Self-care

Self-Care Suggestions for Challenging Times

These days, there is a lot going on in the world. We are coping with scary diseases, job changes, job locations, and health changes. Many of us have lost loved ones since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Given all of these things, varying degrees of stress, anxiety, depression, and fear are common. Life can feel pretty […]

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Concept Maps: A Tool to Help Learning

Concept maps turn verbal information (from speech or writing) into visual information.   Many of us could benefit from using concept maps. They can help a person study for a test, plan a report or paper, or even organize information that we have read. They often improve comprehension, organization, and memory. Concept maps are particularly helpful […]

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fine motor

Fine Motor Weakness in Children: Skills and Tools That Can Help Handwriting

Fine motor weakness is common among school-age children and can certainly make learning more difficult.    Fine motor skills are the skills needed to coordinate small muscle movements with our hands and wrists.  They also coordinate actions with our brain messages.  When fine motor skills are delayed, children often struggle with strength, speed, and coordination.  Fine motor delays are […]

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How to Be Yourself When the World Seems So Messed Up

By Dahlia Garofalo, B.A. and Cindy Nichols Anderson, Ph.D. ABPP Be yourself? That seems like such a tall order. Yet, identity helps us feel grounded and capable. It increases our agency, purpose, and confidence. It also helps us connect with society, loved ones, and people working towards common goals.  After COVID-19 (and many of its […]

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Girl getting a shot

Vaccines for Children Are Not Linked to Mental Health Conditions

There is a lot of misinformation about vaccines, particularly as it relates to mental health conditions. Some communities report that vaccines have links to Autism, Schizophrenia, and other neurological concerns.  However, it is important to know the facts.   Here are some basic facts about vaccines and mental illness. Vaccines do not cause mental illness. The government […]

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Girl using tablet in school class smiling to camera close up

ADHD: Basic Facts and Information

Luckily a wide variety of very effective treatment options are available to people with ADHD.

Treatment options range from therapy, adaptive approaches, lifestyle strategies and medications. If the ADHD interferes with a child’s school functioning, schools are required to make accommodations for students with ADHD. Adults may be able to request assistance at their place of employment. Usually a combination of approaches is more successful than any one alone.

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7 Absolutes for Good Self-Care if You or a Family Member Has Anxiety

Many people have anxiety or a child or family member who is anxious. It might be that there is a history of worrying or stress. Maybe the person avoids doing things that are scary, like approaching dogs, making speeches, or driving. Maybe the person tends to be overly careful or repetitive about hand-washing or cleaning. If the anxiety is distressing to the person, or interferes with the way s/he wants to live her life, she may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are common, and recent research has found that 1 in 3 people are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.

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