Executive functioning (EF) is the mental skill set that helps us plan, organize, manage time, and achieve goals. It’s essential for success in everyday life, impacting everything from getting ready for the day to completing complex projects at work. When these skills...
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) are often confused due to the overlap in behaviors such as refusal, defiance, and avoidance of demands. However, these two profiles stem from different underlying causes and present in unique...
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a behavioral condition characterized by a consistent pattern of defiance, disobedience, and hostility towards authority figures. Children and adolescents with ODD may frequently lose their temper, argue with adults, refuse to...
Summer has definitely made its appearance. Whether you're in various regions of the US experiencing record high temperatures or in the Vancouver, Canada area where I am located, enjoying temperatures in the mid-20s to 30 degrees Celsius, we are clearly in the midst of...
In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life. As a counselor and life coach specializing in neurodivergence and trauma, I've witnessed firsthand the challenges individuals face in navigating their unique paths to healing...
I was struggling in medical school. I knew it was going to be hard, like drinking water from a fire hydrant with all of the materials that needed to be absorbed, but the experience was beyond comprehension. My first go of it ended in disaster. It involved a...
Imagine facing the challenges of adolescence with a condition that sets you apart from your peers. For my daughter, that challenge came in the form of a type 1 diabetes diagnosis at just 13 years old. Over the years, I've watched her navigate the complexities of...
Growing up in an environment marred by abuse, whether physical, emotional, or psychological, can have long-lasting effects that ripple into adulthood. For many, the wounds inflicted during childhood linger, manifesting in unexpected ways as we navigate the...
I recently met a friend for lunch whom I hadn’t seen in many years. The last time we were in regular contact, her children and my youngest child were preschoolers; now they are mostly grown. Although we originally met when our children were younger due to an interest...
I’m a neurodivergent mom of an adult child with autism. My son is doing amazingly well, although on his own timeline. He has graduated from flight school and he is finishing up his time as a flight instructor and is anxiously ready for the next step waiting for him...