We all have had the experience of reading something but not processing it. We may have read every word but not taken any of it in. Why does this happen? Because we are not fully focused. For adults, this can be a passing annoyance. For a student, however, this can be far more consequential, bringing down grades and their self-esteem along with it.

As a diagnostician of problems with learning and emotions for over 20 years, perhaps the most common concern I hear from parents is that their child is having difficulty concentrating in school. This may have been going on for years, and the parents feel increasingly helpless and overwhelmed.

Many of the students I work with have attention challenges. Some have suspected autism. Some have both. For many parents, this differentiation can be confusing.

Autism is one of the more challenging diagnoses for clinicians in all fields, including among my own psychologist colleagues, including pediatricians, teachers and psychiatrists! 

I liken a child’s IQ score to that of a motor, or engine, that powers the car. We need the motor to be healthy, running smoothly, and producing sufficient horsepower. With that said…. we need to inspect the rest of the car too!

Bright students often have become increasingly frustrated with school as the demands have ramped up. I call this “hitting the invisible wall,” and it takes an emotional toll.

One of the most frustrating aspects of being a parent to a school-aged child is the feeling that they are not performing to the heights of their potential. We see our kids struggle and become frustrated and this, in turn, causes us also to feel frustrated, maybe even irritated or even exasperated. The good news is that most of the factors standing in the way of your child’s ability to thrive are identifiable and correctable.

ADHD and anxiety are the most commonly diagnosed conditions in children, but oftentimes the symptoms overlap! This makes it difficult to tell whether your child has ADHD or Anxiety. Read the article to learn more!

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common disorders in children. In this post, I’ll show you the most common signs of ADHD in children.

As a Clinical Neuropsychologist who assesses children and adolescents, one of the most common complaints I hear from parents is how scattered and disorganized their children are. These are challenges in the area of what are called executive functioning.

Should your child have a school evaluation or a private one? In this post, I’ll break down the pros and cons of each type!

Over the years, you’ve probably heard about geniuses taking IQ tests and coming out with high numbers.
But what do those numbers really tell us? Should you have your child take an IQ test?

Over the years, you’ve probably heard that everyone needs around 7-9 hours of sleep (or more for children!), but do you know why sleep is important?

Despite what people think, kids with ADHD have it in them to do well in school. Keep reading to learn how teachers can best accommodate children with ADHD in the classroom!

Studying is the best way to help your child prepare for tests, but how do you get a child with ADHD to focus on studying? I’m sharing 5 study tips that’ll help your child succeed in this post!

A compelling article from the New York Times on the pandemic and the mental health of teens.

The pandemic has taken a toll on the mental health of millions. But adolescents have been hit especially hard…

One of the most common buzzwords I hear from parents with whom I work, in talking about their child, is ‘boredom.’ Their child often uses this word, including in school, though also in dealing with homework and for tasks they don’t want to do.
Whenever I hear this, my first consideration is the possibility of ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Everybody can have difficulty sitting still, paying attention or controlling impulsive behavior once in a while.
It is simply not possible for anyone to be fully locked in 100 percent of the time.
Our brains aren’t ‘wired’ that way!
So what can we do?

Neuropsychological testing, or a neuropsychological evaluation, refers to the examination of the relationship between your child’s brain functions and their thinking, behaviors, and emotional state.

The results of the testing help us better understand your student’s unique strengths and weaknesses and provide a roadmap for the type of intervention that may be necessary.

As a Clinical Neuropsychologist who works primarily with kids, adolescents, and their families, one of the most common comments I hear from parents is that their child is not motivated.
Some go so far as to describe them as lazy.
Their child is clearly bright, their potential boundless. “If only they would try harder!,” they lament.