ML Interest Tag: behavioral-therapy

Researchers Reduce IQ Exam Length While Maintaining Accuracy

by Jennifer Swartvagher

If your child has special needs they will need to take an IQ test every few years in order to maintain or modify services through your school district. For decades, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children is the gold-standard test neuropsychologists use to determine the intellectual abilities of children with special needs. Unfortunately this test can take over two hours to administer and many children with special needs have a hard time participating in such a long test. 

child taking test

To solve this problem, researchers at the University of Missouri’s Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders identified measures in the test that appeared to be repetitive and succeeded in shortening the test by up to 20 minutes while still maintaining its accuracy in determining a child’s IQ.

“As neuropsychologists, we spend a considerable amount of time — usually a full day or a full afternoon at least — with patients to really get to know them, and that can be a lot for a child with a neurological disorder like autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),” said John Lace, a doctoral student who is completing an internship in clinical neuropsychology in the MU School of Health Professions. “If we can efficiently maximize the information we get from our patients during this test without overburdening them, we can save time and money for both clinicians and patients, which reduces the overall health care burden on families with neurodevelopmental disabilities.”

Neuropsychologists use the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children test to not only assist in diagnosing individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, but also to help inform decisions about treatment and educational plans.

“Our overall goal is to help people understand any cognitive or learning differences they may have, which can lead to treatment options such as behavioral therapy or interventions at school,” said Lace. “As neuropsychologists, our profession is at the crux of addressing these challenges both academically and practically to help clinicians streamline what they do and positively impact patient care.”

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Annie Spratt on Unsplash

RELATED STORIES

This Study Shows the Stress Working Parents Face Could Actually Cost Them Their Jobs

New Study Reveals How Praise Affects Students’ Behavior

New Study Finds the Brains of Babies & Adults Sync Up During Play-Time

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Parents of ADHD Children: Here Are Some Things to Consider

By Victoria Ward

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by a difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Diagnosing ADHD in children is difficult because, let’s face it, almost every child meets those criteria. Whether your child was diagnosed, or you suspect they may have ADHD, here are some things to consider.

Since it’s a neurobehavioral disorder, a licensed clinical psychologist or psychiatrist should be consulted for a formal diagnosis to be made. There are various therapeutic and medicinal methods available after psychiatric consultation. For most children, a regimen of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) will be used. CBT is the most popular therapeutic method for treating people with ADHD. This concerns changing the child’s behaviors to improve their focus and lower impulsivity over time.

Talk therapy may also be used for symptom management. Most therapists will use a combination of CBT and talk therapy to effectively treat ADHD. If symptoms endure or are particularly severe then a psychiatrist may speak with you about prescription and non-prescription options. Paradoxically, stimulants often help hyperactive children with their ADHD symptoms. This is because they interact with the neurotransmitter dopamine, which plays a role in attention and focus. Depressants may also be prescribed if your child doesn’t respond well to the stimulants.

The prospect of giving your child prescription medicines can be frightening. So, doctors have recently begun looking into over-the-counter medicines as well as dietary components to substitute prescriptions. Some of these supplements include L-theanine, hemp extract, 5-HTP, and various vitamins. New research suggests that certain foods may also contribute to ADHD and related symptoms. These include refined sugars, caffeine, milk, chocolate, and food dyes.

Since children with ADHD are typically high-energy, it’s also important to give them an outlet to channel it through. Signing them up for sports and clubs are great ways of doing this, especially those involving lots of teamwork and body movement. Playing sports or physically engaging clubs that conclude about an hour before bed will exhaust your child’s energy and help them sleep, as well. This also presents a wonderful opportunity to strengthen social skills, which can be challenging with ADHD.

ADHD often co-exists with social anxiety, depression, conduct disorders, and learning disabilities. The latter of which is typically from a difficulty focusing and not from any deficit in intelligence or other cognitive impairment. To avoid social anxiety, it’s important to make sure your child socializes outside of school for at least an hour or two a day while also having a couple hours of alone time afterwards to de-compress. ADHD children may also have a lot of creative energy that’s hard to express in school, so making sure they can let their imaginations take them at home is vital.

It’s easy for children with ADHD to feel depressed from a young age. This often results from an amalgamation of social stress, low self-esteem, difficulty ‘fitting in’, and lack of direction. To remedy these issues, it’s important to talk to your child about their interests, speak with their teachers about their conduct at school, and be sure they have a solid group of friends. Depression can also be diet or sleep related, so keeping those in check is always important. This is especially true since ADHD can make sleeping difficult in young children.

