Growing Minds Psychology

12/14/2022

https://www.growingmindsnyc.com/blog/selective-mutism-demystifying-school-lingo

Understanding the special education system is challenging. When your child has selective mutism, it can be even more difficult to navigate. Knowing your rights and the lingo are important steps to making sure your child is able to access learning in school. Check out our most recent blog to learn more.

Since parents are the primary advocate for their children, it is important to understand what is available for children with SM, how to obtain those services, and which services are appropriate for your individual child. Here is an introduction to our “special education dictionary” to help you b...

10/01/2022

Please visit our virtual booth at the Selective Mutism Association annual conference for free materials!

05/11/2022

The type of question and number of questions a child asks gives us insight into whether they are asking our of curiosity or worry. When worry is the driving force, we call it reassurance seeking and it often looks like repetitive questions that have already been answered. Be mindful of how many of these questions you answer over and over because we want to show kids they can cope with their anxiety and the unknown. Every time we give an answer to a question they already know, we potentially communicate: you can’t handle the unknown and I need to help you. Instead, we might say something like: “You already know the answer to that question. I know you can handle this uncomfortable feeling.”

04/11/2022

When a child is avoiding homework or has trouble getting started, there may be more to it than lack of self-control or work ethic. Think about it this way: if a child could do something, they would. It is helpful to take a step back and investigate what skills are lacking that make it harder for them to take care of their assignments. It is possible that your child struggles in one of the following areas: 1. emotional regulation/balanced thinking, 2. task initiation, 3. resilience, or 4. asking for help. Check out our latest blog to see if your child can benefit from improving some of these skills.

https://www.growingmindsnyc.com/blog/addressing-homework-avoidance