Having the last word is a common desire for children and adults alike. For children, it’s often an effort to exert control in a situation where they feel they don’t have control. Parents, however, may see this behavior as defiance or disrespectful. Geoffrey Putt, PsyD, pediatric psychologist at Akron Children’s Hospital, reminds parents that if […]
Envelop your kids in love this Valentine’s Day, and every day
Helping your child feel loved is one of the most important initiatives of parenthood. Dr. Laura Gerak, a pediatric psychologist at Akron Children’s Hospital, shared insight on how to make sure children feel secure and valued. Finding one-on-one time to spend together Dr. Gerak recommends parents reserve time each week when they can be attentive […]
Family says counseling, open communication key to strong mental health
For Cohen Pierce, it was triggered by the transition to middle school. For his younger sister Lila, it was most apparent the morning of test days. The “its” in both cases were mental health concerns. Cohen’s depression manifested as changes in his personality. He went from his normal happy-go-lucky self to feeling down and negative […]
How to help your kids cope with divorce
There is no getting around that divorce is traumatic for children. But how parents handle a breakup has tremendous influence on children’s ability to cope with the emotional upheaval. Children fare better when parents are mindful of their behavior toward one another and their interactions with their children, said Dr. Susan Neilan, a child and […]
OhioRISE offers care coordination for children with complex mental health issues
There’s hope on the horizon for the thousands of Ohio parents raising children with complex behavioral health and developmental disorders. OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems & Excellence), a new specialized managed care program through Ohio Department of Medicaid, will offer care coordination and new services not currently available in Ohio. Another goal of the program […]