My name's Vicky and I have a beautiful four-year-old son named Paul who just started preschool. When I'm not being a mother, I practice tennis and play with my corgi, Milo.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

My Child Has Anxiety. How Can I Help?

By Kay Carter

Anxiety disorders affect many people, but as a parent, it can be truly heartbreaking to see anxiety affect your child. Children are not as articulate when it comes to talking about their feelings, so it may be that the way you discover this anxiety is through physical symptoms, such as a stomachache or refusal to do things that other children normally do (i.e. go to school or birthday parties). If you’re a parent who has a child with anxiety, here are a few ways to care for them.

1. Make sure they get enough sleep and establish a routine.

Young children need around 11 to 13 hours of sleep every night. Establish a good evening routine that is calming and predictable and choose a bedtime that will net the recommended hours of sleeping time. Some children with anxiety like having a routine because it makes them feel safe, so this should be an easy implementation.

Don’t let kids watch scary or extremely stimulating TV shows or movies right before bed; instead, cultivate a healthy habit of reading or working on puzzles. Another way to make sure your child gets enough sleep is to remove all distractions that could be impeding a good night’s rest. This includes fixing all faulty appliances that make noise, dimming lights (or shutting them off completely) and ensuring the bedroom is a safe and peaceful haven for your child.

2. Help them work through their feelings.

If you have children with anxiety, you can model what it looks like to deal with emotions in a reasonable manner. Anxious children sometimes have a hard time expressing strong emotions like anger or sadness because they are afraid people will be angry with them. With younger children, help them cultivate their inner voice by talking about feelings and what to do in certain situations. Don’t get angry if they’re not able to express themselves clearly; after all, they are children and are still learning how to navigate the world.

WorryWiseKids says, “It is okay to let your child experience some anxiety. Your child needs to know that anxiety is not dangerous, but something they can cope with.” Let your child know that experiencing feelings is okay.

3. Remove the stigma of therapy.

If a child needs therapy to deal with ongoing anxiety issues, this is nothing to be ashamed of. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a popular option for both adults and children, as it teaches the interconnectedness of thoughts and feelings and has been shown to be equally as effective as medication.

CBT for children and adolescents is usually composed of short-term treatments that focus on teaching children and their parents specific skills. This strategy differs from other therapy approaches by focusing on the ways that a child’s thoughts, emotions and behaviors are interconnected and how they affect one another. Because emotions, thoughts and behaviors are all linked, CBT approaches allow for therapists to intervene at various points in the cycle.

4. Be aware of transitional difficulties.

Children often find it difficult to make transitions, whether it’s between activities, places or objects that hold their attention. Being asked to stop one thing they like doing and start another (even if it’s another positive thing) is a very common trigger for problem behavior, especially for kids with anxiety. “Transitions are hard for everybody,” says Dr. David Anderson, senior director of the ADHD and Behavior Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute. “One of the reasons why transitions may be hard is that we’re often transitioning from a preferred activity—something we like doing—to something that we need to do.”

Transition difficulty can take the form of resistance, avoidance, distraction, negotiation or a full-blown meltdown. Some of these reactions could be the result of kids being overwhelmed by their emotions. For a child with anxiety, these emotions may be even more extreme, especially if you respond negatively to these emotions. Your reaction could be the difference between an anxious child learning to deal with emotions in a healthy way.

5. Set reasonable expectations.

It’s important to have the same expectations of your anxious child that you would of another child who doesn’t deal with symptoms of anxiety (for example, expect them both to go to birthday parties, make decisions, talk to adults, etc.). However, understand that the pace might need to be slower with the child dealing with anxiety.

Help your child break down big tasks into smaller steps that can be accomplished (i.e. Go to the party with your child and agree to stay as long as your child is interacting with others; next time, stay for the first half hour and then leave). You can also help role-play or act out possible ways your child could handle a difficult situation. Saying it out loud makes kids more confident and more likely to try the strategy when they are alone.

Hi! My name is Kay Carter and I love writing about health and wellness trends, traveling with my family and sitting down with a good book.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

How to Convince My Mom Brain I Am Crushing It in 2019

By Martha Hoffman

Photo: Eye for Ebony

I don’t really participate the whole New Year’s resolution hubbub. That being said, I do get that adrenaline rush from the idea of a fresh start and some good ol’ goal setting. Or a fresh new notebook. (I am a sucker for a fantastic notebook.)

