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Arise America News Program -The Danger of Misdiagnosing Children with AD/HD

Dr. Joseph Volpe, Executive Director of East End Psychological Services, addresses the issues that result from misdiagnosing AD/HD and the latest government statistics that suggest an AD/HD epidemic. View the broadcast

CBS Evening News - Labeling Defiant Kids

Dr. Joseph Volpe, Director of East End Psychological Services in New York, said it's not known whether ODD is biological or environmental. "It's a consistent pattern of negative, hostile, defiant, disobedient behavior and it interferes with functioning." View the broadcast

Controlling Anger - Before It Controls You

We all know what anger is, and we've all felt it: whether as a fleeting annoyance or as full-fledged rage. Anger is a completely normal, usually healthy, human emotion. But when it gets out of control and turns destructive, it can lead to problems - problems at work, in your personal relationships, and in the overall quality of your life. Read more..

Effective Strategies for the Child with AD/HD: The Pathway to Success

AD/HD is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with AD/HD have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors. Read more..

Multimodal Assessment and Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD)

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) represents one of the most common reasons why children are referred to mental health clinicians in the United States. The disorder is characterized by difficulty in sustained attention, impulsivity, and, in some cases, hyperactivity. Read more..

Myths About ADD/ADHD

The following myths - and factual responses - have been collected from rebuttals to recent media articles about ADD/ADHD. The rebuttals were written by MAAAN (Metro Area Adult ADHD Network, based in the Detroit area). Read more..

Controversial Treatments For Children With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

In the past decade there has been a tremendous upsurge of scientific and public interest in Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The interest is reflected not only in the number of scientific articles but in the explosion of books for parents and teachers. Read more..

Brain Balance Centers: Is There Any Scientific Proof?

Brain Balance Centers are a network (actually, to be precise, a network of franchises) of treatment centers spread across the United States, currently operating in 54 locations; most of the major US cities. They offer a treatment called the 'Brain Balance Program' that claims to be able to improve: 1. Academic performance 2. Social abilities 3. Cognitive function 4. Sensory and motor skills 5. Visual-spatial organizational skills 6. Immunity and nutritional health. Read more..

Are You an Adult with AD/HD?

Many adults have been living with Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (Adult AD/HD) and don’t recognize it. Why? Because its symptoms are often mistaken for a stressful life. The following questionnaire can be used as a starting point to help you recognize the signs/symptoms of Adult ADHD but is not meant to replace consultation with a trained healthcare professional. Read more..

List of Appropriate School-based Accommodations and Interventions for a 504 plan or IEP

Choose only those accommodations and interventions that are the most needed. Attempt to select low-level accommodations and interventions before moving to more supportive or high-level accommodations and interventions. The objective should always be to provide support while encouraging growth with these strategies to foster independence and self-advocacy. Read more..

Casting a Wider Net: Section 504 Under the 2008 ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA)

In 2008, Congress amended the Americans with Disabilities Act, significantly broadening the definition of disability, beginning in 2009. That change impacted the definition of disability under Section 504, one of two statutes from which children receive special education services in school, (the other being The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA). Read more..

Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive illness) in Teens

Teenagers with Bipolar Disorder may have an ongoing combination of extremely high (manic) and low (depressed) moods. Highs may alternate with lows, or the person may feel both extremes at the same time. Read more..

Learning Impairment and Poor Vision

The importance of good vision cannot be understated for either children or adults. As an adult, a person can express when his or her vision is not as clear as it should be and will take action to correct any impairment before it can become overly disruptive. Read more..

The Depressed Child

Not only adults become depressed. Children and teenagers also may have depression, which is a treatable illness. Depression is defined as an illness when the feelings of depression persist and interfere with a child or adolescent's ability to function. Read more..

Overcoming Test Anxiety

Test anxiety is an uneasiness or apprehension experienced before, during, or after an examination because of concern, worry, or fear. Almost everyone experiences some anxiety. Read more..

Obesity and Children: Helping Your Child Lose Weight

If my child is heavy now, will he or she always have a weight problem? Not all heavy children have weight problems as adults. However, as children get older, their risk for staying overweight goes up. The risk is even higher if one or both parents also are overweight. It's important to catch weight problems early. Read more..

Self-esteem

Developing a clearer understanding of self-esteem and what affects its development should help you to help children feel good about themselves, and think more highly of yourself. Read more..

Developing Social Skills

Child care professionals play an important part in raising healthy children. Caregivers help children develop healthy bodies, minds, and feelings about themselves. One of the most important things providers teach children is how to get along with others. Read more..

Adolescence and Peer Pressure

As children grow, develop, and move into early adolescence, involvement with one's peers and the attraction of peer identification increases. As pre-adolescents begin rapid physical, emotional and social changes, they begin to question adult standards and the need for parental guidance. Read more..

Traumatic Stress

Traumatic stress encompasses exposure to events or the witnessing of events that are extreme and/or life threatening. Traumatic exposure may be brief in duration (e.g., an automobile accident) or involve prolonged, repeated exposure (e.g., sexual abuse). Read more..

Effects of Domestic Violence on Children and Adolescents: An Overview

In the past two decades, there has been growing recognition of the prevalence of domestic violence in our society. Moreover, it has become apparent that some individuals are at greater risk for victimization than others. Read more..

Crisis Response in Our Schools

Not long ago the most severe problems encountered in our schools were students running in the halls, making excessive noise, cutting a line, talking out-of-turn, chewing gum or violating a dress code. Read more..