Voices of Compassion

Today’s episode is proudly sponsored by Adobe. We are so thankful for their support of this Voices of Compassion podcast. We often think of learning differences as challenges faced in school. But the reality is that learning differences impact people throughout their lives with implications far beyond the classroom: home, relationships, work and family to name a few. Therefore, it’s important to l...

Many twice exceptional (2e) children feel different, like they just don’t fit in, and can be more susceptible to mental health challenges. They may feel isolated from their peers because of their giftedness and their neurodiversity, whether it be autism, learning differences, ADHD, anxiety or otherwise. Some live with the constant feeling that they are not living up to their ‘gifted’ potential, or...

Today’s episode is proudly sponsored by Adobe. We are so thankful for their support of this Voices of Compassion podcast. Most kids complain about school sometimes. But if your child’s gripes come almost daily and they are begging you not to go to school at all, you might be wondering if there’s something deeper going on. Are they falling behind? Not making friends? Does the pace of instruction le...

Today’s episode is proudly sponsored by Adobe. We are so thankful for their support of this Voices of Compassion podcast! Emotional regulation is the ability to control our emotional state so that it matches the situation at-hand. It is not something we are born knowing how to do, but rather we learn over time. How can we teach our kids to respond to various situations appropriately, even if it me...

Today’s episode is proudly sponsored by Adobe. We are so thankful for their support of this Voices of Compassion podcast! Sleep. We all need it and yet most of us don’t get enough of it. Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 9-12 hours per night for younger kids and 8-10 hours for teens? It’s hard to fit everything in – from school work and sports to social lives and scre...

Almost every day it seems that we are exposed to various acts of violence – school shootings, war, terrorism and more. As a result, our kids can end up feeling confused, frightened and unsafe. How can we validate those feelings while providing comfort to our kids? How do we encourage them to ask questions, even if we may not have all the answers? Should we wait until they come to us or bring it up...

In honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we continue our coverage of this complex topic in our Voices of Compassion podcast series with a brand new episode.  For youth ages 10-24, suicide is the second leading cause of death in the US. It is complicated, tragic and often preventable: knowing the warning signs can help save lives. Join us for a conversation with Jennifer Leydecker, LMFT...

Nearly half of Americans report feeling left out or alone, and over two-thirds of teens report being lonely. Research shows that loneliness and social isolation are twice as harmful to physical and mental health as obesity. But did you know that even just one friend can be enough?  Tune in to today’s episode as we talk with Dr. George “Alex” Lazo, licensed clinical psychologist at CHC’s...

School avoidance has become a major issue, exacerbated by long periods of distance learning and isolation. What causes school avoidance? How does it show up in kids and how can parents effectively support their children in getting back to the classroom? In today’s conversation with Dr. Jody Miller, EdD, BCBA , Head of Esther B. Clark Schools at CHC, we learn that by identifying the motivating fact...

Social-emotional health is fundamental to life and learning: in fact, research shows that it is a greater predictor of academic success than IQ. As our kids head back to school, we are mindful of what they have been through in the past few years and the youth mental health crisis in our midst. How can we as parents best support our children’s social-emotional wellbeing at home and in the classroom...

In today’s Part 2 podcast episode, we continue the conversation with CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services expert, Dr. Glen Elliot . If you are a parent of a child with ADHD, you’ll be glad to hear that “there truly is light at the end of the tunnel.” Persistent, loving, unconditional support, effective interventions and adapting to your child’s evolving needs can lead to really p...

In today’s Part 2 podcast episode, we continue the conversation with CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services experts, Dr. Glen Elliott and Dr. Natalie Pon , on the topic of young children and anxiety. Anxiety in young children is pervasive, and the start of the school year can be nerve-racking for kids and parents alike. Join us as we delve into school-related strategies–socializati...

In proud partnership with Common Ground , a locally renowned speaker series for over 15,000 families in over 40 schools, we are excited to bring you this Voices of Compassion podcast episode. While Common Ground is primarily a parent education consortium, this conversation is specifically targeted to mental health professionals in schools and beyond.  We’ve all heard the self-care metaphor fo...

