Recently, 9-year-old Joseph has been screaming whenever his parents try to leave him at home with the babysitter. Furthermore, Joseph’s parents realize that Joseph will not leave them alone in the house! If his parents go upstairs, Joseph will run upstairs after them. If his parents go downstairs, Joseph will rush downstairs and follow them in and out of each room.

Mind your manners. Be polite. Practice good etiquette. Many people think these are the hallmarks of good social skills. Social skills, in fact, are the tools we use to help us get along with others, as well as forming and maintaining relationships. While these skills come naturally to some, many children struggle to relate to others in meaningful ways.

Some

So you say your child has sensory processing difficulties? In our previous articles we have discussed various suggestions related to setting boundaries and limits for your child as well as using visual schedules all to help you and your child get through the day. When it comes down to it though, if your child has sensory processing difficulties, you are likely in need

I’m pretty sure that there’s a place in hell where the really bad people are trapped in a shoe store with hordes of short people who whine “Mommy” at them—forever. There is a certain dread that fills my being at the end of every summer as we begin our back to school shopping. The shoe store is my least favorite stop on the long road we take each

Physical, occupational and speech therapy services are provided in many different settings. Therapy for children can be in an inpatient or outpatient facility, as well as in a school setting or natural setting (home or daycare). There are three models of therapy services which differ in their eligibility, treatment settings and goals. The three models are the early

I have given much thought to this piece. Some of you might not like it. Some of you might not understand it. But, I felt that it had to be written. What I have come to learn over the past 18 years of marriage is that the High Holiday season sometimes does not seem too high and feels like it lasts way longer than any season. I think it is because we all believe, deep,

I enjoy shopping, but only when it’s done alone. Add someone else to the mix, and the level of fun decreases by 30 percent. Add some kids, and you have a recipe for a form of punishment.

And so, when my kids happily pawed through the circulars that boasted school supplies at ridiculously discounted prices, they begged to be allowed to come along on this

In writing this article about “bullying,” I remembered—or thought I remembered—the title to a song, “Bully, Bully.” In checking it on Google, I discovered the song was “Woolly Bully,” just another song whose lyrics, though I enjoyed the song very much, I got it wrong! And while my singing the wrong lyrics to a song is most amusing to those who hear me,

A backpack is probably the most important school supply you can buy for your child. Your children will transport schoolwork, homework, snacks, lunch and toys that are important to themin their backpacks, often overstuffing them. Many of these items need to be carried on a daily basis and can cause a heavy load for the child, with recent literature supporting a

How many minutes per day do children communicate with their parents? According to a survey by The National Family Institute in 2002, the average child in America receives only 12.5 minutes per day in communication with his/her parents. Of that time, 8.5 minutes are spent with parents in correcting behavior, criticizing behavior, or engaged in various arguments. This

If you are reading this, it means that I am still alive; that I have survived the bar mitzvah of my youngest child, my third son, my baby—though it could also mean that the warden at the institution allowed me to express my final ranting, ravings and incoherent ramblings before they hooked me up to the electroshock therapy machine. In any case, if you are still

In many ways, Judaism is a child-friendly religion.Consider the holidays. Chanukah has presents, donuts and chocolate coins. Purim has costumes and hamantaschen. Pesach has the four questions, ten plagues, and the rest of the grandeur of the seder. Shavuot has cheese cake and ice cream. Sukkot has the lulav, etrog, and the opportunity to camp out