DrShinn

4 Steps to Securing Special Education

The requirements for receiving special education can get confusing and complex. Read this month’s blog to learn how a diagnosis differs from special education eligibility, and how our team can help your student secure the support they need.

What Parents Need to Know About Dysgraphia: The Learning Disability that Impairs Writing

Does writing or typing seem way harder than it should 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. 


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.

8 Risks to English Language Learners in Special Education

English Language Learners face numerous obstacles in a traditional classroom setting, but what about ELLs who require special education? Check out this week’s blog to learn about risks that ELLs with learning differences face, and how we can help.

Coping With the Shock of Suicide

When a person dies by suicide, it sends a devastating shock wave through the world around them. Whether they were your personal friend or a celebrity that you admired, being connected with a person who dies by suicide can make you feel overwhelmed with confusion and despair. The relationships and role models we build throughout life have a tremendous impact on our mental health, and having that connection severed by suicide is incredibly traumatic.

While there’s no easy road through the grieving process, knowing what to expect can help.If someone you know or admired died by suicide, here are a few things you should know:

How to STOP Anxiety in its Tracks

Excuse me sir, your amygdala’s going haywire

Our brains are naturally wired to respond to threats with worry. When we encounter something troubling, a part of our brain called the amygdala sends out red flags to our bodies to be on high alert. Whether you are facing a dangerous situation like confronting a robber or something positive but nerve-wracking like taking your SAT’s, your amygdala will trigger your body to have symptoms of anxiety. Some people have more sensitive circuitry than others, causing them to experience anxiety symptoms more often.

When a Friend Dies by Suicide

The death of a loved one is always extremely painful, but having a friend die by suicide is especially devastating. Friendships are an important part of the human experience and impact our happiness, well-being, and sense of belonging. While we don’t get to choose which family we’re born into, we do get to choose who we build friendships with, and having that connection severed by suicide is incredibly traumatic.

“Everybody’s life is either rewarding or an example.” -Tony Robbins

Remember that person in high school who was insanely smart, but just didn’t have the drive to reach their potential? You know, that kid that always seemed bored in class, aced every test, but couldn’t be bothered to do their homework. After all, they knew all the answers, had their career plans, so why do the extra work? We’ve also known someone who wasn’t necessarily the most passionate or intelligent one in school, but worked tirelessly to accomplish anything and everything expected of them, no matter how necessary the task seemed.

So where are they now?

ADHD or Just Kids being Kids?

Remember the days before you were a parent when you used to dream about what your “future child” would be like. You know, things like, “My future child would never run around the grocery store like those little monsters” or, “My future child would never dare ignore me.”

Explaining the Unexplainable: How to Discuss School Violence with Your Kids

In the wake of recent school shootings, many of us feel an overwhelming sense of fear and lack of control over such a senseless tragedy. Between social media, word of mouth, and news broadcasts, children are exposed to more and more similar headlines; it can be hard for parents to know how help their children process these tragedies without worsening their anxiety.

Our clinicians at Variations Psychology wanted to share a few insights to guide you in discussing school violence with your children: