As parents, we expect kids to follow directions when told to do so; and often we have expectation that the response will be immediate. Much to our despair, it’s not, and likely shall never be. That’s the important point; kids are not automatons (or at least mine aren’t – I suspect yours aren’t either). I […]
The discipline trap How beneficial is time-out, taking away the TV, or ‘grounding’ a child from going outside? Of course, as most parents have come to find, all of these discipline strategies can be effective. However, what happens if you rely too heavily on these strategies? Well, first, your household can become like a gulag; […]
Can you relate to this? You get into an argument with your spouse. You know your point is valid, but you’re having trouble getting your mate to acknowledge your viewpoint; instead, he just wants to “move on” and “forget about it.” So, he tries to change the subject but you’re left feeling unheard and misunderstood. […]
Many years ago, starting out as a School Psychologist, I came across a Principal who had established a ritual; he would meet with his teachers every morning to review the day’s events and, at the conclusion of the meeting, he would huddle the teachers together and lead a chant "softer and closer" repeated four to […]
Grandmother receives a nasty letter You undoubtedly heard by now of the over-the-top, vicious and shameful letter a family in Canada received about their child who has autism. Apparently the neighbor was put-off by the child’s behavior and wrote a hate-filled letter of complaint that was full of insults and vitriol. Our Reaction Of course, […]
Written by Dr. John Carosso What was that all about? You remember the recent headline, based on a study from JAMA Pediatrics (August 12, 2013), claiming a link between induced and augmented labor and the child later receiving an autism-related special education services down the road. The study looked at birth records from ’90 to […]
Written by Dr. John Carosso “Natural” is better? I often hear from parents a preference for “natural” alternatives to their child’s emotional or behavioral issues. Examples include Omega III and tyrosine for ADHD, melatonin for sleep, valerian for anxiety. The idea is that these supplements are naturally occurring substances and not artificially manufactured by pharmaceutical […]
The Study Pediatrics (2009, November) compared traditional early intervention approaches commonly offered in the community (S/L, OT, Specialized Preschool) to the more intensive Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) based in applied behavioral analysis. Who was assessed? Forty-eight children diagnosed within the autism spectrum, between 18-30 months of age, were randomly assigned into one of the […]
Written by Dr. Robert Lowenstein, M.D. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) The AAP provides guidelines to pediatric specialists indicating that behavioral treatment should be tried first before prescribing medication and, when prescribing, methylphenidate (Ritalin/Concerta) should be used first. However, the Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New York surveyed 3000 physicians and found that the […]
Written by Dr. John Carosso The Essential Ingredients -Start with a fun-loving, intelligent, inquisitive child who wants nothing more than to please his or her parents. -Add-in a demanding, critical parent. -Keep adding the parental demands and expectations. -Add only a pinch of some subdued praise, and praise only for the highest of achievements. -Add […]
