By: Terese Burk, M.A. & Jacy Herman, M.S. Rush NeuroBehavioral Center’s Educational Services Department has developed an Executive Functions curriculum based upon organizational strategies that help a child become successful in and out of school. These strategies emphasize organizing materials, managing time, developing study skills, and setting goals. We know that these skills readily transfer into life beyond the classroom. They
By: Andrea Victor, PhD The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) provides the criteria for diagnosing mental health disorders and is used throughout the medical community by therapists, physicians, and insurance providers. In May 2013, an updated version of the DSM will be released with changes in several diagnostic categories. The new DSM‑5 makes significant changes to the
The latest version of the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) will be released soon, and contains updated criteria that may impact autism spectrum disorder and ADHD diagnoses. Clark A. McKown, PhD, Executive Director of Rush NeuroBehavioral Center, discussed these updates along with data from the CDC suggesting that such diagnoses are on the rise. Q: Data released from
By: Adelaide Allen, Ed.M. Educational Specialist Children who struggle to make and keep friends often have difficulty knowing how to solve conflicts with peers. Maybe they don’t know what to do or say. Maybe they can’t tell the difference between a good solution and a bad solution. Or maybe they are unaware a problem even exists. Skillful social problem solving
Monitoring the role of technology in our children’s daily lives is becoming more of a priority for parents and educators today. Whether you embrace the digital age or yearn for days of old, it’s clear that technology plays a role in your children’s development and can facilitate both building friendships as well as deterring social interaction. Additionally, children with social
The Virtual Environment for Social Information Processing (VESIP™) is the latest research endeavor at Rush NeuroBehavioral Center. The tool is an innovative assessment of social information processing, utilizing a computerized simulation in which children adopt the role of an avatar and use a computer mouse to navigate challenging social situations and engage in real-time social decision-making. Principal investigator Nicole Russo-Ponsaran,
By Georgia Bozeday, EdD Director of Educational Services Rush NeuroBehavioral Center Many of us have something of a love-hate relationship with sleep. We’re pretty sure we should be getting more of it. We want to “sleep like a log” every night, but often we find ourselves “tossing and turning” when we finally do “hit the hay,” because we can’t let
By Clark McKown, Executive Director All children who come to RNBC are, of course, individuals. Many declare themselves with outsize personalities. There are, however, two challenges many RNBC children share. See if you can catch the common thread: Jack is a seventh grade boy who attends a small private school and has been with the same 30 or so classmates
In anticipation of her February 13 talk at Rush NeuroBehavioral Center, Dr. Anne Howard answered a few questions about the types and prevalence of bullying, the role of social development in bullying, and ways in which parents can help in prevention efforts. Click here to download a printable PDF version. Q: What are the main types of bullying that young people
Prior to his upcoming February 5 talk, titled “Will the Real Social Network Please Stand Up?,” Dr. Clark McKown, Executive Director of RNBC, discussed the online assessment tool SELweb™ and the concept of a ‘real social network.’ Click here to download a printable pdf version Q: Explain the concept of a “real social network.” Clark McKown: I’m making a distinction between