Developmental Health & Wellness

ADHD story telling 😊

We are very excited to announce that we have been approved as a vendor for Virginia K12 Learning Acceleration Grants. Through the VDOE, Virginia parents of school age children can receive grants up to $3000. We are currently offering comprehensive psychoeducational testing, ADHD/Executive Functioning coaching, social skills training, problem solving skills, conflict resolution training, and counseling services. Let us know how we can help. www.richmondchildpsychologist.com

You’re not too old to play. Collect pebbles and weird twigs. Cuddle a squishy teddy. Make sandcastles.

If it brings you the warm fuzzies and harms no one, age doesn’t matter.

Vertical Heterophoria: The ADHD Related Eye Condition You’ve Never Heard Of

My friend Tiff (.and.fries) yesterday posted about her recent eye exam and how many eye issues can actually be co-conditions with ADHD. One I wish more people knew about is Vertical Heterophoria - partly because it has the most interesting sounding name, and partly as it was the most easily corrected for me.

What is vertical heterophoria, you ask? It is an eye condition that is caused by the misalignment of the eyes. or what’s known as a binocular vision dysfunction. That means there is a slight imperceptible difference in your eyesight that could be causing you an array of unpleasant symptoms. Your eyes are designed to work together to create one clear image to present to your brain. When there is dysfunction there, your eye muscles work overtime to help correct the misalignment with the images. People who have vertical heterophoria can experience increasingly debilitating symptoms as their eye muscles work overtime to compensate for the visual disturbances that it can cause. Some of those symptoms can include motion sickness, anxiety, vertigo, neck pain, and more.

It is closely related to ADHD. According to the Neurovisual Center of New York, “Up to 50% of children with ADHD have a vision problem which contributes to reading and learning difficulties. Often, the vision problem is an eye misalignment so small that it’s missed on routine vision exams.” That means if you are living with ADHD you could be experiencing the symptoms of vertical heterophoria and not even know it. The fact that it is not widely known amongst a community with such a high risk for developing it is something that we should work to change.

You can read more about it in my blog post - link in bio

Image Description:[a distorted image of a person wearing glasses in tones of purple and pink. A white banner across the image says Vertical Heterophoria and ADHD]

I've lost count of the number of clients who come to me for coaching and consultation because their child either has been "thrown out" or "sent home" from preschool, or is about to be. Of course, they want my help to "fix" their child so they don't get suspended or expelled.

I want you to read this part out loud, preferably with force:

This Is A Problem With The Program/School/System, Not A Problem With Your Child.

NAEYC, the National Association for Young Children, the premier professional organization for early education in the United States*, the *only* national body that accredits preschool programs (one of the markers of quality), has clear and firm policy statements opposing the use of suspension and expulsion in preschools.

Research demonstrates the ways in which these policies are damaging to children (and families, of course) as well as the problematic bias that is all-too-often present.

There are states in the U.S. that have explicitly voted to abolish these sorts of policies, or at least strongly discourage providers from having such policies.

Young children sometimes have trouble with impulse control and emotional regulation. We all know that. Sometimes it's mild, sometimes it's more of a challenge.

Suspension and expulsion address the school's or the teachers' challenge. They do *not* solve the child's or the family's challenge.

Professionals who work with young children are morally obligated to understand brain development, trauma, emotional regulation, and mental health in early childhood. It is our responsibility and calling to support children who are having trouble, not pass them off to another school for their next "failure." There ARE mental health strategies and productive, respectful strategies for working with children who have difficulty managing their own impulse control or emotions. If we need to build more partnerships between mental health and early education, it is incumbent upon us to do that.

As a parent, you CAN be an advocate. You CAN be an activist. You CAN be an educator--you can talk with friends, administrators, community members, parents, and more about how these policies are developmentally inappropriate and destructive.

STOP PRESCHOOL SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION. THESE PRACTICES HAVE NO PLACE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD. (Frankly, they have little usefulness in older years either, which is a worthy conversation, but not the focus of this particular post.) RESOURCES FOR LEARNING MORE IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.

*Yes, this is U.S.-centric. I can't account for other countries, though so far 100% of the parents who have contacted me about this issue have been located in the U.S.

**Before you say it in the comments (I guess this will reveal how many people actually read the whole post, eh?), YES, providing the services and training and support needed costs money. Early educators are among the lowest paid professionals, and it's true that it's a lot to ask of people who are making less than their friends who work in fast food. And in turn, of course, it means that the people who are most likely to embrace extra supportive measures for children are also likely to leave the field, because salaries are not commensurate with training. This is a fact--one that has been true since I started in this field 45 years ago, and likely before--that does impact our ability to provide services that would make preschool suspension and expulsion a thing of the past. That is another place that needs your advocacy...and of course, demands of you that you VOTE for candidates that support radically increased funding for early childhood education AND early childhood mental health (and that you know who those people are!)

Great article on helping our kids with ADHD build indendence and executive functioning skills!

How to Stop Enabling and Start Trusting: ADHD Independence-Building Strategies for Parents When students with ADHD need academic and organizational support, parents often (and understandably) supply it. But how much support is too much? When does it become enabling? And how can you help your child learn self-advocacy skills to develop independence? Try the strategies below.

Worth a repost.

Psychological Testing for Children

There are numerous reasons a parent might seek psychological testing for their child. Maybe they have questions about their child’s development, their child’s behavior has begun to worry them, or they may have found that some regions of their child’s academic performance are struggling.

Whether you have been worried about your child for a while or have noticed sudden changes in their behaviors, psychological testing can help you find answers to your child’s struggles.

What is Psychological Testing???

