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Blog
Living with Child with Autism
| Posted on November 21, 2014 at 4:35 PM |
comments (876)
|
 Autism is a spectrum disorder which
encompasses a broad range of behavioral and cognitive issues. For parents,
having a child with Autism presents unique and sometimes frustrating
challenges. It can sometimes take a long time to have a child tested and
diagnosed because the parent is in denial about the condition or unaware that associated
behaviors are different than a typically developing child. A diagnosis of autism can be a very
difficult thing to cope with. If you have proper help, guidance and support,
raising child with Autism can be an experience that can change the way you view
the world. Coping
with Feelings Many parents react to a diagnosis of Autism
in their child with fear, anger and deep concern. Such feelings are not
directed at their children, but at themselves. What will they do? How can they
adjust their parenting? What if they do something wrong? It is important to acknowledge and process
these feelings. This is the first step in moving forward. Know that it is
enough that you love your child, and the diagnosis is neither their fault nor
yours. Mission
Statement As you process your feelings, work with
your child’s psychologist to develop a plan of action and get going
immediately. Stay focused and on task. The sooner you are able to act, the
better off you and your child will be. Early diagnosis can help to give
direction and point you towards education. You should also plan for financial
challenges ahead. Depending on the severity of the case, there could be
significant treatment costs and not all may be covered by insurance. Education Talk to your psychologist and seek
education about the autism spectrum, with a focus of where on the spectrum your
child falls. Every child with Autism is unique and requires a different
approach. Some high-functioning chlidren with Autism go on to college and
achieve doctorates. Others require assistance with basic social interactions. There are many books, websites and other
resources for parents coping with their child’s Autism diagnosis. Schools may have programs for
children with special needs. Your
psychologist can assist you with accessing resources. Remember,
education is what arms you for the challenges ahead. Love
Is All You Need As you begin the process of raising a child
with Autism, remember that with love and patience you can persevere. Seek help
when you need it, and cherish the successes. Adjust your perceptions to view
the world through your child’s eyes. You may find that it is a rewarding
experience to raise a child with such a unique perspective on life. If you think your child may fall on the
autism spectrum, you will want to find proper care for their needs. If you are
looking for a child psychologist in Edmonton, ABC Psychological Services is here to help
with advice, assessment and treatment. Give us a call for a consultation today!
|
Psychological Disorders in Children: Early Diagnosis is Key
| Posted on November 21, 2014 at 4:28 PM |
comments (383)
|
 Experts estimate that roughly 20 percent of
all children suffer from some sort of psychological disorder. Diagnosing a
mental disorder in a child is important to healthy development. Because the
brain of a child is still growing, it can be difficult to diagnose these issues
in kids. Among those ailments most common among
children are anxiety disorders, ADHD, behavior disorders, eating disorders,
learning disabilities and mood disorders. A trained child psychologist can help
ensure that if one of these or another disorder is present, it is properly
addressed and treated. Early
Diagnosis is Vital Early diagnosis of a childhood disorder is
essential to addressing and treating the problem. If a mental health issue goes
untreated, severe secondary symptoms can result. This can create a range of
problems including:
Early diagnosis can lessen the impact of
mental illness and prevent the issue from getting worse over time. Diagnostic
Criteria Each disorder has its own signs, symptoms
and diagnostic criteria. These criteria are contained in a volume called the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Psychologists use
this manual, currently on its fifth edition, to diagnose and address the
underlying causes of most known mental health issues. Mental health experts know how to best use
the DSM to apply symptoms to a diagnosis. Because the process is tricky with
children, it can take time to reach a proper conclusion. A psychologist can
make adjustments during evaluation until the right treatment for your child is
determined. Know
the Signs There are many symptoms that can be
indicative of a mental disorder in a child. These symptoms include: ·
Mood swings and sudden, extreme
changes in mood ·
Extreme emotions, particularly
overwhelming feelings of fear, worry, anxiety or rage ·
Changes in behavior that are
extreme or unusual for your child ·
