By: Carolina Cossio, School Psychologist, Director of Evaluations We spend a great deal of time assessing children in schools and clinical settings—but it’s just as important to reflect on how we support and understand the adults who guide them. Teachers play a powerful role in children’s lives. They influence how kids see themselves, how they […]
The Impact of Teachers on Children’s Development Read More »
By: Carolina Cossio, School Psychologist Many children struggle in school—some with reading, others with math or writing, and others in ALL three areas. These challenges may stem from specific learning disorders, or they may be influenced by other developmental, emotional, or environmental factors. Sometimes, children do not have the calm, supportive environment they need to
Why Learning Difficulties Can Lead to Behavioral Issues in Children Read More »
By: Carolina Cossio, School Psychologist As a mom myself, I know how draining the day-to-day can be — and how easy it is to put play on the back burner. But the truth is, when we set aside just a few minutes to join our children in their world, something shifts. We laugh. We slow
10 Powerful Reasons to Play With Your Child — Even Just for 15 Minutes Read More »
By Tyeshaa Hudson, RCMHI Have you ever felt like something sneaky and strange was living inside your mind—whispering that you’re not good enough, or that you’ll never succeed? Like the creepy creatures on the show The Monsters Inside Me, these thoughts can feel just as invasive. But here’s the good news: these “monsters” aren’t really
Slime, Shadows, and Superheroes: Helping Kids Externalize Inner Criticism Read More »
By: Michelle Hintz, PsyD When Emma became a mom, her world narrowed down to one thing: keeping baby Noah safe. She sanitized every surface, declined birthday parties, and pulled him out of preschool for the entire winter. “There’s too much going around,” she’d say. “He’ll just get sick.” Every decision came from a place of
When Keeping Them Safe Goes Too Far: The Hidden Risks of Over-Isolating Your Child Read More »
By: Debra Cohen-Melamed, LCSW When a child consistently refuses to follow instructions, reacts strongly to everyday demands, and struggles with challenging behaviors, many parents and professionals immediately think of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). However, in some cases, what looks like defiance is actually something else entirely: Persistent Demand Avoidance (PDA). While ODD is formally recognized
PDA or ODD? Why Knowing the Difference Changes Everything Read More »
By: Kyara Ramirez-Guzman, LMHC, NCC & Michelle Hintz, PsyD In today’s fast-paced world, it’s not uncommon for children to have jam-packed schedules. Between school, sports, extracurricular activities, and homework, many young people are busier than ever. While engaging in a variety of activities can be beneficial, there’s a fine line between offering enriching experiences and
Stop the Rush: How Over-Scheduling Can Hurt Your Child & What to Do About It Read More »
By: Michelle Hintz, PsyD As a psychologist with nearly 25 years of experience, I’ve encountered numerous urgent requests from parents seeking same-day appointments after their child was suspended for being labeled a threat at school. Whether the threat is verbal or behavioral, schools are tasked with enforcing policies that prioritize safety above all else. But
By: Michelle Hintz, PsyD As the 2024-2025 school year began in Broward County, South Florida, parents and students alike faced new challenges with the introduction of metal detectors across 38 campuses. The heightened security measures have sparked mixed feelings among the community, with concerns about both safety and the practicality of the new protocols. Broward
