Memorial Day is a wonderful time to honor our veterans, and it also marks the beginning of the summer season. More cars are expected to be on the road this coming Memorial Day than ever, according to the American Automobile Association. The newest drivers on the road at any time of year are teenagers, and it’s your responsibility as a parent to teach them the rules of the road. First and...
While all kids benefit from their relationships with animals, animal-assisted therapy is an especially important tool for children and teens who are on the autism spectrum or who have other special needs or emotional issues such as depression, anxiety or social isolation. Pets help youngsters not only to feel loved, but also to help them open up, learn to bond and decrease their level of stress. When Bideawee visited North Shore...
It’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and one thing that has come a long way in recent years involves research on the brain’s development. Once upon a time, there was widespread belief that the human brain was fully developed by the time a child reached five or six years old. We know, for example, that the amygdala, the part of the brain that is responsible for instinctual reactions such as fear...
Most babies start to show an interest in the world and the people around them at a very young age. By their first birthday, typical toddlers look people in the eye, copy words, play games like peek-a-boo and engage in clapping, waving hello and good-bye, and other simple behaviors. But for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, the picture is often very different. According to the Centers for Disease Control and...
The birth of a new baby is a joyous event, but for some mothers, the situation is far more complex. While many women experience some mild mood changes during or after the birth of a child, 15% to 20% of women experience more significant symptoms of postpartum depression and other perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, according to Vanessa McMullan, LCSW, Supervisor at The Marks Family Right From The Start 0-3+ Center,...
When it comes to professional sports, talk is usually focused on performance stats, injuries and other game-related topics. Rarely is emotional well-being part of the discussion. But several NBA stars have opened up about their struggles with issues like depression and anxiety—a brave move in a culture that still tends to stigmatize mental health issues. An article on the NBA’s website focused on three star players: DeMar DeRosen, Kevin Love...
Although we began the week (once again) with several inches of snow on Long Island, spring is truly just around the corner. April is National Garden month, and many people can’t wait to get their hands in the dirt! Gardening has obvious benefits for physical health. It gets you outdoors in the sunshine (soaking up some vitamin D!) and moving around, so it’s great exercise. And, if you have vegetables in...
The traditional picture of therapy is of a social worker, psychologist or other mental health professional sitting in a chair and taking notes on a pad as the client speaks about his or her challenges. Talk therapy is, indeed, an important tool, but therapy comes in many forms. One method we use at North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center to encourage our clients to express themselves and help them understand...
One week ago, tens of thousands of students across the nation solemnly walked out of their schools, many holding candles and reading the names of the 17 high school students and teachers who died in the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018. In less than a month’s time, these students have created a nationwide movement. This coming Saturday, March 24, 2018, hundreds...
March is National Professional Social Work Month, with this year’s theme “Social Workers: Leaders. Advocates. Champions.” We thought it would be a good time to acknowledge and celebrate the many contributions these caring professionals provide to our communities. First off, a statistic. In the United States, there are approximately 650,000 social workers, and they work in varied settings including hospitals, community mental health organizations and private practices, among others. They also...