Severe concentration issues ·
Sudden weight loss or gain ·
Attempts at self-harming ·
Use or abuse of chemical
substances It should be noted that not everything is a
sign of mental disorder. For example, all kids throw tantrums from time to
time. Many experience mood swings within a normal spectrum. But if these issues
are extreme, uncommon or sudden, you should consult a psychiatrist. If you think your child is experiencing
mental illness and you need a child psychologist, Edmonton area services are
available. Give our office a call
for a consultation and remember, early diagnosis is vital to effective
treatment. |
Anxiety Releasing Methods for Children
| Posted on October 17, 2014 at 2:01 PM |
comments (466)
|
 Children with learning disabilities often become overwhelmed in school. It can be important for them to learn at an early age how to relax and let go of stress. Here are some relaxation exercises that can be used as coping skills for children. Classical Music Classical music is frequently noted for its relaxing properties. A good way to enhance this effect is to have the child close their eyes, and count the number of times the music changes significantly. This focuses the child’s attention on the music, and can help stop the whirl of thoughts in their head. Active Muscle Relaxation When our bodies are stressed, our muscles receive signals from the brain to tense up to aid in running away and escaping danger. Modern stressors tend to come from mental, not physical tasks. This means that occasionally we need to actively relax all the muscles in our body. One way to do this is to actively tense each muscle in the body, hold it there for a few seconds, and then let go of all tension. Repeat this for every major muscle group from the feet all the way up to the face. If your child is having trouble understanding 'tense' versus 'relax', use strong descriptions like, "Turn the muscles in your arms into rocks. Hold. Now let them get all floppy, like a deflated balloon." Visualization Have your child close their eyes and imagine their favorite color. Ask your child to breathe in this color, until they are filled with it. Tell them to exhale out all the uncomfortable feelings. This helps the child have a color that they associate with being relaxed. When they are in a stressful situation, they can look around, find an object that is their happy color and feel more in control. Stretching and Exercising The body releases happy endorphins when you work out. Exercise can also be a great way to release tension in the muscles or work out nervous energy. Go for a walk. Learn yoga together. Teach each other a silly dance. Any exercise is good exercise. Laugh Together Laughter has long been said to be the best medicine. Laughing can help lighten up a bad mood and good endorphin flowing. A good belly laugh can even exercise core muscles. Tell your child jokes. Make up stories with them. Take a Bath A nice calming warm bath with bubbles can be a great way to ease your child's stress and help them find a safe place. Put on some soothing music and keep the lighting low as they scrub away the stress. Make your own Stress Balls Fill a sock with rice and sew it together. Have your child squeeze this whenever they are overwhelmed. Add a drop of essential oil and you have an aromatherapy tool. Stress is a normal part of everyday life. For children with learning disabilities, behavioral problems or giftedness, it can be a major road block in their path to success. For more information about psychological services for children with learning disabilities, Edmonton families are encouraged to visit our services page. |
Building Coping Skills for Children with Dyslexia at Home
| Posted on October 10, 2014 at 9:16 PM |
comments (1105)
|
 If
detected at an early age, there are many ways to help teach a dyslexic child develop
coping skills and learning tools that can aid them throughout their school
career. These can involve getting your child a specific tutor or buying special
software. At
home, there are a number of play activities that can also teach your child to
associate learning to overcome dyslexia while having fun. Here are some options
to try. Use Clay Dyslexic
children are often highly visual or kinesthetic learners. One great way to
learn the proper order or letters in a word, or even the correct shape and
reversal of individual letters is to physically make them out of clay. Use Legos Write
letters on individual Legos and encourage the child to 'build' words, or even
build sentences. This reinforces language in the visual-spatial areas of their
brain. Use Shaving Cream Lather
up one of the walls of their bathtub with shaving cream and encourage your
child to draw words and letters in the foam. This is another visual-spatial
learning trick. It reinforces it in a different way by allowing the child to
see the space between the letters even more clearly. Take a Silly Break Any
child can get frustrated and fidgety when asked to sit and focus for too long.
