Tag Archives: ADHD

Book Review: Bright Kids Who Can’t Keep Up by Ellen Braaten and Brian Willoughby

Posted on June 14, 2016 by

A few years ago, I was going through some kids’ files and noticed a pattern in the  results on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children or WISC. The WISC is a commonly used test of cognitive functioning consisting of 10 subtests, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Children, Mental Health, Neuropsychology, Parenting, Social Skills, Special Education | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Hidden Perk of Working with (Middle School) Kids

Posted on April 26, 2016 by

In a 75 minute group here at Academy MetroWest, we spend about 60 – 65 minutes in our gym playing cooperative games with our kids. Cooperative physical activity is the primary focus of our program but during most sessions, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Humor, Social Skills | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Book Review: Late, Lost, and Unprepared by Joyce Cooper-Kahn and Laurie Dietzel

Posted on February 20, 2016 by

“Bruce has been a positive factor in our program, as he is committed to doing a good job, is enthusiastic, and will push himself even if he is not really into a particular group. He does not have any glaring … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Children, Coaching, Family, Parenting, Special Education | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: Executive Functions by Russell Barkley

Posted on March 30, 2015 by

“The real scholars were left in almost total freedom to ply their studies and their Games, and no one objected that a good many of their works seemed to bring no immediate benefits to the people or the community and, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Children, Mental Health, Neuropsychology, Social Skills | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Making It Up As You Go Along…Or Not

Posted on February 24, 2015 by

Before I went to graduate school and embarked on a professional career, I flirted with the world of hippie-dom for a few years. I was  captivated by Jack Kerouac’s writing that extolled the life of on-the-road spontaneity and the freedom to … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Family, Mental Health, Parenting, Social Skills | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Side Effects of Doing Nothing

Posted on September 23, 2014 by

“Well, I’m not giving my baby any more dangerous drugs. From now on, it’s nothing but fresh air, lots of hugs, and good old-fashioned Ritalin.”      –    Marge Simpson          To medicate or not to medicate, … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Counseling, Family, Medication, Mental Health, Parenting, Psychiatry, Social Skills | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Book Review: Parents Have the Power to Make Special Education Work

Posted on September 4, 2014 by

Recently, my family and I spent a week camping on the coast of Maine. We spent part of the week at a beautiful new campground in the town of Brooklin, right near Blue Hill and Deer Isle. As luck would have it, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Children, Mental Health, Parenting, Special Education, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quirky Couture

Posted on March 28, 2014 by

For many years, I’ve maintained (only half facetiously) that the best part of my job is that I’m able to wear jeans and a t-shirt to work. While I have no problem with wearing nicer outfits, comfort is a big … Continue reading →

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The Blind Leading the Blind

Posted on February 25, 2014 by

For many human service professionals, state licensing boards require the completion of a certain number of continuing education units in order to maintain licensure. Personally, I’m required to attend 30 hours of continuing education programs every 2 years in order … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Coaching, Counseling, Mental Health, Social Skills, Special Education | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Because Then We Wouldn’t Be Playing Foosball – Thoughts on Gender Differences

Posted on December 6, 2013 by

In the 2 minutes each year in which I’m not working or with my family, my favorite thing to do is to play music with my band.  Since 1998, I’ve been writing music, singing, and playing guitar with 3 of … Continue reading →

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