How do you know if your child is struggling with anxiety? Anxiety, worry and fear can disguise themselves in many different ways, masquerading as moodiness, recklessness, or aloofness among many…
It’s summer break! While you prepare for trips to the beach, you may also want to consider ways you can be preparing yourself and your kids for next semester. While…
Many parents have had to take creative measures to support their children’s learning during COVID-19. The situation can be comical, but it can also leave you wondering just how you should help…
Many school districts have announced that schools will remain closed through the rest of the school year. For families who were hoping to have their child tested for an Individual…
The better we control our environments and wash our hands, the better we prevent novel coronavirus (COVID-19) from spreading. However, ‘canceled’ likely comes with frustration for families who need educational…
How important is preschool? It’s widely accepted that preschool is beneficial, but factors like preschool cost and parents’ wishes to keep their kids at home longer lead many to question…
As an educational psychologist, I work with kids dealing with a wide variety of challenges who attend public, private or charter schools or do homeschooling. The question of which one…
Every kid should get the opportunity to feel like a kid. That can mean taking a break from feeling responsible for siblings. It can also involve participating in activities with kids…
Because these terms – dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia – are familiar to the public, they are sometimes overused. Parents usually want to know if their child’s struggles with reading means…
There is always a reason for behavior issues at school, whether it be problems at home, anxiety or poor life examples. Many of these explanations are outside the teacher’s control.…
Do you ever remember lying in bed on a school night thinking, “I should have packed my backpack before I got into bed?” And then the next day you go…
As an educational psychologist, parents frequently ask me about kindergarten readiness. They want to know if their child will be at a disadvantage by being younger than their peers or…
According to certain studies, only about 2 to 5 percent of students are gifted. Unfortunately, the word “gifted” often gets misused or overused. Alternatively, many gifted students are not identified,…
Divorce is hard on kids. They struggle to understand what’s happening and why it’s happening, among many other questions swimming through their inquisitive minds. That difficulty to understand is multiplied…
With summer right around the corner, parents and kids alike are eagerly anticipating slower schedules and more free time. That means more time for beach trips, camping, reading and other…
Why You Should Have Your Child Tested over Summer Where are you on the road to finding answers for your child? Are you researching IEPs and choosing between getting your child…
Consider the Atmosphere of the Office Providing a safe and supportive environment has been my goal since day one of starting my private practice over 20 years ago. The atmosphere of…
Every year, I underestimate the impact of daylight saving. In this half of the year, when we “spring forward,” we get to enjoy the benefits of brighter evenings, but the…
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that kids who feel loved are generally more loving. The kindness and affection you show your children has a correlation to how they treat…
Breaking past the teenager who doesn’t want to engage can be difficult, but it’s important to make the effort. One day the hormonal cloud will be lifted. Here are a…
In November of 2018, I had the pleasure of being a guest on a podcast produced by a marketing company called Kazsource. We discussed what led me to leave school…
This is the abridged transcript of an interview I did with KazSource in November of 2018. For the full transcript and podcast, please click here. Abridged Transcript Interviewer: Our guest…
When schools consider evaluating a child, they look to see if the student’s performance is below the instructional level of the class. If a child is struggling, but not failing, they…
The holiday season represents a time of great joy and celebration, but the packed schedule, onslaught of relatives and ambush of unhealthy food options often add stress. This is especially…
What Is Executive Function? Executive function encompasses the fundamental skills which dictate child behavior. More specifically, executive function includes the following: Time management Organization Attention Planning Task Initiation Working Memory…
The Benefits of Journaling & How To Get Started Journaling improves mood, reduces stress, encourages self-awareness, improves memory, and reduces avoidance symptoms after traumatic experiences – just to name a…
If you are asking the question “Should I have my child evaluated?” the answer is probably “Yes.” However, I know the process of getting an educational evaluation for your child…
Instilling Work Ethic: Teaching Responsibility, Hard Work and Wise Decision Making “…smart and talented and driven, yes, but also anxious, timid, and lost.” These are the words retired Yale…
4 Ways to Prepare Your Child for Changing Schools Whether your child is transitioning to a new campus due to a family move or graduation, changing schools can be daunting.…
Summer learning is possible with a good attitude and some good ideas. Summertime. For kids especially, this is the time of year for trips to the beach, hanging out with…
Educational Psychology Studies and Content Handpicked For You As an Educational Psychologist, I love finding new ideas and studies that can help out not only my clients but anyone who…
This article on 3 Ways to Manage Stress in College is a Guest Post from an actual senior in college. Your college years can be some of the best years…
It’s okay to admit to being bored in class — but why? We’ve all been there, either as children in school or, later, in college or at work—sitting around, being…
A 504 Plan Explained If your child has a disability that impacts his or her performance at school, you may be swimming right now in a sea of unfamiliar phrases,…
It Starts with a Learning Disability Assessment Many adults have a learning disability (LD) and don’t know it. Are you one of them? Getting a professional assessment could be your…
This post was originally published January 25, 2018 and edited November 9, 2018. Get the most out of parent-teacher conferences. The relationship between you – the parent – and…
As a Santa Clarita Child Psychologist, I’m often asked this very question. Nothing is more frustrating than knowing your child is struggling in school while the school itself does little…
Parents often ask me how ADHD or a learning disability will impact their child’s future. Every child is a unique individual who brings their own personality, tenacity, and problem-solving ability…
Have you ever been reprimanded by your child’s teacher for trying to help with math homework? The situation is often comical, but it can leave you wondering how you should help…
Learning Confidence Takes Time–the Younger You Start, the Better. Scott Hamilton loved to ice skate, but was told repeatedly that he did not have the talent to compete as…
Auditory Processing is complicated–let’s take a closer look… Most of us probably think of the process of listening as automatic; unless something is wrong with the ear, sound comes…
An important topic to understand: stress and school As seen in the Santa Clarita Magazine, Stress and School Childhood should be a time of growing, learning, fun and friends. At…