Allow them to take a short break every so often in which they can get all their
stress out in a positive way. Shift gears enough so they can think about
something completely different. Be the Letter One
of the positives of dyslexia is that it often comes with lots of creativity. A unique
way to help your child recognize and focus on letters and numbers is to allow
them to 'get to know them'. Have
your child assign a personality and a story to a set of numbers, and have them
act out a skit in which the numbers interact. This can be especially helpful in
math, where the child can use these characters as mnemonic devices to memorize
multiplication tables. Describe the Story Read
a passage out loud to your child. Ask the child how they have visualized an
aspect of the story: what do you think the character looks like? Have the child
read the next passage, and then ask them to visualize another aspect: what does
the character's house look like? This
technique helps the child continue to use their greatest strength while reading-
their ability to think in pictures. Allowing a child to realize that they can
still use their visual brain while reading can help take a lot of the stress
out of reading. In
working with any learning disability, identifying the child's strengths and
focusing on those is extremely important. To learn more about your child's
individual strengths and how to help them with their areas of improvement,
having an official cognitive assessment can be a vital tool. To
learn more about cognitive assessments and the benefits of psychological
services, Edmonton families are encouraged to visit our services page. |
How to identify learning disabilities in preschool- and elementary-aged children
| Posted on September 22, 2014 at 6:52 PM |
comments (528)
|
 Individual differences can make the
manifestation of psychopathology varied and difficult to assess. In children,
while learning disabilities all impact on their academic achievement and school
performances, the symptoms can look very different. One child may be struggling
with math, while another may excel in reading but for some reason do very
poorly in spelling. It is not always easy to identify learning disabilities due
to the wide variations, but there are similar warning signs that children will
share. Below is a checklist that lists some of the common problems that you can
use to see whether your preschool- or elementary-aged child has a learning
disability. Preschool:
Elementary:
There is no single profile or
symptom that you can use as solid proof to help make a diagnosis. If you use
the above-mentioned checklist and suspect that your child may have a learning
disability, I am an Edmonton-based psychologist who would be able to give your
child a psychoeducational assessment. Learn more about my services in
the Edmonton area. |
Impact of ADHD on Family Members
| Posted on September 8, 2014 at 12:57 PM |
comments (886)
|
 It can be overwhelming to raise a child
with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The disorder not only
affects the child, but family members as well. Side effects of living with a
child with ADHD can become problematic if not dealt with immediately. Here are some key points to be mindful of, so
you can ensure negative feelings don’t fester and worsen. Impact
on parents:
Impact
on siblings:
Raising a child with ADHD requires teamwork and
contribution from each member of the family. A combination of compassion and
consistency are necessary in order for the family to meet the demands and
challenges of living with a child with ADHD. I hope these caution signs help you to lessen any potential detrimental effects on your family. I understand the challenges your family is faced with, and I can help formulate an intervention plan for your child. Please give us a call, or for more information, visit my services page |
Ten Things Your Autistic Child would Want You to Know: Part II
| Posted on August 27, 2014 at 12:33 PM |
comments (384)
|
 A child with autism is just like any other child, but communicates their needs,
wants, feelings and desires in different ways. Maybe they can never tell you
directly, but there are still things they would want you, the parents, to know.
Below is the continuation of a list of things that your child would want you to
know.
5. Please listen to my
own way of communicating: It
is difficult for me to tell you my wants and needs because I may not have the
verbal capacity to do so. I still have feelings and can be frustrated, scared
or confused but I just cannot find the right words. Watch out for my body
language, signs of agitation and withdrawal. If I am able to speak, you may
find me telling you things in scripts that I have memorized from books, films,
TV or the speech of other people. I may not know what I am saying, but at least
I am trying.
6. I’m visually oriented: Instead of telling me, show me how to do
something. Be prepared to repeat yourself and show me many, many times. I’m
sorry to try your patience, but it helps me learn. I need to see something in
order to learn it. Speaking alone does not help me much. If you give me
instructions, make sure to use visual stimuli as support.
7. Focus on what I can do
rather than what I can’t do: Even if I can’t communicate my feelings and thoughts very well, I
still do not like feeling that I’m not good enough and that I need fixing.
Focus on my strengths: There are many things I can do and I’m waiting for you
to find them.
8. Help me with my social
interactions: Teach me how to play with others. Encourage
others to play with me instead of asking me to initiate – I have difficulties
doing so as it’s hard for me to read facial expressions and body language and
decipher emotions. I do best in structured play activities so give me a game
that has a concrete beginning and ending.