Anyhow, I go through cycles throughout the year of gym-going, book-reading, meal-planning and all the things I guess I think I am supposed to improve upon as an adult. Sometimes I do quite well. But I don’t really see it that way—and it sucks.

Take exercise, for example. I set a goal to exercise four times in a week. Then, my week ends and I have exercised three times in said week. Do I celebrate the three times I busted my arse?! Nope. I harp on the one stupid workout that I missed or skipped. Or, I set a goal to start meal planning and to prepare home-cooked-goodness five nights in a week. Even, if by some miracle, I meet that goal, I still beat myself up because I don’t sustain it in the weeks that follow.

“No Martha, those five healthy, delicious, locally-grown, cruelty-free meals you just made your family don’t count. Sorry. Try again.”

Why does my brain do this? Am I alone here? Is there anyone out there?

Actually, I know you’re out there. In the world of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), this negativeve self-talk is called “filtering” or “negative filtering” or “mental filtering.” It is one of the many cognitive distortions people can experience. The general idea is that you filter only the potentially negative sides of things and then magnify them. This can result in everything positive—the success, the accomplishment—being completely overshadowed.

WTF brain?! Why would you do this to me? I just did all those burpees and then ate millet and ramps. Let me mentally celebrate a little, will ya?

As if getting along with ALL THE PEOPLE (kids, husband, parents, in-laws, colleagues, neighbors, etc.) weren’t enough, now I need to get along with my own head? Like, tell myself to stop bullying myself. Blerg. Doesn’t seem fair.

From what I can gather, there are two possible solutions. One is something they call “cognitive restructuring” or “reframing.” The negative filtering is a stress-inducing habit. With restructuring or reframing, you can work to alter or rewire those habits and hopefully, decrease or eliminate that mental stress.

The second solution is to set your goals low. I’m talking exercise-once-a-month, read-one-book-this year, don’t-eat-pizza-three-times-in-a-week low. Then, I can spend all my mental energy focusing on the goals I have achieved. And more importantly, tell everyone I know that I have achieved 100 percent of the goals I set.

The choice is yours—but for me? I am going with the latter. Buh-bye stress! See you in 2020!

…I am only half kidding. My real answer is to set some realistic goals that not only allow for, but promote growth, rather than perfection. What am I actually going to do?

When my bully brain is telling me I am a bum for skipping a work out, I will force myself to say out loud, maybe even to a witness (get ready husband), that I did exercise three times this week. And that I had more fun running and playing with my girls because I was not as winded. That’s what it’s really all about, right? We set these goals so we can enjoy life more. Be happy more. Feel fulfilled more.

So, give it a shot. Silence that Debby Downer voice and, even if it feels really hokey at first, say the positive stuff out loud. For real.

I taught for years and now I train teachers full time. I live in Washington, D.C., with hubs and two littles of my own. Though I try to keep things simple, I’ve got lots going on to make me smile. Occasionally, when the real ridiculousness strikes, I write it down.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

19 Amazing Things to Do with Kids on the Spectrum

by LeTania Kirkland Smith

One of the things we love most about LA is that it is home to families of all shapes, sizes and varieties—which includes those with special needs and on the autism spectrum. There is also a growing community of support and activities available for families. From working with animals to getting out on the sports field, there are a million (or 19!) outings that are not only inclusive of kids with autism but specifically designed for them.

photo: The Gentle Barn

 

Working with Animals

The Gentle Barn
Ellie Laks founded The Gentle Barn in 1999 as a way to connect her love for animals and kids. Laks felt deeply connected to animals and believed in their healing qualities from a young age. Having studied psychology and special education she created the Gentle Barn to create a space where animals and children can heal each other.  The Gentle Barn is not a petting zoo but an animal sanctuary. The barn rescues abused and traumatized animals, brings them back to health and gives them a space to live the rest of their lives peacefully. The Barn is open to everyone but was also created  to provide a space for at-risk and special needs kids. Lak says the Barn is a safe, quiet space where kids can explore and “they are free to be themselves, they are completely accepted for how they show up, and the animals love them unconditionally.” The Gentle Barn is located in Santa Clarita and is open to the public Sundays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Check their website for tickets and schedules.

15825 Sierra Highway
Santa Clarita
661-252-2440
Online: gentlebarn.org

Danny’s Farm
Danny’s Farm is an inclusive petting zoo that is housed at Cal Poly Pomona. The farm was created by former Dodger’s pitcher Jim Gott and his wife as a way to honor their son Danny, who has autism.  As they discovered more about their son, they found that he had a love for farm animals, which in turn had a therapeutic effect on him. The farm is operated by the Cal Poly Pomona’s Veterinary Sciences department and its students. While the farm no longer offers a specialty autism program, it does provide a safe space where all children are welcome. The farm is open Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.,  March through mid-November. Danny’s Farm also hosts a mobile petting zoo, which will come to you.

