The Do’s and Don’t’s of Supporting a Child With OCD
While obsessive-compulsive disorder usually first makes its appearance in the teen or young adult years,(1) OCD still affects an estimated 1 in 200 children. (2) Children with obsessive-compulsive disorder demonstrate a wide variety of symptoms that negatively impact their day to day lives. If your child has been diagnosed with OCD, or you suspect that […]
Caring For Your Mental Health When Surrounded By External Stressors
Many of us struggle with internal stressors. Internal stressors can be anything from negative self-talk to a mental health disorder. External stressors, meanwhile, are situational. You experience external stress as a result of major life events, such as relationship problems, grief, school or work difficulties, concerns about finances, or even caring for children and loved […]
Are Eating Disorders Neurological?
According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), eating disorders are thought to affect at least 9% of the world’s population.(1) Autism and ADHD are both conditions that are highly correlated with eating disorders. 3-10% of children and young adults with eating disorders also have autism, while ADHD is considered to […]
What To Do If Your Child’s School Cuts Special Education Services
Special education, or special needs education, is a wide umbrella of resources and classes available to students who have a variety of special needs in order to receive the education. These special needs could range from issues with behavior or executive functions, communication disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), difficulty concentrating as in the […]
Different Types of Therapies to Address OCD
Around 1 in 200 children and teenagers in the U.S are said to have obsessive-compulsive disorder. (1) For adults, that number is 1 in 100.(2) Despite the fact that OCD is relatively common, there are still many misconceptions about the disorder. Far from being a quirk or a personality trait, obsessive-compulsive disorder is a serious […]
Advantages and Challenges of an Individual Education Program
An individualized education program, or IEP, is an essential service for school children who have learning differences. An IEP is planned by teachers, parents, therapists, and school administrators as part of a child’s legal right to a free and appropriate public education. (1,2) While an IEP allows for necessary support services and educational planning, […]
World Autism Day: Spotlighting Autism Spectrum Disorder
April 2nd is World Autism Day, an internationally recognized day of support and understanding for people with autism spectrum disorder. ASD is common, with 1 in 52 Maryland school age children diagnosed with the condition.(1) However, despite the prevalence of autism, there is still limited understanding regarding ASD, even among researchers and clinicians. Understanding Autism […]
Anxiety Symptoms You Could Be Ignoring
Anxiety is an umbrella term for a variety of mental health conditions. As the COVID-19 pandemic has raged on, anxiety is becoming increasingly common among children and young adults. However, it isn’t always easy to differentiate anxiety from normal emotions and behaviors. Here are 5 symptoms of anxiety that you could be ignoring: Insomnia If […]
Study Tips For Your Child With Anxiety
Problems with anxiety are not uncommon in childhood. Recently, there has actually been a rise in anxiety and related conditions among school aged children. There is much concern over the impact of the pandemic and virtual schooling on children’s mental health. Many parents are also concerned that their children’s education has fallen by the wayside. […]
How Is COVID-19 Affecting the Mental Health of Kids and Teens?
The COVID-19 pandemic has lasted much longer, and affected our lives much more intensely, than any of us could have imagined just a short year ago. Maryland students, in particular, have spent most of this time attending virtual school, as opposed to in-person classes. Teenagers and young adults, meanwhile, have had to completely rethink their […]