The National Association for Child Development (NACD)

04/17/2026

"The constant turnover makes it very difficult for him to get acclimated."

This is what we're hearing from parents about ABA. Therapists leave. New ones arrive. Your child starts over, again and again.

There's a reason NACD trains parents to be the intervention. Zero turnover. You're there every day.

https://buff.ly/y1YeA9N]

68% of parents questioning ABA aren't anti-therapy. They're frustrated with compliance-focused approaches. Here's what actually changes the brain.

04/10/2026

If you've been in ABA therapy and that quiet voice keeps asking "Is this actually working?" ... you're not wrong for asking.

68% of parents questioning ABA aren't anti-therapy. They're frustrated with compliance-focused approaches that don't see the whole child.

We wrote this for you:

68% of parents questioning ABA aren't anti-therapy. They're frustrated with compliance-focused approaches. Here's what actually changes the brain.

03/21/2026

Today we honor World Down Syndrome Day — and we're sharing a story close to our hearts. 💙

When Gitane was born with severe hypotonia and could barely open her eyes, her father Dr. Julian Neil searched the world for answers. That search led him to NACD and Bob Doman.

Bob's words were simple: "We're going to wake her up."

Gitane graduated with honors from a mainstream high school. She surfs. She does Karate. She creates art. And now she's starring in a film.

As Dr. Neil writes: "When we say 'special needs,' what we truly mean is special abilities."

Read his full tribute on our site. 🔗

Dr. Julian Neil shares how NACD and Bob Doman helped his daughter Gitane — born with severe hypotonia — graduate high school and live a full, remarkable life.

03/20/2026

Being a parent is the most important job you’ll ever have…
and somehow it’s the one no one prepares you for.

When your child struggles with sleep, behavior, learning, attention, or development, it can feel overwhelming — especially when every article online gives different advice.

The truth is, every child is different.
And what works for one child may not work for yours.

Sometimes the biggest step forward is simply understanding your child better.

03/18/2026

What does neurodevelopmental science say about the dinner table?
NACD's Laird Doman wrote something worth reading — about the research behind family conversation, the real challenges every parent faces (devices, exhaustion, dead-end questions), and why the quality of the question matters as much as showing up.
Read it here, and then download the app he built to put it into practice. 👇

NACD's 45 years of neurodevelopmental research shows family dinner conversation is one of the most powerful tools for child development. Here's how to do it right.

03/13/2026

Every child is unique. Every child deserves a real opportunity.

For parents of special needs children, navigating the school system can feel like a constant battle — not because you're wrong, but because the system was never designed with your child in mind.

Bob Doman's article breaks down why traditional schooling often falls short for children with special needs, and how a targeted, individualized, home-based program can unlock the potential that schools may have written off.

If you've ever wondered whether there's a better path, this is worth your time.

Defining Education and Developmental Opportunity for Special Needs Children: Targeted, Individual Home Based vs. School Based by Bob Doman Many parents of special needs children, as well as children with attention and learning related problems, mistakenly believe their children are receiving a good,...

03/11/2026

We just launched something we're proud of.

Family Conversations is a new app from NACD — designed to help families have better, deeper, more meaningful conversations at the dinner table every night.

Every question is rooted in 45 years of neurodevelopmental research. Every card is calibrated by age. Every prompt comes with follow-up questions so conversation never stalls. And it works on Apple Watch, so your phone can stay in the other room — where it belongs.

The dinner table is one of the most powerful developmental environments in your child's life. We built this to help you make the most of it.

📲 Download free on the App Store → https://apps.apple.com/app/family-conversations/id6759932067

500+ age-appropriate dinner table conversation starters for kids ages 3–17. Built on 45 years of neurodevelopmental science by NACD. Free download on iPhone, iPad & Apple Watch.

03/06/2026

Why do toddlers suddenly start having temper tantrums?

Many parents assume tantrums are just bad behavior — but there is often a deeper developmental reason behind them.

In this video, Bob Doman explains why tantrums commonly appear around age two and how they relate to a child’s developing cognition and communication abilities. He also explains one of the biggest mistakes parents unknowingly make that can reinforce tantrums and cause them to continue for years.

Understanding what’s happening can help parents respond in a way that supports their child’s development instead of reinforcing the behavior.

