For children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and depression, everyday life can be filled with challenges. One increasingly recognized source of comfort and growth for these children is the companionship of pets.

When a child with autism has difficulties with eating, it can be due to a variety of reasons, including sensory sensitivities, routine rigidity, or difficulties with new textures and tastes. Addressing these eating challenges requires patience and strategic approaches. Today I share some tips for helping a child with autism who won't eat, as well […]

Making friends can be challenging for many kids, and for children with autism, social connections may feel especially difficult. Children with autism often face unique challenges in socializing due to difficulty with communication, social cues, and sensory sensitivities. However, with understanding, patience, and support, they can build meaningful relationships that enhance their quality of life. […]

First things first... I find it quite disparaging to refer to anybody by a label or by a condition – such as “autistic”, “schizophrenic”, “bipolar” or as a “depressive” as opposed to “a person who has been diagnosed with autism”. A person’s condition is one small aspect of their identity, it does not define them. […]

Let’s look at the numbers. The more current CDC autism prevalence estimates are for 8-year-old children across 11 monitoring sites in the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. Why the Increase? The general explanation for the increase in autism rates over the past few decades is typically related to a number of factors. It's […]

This is a fascinating and frequently–asked question. We often hear that autism and ADHD are both on the neuro-divergent spectrum and therefore have an inherent connection. However, after 35 years of seeing these conditions firsthand, I will tell you that while there are similarities in how the condition impacts children’s daily functioning, ASD and ADHD […]

At Community Psychiatric Centers, we diagnose and help treat many different childhood issues. One of the disorders that we specialize in is Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD. When a parent suspects their child may be on the autism spectrum, one of the most reassuring things to do is to gather information. I am often asked […]

Summer Break Is Almost Over August is that ‘back to school’ time of year. Yes, it is sad to see the summer slipping by; but it’s time to start thinking about getting back into the school routine. It can be a difficult transition for children to get back into that schedule, with some kids dreading […]

Part of the How We Treat Series; this article talks about the unique challenges related to Adult Autism and the services Community Psychiatric Centers offers to help treat and support it. Adults With Autism –The Challenge There has been a growing challenge in meeting the needs of adults with autism. In that respect, in-home services […]

This “How We Treat” eBook will target the five most common reasons that parents seek help from me for their children. What are these most common issues? Drum roll please… they are childhood depression, anxiety, autism, ADHD, and explosive outbursts. This series will highlight each of these challenges and provide a parent-friendly description of the […]