Posts Tagged ‘ADHD’
I’m the Lucky One
I used to lie in bed at night trying to figure out if this will be all okay. Severe. Nonverbal. Autism. Anxiety. ADHD. Long term care. Guardianship. A whole lotta words. Scary words. Sometimes I wonder how one little 8 year old boy can have so many descriptors. What they really mean, when you add them all up, is that you will have challenges that you will have to overcome. But more importantly, they mean the world isn’t designed for you sweet boy. You will spend your whole life trying…
Read MoreUnexpected Spectrum
When my wife Tammy and I met, we had four children between us; two from her first marriage, and two from mine. After a few years of being married we became like any other couple. We talked about having a child. We had yours and mine, and now we wanted the ours. Tammy, having her tubes tied after her second child, made it a little more difficult to get what we wanted. We could choose the surgery route to reverse her previous procedure, which costs a lot of money with…
Read MoreWhy I Medicated my Toddler
There is a stigma that comes with medication. An infamy that fills us with fear, guilt, and avoidance. I am the first to admit that I explored every possible avenue. Prescription drugs weren’t even up for discussion when it came to our daughter. The first person who offered my child medication was a neurologist. He told me she needed to calm down and offered a small dose of Clonidine. But I declined. Why would I medicate a 2-year-old? Then, an interim psychiatrist who did a full evaluation that we needed…
Read MoreWill He be Ok?
As I was drinking my coffee snuggled on the couch in my PJs this morning, I looked at my sweet little boy buzzing around collecting all of his wooden puzzle pieces in his upside down drum. He noticed me watching and smiled for a split second before he went back to his “work“. I said to him, “I love you buddy.” He replied in his broken word approximations, “ah uv too”. It still makes my heart melt. Several months ago I wondered if I would ever hear those words from his…
Read MoreWhy Being Mightier Can Help Your Child
Mightier, a program developed out of Boston Children’s Hospital, helps kids build emotional strength through video games. It helps all kids, regardless of current emotional regulation ability. It does this because it meets them where they are, letting them take the skills they already have, and turn them into regulation skill that works for them. It let’s kids face down the challenges in their life with grace and find their best self. Why be Mightier? Kids with emotional regulation find success. They do better at school. They form better relationships.…
Read MoreAnother Adventure in Motherhood
To my wonderful son, When you were born, I knew I was going on another adventure in motherhood. I didn’t know that you would make me a much different person than I was then. You learned how to talk at 15 months, gave the best hugs and kisses ever, and started getting into everything you could. By the time you were four, you had already broken your right foot and left arm, had stitches and a small concussion. Your pediatrician called it the “trifecta of childhood”. Along with the adventures…
Read MoreUnderstanding Different Approaches for Emotional Regulation
One thing I’ve learned in my work with children and families across the globe is that no two families or children are alike. Every time I think I have the secret sauce for helping a tantrum-prone child with autism in Germany, Japan, Texas, or Ontario, I’m humbled by the reality that what works well for one family may fail miserably for another. Over many years of clinical work at Boston Children’s Hospital and in private practice, I’ve come to the conclusion that a “one size fits all” approach simply doesn’t…
Read MoreSigns to Bring Awareness to the Invisible Disability
Last April, Cooper and I were playing at an inclusive playground in our town. The park was developed by a family of a little girl with Cerebral Palsy. It was the one place that I felt comfortable bringing Cooper alone. With inclusive playgrounds, the objective is to include everyone. They are thoughtfully designed to provide a safe place where children of all abilities can play together, and are developmentally appropriate for children with and without disabilities. Just as the name suggests, inclusive playgrounds have another mission that goes beyond the physical accommodations and specialized equipment.…
Read MoreI’m Thankful For You: My Daughter Olivia
(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Melissa Prater and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) This December I would like to honor and thank my daughter Olivia. She is my rock. A little bit about our family. We are a family of four but a village of many. My husband works full time and I get the privilege to stay home. We have two children ages 5 and 16. Jack is my youngest and is diagnosed with ADHD, a speech delay and is on the autism spectrum.…
Read MoreI’m Thankful For You: Jackson And His Jedis
(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Melissa Stone and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) When I think about who I am thankful for this November, I hardly know where to begin. I cannot restrict all of my thanks to one specific person. Rather, I am thankful for “Jackson’s Jedis” (our “village” which is comprised of many individuals who support us where we reside in California). Together, we love and advocate for awareness and acceptance. The first and foremost member of this village is Jackson, our…
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