Schools are starting to reopen during a pandemic.  Many schools are still arguing about if teachers and students over 12 years old must be vaccinated in addition to arguing if students and teachers must wear masks while at school.  While these debates are occurring students are adjusting to be back at school and many students…

Many parents are very happy to hear that their child has been classified as “gifted.”  They assume that their child will do very well in school and have a very bright future because they are “gifted.”  While “gifted” children may excel in certain academic areas, often they have difficulties in other social situations or academic…

Working with teenagers, I often have parents who are concerned about their teenager using marijuana or alcohol.  Besides the concern that their teenager may be using drugs or alcohol, they are concerned about their teenager becoming addicted.  Besides marijuana and alcohol, parents are concerned about methamphetamines and heroin.  Currently there is an epidemic of  teenagers…

Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with many children and teenagers who happen to be autistic.  Often their parents are very worried.  They worry about their child’s future and how people will treat their child.  They have this concern because society tends to treat autism like some terrible disease.  Many people…

It seems nowadays more and more people are going to their pediatrician or general practicing physician for evaluating, diagnosing and prescribing medication for mental health problems. The general public is even being encouraged to do so in fact. (Check out https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/screening.html.) Many people trust their physicians and see them as the ultimate authority when it…