We’re strong believers in planning and goal-setting (and beyond just those annual New Year’s resolutions). In Canada, we’re unfortunately only granted a brief period of beautiful summer weather and if you don’t plan it carefully, it can just slip through your fingers. So it’s surprising just how many parents, even those who are mindful of…
ADHD and Seasonal Affective Disorder in Children
The dreaded Canadian winter. Every year around this time, I notice that many of my patients with brain injuries feel much worse. They are moodier, unmotivated to do exercises that facilitate their recovery, and complain more about overall pain and feelings of depression. They are experiencing what’s known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SAD for…
The Benefits of a Psychoeducational Assessment
Many parents worry that getting a psychoeducational assessment means there is something wrong with their child. This is a myth, plain and simple. A psychoeducational assessment is a way to determine your child’s strengths and weaknesses in many different areas. Not only are these insights empowering but also act as a roadmap for ensuring your…
Helping Children with Learning Disabilities Deal with Exam Stress
The school year is nearing the final weeks, which brings both excitement and dread for many students and parents. Year end is usually the time when projects wrap up and papers are due. Final exams are inevitable for most classes, which can raise the anxiety in children and parents. Those who have learning problems or…
How To Stop Procrastinating: Mood Regulation Strategies
How To Stop Procrastinating: Mood Regulation Strategies A very interesting article was recently published by The Wall Street Journal about the role of mood in procrastination: “Often, procrastinators attempt to avoid the anxiety or worry aroused by a tough task with activities aimed at repairing their mood, such as checking Facebook or taking a nap….
Psychoeducational Assessments and Gifted Testing – FAQ’s
Psychoeducational Assessments & Gifted Testing – FAQ’s from Private School Expo On Sunday, October 20th, Valentin & Blackstock Psychology exhibited at the Halton-Peel Private School Expo in Oakville. It was a great turnout and we had the opportunity to speak with a wide range of families looking for private school education for their children. We…
Bitstrips Comics for Autism/Asperger’s syndrome
Bitstrips Comics for Autism/Asperger’s syndrome For those of you wondering why all of your Facebook friends have suddenly turned into cartoon avatars, Bitstrips is a mobile and Facebook app that allows you to design cartoon version of yourself and create comic strips featuring you and your friends. Bitstrips has over 10 million downloads worldwide and…
Youth Violence Workshop
Youth Violence Prevention Workshop On October 26, Dr. Edward Blackstock held a workshop on Youth Violence for the staff and volunteers of the S.T.Y.L.E. program organized by the Learning Disabilities Association of Toronto District (LDATD). Here are some of the highlights and takeaways from the workshop: Understanding the Brain The limbic system, featured above, is…
Hyperfocus: A New Symptom of Attention Deficit?
Hyperfocus: A New Symptom of Attention Deficit? While most of us are familiar with some of the problems associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – such as an inability to focus, daydreaming, avoiding mental tasks, etc. – another aspect of the attention deficit that people are less familiar with is hyperfocus. Hyperfocus is the…
Exercise and Academic Performance
Exercise and Academic Performance The New York Times recently published an article about How Physical Fitness May Promote School Success. This article discusses a new study that finds that physically fit children absorb and retain new information more effectively than children who are out of shape. The article states: Parents and exercise scientists have known…
Top 6 Homework Tips for Kids with ADHD
Top 6 Homework Tips for Kids with ADHD Homework. A dreaded term in many households. Unfortunately, the challenge of homework can be even greater in a household with a child who has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). For children with ADHD, homework can seem overwhelming or boring. As School Psychologists, homework is an area that…
Can Emotional Intelligence Be Taught?
Can Emotional Intelligence Be Taught? If everybody knows that test scores and grades aren’t the keys to success, how do we teach, and measure, the things that are? The New York Times released an article this past week entitled Can Emotional Intelligence Be Taught? It’s a great read that I wanted to comment on. The…
What is ADHD? Infographic
We recently stumbled across this excellent resource created by North Shore Pediatric Therapy in Chicago, IL. This “What is ADHD?” infographic is a great way of visualizing the types and symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
What Is a Psychoeducational Assessment and Does Your Child Need One?
Every person is different. Every human brain is different. All brains have parts that don’t work as well as others, and other brains have parts that don’t work very well at all. For all children, it is important to determine what these strengths and weaknesses are so that they can be taught well and receive…
Waiting Lists for Psychoeducational Assessments in Ontario
In May 2013, People for Education released their annual Report on Ontario’s Publicly Funded Schools. The report presented the following challenges with regards to waiting lists for psychoeducational assessments: Despite clear evidence about the importance of early intervention to help students overcome their learning difficulties, 62 some students are waiting as long as three years…
Are Canadian Students Really Going Through A Mental Health Crisis?
A couple of months ago, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) released the results from one of the largest school surveys ever completed. The survey, which asked high school students about their mental health, revealed some very grim findings about the stress and anxiety that our adolescent students face today. The TDSB survey, in addition…
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