“At the end of last summer, our twins – who both have autism – had a terrible time switching back to early wake up and long school days. This year, how can we help them prepare for the transition?” This week’s “Got Questions?” response comes from autism educator Peter Gerhardt. Dr. Gerhardt is world-renowned for…
Pregnant women who live within a mile of spaces where commercial pesticides are applied appear to have an increased risk of having a child with autism, a new study suggests. The risk that a child would develop autism appeared to be highest for women who lived near farms, golf courses and other public spaces that were…
Introduction Ever since our country established a system of universal compulsory education, educators and clinicians have begun to notice students with ADHD-like symptoms. It has gone by many names and has been addressed in many different ways. Accepting the Diagnosis Many families go through a period of uncertainty during the time leading up to the…
Patricia Wright, Ph.D., MPH, is the vice president of professional services at Rethink, a program whose goal is to improve access to Applied Behavior Analysis treatments for people on the autism spectrum. She works to ensure Rethink’s educational technology is implemented effectively. Prior to joining Rethink, Patricia was the national director of autism services for Easter Seals,…
Being a parent of an ADHD child is a challenge. Here are 30 tips on managing Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) at home. Based on 50 Tips on the Classroom Management of Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward M. Hallowell, MD and John J. Ratey, MD These tips are directly from Hallowell and Ratey with only slight modifications in…
The Learning and Behavioral Center would like to acknowledge Eva Sciupac, Assistant Principal of Harding Elementary School (Sylmar, California). She has shown tremendous care and administrative abilities to the students of Harding Elementary. Having worked alongside Eva in IEP sessions for some of our clients we have noticed her wonderful abilities and love for each student.…
“Our 25-year-old son, diagnosed with PDD-NOS, has always had some repetitive behaviors. Lately, though, he’s wanting to redo things such as getting undressed or showering right after he’s done. He’ll insist we backtrack if we drive through the neighborhood a different way because we didn’t go the “right way.” Can you offer guidance on whether these behaviors…
Minnesota teacher Lora Hill has found an inspiring way to create a community of kindness in a high school cafeteria. Every Friday morning, Hill cranks up the music and everyone dances. “We dance together and in that way we overcome bullying. It’s by building community through dance,” says Hill. “If you have the self-confidence to…
The Learning and Behavioral Center would like to acknowledge Dr. Rachel Esmond, MD. She has a wonderful reputation in the Encino and Tarzana area and has been highly recommended by some of her clients. “She is extremely knowledgeable, and has such a calm, gentle and friendly demeanor. She is one of the best pediatricians in the…
A new study from Case Western Reserve University finds mothers tend to be more critical of children with obsessive-compulsive disorder than they are of other children in the family. And, that parental criticism is linked to poorer outcomes for the child after treatment. Parent criticism has been associated with child anxiety in the past, however,…