Hello! This last October, thanks to a parent sponsor (whose son has autism spectrum spectrum disorder) I had an amazing time presenting to teachers at their private school about the "ABCs of ASD" which is a new teacher training program I developed especially for teachers of students with ASD in a general education preschool or elementary/middle school. [...]
Parent Buddy Program I recently had a parent email me this: "If becoming a parent changes your life completely, becoming a parent to a child on the spectrum gives that change a whole new dimension. It is heartbreaking to see your child struggle to pick up skills that seem to come so naturally to a [...]
As well all know the growing number of children and teens that are becoming victims of online predators are alarming. As discussed this morning on my interview with CBS news, I recommend using a internet safety contract with your child or teen to encourage safe and responsible internet use. Please feel free to comment with [...]
How to Manage ADHD Effectively WITHOUT the Use of Medication (Part 1 of a series) Dear Dr. Deb, Our 7-year-old son was just diagnosed with ADHD. Our pediatrician has recommended that we start him on medication, however my husband and I are hesitant to put him on medication this young. We are hoping that maybe [...]
ASD In 4 Year Olds Dear Dr. Deb, I have been reading a lot about Asperger's Disorder and autism spectrum disorder, and I'm worried my 4-year-old might have some of the signs. How do you know if a child has one of these disorders at such an early age? I know that autism itself is [...]
5 (PLUS!) Quick Tips to Ease Preschool Separation Anxiety Dear Dr. Deb, My 3 1/2-year-old just started preschool, and she is having a very tough time separating from me. She whines and complains on the ride in to school that she doesn't want to go, and then clings to my leg and cries at drop-off. [...]
Dr. Deb’s Top 5 Myths About ADHD – Debunked! My child is not hyperactive, therefore he/she can’t have ADHD. This is a very common misperception. There actually are 3 subtypes of ADHD – children who mostly show symptoms of inattention, children who mostly show symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity, or children who have a little of both [...]
Moderated by child psychologist Dr. Deborah Pontillo, this workshop features a panel of teachers from the Bill and Sid Rubin Preschool at Congregation Beth Israel, The Children’s School-La Jolla, and a Montessori school who will discuss different curricular approaches, including Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, and Jewish values-based schools. This workshop provides an excellent opportunity for parents to [...]
The tragic event that took place on December 14th at Sandy Hook Elementary claimed the lives of 26 individuals, 20 of whom were children. Most of us, especially those of us who are parents, may experience a variety of emotions, from shock, disbelief, and confusion to, grief, loss, fear, and anxiety. Although such feelings are [...]
Ok, so listen, we are all human, and no one can say that potty training a toddler is easy!There will be bumps along the road. However, to make this journey as seamless as possible, take a look at these top 5 most common mistakes (and how not to make them!) in order to ensure a [...]
