ICG Rehabilitation and Health Care Services

09/03/2026

Emotional regulation isn't just a "thinking" skill — it starts in the body. Kids need to notice physical cues (a racing heart, clenched fists, that fidgety feeling) before they can name and manage a big feeling. One helpful strategy is coming up with a signal that means "I need a break to calm down," which kids can use to alert parents, teachers, and others around them. That's part of why meltdowns can feel sudden — the warning signs were there, but harder to catch. Building body awareness through simple check-ins ("what does your body feel like right now?") can be a great first step, alongside professional support when needed.

What is self-regulation, and why do people with sensory processing issues and ADHD struggle with it? Read about self-regulation skills and strategies.

09/01/2026

"My kid just has a lot of energy" and "my kid might have ADHD" can look similar on the surface, which makes this one tricky for parents to sort out on their own. High energy tends to be situational — a kid who's bursting with excitement at a birthday party but can settle down for dinner. Hyperactivity linked to ADHD tends to show up everywhere, regardless of the setting, and comes with real difficulty settling even when a child wants to. The honest answer is that telling the difference between a kid with a ton of energy and one who has a problem that needs addressing isn't always obvious — which is exactly why a professional evaluation can be so useful. It's not about labeling energetic kids; it's about knowing when extra support could help.

As the mom of an elementary schoolboy, I hear a lot of talk about ADHD. But what is it exactly? How do you tell the difference between a kid who just has a ton of energy and one who has a problem that needs to be addressed? Are there things that put a child at…

08/27/2026

Cooperative play — when kids actually play with each other toward a shared goal — is a big developmental leap, and it's worth celebrating when you see it. For younger children, it starts with playing alongside others (parallel play) and transitions into cooperative play. For older children it looks like working in pairs or small groups where cooperation is encouraged gives kids real practice with turn-taking, self-awareness, and building on each other's ideas — skills that carry well beyond the playground. Structured opportunities like play dates and turn-taking practice help kids build these skills and carry them into everyday settings. If your child seems to be stuck in earlier, more solitary play stages well past the typical age range, that's a good conversation to have with your pediatrician.

We have compiled social skills tips, information, and tools to help people on the autism spectrum.

08/25/2026

Play looks different for every child, but if you've noticed your toddler consistently choosing to play alone — even when other kids are right there — it's worth paying attention to. Solitary and independent play is a normal stage of development, but for autistic children, play often stays in that solitary stage longer, focusing on specific interests rather than moving toward play with others. This doesn't mean something is "wrong," but it can be a helpful clue alongside other signs. If you're noticing this pattern along with other developmental differences, an evaluation with a specialist can help you understand what's going on and what support might help.

Discover the stages of play development in children and learn how they foster social skills and growth. See how you can support your child's play journey.

08/11/2026

Understanding what common nonverbal autism signs look like and when certain behaviors could signal a need for further evaluation can help parents and caregivers recognize concerns early and seek appropriate support.

Read more 👉 https://lttr.ai/At3YA

08/04/2026

Fidgeting gets a bad reputation, but for many kids with ADHD it's actually doing a job: helping their brain stay regulated. Leg bouncing, chair rocking, pen clicking, doodling — these small, repetitive movements can act almost like a release valve for extra energy, and research even suggests fidgeting can help some kids with ADHD focus better during a long or boring task, not worse.

That said, there's a difference between the occasional wiggle every kid does and the constant, hard-to-redirect movement that interferes with schoolwork, mealtime, or following instructions. If your child's body seems to be "on" nearly all the time, and sitting still or settling down after a task feels almost impossible even when they want to comply, that pattern of physical dysregulation is worth mentioning at their next pediatric visit.

Research shows that physical activity increases levels of the neurotransmitters in the brain that control focus and attention.

07/28/2026

"My kid never stops moving — does that mean ADHD?" It's one of the most common questions parents ask, and the honest answer is: not necessarily. Plenty of children are simply high-energy — they run, climb, and talk a lot, but they can still slow down for a story, sit through a meal, or settle once they're tired. Hyperactivity that points toward ADHD tends to look different: it shows up across multiple settings (home and school, not just one), it doesn't let up even when a child is tired or the activity calls for calm, and it's usually paired with real difficulty with impulse control or sustained attention and sleep.

If you're noticing that your child's motor "never turns off" no matter the setting, or that the constant movement is getting in the way of school, friendships, or family life, it's worth having them evaluated rather than guessing. A proper evaluation looks at the whole picture, not just the energy level.

ADHD is a type of brain difference that can make it hard to pay attention and/or sit still. It starts in childhood. Learn symptoms and treatments.

07/21/2026

A child with ASD may rarely point to share interest, wave goodbye, or generally use gestures to support communication and social interaction.

Read the full article: More Than Words: Understanding Nonverbal Cues
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07/21/2026

By around age four, most kids start moving into what's called cooperative play — actually playing with other children, not just near them, with shared rules, shared goals, and back-and-forth give-and-take. It's a big developmental leap, and it's where so many important skills get built: sharing, compromise, reading social cues, managing the disappointment of losing, and working together toward a common goal.

For children who are still developing these skills — including many kids with autism or ADHD — cooperative play doesn't always come naturally, and that's okay. Simple structured games, turn-taking activities, and lots of low-pressure practice with familiar playmates can go a long way. If your child seems stuck in solo or side-by-side play well past the age when peers have moved on, it's worth a conversation with your child's doctor.

When are kids supposed to play together? Learn more about cooperative play, including when it begins, why it's important, and how to encourage it during playtime.

07/15/2026

A child with Autism may use limited eye contact during conversations, have difficulty understanding others’ emotions, or appear disconnected from group interactions despite having age-appropriate language skills.

Read more 👉 https://lttr.ai/AtJRS