Articles by Ellen Braaten, PhD
Ellen Braaten, PhD, is executive director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP) at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), an associate professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School, and former co-director for the MGH Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds. She is a psychologist, teacher, and researcher whose career has focused on improving understanding and treatment of children with learning and attention issues, particularly ADHD, learning disabilities, dyslexia, autism spectrum, and processing speed. Ellen is frequently called on by main stream and popular media to elucidate on the complexities of learning differences and challenges among young people. She holds the Kessler Family Endowed MGH Chair in Pediatric Neuropsychological Assessment.
Navigating Special Education in Schools Part 2: Working with the Team and Your Child
September 19, 2024
Navigating Special Education in Schools Part 2: Working with the Team and Your Child
This is the first blog post in a two-part series on navigating special education in schools. The focus of this first post is on general legal and practical tips for parents. The second post focuses on working with the IEP and your child. The Special Education system in school can be confusing, especially if you […]
Navigating Special Education in Schools Part 1: Legal and Practical Tips
August 29, 2024
Navigating Special Education in Schools Part 1: Legal and Practical Tips
This is the first blog post in a two-part series on navigating special education in schools. The focus of this first post is on general legal and practical tips for parents. The second post focuses on working with the IEP and your child. Welcome back to a new season of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health […]
All About ADHD: Behavior, Medication, CBT and More – Shrinking It Down
October 28, 2021
All About ADHD: Behavior, Medication, CBT and More – Shrinking It Down
Today’s episode of Shrinking It Down is all about ADHD. We revisit some of the most helpful conversations we’ve had with clinical experts about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in kids and teens. First, we talk through what ADHD really is with Dr. Ellen Braaten, including the three different types of ADHD and how the […]
Q+A: ¿Cómo encuentro un terapeuta para mi hijo?
May 13, 2021
Q+A: ¿Cómo encuentro un terapeuta para mi hijo?
Mi hijo tiene ansiedad y estoy buscando un terapeuta. ¿Cómo puedo encontrar uno bueno? Esta es una pregunta extremadamente importante, y aunque no hay reglas absolutas, aquí hay algunas pautas que pueden ayudar a informar su proceso: Recomendaciones de otros suele ser la mejor fuente de información. Los pediatras, los psicólogos y consejeros escolares y […]
Preguntas y Respuestas: ¿Qué es el trastorno de ansiedad por separación?
April 29, 2021
Preguntas y Respuestas: ¿Qué es el trastorno de ansiedad por separación?
A mi hijo de 4 años le acaban de diagnosticar un trastorno de ansiedad por separación. ¿Qué es? Es posible que ya haya adivinado por el nombre del diagnóstico que el trastorno de ansiedad por separación tiene algo que ver con la ansiedad que siente un niño cuando se separa de sus padres o cuidadores. […]
Mi hijo fue diagnosticado con ansiedad o depresión. ¿Cómo debo hablar con ella al respecto?
Mi hijo fue diagnosticado con ansiedad o depresión. ¿Cómo debo hablar con ella al respecto?
“¿Debo usar la palabra ansioso o deprimido?” “¿Debería hablar de eso con mi hija?” “¿Qué debería decirle a mi hijo adolescente?” “¿Cómo puedo siquiera mencionarlo?” Estas son solo algunas de las preguntas que hacen los padres cuando a su hijo se le diagnostica ansiedad o depresión. Es difícil encontrar el guión perfecto que dicte exactamente […]
CBT Snapshot: Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Asperger’s, High-Functioning Autism, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)
April 7, 2021
CBT Snapshot: Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Asperger’s, High-Functioning Autism, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a special kind of talk therapy that can be used to help with mental health challenges, including those related to Autism Spectrum Disorder. In this CBT Snapshot series, Dr. Ellen Braaten gives a glimpse of what it looks like to use CBT for a range of mental, behavioral, and developmental health […]
¿Qué es el Espectro Autista?
March 26, 2021
¿Qué es el Espectro Autista?
Los niños con autismo tienen desafíos importantes con las interacciones sociales y la comunicación y un repertorio muy restringido de actividades e intereses. Los problemas con la reciprocidad social son muy graves (no se trata solo de ser tímido o un poco distante). Incluyen: dificultades con comportamientos no verbales, como contacto visual muy deficiente o […]
CBT Snapshot: Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Oppositional Defiant Disorder & Conduct Disorder
March 17, 2021
CBT Snapshot: Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Oppositional Defiant Disorder & Conduct Disorder
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a special kind of talk therapy that can be used to help with mental health challenges. In this CBT Snapshot series, Dr. Ellen Braaten gives a glimpse of what it looks like to use CBT for a range of mental and behavioral health disorders. Tom was an 8-year-old boy who was […]
CBT Snapshot: Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Eating Disorders
February 24, 2021
CBT Snapshot: Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Eating Disorders
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a special kind of talk therapy that can be used to help with mental health challenges. In this CBT Snapshot series, Dr. Ellen Braaten gives a glimpse of what it looks like to use CBT for a range of mental and behavioral health disorders. The most effective treatment for bulimia is […]
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