Psychological testing includes a sequence of interviews and tests that work toward the goal of developing a deeper understanding of one’s:
* Psychological well-being
* Social skills
* Emotional health
* Academic strengths and weaknesses

If a parent has found themselves with questions or worries about their child’s psychological health and well-being, psychological testing is a great way to pursue their answers. As the child’s parents and mental health professionals develop a deeper understanding of their child’s psychological health, they can decide whether or not to pursue further testing or treatment.

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Psychological Testing...

Every parent wants what’s best for their child. Sometimes this includes seeking advice from mental health professionals when they believe their little one is struggling psychologically.

Every child develops at a different pace and in different ways, especially as they learn how to navigate their emotions, develop new social skills, and experience constant cognitive development. So, how can you differ between developmentally normal behavior and worrisome struggles?

* Your child is experiencing a sudden behavioral change. If you have noticed sudden and significant changes to your child’s behaviors, academic performance, or social life, they may benefit from psychological testing.

* Your child has begun acting in a self-destructive manner. If your child is participating in self-harming behaviors, psychological testing may help you understand why allowing you to get your child the treatment they need as soon as possible.

* Your child has been acting violently. Violent behaviors can signify a deeper mental health issue that psychological testing may be able to find. As you and your child’s psychologist find answers to their violent behaviors, you will be better equipped to teach them healthier coping mechanisms and get the treatment they need.

* Your child is struggling in multiple areas of their life. If your child has begun struggling in multiple areas of their life, they may benefit from a psychological evaluation to determine if an underlying psychological health issue is the cause.

* Your child appears to be developmentally regressing. If your child has suddenly begun regressing behaviorally, academically, or socially, there may be an underlying cause that a psychological examination can help pinpoint.

* Your child seems to be withdrawing socially. Several personal or mental health struggles can cause social withdrawal. Psychological testing may help you determine why your child is isolating themselves, allowing you to get them the help they may need.

We Are Here for You...

Having your child’s psychological well-being tested by professionals like our child psychologists, that service the Greater Richmond, VA, can help you find the answers to your concerns. Our thorough and professional evaluations identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses, allowing us to work with you to help them receive any treatments or further testing they may need.

Have you been wondering if your child is gifted?

Parents who believe their child may be gifted might have quite a few questions about gifted testing, the benefits of identifying whether or not their child is gifted, and when you should have your child tested for giftedness. As a parent learns more about the testing process, they will have to face a decision on whether or not the psychoeducational test is suitable for their child. (https://www.richmondchildpsychologist.com/gifted-testing/)

Having your child tested for giftedness by a professional like one of our child psychologists can benefit them greatly. This form of psychological testing may be just what your child needs to receive the education they deserve, granting them a chance to develop their strengths further and strengthen their weakness. (https://www.richmondchildpsychologist.com/common-questions/)

Developmental Health & Wellness

Did you know that July was National Minority Mental Health Month???

While mental health struggles do not discriminate, a person’s upbringing, culture, ethnicity, and identity can impact their mental health and access to mental health care. We all know that access to high-quality mental health care should be a right for everyone.

However, many minorities unjustly struggle to access proper mental health care for various reasons, including:
- Cultural incompetence
- Lower quality mental health care
- Insufficient access to mental health care

How can you get involved???
Mental health care and counseling should be accessible to every American, not only a select few. If this subject has lit a fire within your heart, we are here to help you join the cause. A few ways you can get help raise awareness about minority mental health include:

- Educating Yourself
- Educate Your Community
- Donate Your Time or Money to the Cause












Keywords: minority mental health, cultural competence, counseling

ADHD in Adults

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder most well-known for its impact on children. However, the mental health disorder can impact a person at any stage of life-impacting them into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD typically begin in early childhood. While some adults experiencing ADHD may already have been diagnosed with the neurodevelopmental disorder, there are many cases in which an individual may not receive a diagnosis until later in life.

We Are Here to Help
If you believe you may be struggling with ADHD, we are here to help you. Our counselors will work to help you figure out if you are experiencing a neurodevelopmental disorder or struggling with something else. Contact us today.

Congratulations to our own educational consultant and coach, Jentae Scott-Mayo on being elected Vice Chair of the Virginia School Counselor Association!

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Families and Educators...

Whole body listening does NOT work for ALL kids!

I’m gonna rock a lot of worlds with this post, but I have to say it…. Whole Body Listening is NOT best for all kids- some kids NEED movement and sensory input in order to learn. These kids are also taught to ignore and suppress their body’s needs (which isn’t fair or possible for all) and often internalize that they are the “bad” kid because of this.

This is so important! 🙌
📷 Edutopia

Tether Yourself: The Enlightening Talk Parents Aren’t Having Can Keep Teens from a Damaging Drift “I’ll take your hand when thunder roarsAnd I’ll hold you close, I’ll stay the courseI promise you from up aboveThat we’ll take what comes, take what comes, love.& #8221…

Intentionally or not, you probably engage in behaviors and habits that make life harder. It may not all be your fault, as ADHD has a way of prompting and even encouraging these actions. Here, understand the most common self-defeating behaviors among adults with ADHD — and solutions for each.
👉 https://www.additudemag.com/self-defeating-behavior-adhd/

ADHD authority Russell Barkley, Ph.D. explains how executive dysfunction originates in the ADHD brain and what these deficits typically look like. http://additu.de/1ap

School is back in session and we are here to help! This fall we are offering executive functioning coaching groups for both middle and high schoolers! We are going to be teaching organizational skills, study skills, time management, goal setting, and more. Sign up now because space is limited and classes start soon! https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:71ec3a22-982c-43bd-93e2-302135ba0d77

Learn more about us at www.richmondchildpsychologist.com