Watch the video to learn more.

03/04/2026

🌟 Parents — let’s talk power! 🌟

Are rewards and consequences actually helping your child learn and grow, or just creating more chaos? 🤔 In this powerful piece by Bob Doman on NACD.org, we dig into how consistent, meaningful feedback (yes, both positive and negative) shapes behavior and builds credibility with your child. It’s not about “punishment”, it’s about clear, intentional communication and teaching, not just correcting. 

👉 Why does inconsistency feel “unfair” to kids?
👉 What does effective feedback really look like?
👉 How can we focus more on reinforcing the behavior we want to see?

This article breaks down parenting in a way that makes sense—especially for brains that thrive with clarity, structure, and purpose. 

💬 What’s one thing you’ve learned that actually made consequences work better at your house? Comment below — we’d love to hear your wins (and struggles)!



https://buff.ly/o5hD2fg

How to Provide Your Child with Effective Feedback by Bob Doman Rewards and consequences are the tools we have as parents, or, for that matter, as a society, to provide feedback, guidance, encouragement, and instruction, and to maintain order. Lack of consistent quality feedback leads to ambiguity, c...

02/27/2026

More and more children today are being labeled as being on the autism spectrum — sometimes very early.

But not every strong interest, personality quirk, or focused behavior means a child is autistic.

In this video, Bob talks about why parents should be thoughtful before accepting a label — especially in very young children.

A diagnosis can shape expectations and opportunities for years to come.

At NACD, we focus on building function and helping children grow, regardless of labels.

Watch the full video and let us know your thoughts.

11/07/2025

The significance of short-term memory, working memory, executive function, and fluid intelligence has been known for many decades. These are the building blocks of cognitive function, the pieces that determine how smart we are. It’s not our innate intelligence that determines how smart we are, it’s how well these processing pieces have been developed. Whether you are an average Joe, have issues, or are functioning at a superior level, you can be smarter. And so can all your children, even if they have labels like ADHD, Dyslexia, ASD, Down syndrome, etc.

Read more about the significance of this for those with developmental issues:
https://buff.ly/fU7iy4P

Understand Neurodevelopmental Processing & Its Effect on Global Function by Bob Doman Neurodevelopmental Processing and Neurodevelopmental Processing Deficits are terms needed to help people understand the significance of processing and processing inadequacies, or deficits. Neurodevelopmental proces...

11/05/2025

“Unlabel Me: Call Me By My Name”
A creation for, and of, NACD as a gift from Peter, Lea, and Gaetano Wolf-Millesi

by the W-2's ft. Lucy Walsh & Danny Donnelly,
introducing Gaetano Wolf-Millesi

Lyrics by Lea Wolf-Millesi & Bob Doman
Music by Peter Wolf

This song was inspired by Arianna’s video (see our previous post) and the 1000s of children we have had the honor and privilege of helping.

Our families understand, appreciate, and value each of their children no matter where they are on the spectrum from severely involved to exceptional. We parents know how unique and special all our children are. There are over 8 billion individuals on the planet today, each of which has the potential to affect us all. All children are unique in the entire history of the planet. They are all special and all deserve the opportunity to live the best lives possible, achieve their potential, and contribute to our families, communities, and the planet.

We are unique. Grouping us, labeling us, and limiting the perception of our potential inhibits our opportunities. Our children all need to be set free to receive the opportunities they desire, deserve, and need, and to help us all work together to achieve our real potential as individuals, families, and as a species.

It has been an honor, privilege, and a gift for all of us at NACD to work with and get to know Peter and Lea and to assist them in unlocking the potential of their incredible son, Gaetano, who has done wonderfully and who is one of the voices in “Unlabel Me.” We hope you enjoy and feel the intention of their wonderful song.

Peter Wolf has written eight #1 songs and got his start playing keyboards with Frank Zappa. He has composed, produced and arranged songs/albums such as “We Built this City” for Starship, "These Dreams" for Heart, “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” for Wang Chung, “Nightshift” for the Commodores, many movie soundtracks and has played on many of the biggest hits of the past five decades with over 250 million records sold!

Lucy Walsh is the daughter of Musician Joe Walsh, and is known for her film & TV roles, plus her podcast.