How learning about sensory processing changed... everything. My brilliant little 4-year-old son was asked to draw a house at preschool and burst into tears. Bursting into tears was a common occurrence for him, as was picky eating, banging into things, difficulty transitioning from one task to the next, slouching posture, and what I came to realize were a whole host of sensory red flags. Sensory processing difficulties occur when the brain has trouble receiving, interpreting,...
Finding Our Way Forward in the Aftermath of Violence
I was feeling grumpy about a minor inconvenience when I heard the tragic news out of Uvalde, Texas. And this on the heels of the horrific hate crime in Buffalo on Saturday... As a mom, I just wanted to pull my babies close and weep for the parents who were learning that they would never get to do that again. As a therapist, I want to have open office hours for all the grief and...
Supporting Families – Foster Care Awareness Month and Beyond
Based on the original article "Using a Brain-Based Foundation for Preparing and Supporting Families," featured in NACAC's quarterly newsletter, Adoptalk I have worked in the world of foster care and adoption since 2004. One of the most heart-breaking parts of my work has been seeing everyone trying, I mean really trying, and feeling like a failure. It happens with all members of the community: kids, parents, professionals. I am guessing you can relate. My world...
The Brain-Building Power of “Serve and Return”
To my nerdy little heart’s delight… It’s Brain Awareness Week!!! Brain Awareness Week is a global campaign to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research. I have seen time and time again just how profoundly life can change when we apply a little user-friendly brain science, so I want to share that with YOU!! Brain science essentials to make your life easier… Let’s start with this podcast episode where I talk...