9. Identify my triggers: When I have an emotional meltdown, it is very
devastating for me because one or more of my senses has gone into overload or I
have been pushed too far. Keep an eye on my behavioral patterns and you may see
ways to prevent this.
10. Love me just the way I
am: I am just a child. I
need your support and unconditional love. Please do not expect me to fulfill
your every expectation, but with your guidance I will do able to do a lot more. Every child has different abilities and it would help
your child to remember this rather than characterizing your child by their
disabilities. Look past their limitations and see their strengths. If you are
in need of a Edmonton-based psychologist to give your child an assessment,
please take a look at my services.
|
10 things your autistic child would want you to know: Part I
| Posted on August 7, 2014 at 2:44 PM |
comments (812)
|
 Autism is a complex disorder that
renders its sufferers with problems in sensory processing, speech/language
development, social interaction skills and emotional areas. Many children with
autism are incapable of fluent speech, causing difficulties in communication.
Each child has his/her unique set of needs, but there are also general things
that most children with autism do share. Below is a list of things that every
child with autism wishes his/her parents to know: 1. I am still a child:
My autism does not define me, rather, it is just a part of me. Would you be
happy if people thought of you as just one thing? Like any other kid, I still have thoughts,
feelings, ideas, and talents. Just because I have a disorder does not mean I am
useless. I am more than meets the eye. Do not think me any less than other
children without the disorder. I am still developing and growing, so do not
give up on me. 2. I have sensory
problems: Every sensory stimulus may overwhelm me
because I am more sensitive than other children. You may not notice things such
lights shining, water dripping, or people walking by, but I do. Every sound,
smell, touch, taste, sight can be very painful for me. My environment is not a
friendly one because I am constantly bombarded by stimuli. Sometimes I may
appear withdrawn or belligerent because I cannot handle the stimuli overload. It is not because I am trying to be mean, but because
it’s too much for me to handle. 3. I can’t, not I
won’t: Sometimes I really do want to follow
the instructions that you give me, but I simply cannot understand you. If you call
me from across the room, everything becomes gibberish to me and I feel
frustrated. You will have to come over to me and get my attention before you
speak to me. If you can put your instructions in simple, concrete words, I will
be better able to do what you want me to do. 4. I have trouble
understanding latent messages: I interpret language
literally – that means that I have difficulty understanding indirect references
and secondary meanings. Therefore, please do not tell me to “take it easy” when
you want me to stop running. Tell me everything in concrete terms or else I
will not be able to comprehend. Your child relies on you to support and
help them. Although it may be difficult, dealing with a child with autism can
be manageable. If you live in the Edmonton area and would like us to facilitate
a treatment plan that caters to your child’s specific needs, please contact us.
We would be happy to help. |
Is Your Child Autistic?
| Posted on July 23, 2014 at 1:27 PM |
comments (9929)
|
 According to the CDC, about 1 out of 68 children has been diagnosed with with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is far more common than people realize, so if you observe any telltale signs in your child, getting a proper assessment is the first step. A
psychologist may be able to spot possible underlying causes for your child's
behavior that you may not have considered--causes that include the possibility
that your child may have some form of autism. What is Autism? ASD is a range of complex neurodevelopmental disorders that
cause significant behavioral, communication and social impairments. ASD
encompasses several conditions which includes autism or autistic disorder),
Asperger syndrome, PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise
specified) and childhood disintegrative disorder. ASD is more common among boys
than girls. Signs and Symptoms ASD is difficult to diagnose because symptoms and severity
widely vary, and milder symptoms often go unrecognized and/or are misdiagnosed
as other health conditions. Doctors can typically can make a diagnosis by
observing and monitoring a child's behavior and development for any
abnormalities. In some cases ASD can be detected in a child as young as 18
months old, but many children are not diagnosed until they are much older. Listed below are symptoms of early onset of ASD: ·
Little or no eye contact ·
Lack of social skills ·
Inability to say single words by 16 months or
two-word phrases by age 2 ·
No response to his or her name ·
No pointing or babbling or pointing by age 1 ·
No smiling or lacks social responsiveness ·
Unable to communicate ·
Excessively lining up or arranging toys or
objects Symptoms
of later onset of ASD: ·
Unable to make friends with peers ·
Unusual and repetitive speech patterns ·
Unable to start or maintain a conversation with
others ·
Restricted patterns of interest that are
