Executive Function Skills: The Hidden Challenge in ADHD
Discover how executive function challenges in ADHD go beyond attention, affecting organization, planning, and self-regulation in daily life.
Supporting Twice Exceptional (2E) Children
Learn how to recognize and support twice exceptional children who possess both exceptional abilities and learning differences in this comprehensive guide for parents.
Is My Child Ready for Kindergarten? Beyond Academic Skills
As kindergarten enrollment approaches, many parents find themselves asking the same question: "Is my child really ready?" While it's natural to focus on whether your child knows their letters and numbers, kindergarten readiness involves much more than academic skills.
Sensory Processing in Autism: Understanding and Supporting Your Child
When four-year-old Marcus covers his ears and melts down in the grocery store, it's not a behavioral problem. When his sister Emma seeks out tight hugs and crashes into furniture throughout the day, she's not being destructive. Both children are autistic, and their behaviors reflect the profound ways that sensory processing differences affect how they experience and navigate the world.
Hyperfocus vs. Distraction: The Paradox of ADHD
Many parents of children with ADHD find themselves puzzled by a common contradiction: their child can't sit still for homework or follow simple instructions, yet they'll spend hours completely absorbed in building elaborate Lego creations, playing video games, or researching their latest obsession. This isn't defiance or selective listening. It's one of the most misunderstood aspects of ADHD: the paradox of hyperfocus versus distraction.
Learning Differences vs Learning Disabilities: Why This Language Shift Matters for Your Child
When one mother first heard the school psychologist say her eight-year-old son had a "learning disability," her heart sank. But when a private evaluator later described her son as having "learning differences" and spoke about his unique cognitive profile with both challenges and remarkable strengths, everything shifted. Same child, same academic struggles, but suddenly there was hope and possibility.
PDA is Not Disobedience: How to Meet Your Autistic Child's Pervasive Drive for Autonomy
When your autistic child refuses to do something one day that they willingly did the day prior, or they melt down over simple tasks they've done many times before, it's easy to feel frustrated and wonder if they're just being defiant.
School District vs Private Assessments: Which Path is Right for Your Child?
When your child is struggling in school, the question of whether to pursue a school district assessment or seek a private evaluation can feel overwhelming. As parents, we want to do what's best for our children, but the differences between these two options aren't always clear.
Requesting Accommodations and Support for Your Child
As a parent, few things are more challenging than watching your child struggle in school when you know they're capable of so much more. Whether your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, or simply needs some extra support to thrive in the classroom, understanding how to request appropriate accommodations can make the difference between academic frustration and success.
Building Resilience in Children with Learning Differences
Helping kids build resilience—the ability to bounce back after hard days, keep trying when things feel tough, and believe in their own potential—is one of the most important things we can do.
How to Talk to Teachers About Your Child's Learning Needs
Building strong partnerships with your child's teachers is one of the most powerful ways to support their academic success.
Signs of Dyslexia at Different Ages
Dyslexia—one of the most common learning differences that affects reading— is a brain-based learning difference that affects the way a person processes language, impacting skills related to reading, writing, and spelling.
The Transition to Middle School for Children with Learning Differences
The shift from elementary to middle school represents a significant milestone in any child's educational journey.
Summer Programs for Students with Dyslexia and Learning Disabilities
Summer break provides a valuable opportunity for students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities to reinforce and enhance their academic skills without the pressures of the regular school year.
Clinician Spotlight: Dr. Veronique Lee, PsyD
My interest in psychology comes from a desire to learn about people’s stories and support their growth and development.
What Type of Evaluation Does Your Child Need? A Parent’s Guide to Navigating Options
When your child is struggling academically, socially, or emotionally, seeking an evaluation can be the first step toward clarity and support.
Gender Affirming Assessment: What Parents Need to Know
At Mind Matters, we are committed to providing gender affirming, culturally competent assessments that recognize and respect each child’s unique gender identity.
Unmasking Cultural and Racial Bias in Neuropsychological Assessment
Neuropsychological assessments play a crucial role in understanding brain function and diagnosing cognitive disorders.
Guiding Principles for Parenting Your Gifted and 2e Child
If you’re parenting a gifted/2E (twice-exceptional) kid, you likely notice that traditional parenting advice doesn’t always fit your family. Many parents of gifted/2e kids find that typical parenting strategies upset their kids or lead to power struggles.
Supporting Your Child with ADHD – A 3-Pronged Approach
Join Mind Matters as our Psychologists discuss why it’s crucial to understand that ADHD isn’t just about being hyperactive or easily distracted.