Between 2009 and 2019, the percentage of teens who reported having “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness” rose from 26 percent to 37 percent and, in 2021, to 44 percent. Further, research shows that 1 in 5 youth in distress felt that they didn’t have someone they could turn to in a crisis. How can we let our teens know we’re here for them and protect them from significant mental health c...

We often talk about building self-awareness in our kids, but what about in ourselves, as parents and caregivers? The better we understand our own complexities, the more wholeheartedly we can show up for our children. In fact, research shows that when a parent understands themselves better, the child has better overall life outcomes. In today’s podcast episode, CHC Clinical Services experts Audrey...

Children often experience a rollercoaster of emotions, even on a good day. But prolonged symptoms of sadness, irritability, short-temper, change in eating or sleeping habits or lost concentration or interest could be signs of depression. How do you know what’s normal and what’s cause for concern? Today’s podcast episode features CHC Clinical Services experts, Dr. Patrice Crisostomo , Clinical Prog...

Growing up is a process of moving toward independence, becoming your own person and meeting your own needs. “Launching” refers to the parental role in their child’s transition into adulthood. This process looks different for everyone – a bumpier or more meandering path for some than others. So how can you best prepare your child for a smooth launch? In today’s podcast episode, CHC’s Chief Psychiat...

The CDC and National Health Statistics Reports estimate that there is a 1-2% chance of a child being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the rates for boys are higher than that for girls. So, if your child has just been diagnosed with autism, you are not alone. In today’s podcast episode, CHC experts Seema Motwani , Occupational Therapist and Gina Baldi , Parent Trainer in our Ea...

Anxiety is a healthy emotion, except when it’s not. Experiencing anxiety can be just what we need to finish a project or task, or deal with a stressful situation. But it can also be overwhelming and debilitating. In today’s podcast episode, CHC experts Jessica Shankman, MA , Doctoral Psychology Intern, and Christa Johnson, PsyD , Licensed Clinical Psychologist help us understand what’s normal and...

Parenting is really an art–of balancing being there with letting go. Can your children navigate the world on their own? Will they ever stop needing you and will you ever stop worrying about them? Don’t miss today’s podcast episode featuring two CHC experts– Liberty Hebron , Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Audrey Schield , Bilingual Associate Social Worker––as they share a three-step m...

Our brains develop from the back to the front. The prefrontal cortex – important for impulse control, managing emotions, planning, organization and finishing tasks – is the last to develop, and is not fully mature until our mid-twenties. How does this impact teen behavior and decision making and how can parents make sure we still matter? Don’t miss today’s inspiring episode featuring CHC’s own Dr....

Data shows that calls to the helpline for the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) increased 40% in the first year of the pandemic. Sometimes symptoms might fly under the radar or be dismissed as ‘just a phase,’ but the shame, guilt and health complications associated with eating disorders are risks we can’t ignore. On today’s podcast episode, we sit down with CHC’s own Alexa Wilmarth , Ps...

We receive lots of questions from parents about evaluations: Does my child need one? Or should we just start treatment? An evaluation by a psychologist or a multidisciplinary team can be a valuable tool in understanding your child’s strengths and weaknesses and provide a roadmap for next steps. It can reveal whether what seems like distraction, laziness or reluctance could actually be a sign of me...

A lack of socialization over the past two years has a lot of parents worried about their children’s language development. In fact, one of the most viewed articles in our online Resource Library right now focuses on speech delays in young children during COVID. How do we know when our kids should be progressing from first words to full sentences? Have masks and social distancing affected typical la...

Do you ever wonder if your child might be missing some key developmental milestones? Are you seeing some behaviors or delays that give you cause for concern? As a parent, it can be hard to know where to turn and how to figure out next steps. In today’s podcast episode, I sat down with Sarah Knepper, MEd , Educational Services Manager at EBC School and the mother of two young boys, one with disabil...