abnormal in focus or intensity ·
Preoccupation with certain subjects or objects ·
Absence or impairment of imaginative and social
play ·
Inflexible adherence to specific schedules,
rituals or routines Causes and Risk Factors The cause of ASD is not yet known, however, research has
shown that there are factors that may increase a child's risk for ASD. Persons with certain chromosomal or genetic
conditions were found to be more likely to develop ASD, as were children with siblings who have ASD. Certain medications taken during pregnancy have also been linked to higher incidence of ASD, including: Misoprostol, a commonly prescribed treatment of gastric ulcers and less frequently used to induce medical abortions; Valproic acid, a commonly prescribed anti-epileptic drug (AED); and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) a class of drugs commonly used as antidepressants. Researchers are also studying the link between higher rates of autism to children born of older parents. This parental age/ASD relationship may provide important clues to the factors that lead to autism. For instance, increased age may account for increased cumulative exposure to toxic chemicals. Older moms have greater risks of pregnancy complications, and as a woman’s eggs age, they are more likely to carry genetic changes that can affect fetal development. Treatment ASD has no cure, but it can treated. Treatment typically
involves behavioral and educational therapy to help autistic children develop
their language and social skills, as well as counseling for families of
autistic children. Medication may also be prescribed to treat certain
autism-related symptoms such as anxiety, depression or obsessive-compulsive
disorder. If you are looking for a good child psychologist in Edmonton to help you determine whether or not your child has ASD, a qualified and licensed professional is just a phone call or email away. The sooner you reach out for help, the sooner your child can get the treatment he or she needs. |
Learning Disabilities and Disorders
| Posted on July 10, 2014 at 4:11 PM |
comments (486)
|
 Whether it’s problems with focus and studying, fear of getting up in front of people to present a paper, lack of reading and writing comprehension, or lower than expected math skills, there comes a time when a child’s inability to complete his work goes beyond the normal childhood lack of focus and motivation, when it’s more than just wanting to be outside on a spring day. If a child is having issues in school or with studies that are consistent and persistent, and it seems that he or she cannot overcome the problems they are having, you might be coping with learning disabilities. Edmonton parents who face this problem should not despair; the first step is educating yourself on just what a learning disability is, so you can better seek help and treatment. Defining a Learning Disability Defining what a learning disability is, can be difficult because the terms, “Learning Disability” and “Learning Disorder,” are blanket terms that cover a broad spectrum of issues related to learning and focus that affect a child’s ability to store and process new information. The first thing that you need to understand is that if your child has a learning disability, that does not mean they are not intelligent. Many kids and adults with learning disorders hare very bright and clever people. The only difference between them and others is that they process information differently. The way they see, hear, and understand information is not the same as the way others do. That doesn’t make them better or worse than anyone else, just different. The most common kinds of learning disabilities affect the following skills: · Reading · Writing · Mathematics · Reasoning · Listening · Communication Signs of a Learning Disorder Different learning disorders have different signs and symptoms. Each one looks different—while one child has problems with reading and writing, another may have problems with math or basic communication. This can make it difficult to diagnose a learning disability. However, there are some common warning signs for which you may want to watch out.Here are a few of these signs. · Difficulty with pronunciation · Searching for the right words to communicate · Problems with basics like the alphabet, days of the week, colors and shapes · Troubles connecting sounds with letters or written words · Persistent reading and spelling troubles · Problems with simple math concepts like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division · Problems with telling time · Issues with creative thinking, such as with open-ended or essay questions on exams · Poor organizational skills · Sloppy handwriting Other Disorders There are other disorders that can interfere with learning, but are not strictly learning disorders. Issues like ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) or Autism Spectrum Disorder can also include symptoms that interfere with learning. These have their own individual treatments and approaches. A qualified counselor can help you find the best approach for your child. One thing that you should always remember is that your child does not have to be limited by his or her learning disability—she absolutely can succeed! If you think your child may have problems with learning disabilities, Edmonton based help is available. Give me a call! |
