Why I Chose Summer Camp
Around my wrist hangs a clear pink plastic bracelet. It holds a mix of glitter and tap water, a simple and unremarkable combination that, typically, would never have been something that I would remember or treasure. This bracelet, however, is different. It was given to me by a friend of mine, a friend with short blonde hair and bright blue eyes, a friend whose shirt is usually on backwards or inside out, a friend with a contagious laugh, a mischievous smile and a tendency to
Man with Autism Creates App for Emergency Communication
Named to the HuffPost What's Working Honor Roll A Belgian man with autism has created an "Emergency Chat" app for communicating in situations where speech is not an option. Jeroen De Busser, a student in computer science at the University of Antwerp, came up with the idea after experiencing an anxiety attack during which he found himself unable to communicate verbally with friends. The app allows users who are unable to speak because of a medical or psychiatric condition to s
The Magic They're Missing
Just be yourself. Every parent has said those words to their child at one time or another. Just be you and everyone will love you! For many years of childhood, those words can ring true. Then come the preteen years and our children must wonder what the heck we were talking about. It's hard to tell a child who stands out that just being themselves will work out when they are living the opposite. My son Jack is one of the most unique, insightful, hilarious, and creative individ
ADHD Behavior Therapy: Promoting Discipline & Focus in Kids
If your child has been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD, ADHD) chances are, your physician has discussed or prescribed ADD drugs. You may also have learned that behavioral therapy, also called behavior modification, may be helpful. As you try to figure out the best treatment for your child, bear in mind that these two therapies are not mutually exclusive options. In fact, they often work best together in solving ADHD behavior problems. This is clearly shown by t
3 Unexpected Ways to Help Your Kids be Mindful about Screen Time
Scientists may be debating whether our attachment to technology should be considered a formal addiction, but parents of school-aged children don't need to wait for academic consensus to recognize that our devices have in many ways transformed our lives and family dynamic. "It's an interesting question about whether we're addicted or just overly attached," James A. Roberts, author of the forthcoming book Too Much Of A Good Thing: Are You Addicted To Your Smartphone? told The H
On Community, Self Acceptance and Having a Village
At one point in my life, being accepted was everything. In the 80's, I permed my hair, wore fluorescent orange sweaters and pink Reeboks, blue eyeshadow, and a crappy attitude because that's what was celebrated and included. None of those things made me especially popular, but I lived the norm and nobody in my high school called me weird. In college and after, they didn't, either. At least, to my face. When I was younger, I wanted to fit in. I still do. It wouldn't be authent
23 Rules of Eating, According to a Toddler
1. Refuse anything but Cheerios for breakfast. Have them without milk on Mondays, Thursdays and every other Friday. 2. Hyperventilate if they get this wrong. 3. Don't try anything new, EVER. 4. Just because you liked something yesterday does not mean you have to like it again today. It is perfectly acceptable to change your mind and you do not have to explain yourself. - - - - - - - - - To finish reading the list, visit the Scary Mommy website: http://bit.ly/1JZERMR. #toddler
How to Boost Your Child's Self-Esteem: ADHD Parenting Advice
Many kids with ADHD and learning disabilities also struggle with poor self-esteem. Here's how parents can help. When children feel good about themselves, everything goes a little easier for them and their parents. But poor self-esteem is a big problem for ADHD children--and an even bigger problem for the 50 percent or so of ADHD children who also have learning disabilities. To feel good about themselves, children need two things: the sense that they're successful, both social
Summertime for Moms: Expectations vs. Reality
Summertime for Moms: Expectations vs. Reality Expectations Reality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1) You'll take the kids to the pool 1) You'll take them IF the weather is perfect twice a week. AND you remembered to shave. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Boy Designs Dragon T-Shirts to Raise Autism Awareness, Unleashes his Inner Knight
In fairytales, dragons are usually the villains. But for one boy in the real world, they're the heroes. Santino Stagliano is a 10-year-old with autism who designs dragon T-shirts to raise awareness and money for the Center for Autism in Philadelphia, Today.com reported. The hand-drawn designs have helped the 10-year-old come out of his shell, and he now shares his dragons through his own nonprofit. "I think it's really helping to spread awareness and the message that children
