The main concern for individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD, or what was formerly known as Asperger’s) is difficulties with social communication. This can include acquiring basic social skills (i.e., eye contact and understanding of body language), making friends, and maintaining relationships at an age-appropriate rate. Beyond the social aspect of ASD, individuals often…
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia is a 24-hour-a-day job. There is no clocking in or clocking out of this difficult and overwhelming endeavor. As a neuropsychologist working with dementia patients and their families, I am constantly amazed at the ingenuity, compassion, patience, and love that I see amongst family…
The holiday season can be a magical time of the year. However, for some, it can be a great source of stress. It is not uncommon for many families to have a checklist of traditions to be followed every year. My family is no exception to this. Even though these traditions may have started spontaneously,…
When a child starts to throw a temper tantrum or lose control, many parents say just breathe or take a deep breath. It is a great thought, but comments like that are just not going to work! It is during times of relaxation that breathing practices should be taught so they can be implemented during…
Every day we see evidence all around us of life slowly returning to normal. Our children are back in school in-person, workers are gradually returning to offices, and the hustle and bustle of life appear to have returned. For many, this is a drastic change from our year of quarantine and a simpler life, albeit…
Just about everyone has received some kind of scam email. Most people just delete these emails, but many do not. According to the Federal Trade Commission, scammers stole nearly $3.3 billion in 2020. Con artists have numerous (and often believable) methods to trick people out of money. They may set up a fake dating profile…
My childhood friends and I have celebrated a milestone birthday this year, leading many of us to reflect on age. As I have been paying more attention, I have heard comments of disbelief, complaints of aching body parts, stories of new adventures, or narrowing of experiences, often independent of actual health factors. It has made…
Resilience is an important part of successful aging that can help combat negative experiences like depression and chronic illness. It has even been linked to longevity in some research. Resilience refers to one’s ability to adapt well and bounce back from physical, emotional, or social challenges. The American Psychological Association (APA) also says that “As…
It is no secret that marriage is popular. In Western culture, more than 90% of people marry by age fifty. Why? According to the Pew Research Center survey, most often, people marry for love (88%), followed by making a lifelong commitment (81%), companionship (76%), having children (49%), religious recognition of the relationship (30%), financial stability…
I remember growing up and playing board games with our family. I had an older brother and younger sister. Of course, most games would end up in a terrible fight where one or both siblings shouted “unfair” and stormed away in a huff, leaving the rest of us to find the scattered game pieces. Some…