4102 S. University Dr.
Pomona
909-896-7741
Online: dannysfarm.org

photo: Paul Weaver via Flickr

Get out on That Field: Sports and Rec

Little League Challenger Division
American Little League has stepped up to the plate to provide a safe and rewarding place for all kids to play ball. The Challenger League is open to kids 4-18 (or up to 22, if they are still in high school) and teams are created based on ability rather than age. The game is tweaked slightly to allow everyone a chance at bat and on the field and there is no score keeping. The buddy system is used, though players are encouraged to do as much on their own as possible with their buddy always nearby to help.  Check their website or call for more information about a Challenger division near you.

570-326-1921 x2254
Online: littleleague.org

AYSO VIP
The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) offer what the call the VIP program for all kids with special needs. In this program, trained coaches and volunteers work with kids and provides a “buddy system” during the games to help kids learn the game and interact with new friends in a safe and supportive environment. Check their website to get more details about league locations.

800-872-2976
Online: ayso.org

photo: Kids Like Me

The Help Group “Kids Like Me” Program
The Help Group has created a series of campuses throughout the L.A. that offers pre-K through high hchool programs for kids on the spectrum. “Kids Like Me” is an extracurricular program open to the public that offers typical after-school activities like sports, art, dance and even specialties like film making. The objective of the program is to combine fun activities with a social skills based curriculum. The staff is trained to observe interactions between students and use their experience as teachable moments for social interaction. The program is open to all students across the autism spectrum, and the faculty works to group kids chronologically and developmentally to ensure they are with the best possible peer group.

Locations in Sherman Oaks and Culver City. Check out their website for the current schedule.
Online: kidslikemela.org

photo: My Gym

Gymnastics Classes

Gymnastics For Life
Coach Shawn Marsh has been living in the world of gymnastics for over 30 years. As a teenager growing up in South LA, an introduction to gymnastics provided a focus to pull him through the challenges of the neighborhood and stoked a lifelong love for gymnastics. He has taught in gyms throughout the city and personally coached a Special Olympics gymnast who went on to earn 4 gold medals. Coach Marsh has developed a curriculum that offers “traditional” and “non-traditional” gymnastics that allows little gymnasts to set their own standards that are appropriate for their age and developmental stage. A big bonus is that Coach Marsh offers group classes and in-home visits throughout LA and the San Fernando Valley. Check the website for locations and details.

818-636-3397
Online: gymnasticsforlife.com

Broadway Gymnastics School
Broadway Gymnastics School has been in the business of training little gymnasts since 1979. With a huge facility near Playa Vista, Broadway Gymnastics offers traditional classes and a special needs program that has been recognized by the Autism Speaks organization. Classes are open to babes 18 months and up. 1-on-1 coaching is available as well as group classes. There are after-school classes as well as a variety of camps, because we can all use a little help when school is out.

5433 Beethoven St.
West LA
310-302-0035
Online: broadwaygym.com

Los Angeles School of Gymnastics
Tucked into Culver City, The Los Angeles School of Gymnastics has been training gymnasts of all ages since 1975. Now they are also working to bring the benefits of gymnastics and physicality to kids (and adults) with special needs. The qualities of gymnastics are used as a means for rehabilitation and can be considered part of your little tumbler’s occupational therapy. Plus, the LASG is linked with nearly every major funding organization, so you may be able to receive financial assistance for gymnastics classes.

8450 Higuera St.
Culver City
310-204-1980
Online: lagymnastics.com

My Gym
If you’re a parent in LA, chances are you’ve heard of My Gym, which has locations throughout the city (and the whole country). My Gym offers classes for kids from 6 weeks old and up. Classes include gymnastics, karate and dance. While every My Gym does not offer classes specific to kids on the spectrum, their locations are open to kids no matter their developmental challenges. Those on the spectrum are welcome to join classes and feel their way through it as well as bringing a shadow, if needed. Check their website, find your local gym and ask what classes might be best for your little mover.

