Child Psychology

Deck the Halls with Solid Boundaries: Tips to Avoid People-Pleasing

Do the holidays bring out your inner people-pleaser? Many of us struggle to say “no” to family and friends around the holidays, even when it means compromising our own well-being. Check out our special edition blog for 7 tips to tame your inner people-pleaser this holiday season.

6 Things to Know About Your Student’s Math Struggles

Does math feel unmanageable to your student?

If your kid struggles with learning math, you aren’t alone. Check out this month’s blog to learn possible causes and how our team can help.


Caring for Cognition: 8 Steps for Middle & High School Students to Prioritize Healthy Thinking in the New School Year

Every student wants to bring their A-game when they start a new school year, but back-to-school stressors can sometimes impair our ability to think clearly, logically, and critically. Check out this month’s blog to learn 8 steps students  can take to care for their cognition as they head back to class.

My Kid is Struggling in School – Should I Get Them Tested?

Having your kid tested for learning differences may seem overwhelming, but testing is often a student's launchpad to receiving a truly equitable and enriching learning experience. Read this week’s blog to find answers to some of the most pressing questions about diagnostic testing. 

Adaptive Functioning: What Is It, and How Does It Affect Learning?

Brushing your teeth, asking questions, getting to school on time: do you know what adaptive functioning skills are, and how they impact student success? Check out this month’s blog to discover the importance of adaptive functioning for students, and learn what you can do if your student struggles with adaptive behaviors. 

Is Residential Placement the Best Option for my Child or Teen?

The idea of residential schools can be scary to parents, but these specialized programs can offer life-changing benefits for students whose needs cannot be met through standard schooling. Read this week’s blog to learn when residential placement is often appropriate, and how Variations can help parents considering this path for their child’s education.

Does My Child Have Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder? 7 Ways to Identify DMDD

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) inhibits a child’s ability to control their emotions, resulting in various challenges in their social and academic lives. Read this month’s blog to learn how a parent can identify DMDD in their kid, and how our diagnosticians can help.

Does My Kid Qualify for an IEP Under “Other Health Impairment (OHI)”?

Unlike most of IDEA’s 13 categories, the “Other Health Impairment” category covers a broad range of conditions, from ADHD to depression. Check out this month’s blog to learn more about this important category and whether your child might qualify for an IEP under its umbrella. 

Specific Learning Disabilities & Special Education: 6 Facts for Parents

The Specific Learning Disability category is one of 13 categories under IDEA that can qualify a student for an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Read this month’s blog to learn about the impact of SLDs, how students can qualify for an IEP under this category, and how our diagnosticians can help.

7 Ways Schizophrenia Impacts Education

Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder that presents a variety of obstacles to learning. Read this month’s blog to learn about the symptoms of schizophrenia, how it can affect a student’s education, and how our diagnosticians can help.

My Kid Has an Emotional Disability – Can They Qualify For an IEP?

The Emotional Disturbance category is one of the 13 categories under IDEA that can qualify a student for an Independent Education Program (IEP). Check out this month’s blog to learn how students can qualify for special education under this category, and how our team can help your child receive the necessary support.

The 13 Categories of IDEA: What Conditions Can Qualify My Student for Special Education?

The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) defines 13 categories of conditions that can quality students for special education. Check out this month’s blog to learn what these categories are, and how our team can help your student receive appropriate support.

Understanding Supports, Services, Accommodations, Modifications & Placements

Academic accommodations, services, modifications, and placements: do you know the differences?

Check out this week’s blog to brush up on your education program lingo and discover how each type of intervention can help your child reach their academic potential.


“Could I Have ADHD?”: 7 Tips to Identify & Manage Executive Functioning Challenges

Ever wondered why you have issues with planning, memory, time management, or attention? If so, check out this week’s blog!

Dealing with Dysgraphia: 7 Steps to Help Your Child Overcome Writing Challenges

Does writing or typing seem way harder than it should be for your child or teen? Do they have trouble gripping a pencil, organizing sentences, or using proper grammar?

If writing challenges are holding your child back in school, they may have a learning disability known as dysgraphia. Check out this week’s blog to learn the signs and how you can help.

Why isn’t my kid making any friends?

Does your kid struggle to make or keep friends? There are many reasons why some kids have a harder time than others in building friendships. Check out this week’s blog to uncover 8 common causes, and learn how we can help.

9 Facts About Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs)

Did you know?...

When schools provide internal evaluations, they see results before the parents and those results are added to the student’s academic record. Since school evaluators are employed by the district, their results are at risk of being biased. An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) can provide a more thorough, objective, and private testing experience. Check out this week’s blog on the benefits of IEEs and how Variations can help.

8 Reasons to Get Your Kid Tested by an Educational Psychologist

Could your child or teen benefit from Educational Testing?

Whether your student struggles or excels in school, testing may be the best next step in providing their optimal education. Check out this week’s blog to learn how educational testing can help your kid overcome barriers and achieve their potential.

Understanding Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): A Parent’s Guide to Educational Placements

Students are entitled by law to receive their education in “the Least Restrictive Environment,” but the LRE varies greatly from one kid to the next. Check out this week’s blog to get the lowdown on different placement options, and learn how you can determine the most appropriate LRE for your child or teen.

My Kid is a Perfectionist – Blessing or Curse?

“An A minus?! I’m a failure!” “My eyebrows are uneven – I can’t be seen at school like this!”
While striving for excellence can be a great driver for success, sometimes perfectionism can harm your child’s mental health and even hold them back from reaching their potential.
Are your child’s perfectionist habits a blessing or curse? Check out this week’s blog to find out.