Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder associated with impairments in social functioning, communication and by restricted and\/or repetitive behaviors. Children with mild ASD may be incorrectly labeled as having ADHD, oppositional\/defiant disorder, anxiety\/fearfulness or simply seen by parents and teachers as being \u2018strong-willed\u2019 or \u2018stubborn\u2019. <\/span>The earlier we are able to identify ASD in children, the greater gains we can make in maximizing their developmental potential<\/b>. A thorough and accurate evaluation incorporating testing, information from parents and teachers, school observations (when appropriate) and in-office assessment is crucial in making a diagnostic determination. Creating an individualized developmental profile of your child\u2019s strengths as well as their weaknesses is much more important than the label itself, as it will enable us to provide you with a tailored action plan that truly promotes your child\u2019s growth.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common condition which manifests prior to the age of 7. ADHD involves a deficiency in the part of the brain that helps us to sustain focus, concentrate, filter out extraneous information, organize, plan, understand others\u2019 actions, and inhibit impulses. There is currently no established \u201ctest\u201d which can conclusively diagnose ADHD, and symptoms of ADHD overlap with those of dozens of other conditions. So, diagnosing ADHD requires a very comprehensive approach. Fortunately, there are very effective treatments for ADHD once a solid diagnosis is made. Children who do not receive proper treatment for ADHD are at risk for a variety of issues in school, friendships, family life and mental health.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> Starting school is a major transition in a child\u2019s life. And the first several years of school are an early window into academic issues that\u2014left unaddressed\u2014can become major stumbling blocks with repercussions in all areas of life. Common preschool concerns include separation anxiety and behavioral problems, both of which can disrupt academic progress. During the first few years of school, early issues may manifest, giving us the first and best opportunity to intervene with critical support for cognitive, social\/emotional and physical development, fine motor skills, behavior and self-direction. In addition, all of these factors and others play into selecting a \u201cbest-fit\u201d school for your child.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition to addressing these common concerns, we help many children who are experiencing developmental delays or \u201clags\u201d with respect to milestones such as <\/span>speech\/language development, motor development, potty training, and more. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> Learning to tolerate and regulate one\u2019s negative emotions (e.g., frustration, anger, etc.) is a developmental skill that often takes time and practice to master. If your child is exhibiting significant anger outbursts, or appears to \u201cgo from 0 to 60\u201d when frustrated, he or she may benefit from learning more sophisticated self-regulation strategies.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> Sensory Processing Needs refer to how the brain processes and responds to sensory input from the environment, such as sights, sounds, textures, and smells. Individuals with sensory processing challenges may experience heightened or diminished sensitivity to sensory stimuli, which can lead to difficulties with everyday activities. For example, some children may become overwhelmed by bright lights or loud noises, while others may seek out intense sensory experiences like constant movement or touching objects. Sensory processing challenges are often seen in conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These challenges can significantly affect a child’s ability to focus, participate in school, engage socially, and manage emotions. The good news is that with proper support and interventions, children with sensory processing needs can develop coping strategies and thrive in everyday settings. Early intervention and a tailored approach are key to helping children with sensory needs manage their environment and improve their quality of life.<\/p>\n<\/div> Many children struggle with anxiety. Extreme fear, worry, and anticipatory anxiety can lead children to begin to avoid situations and greatly limit their activities. Anxiety that is left unaddressed can also lead to poor self-esteem, poor self-confidence, and can put a child at greater risk for developing depression in the future. Fortunately, anxiety is one of the most well researched mental health concerns. There are extremely effective short term-treatments, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. This therapy helps the child to change thoughts, beliefs, and ideas about the feared situation. And it creates gradual, systemic changes in behavior to allow the child to better manage the fear.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Certainly, treatments that take into consideration the child\u2019s individual strengths, environment (e.g., family relationships, peer relationships, school setting), temperament, level of insight, motivation, and other factors (e.g., health or other concerns) will be the most effective. In addition, anxiety that is situational or due to a major change in a child\u2019s life (e.g., parental divorce, loss of a family member, transitioning to middle\/high school, peer difficulties, coping with medical health issues) will require a less structured approach in order to tailor the therapy to the child\u2019s individual circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> Many children experience trauma\u2014both acute, single-event trauma as well as chronic trauma. A traumatic event is one that threatens injury, death, or the physical integrity of self or others and also causes horror, terror, or helplessness at the time it occurs. Almost all children who have experienced trauma experience short-term distress, but can return to normal levels of functioning if they receive proper treatment and support. The quality of the relationships a child has with therapists, family and others in their support networks is fundamental to their recovery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> Although more frequently recognized in adolescents and young adults, eating disorders frequently begin in childhood, but go unrecognized, undiagnosed and untreated. Eating disorders include not only anorexia and bulimia, but also many other, lesser known varieties. Disturbed eating behavior can be associated with concerns about weight and shape, but also by disinterest in food, phobic avoidance or avoidance due to the sensations of eating. Effective treatment includes both psychological and dietary components\u2014dietary approaches alone are far less effective.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> Children experience and react to any issues within their family. Sometimes the effects go unnoticed until they become more severe and obvious. Sometimes the effects are dramatic and immediately recognized. Sometimes children are seen as bystanders to disruptions in family dynamics, and other times they are seen as the source of the disruptions. But all of these situations point to the fact that children are interconnected with all the members of the family; they experience and participate in all its dynamics. Seemingly disconnected issues or problems experienced by a child are very frequently connected to\u2014and exacerbated by\u2014larger issues within the family. In therapy, the goal is not to assign blame, but to recognize unhelpful patterns of behavior, and replace them with patterns that support the wellbeing of all the members of the family. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> <\/p> ADHD<\/h2><\/div>
School \u2013 Academics and Social\/Emotional<\/h2><\/div>
Anger and Emotion<\/h2><\/div>
Sensory Processing<\/h2><\/div>
\nSensory processing needs can also show up in behaviors like meltdowns, especially when a child becomes overwhelmed by sensory input they can\u2019t manage. Transitions between activities or environments may be particularly difficult, as changes can increase sensory sensitivity or discomfort. These challenges may not always be obvious to others, making it harder to understand why a child is struggling.<\/p>\nAnxiety<\/h2><\/div>
Trauma<\/h2><\/div>
Eating Disorders<\/h2><\/div>
Family Issues<\/h2><\/div>
Contact Us<\/h1><\/div>\n
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