Multiple locations across Los Angeles, check the website for details.
Online: mygym.com

photo: LeTania Kirkland Smith

Space to Play

We Rock the Spectrum
The top philosophy at We Rock the Spectrum is, “Finally a place where you never have to say ‘I’m sorry.'” WRTS is an indoor gym and play space that is fully inclusive for all children. The gym was founded by Dina Kimmel, whose son Gabriel is on the spectrum. After years of therapy and apologetically explaining that her son was autistic when out in public, she decided  to open a space to welcome families living with autism and educate those who are not. WRTS is unique in that it is open to all kids whether or not they are on the spectrum. WRTS has locations across the country (and now in Malaysia) and all are equipped with 10 pieces of sensory equipment designed to help kids with sensory processing disorders. But don’t think for a minute that the gym won’t appeal to kids of all abilities and ages. Who doesn’t want to spend time on a zip line or rock on a hammock swing? And parents are encouraged to interact right along with their kids; so go have a good jumping session and everyone will be better for it.

There are multiple locations in Los Angeles; check their website for the location nearest you.
Online: wrtsfranchise.com

photo: LeTania Kirkland Smith

Dream Big Children’s Center
If you’re in the market for an indoor play space, Dream Big Children’s Center in Monrovia fits the bill. This is an inclusive space that welcomes all kids but the center’s creator, Cristina Cordeiro, created the space with autistic kids in mind. Cordeiro has worked with autistic kids for over 15 years and has been the director of a behavioral therapy organization for the last five years. This experience combined with her new found life as a mama pushed her to create a space where all children—no matter their needs—can play together.

The space was meticulously designed with the needs of autistic kids in mind, with multiple themed rooms that designed to soften sound; the overall design of the center is neutral to help kids avoid sensory overload from bright colors and bright lighting. Dream Big’s staff have autism training and the center offers Applied Behavior Analysis therapy both in-home and at the center. A huge plus is that families with multiple kids can bring the whole family for some play time while meeting their child’s special needs. It’s a win-win.

612 S. Myrtle Ave.
Monrovia
626-775-7888
Online: dreambigchildren.com

photo: LeTania Kirkland Smith

Travel Town Museum
As one of the pillars of the Griffith Park experience, Travel Town is a must for any Angeleno, but it also happens to be a superb place for many kids on the spectrum. While nothing is a one-size-fits all scenario, the outdoor space combined with train tables and the experience of climbing into a real engine makes for a positive take-away. This LA classic comes highly recommended from families with kids on the spectrum.

5200 Zoo Dr.
323-662-5874
Online: traveltown.org

photo: The Water Whisperer

Into the Pool: Swimming Lessons

The Water Whisperer
Learning to swim and feel comfortable in the water is both a matter of safety and a boost in confidence for all young people. Emily Cohen, The Water Whisperer, employs a unique technique for teaching kids to swim and provides one on one classes for those with special needs. As an artist, Cohen takes a creative approach and uses toys, songs, games and lots of encouragement to get kids in the water. Cohen also believes in the power of routine—especially for kids with special needs—and adheres to the class routine to provide swimmers with a sense of security. The Water Whisper holds classes in Sherman Oaks and Woodland Hills. When contacting them be sure to provide all info about your little swimmer’s needs.

Online: thewaterwhisperer.com

One With the Water
One With the Water was created by Coach Kenneth Rippetoe. After working in Bolivia, Venezuela and Spain with “sponsor a child” programs to help kids in need receive education, Rippetoe founded One With the Water. Semi-private and private special needs classes are offered in community pools throughout the LA Area. One With the Water is a non-profit and is dedicated to providing scholarships to special needs kids and families who could use financial assistance. The organization also works closely with other therapy organizations to create a lasting community for its participants. Check out their website for more details.

323-364-7946
Online: onewiththewater.org

photo: The Miracle Project

Putting the Hands to Work: Performance and Creation

The Miracle Project
We all know the healing and therapeutic properties of the arts, but The Miracle Project has taken this idea as a mission. This organization has created an inclusive space where individuals with and without autism collaborate to develop and perform original musicals. The Miracle Project uses a methodology that combines theater, film, music, movement and other expressive arts and allows kids with autism to collaborate with others to develop as peers and artists.

Program director and teacher, Ryan Berman says this community helps “bring out the best” in those with autism and allows them to find their voice in a unique way. The Miracle Project offers classes in musical theater, improv, movement and music.  You can also check out the documentary Autism: The Musical, which tells the story of The Miracle Project.

9301 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 507
Beverly Hills
310-829-7034
Online: themiracleproject.org

photo: Purple Twig

Purple Twig
Purple Twig in Eagle Rock is a great place for art exploration for young artists of all abilities. The space offers specialized workshops and art classes as well as an open studio on Saturdays where kids can dig into a large variety of sensory (and recycled!) materials that can be a big plus for some kids on the spectrum. While Purple Twig does not specialize in art classes for kid with autism, it is a welcoming space. Check it out and see if it works for your family.

