Do we actually benefit from learning to tolerate things we don’t like? Thank you for your responses I want to start out by thanking everyone for their enthusiastic responses to my recent article, How Parenting Is Like Dog Training. I appreciate all your thoughtful comments and questions, and enjoy the intellectual discussions that spawn from them.Continue reading ““No Pain No Gain”: Fact Or Fiction?”
Tag Archives: Psychology
How Parenting Is Like Dog Training
(as are teaching, or working with children in any capacity) There’s a popular saying in dog training: “Punishing the growl is like taking the batteries out of your smoke alarm.” What does this mean? Well, when we look at only the observable surface behaviour, we might call growing an “aggressive” behaviour and seek to punish it soContinue reading “How Parenting Is Like Dog Training”
Why I Intentionally Unmask With All My Clients
How professionalism is performative, and why I let my ND quirks loose when I’m working with clients A lot of expectations around “professionalism” are performative I’m capable of masking to the point of nearly “passing” as a slightly quirky, fidgety neurotypical. I could put on my professional mask and look much like every other coach, tutor,Continue reading “Why I Intentionally Unmask With All My Clients”
Why OCD Is Considered Highly Comorbid With ADHD
What Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, ADHD, and Autism have in common What is O.C.D.? The DSM-V lists the following criteria for diagnosing O.C.D.: Challenging a common myth about OCD O.C.D. is not always “I have to wash my hands and check locks constantly”, although these certainly can be compulsions people feel compelled to perform. O.C.D. is also: OCD is believedContinue reading “Why OCD Is Considered Highly Comorbid With ADHD”
Teaching Kids Mental Flexibility
Helping our children see shades of grey and improve cognitive adaptability When our kids jump to conclusions, or are engaging in rigid thinking, it’s our natural instinct to try and explain away what we perceive as inaccurate reasoning. We often try to logic people out of their feelings, and I have certainly been guilty ofContinue reading “Teaching Kids Mental Flexibility”
My Reading Recommendations
The most informative books about neurodiversity, education, parenting, disability, advocacy, and more Neurodiversity MB’s Book & Podcast Recommendations Please note that I have provided links primarily to the paperback copies of these books. However, many are also available in eBook or audiobook for a quicker download and are usually a less expensive option. Table of Contents IContinue reading “My Reading Recommendations”
Why Your Behaviour Chart Isn’t Working
Here’s why reward programs never work long-term When a child’s behaviours are challenging or concerning, we often jump to looking for solutions which address the behaviour, but not the underlying cause. When I receive reports from school staff and psychologists, they all have a similar theme: recommendations for behaviourism-based approaches, such as behaviour charts andContinue reading “Why Your Behaviour Chart Isn’t Working”
Epilepsy Awareness Day
My personal experiences with seizures and idiopathic epilepsy I am not currently diagnosed with epilepsy, but I did struggle with idiopathic seizures in my mid-twenties (idiopathic essentially means they don’t know how or why they started). Unfortunately, being a young female with mental health issues and unexplained medical problems often leads to doctors and other medical professionalsContinue reading ” Epilepsy Awareness Day”
I Don’t Care What My Son Learns in Elementary School
I care a lot more about the environment than I do about the content For the record: I do value my son’s education. I appreciate teachers and the near-impossible task they are handed every single day: Please, educate these children. No, you may not have any more resources. No, you may not have better ventilation in yourContinue reading ” I Don’t Care What My Son Learns in Elementary School”
Why We Are Not Puzzle Pieces
Apparently further explanation is required My recent article, Autistic Appreciation, was shared on a popular advocacy page, one that I really like. It’s run by neurodiverse and disabled people for neurodiverse and disabled people. The article was shared using one of the images which was embedded further down. It was surrounded by extensive context and well-researched explanations for why IContinue reading “Why We Are Not Puzzle Pieces”