Grade School

What Is Tourette’s Disorder?

Tourette’s disorder has also been called Tourette’s syndrome.

It has also been called simply Tourette’s.

Home Is Where The Heart Is: Thinking About Homeless Children In The Classroom

This is the final blog post of a series in collaboration with the Lesley University Child Homelessness Initiative (CHI). For more information about the CHI curriculum, and the ways in which it seeks to empower the next generation of teachers and caregivers to understand and advocate for homeless children, visit http://www.lesley.

Lord Of The Flies In The Classroom: The Complicated World of Discipline And Limits

There is a fairly disturbing video circulating the Internet this week: a substitute teacher appears terrified as students verbally, and even physically, threaten her. One boy goes so far as to raise a chair in the air, as if preparing to strike her.

Discovering Who I Am: The Critical Role Of Identity

The Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.

“Who are you?” said the Caterpillar.

This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation.

Treating Specific Phobias in Kids

It was the last semester of medical school, and Philadelphia couldn’t have been nicer—even West Philly.

My wife and daughter, then almost five years old, were walking around town, and at one point let our daughter run ahead over a concrete bridge.

Pros and Cons of a Private Clinic Versus Public School Evaluation

Christopher had a tough third grade year.  He struggled to pay attention, had difficulty reading his assignments, and was never able to finish his homework on time.

The Impact Of Divorce: All Children Only Get One Childhood

Listen to a conversation about the impact of divorce on children on our podcast. Tune in below or search for “Shrinking It Down” wherever you get your podcasts.

Navigating divorce is an adult problem and responsibility.

A Closer Look at Separation Anxiety



Sarah sits on the couch, clutching her stuffed bear. Her finger nails are visibly torn; they’ve been bleeding again.

Her mom, meanwhile, is calling into work again. She’ll have to explain for what feels like the zillionth time that she’ll be late. It’s not clear her boss will understand this awful situation much longer.

Preparing For Your Child’s First Appointment With A Mental Health Clinician

In our previous post, we spoke about what to do if you feel your child might be in need of psychological help.  We noted that even finding the right phone number on the back of your insurance card can be challenging.

What Are Intelligence Tests?

Probably no other single area of evaluation has seen more controversy than that of intelligence. Psychologists have debated whether intelligence is learned or inherited, culturally-specific or universal, one ability or several. These debates are ongoing, and won’t soon be resolved.