2038 Colorado Blvd.
Eagle Rock
323-254-8944
Online: purpletwig.com

Rolling Robots
Another spot that comes highly recommended by parents is the building workshop sensation Rolling Robots. RR has multiple locations and offers after school robot building workshops. Though RR does not offer specific special needs classes, it is an inclusive space. From the most basic to more complicated robotics this is a great spot where kids on the spectrum can focus, work with their hands and be a part of a community. RR also offers birthday parties and camps.

Rolling Robots las locations in Glendale, West LA and Palos Verdes.  Check the website for details.
Online: rollingrobots.com

photo: Ride On

Giddy-Up: Horseback Riding

Ride On
Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship teaches adaptive horseback riding to kids and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities from the age of 6 & up. The organization also uses the art of horseback riding to provide physical, occupational and speech therapy by using the movement of the horse to improve medical conditions as well as equine assisted psychotherapy. (Yes, that’s a mouthful, but it works!) Horseback riding is a unique form of therapy for kids on the spectrum because it is calming and stimulating, which provides a way for kids to physical regulate their bodies. Beyond that, connecting with the horses and other kids in the group allows those who may struggle socially to make connections they may not be able to otherwise. Scholarships are available for those in need.

Locations in Chatsworth and Newbury Park; check the website for details.
Online: rideon.org

photo: The Children’s Ranch Foundation

Children’s Ranch Foundation
The Children’s Ranch in Griffith Park is yet another bit of genius created by a mama inspired to help her child and others like her. Jackie Sloan began horseback riding with her own daughter as a therapeutic approach to living on the spectrum. Sloan was struck by the transformative effect riding and caring for animals had on her family and left her job as a practicing attorney to create the Children’s Ranch Foundation.

Working with animals, says Sloan, has a way of drawing children with special needs into a group setting and making social connections. The Ranch offers, therapeutic horseback riding, Ranch Play and Ranch Hands where kids are introduced to the animals and learn to care for them, as well as sibling and parent workshops. The Children’s Ranch is a deep commitment for families and takes a bit of paperwork to get going, but if your family is looking for a deeper therapeutic process, it’s more than worth the effort.

4007 Verdant St.
Atwater Village
213-447-6456
Online: thechildrensranch.org

Do you have any wonderful organizations or activities that are perfect for kids on the spectrum?  Please share them with our community in the comment section!

—LeTania Kirkland Smith

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

The Newest Resource for Special Needs Kids

by allison ellis

Your pediatrician offers same day appointments. The nurse line is open 24 hours a day. Heck, Web MD is always there when you need it. So why is it, when it comes to your child’s mental health, you have to get in line for an appointment that might be months away? Behavior issues, developmental delays, potential Asperger’s, ADHD or even Autism… these are things you want to have assessed ASAP. So here’s a tip: Cadence Family Therapy, a group practice that just opened up in Kirkland, can see you now.

Say your preschooler is falling apart on a daily basis. How do you know if those tantrums or mood swings are “normal”? Ditto for the tween years – is it pre-puberty moodiness or something more serious? What about the life changes your kiddos may have recently experienced – a death in the family, divorce, or a serious illness? Perhaps you suspect that your child is extremely gifted – what then? With an estimated 20 – 25% of children with diagnosable emotional or behavioral disorders according to the National Institute of Mental Health, you’re not alone in your search for the answers.

 

Here is what Cadence offers: Mental health services for kids ages 2 – 21 and their parents, addressing everything from disruptive behaviors to family relationship and parenting strategies; learning disabilities, giftedness, and autism spectrum, plus issues related to depression and anxiety. Services include individual and family therapy, testing, in-home or school consultation and support, group classes, and team-based wraparound support for intensive needs. Evidence-based methods such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and family therapy are incorporated in the process.

Led by clinical director Ronnie Cunningham, PhD, with a team of psychologists and masters-level therapists, Cadence has coordinated support through alliances with Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington, local pediatricians, and many public and private schools in the Seattle and Eastside areas.

 

Cadence Family Therapy
5210 Carillon Point
Kirkland, Wa 98033
425-629-3581
cadencefamilytherapy.com

Are you the parent of a special needs kid? What local resources have worked well for you?

— Allison Ellis

Photo 1 courtesy of Allison and photo 2 courtesy of Clarkston SCAMP via Flickr

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement