervention that incorporates animals, such as horses, dogs, cats, pigs, and birds, into the treatment plan. It is used to enhance and complement the benefits of traditional therapy. When It’s Used Animal-assisted therapy can be a useful intervention for individuals or groups. A meta-analysis of 49 studies reporting …
Easy steps that parents and ADHD children can follow now — before classes begin — to ensure a stress-free start of the school year. Review your child’s current IEP or 504 Plan. Just as our kids with attention deficit disorder (ADHD) master new skills and face new challenges each year, the accommodations they receive from …
Learn from this mom, who invented a morning routine with this beautiful result: “My morning nagging immediately decreased by 80 to 90 percent. Both of my kids instantly understood the process. Some mornings, they need more prodding… But, overall, our mornings are far less tiring.” Getting my two children with ADHD up, dressed, and out the door …
Pride (and Frustration and Heartbreak) — In the Name of Love ADHD brings with it extreme emotions. We see this in our children when they face homework frustrations, perceived unfairness, and social isolation. We also feel it ourselves as parenthood swings us up, down, and around the hair-pin turns of life with ADD. Here are …
Emotions That Humble & Feed Parent’s of Children with ADD/ADHD Read More »
Up to 90% of kids with ADHD/ADD also have executive function challenges. Take this symptom self-test by clicking this link, to find out whether your child might be struggling with executive dysfunction. The Executive Function Test for Children The seven executive functions (self-awareness, inhibition, non-verbal working memory, verbal working memory, emotional self-regulation, self-motivation, and planning and problem solving) …
[Self-Test] Could Your Child Have an Executive Function Deficit? Read More »
We’ve all heard of the 5 senses. Until recently, I didn’t even realize there were actually 8 senses that are part of the sensory system in the body. These senses are often what is associated with sensory processing disorder (SPD). Today I thought I would share a brief overview of the 8 senses and give …
Sensory Processing explained & Sensory Activities for Children Read More »
Foods high in compounds such as antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids can improve brain health and memory, experts say. From fruit to fish, here are six things that, based on various studies, may perk up your gray matter. They even look like little brains, so maybe that’s Mother Nature’s way of telling us what walnuts …
I think the people who wade into discomfort and vulnerability and tell the truth about their stories are the real badasses in this world. This is especially true of people who rumble with failure. These are people who choose courage over comfort, accountability over blame, and are able to embed key learnings from failures into …
Courage Over Comfort: Rumbling with Shame, Accountability, and Failure at Work Read More »
