The Effect of Zoom Classrooms on Students With ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is characterized by hyperactive, inattentive, and impulsive traits that negatively impact the daily life of a child or adult. (2) ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood, often after a school teacher notices the concerning behaviors. School is one of the few locations in a child’s life where structure and […]
Educating Students With ADHD During COVID-19
This new school year is bringing many uncertainties to Maryland families. With the recent decision of Howard County Public Schools to postpone in-person classes until January, parents of children with special needs find themselves in a particularly difficult position. Many parents are understandably concerned about their children receiving an appropriate education outside of the in-person […]
Managing Screen Time During the Pandemic
Dr. Vincent P. Culotta of NeuroBehavioral Associates and Dr. Annie McLaughlin, Ph.D. recently held a screen time management webinar , sponsored by Autism Speaks, addressing the new difficulties facing families during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the best of times, managing your child’s screen time can be a struggle, but this is especially true when so […]
How Remote Learning is Affecting Students in Special Education
With the coronavirus pandemic, students and teachers across Maryland have had to experience a new way of learning. While no one is sure what the fall will bring, it’s safe to say that there will be a significant number of changes. Distance learning, too, will likely continue to play a role in next year’s academic […]
Managing Weight and an Immune Friendly Diet
With regular day to day stressors, it’s already hard to maintain your weight and a healthy diet. Now we have to try doing it during a global pandemic! Well, we’re here to help guide you in these troubled times. It can be difficult to stay on track of what you’re eating when you’re stuck in […]
Is Remote Diagnosis an Option for Autism Spectrum Disorder
The coronavirus pandemic has made it even more difficult for children who are suspected to have autism spectrum disorder to receive an official diagnosis. A delay in diagnosis can affect a child’s ability to receive essential services and interventions. Although Maryland’s stay-at-home order was recently lifted, in-person services will likely still involve a longer wait […]
COVID-19 Series: Connecting with Nature Can Help You Manage Stress
A friend recently told me that, after a stressful week of Zoom meetings, social distance, disrupted schedules, students at home, and hours spent indoors, he had enjoyed a good weekend and was still feeling better than the week before. What was the reason? He had gone for a long walk on a nearby trail. That’s […]
COVID-19: Special Education Services and Resources for Students on the Spectrum
According to a recent PBS report,(1) around 14% of public school students in the United States are given regular special education services. With Maryland public schools closed until at least May 15th,(2) parents of students with autism spectrum disorder have been facing unique struggles. Many families have expressed concern regarding the potential for regression or […]
COVID-19 Series: Parenting Anxious Children
With schools and workplaces closed and public life suspended, parents are struggling to juggle childcare and remote work, while also managing their child’s anxiety and their own anxiety about COVID-19. There are a variety of different expressions of anxiety in children, including: reassurance-seeking, reluctance to separate from parents, physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches, trouble […]
The Mind-Body Response to Stress
In these uncertain times, many people are experiencing fear and worry related to COVID-19. According to a poll conducted by the American Psychiatric Association, 36% of Americans reported that the virus “is having a serious impact on their mental health (1).” The increase in anxiety has translated into other behaviors for some people, including difficulty […]