You have a parent with a child who has seen various specialists and is diagnosed with autism.  The parent then goes to the school to ask for assistance and the school states the child is not eligible for services.  So what is going on? The difference between a medical diagnosis of autism and the educational […]

A 12-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder presents to your office. His mother reports that he has always been a picky eater and will only eat carbohydrate-based foods, such as plain pasta and French fries. He refuses vegetables and fruits stating he does not like the way they taste or feel. He does not eat […]

Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) describe a set of interpersonal relationships between family, friends, at school and in the community that fosters a child’s ability to thrive. Studies show that children who have more supportive experiences may be less likely to have psychological or relationship problems as adults. PCEs can be protective against adolescent substance use […]

For busy pediatricians and primary care providers, anxiety is one of the most common concerns raised in problem visits. Anxiety disorders affect ~1 in 8 youth and parents frequently seek guidance from pediatricians first. Parents often ask what they can do differently at home, yet many feel stuck responding to their child’s distress with accommodations that, although well-intended, […]

Transient tics are common and can affect between 11% and 20% of school-age children at some point during childhood. In various studies and population samples, there is a wide range of prevalence estimates for Tourette Syndrome and chronic tic disorders. Studies have shown chronic tic disorders ranging from 0.3-5% for Chronic Motor Tic Disorder and […]

First-episode psychosis refers to the first time a patient experiences psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions. The differential diagnosis for first-episode psychosis is broad and includes both psychiatric and non-psychiatric etiologies. Psychiatric causes include primary psychotic disorders like schizophrenia and mood disorders like bipolar disorder with psychotic features. Non-psychiatric causes include substance-induced psychosis and […]

One of the biggest challenges caregivers face today is managing screen time. Children and adolescents ages 8 to 18 spend an average of 7.5 hours a day on screens. Most receive their first smartphone at age 10, and the majority begin using social media by age 12. While limited, high-quality screen time can be educational, […]

Parents in your clinic may casually mention that their children seem to have an insatiable appetite or tend to overeat when feeling upset. These youths might present at their annual physical exams with significant weight gain or even obesity. Fluctuations in appetite are a normal and expected part of development. Distinguishing these typical changes from […]

From political tensions to natural disasters, the news can trigger complex, unsettling emotions and negatively impact mental health. Most children and adolescents encounter current events through social media or friends rather than traditional outlets like newspapers or the evening news on television. This raises concerns about misinformation and sensationalism in the news stories they encounter, […]

For many children, the anxiety of a new school year is not just one of nervous excitement about a new year beginning. For many it may be a youth’s severe concern of about the risk of victimization as a result of peer bullying.  Awareness of the potential that a youth may be experiencing bullying should be part […]