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. […]

The Bermuda Triangle?? Okay, so what does Bermuda have to do with this post besides the fact that it’s a really cool place to go on vacation? Well, not much, and admittedly I included it just to get your attention. The triangle context I’ll be using today has much better outcomes than the one from […]

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 […]

There is always a search for remedies for symptoms of ADHD. Children with ADHD struggle with distractibility, impulsivity, and being fidgety if not outright hyperactive. These difficulties can interfere greatly with daily functioning. This includes in the classroom, but also at home with getting through homework, getting off to school in the morning, or doing […]

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 […]

Cause and Effect, or Just a Connection? Can screen time cause ADHD? It’s safe to say that we all have concerns about screen time. We see our kids spending way too much time on their electronic devices and it seems as if they are consumed by it. We worry that technology may be harming their […]

People have asked about what makes therapy sessions "good". The idea of "good therapy" hinges on sessions that are ultimately beneficial to the child. Children are expected to bond with their therapist, discuss their thoughts and feelings, work on coping skills, and make gains in therapy. However, it doesn’t always play out that way. All […]

Celebrating the 4th of July is one of those fond traditions of summer. This post from 2021 talks about how the principles our country was founded on can be used to teach the characteristics that will help them be well-rounded and successful adults. What Are We Celebrating on “The Fourth”, Also Known as “Independence Day”? […]

A version of this post appeared in the Spring of 2021. It’s Spring, and the summer break from school will be here before you know it. I would hate to have you awaken that fateful day in June with the incessant “I’m bored”, or loud screaming that typically accompanies siblings being home together all day. […]