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Provider Spotlight: Dr. Brian Friedlander

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Provider Spotlight: Dr. Brian Friedlander

Dr. Brian Friedlander is a school psychologist with over 35 years of  experience in assistive technology. He has a passion for using a wide range of technologies in his professional work.

Dr. Friedlander was an Associate Professor of Education at Saint Elizabeth
University in Morristown, N.J., where he coordinated Graduate Programs
in Special Education and taught undergraduate and graduate courses in
special education and assistive technology.

Dr. Friedlander maintains a consulting and private practice in assistive technology, working with schools and parents to find innovative solutions to support student learning.  He provides assistive technology evaluations, training,
coaching and consulting to both families and schools. Dr. Friedlander
is available to give presentations and webinars on assistive technology. Many of his services can be done virtually over Zoom.

Dr. Friedlander is the co-author of Co-Teaching and Technology and author of Assistive Technology: What Every Educator Needs to Know. In addition, he has written the books Emotionally Intelligent Parenting, and Raising Emotionally Intelligent Teenagers.

You can contact Dr. Brian Friedlander at:

Brian@assistivetek.com
908.217.1017

http://assistivetek.blogspot.com
For a FREE assistive technology consult, click on the Link:
https://tidycal.com/assistivetek/15-minute-meeting-3lgz5np
Check out his YouTube Channel for some great videos:
https://www.youtube.com/@assistivetek

Books to Support Your Child’s Mental Health

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Books to Support Your Child’s Mental Health

October is both Mental Health Awareness Month and International School Library Awareness Month! This is a great time to share book titles that support our children’s mental health.

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has created an incredible resource of book titles broken down into the following sections:

  • Books for Children about their issues:
  • ADHD, Anger & Impulse Control, Anxiety, Autism, Worry & OCD, Depression & Bipolar Disorder, Feelings, Self-Esteem and Relaxation, PTSD and trauma, Schizophrenia
  • Books for Children and Teens who have Parents with Mental Health Conditions
  • Books for Children and Teens who have Siblings with Mental Health Conditions
  • Books for Parents of Children and Teens with Mental Health Issues

To access this great resource check out:

NAMI Mental Health Book List

Executive Function Coaching at PEC!

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Executive Function Coaching at PEC!

Does your teen procrastinate and have difficulty getting organized?

Are you a college student who struggles with breaking down projects?

Are you an adult with difficulties creating and maintaining a schedule?

EF Coaching at PEC can help! Reach out to us:

973.400.8371

drliz@psychedconsult.com

www.psychedconsult.com

New School Year, New Homework Strategies That Work

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New School Year, New Homework Strategies That Work

written by Dr. Liz Nissim, posted on Psychology Today

Ready or not, here it comes — homework! Regardless of their age, our children, teens, and young adults will need to get through their assignments. It’s a skill, actually, a strategic skill that requires executive functioning that can make a difference between school feeling like a torture chamber or something your kid is confident they can do.

Create a Designated Space

Our kids and teens need a designated place, other than their bed, where they have space for their planner, books, notebooks, and folders. Sprawl if you wish. Keep the surface free of any other items. Place all pencils, paperclips, post-its, pens, tape, etc., inside the desk. Take out one subject at a time with its items. When done, place those items back inside the backpack, and move on to the next assignment. Your child or teen’s desk should be placed away from a window or doorway and against or between two plain walls.

A clearly designated place for homework, studying, and writing papers helps to create a boundary around the space and its purpose. It also gives a sense of control over the space and the goal that is to be accomplished while in this space. There is no time or energy spent answering the question “where am I working on my homework?” each day, and there is little time spent trying to prepare the space for an assignment. It is reset at the end of each night and is ready again for the next day.

Getting Started

At the end of the school day, our kids are spent and don’t want to work onmore schoolwork. Our kids of all ages can take some sort of movement break before starting homework, which may mean a bike ride, jumping on the trampoline, taking a walk, lifting weights, crab walks, bear crawls — something that creates physical regulation and brings attention back to the goal – homework getting done.

Now that you and your child/teen/young adult have a designated space, it’s time to get a designated start time. Initiation, or getting a task like homework (a low preference task) started, is really difficult. Our children and teens often procrastinate because the assignment seems boring, or it feels like it’s going to take a long time.

After a movement break and a snack, let’s get it started! Work on a few problems at a time, writing one paragraph at a time, reading a few pages at a time, and breaking down the assignment enough so that it’s getting done.

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Co-Regulating With Your Anxious Child in the New School Year

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Co-Regulating With Your Anxious Child in the New School Year

written by Dr. Liz Nissim, posted on Psychology Today

Here we are again! It’s September, and it’s back-to-school season. This new “season” brings on new routines and… anxiety. For some children, the new year brings on excitement, and for others, it can trigger stress and even resistance to the new routine. This is especially true for our children, teens, and young adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning differences, or anxiety.

As parents, we can often get “lost” in the “what” needs to happen between the end of the summer and the beginning of the school year with school supplies, new sneakers, backpacks, lunch boxes, etc. Our children sit with this impending change and often dread the new school year with all of its newness.

What can we do to help our children through this transition? We can learn to regulate our own anxieties about the new school year and the returned demands for completing homework, back-to-school nights, extracurricular practice, and game times, etc.

Our kids are watching. If we can manage our stress and monitor our reactions, our children will use it as a reference point, and instead of worrying, they may be better able to adjust to the transition. That is, instead of mirroring our children’s anxiety about the new school year, let’s counteract it by finding ways to ease into the new school year.

Co-regulation = when our children, teens, and young adults learn how to manage stress by watching and feeling how their caregivers respond. When parents stay regulated, children feel safer and more capable of handling challenges.

Here are three ways we can model calm behavior to support our children’s, teens’, and young adults’ emotional growth.

Regulate Thyself

Kids often mirror their parents’ emotional state. If we rush, yell, or are visibly anxious, our children interpret the situation and upcoming activity as stressful. This also revs up your child’s nervous system, and the underlying message is: “This is not a safe situation/activity.”

  • If your child is showing visible signs of anxiety or is having a meltdown, take a big breath and ground yourself.
  • Speak slowly to your child with a lower-medium volume as this communicates the message, “I’ve got this, and we’ve got this.”

You can make statements such as: “I know this feels stressful, so let’s take a deep breath together before we get ready to leave for soccer.” This says, “I see you, and let’s calm our bodies together.”

As parents, prepare in advance. For example, if you know your child is going to need their football uniform on Wednesday, wash it in advance. Make lunches the night before. Pack up backpacks the night before and choose clothing for the morning. The more that can be done in advance, the less you have to look for or put together before you have to walk out your door.

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3 Strategies for Teens to Maintain a Healthy Mind and Body

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3 Strategies for Teens to Maintain a Healthy Mind and Body

written by Dr. Liz Nissim, posted on Psychology Today

Let’s be real: being a teenager isn’t easy. You’re balancing schoolwork, friendships, family expectations, and figuring out who you are, all while trying to keep up with the fast-paced world around you. On top of that, social media, the pressure to succeed, and even world events can all weigh your mood down. It’s no surprise that many teens today are struggling with anxiety, stress, and emotional fatigue.

Know what? All teens are struggling with similar types of teen things, so please know that you’re not alone.

And, on top of that, there are things that you can actively do to take care of your mental health. This doesn’t mean that you need to have all the answers or that you’re going to feel “happy” most of the time. Taking care of your mental health is about learning how to manage tough emotions, build resilience, and know when to reach out. Here are three strategies you can start using.

Talk About It

As a teen, you may often feel like you need to “figure it out” on your own and that you somehow “should” have the answers. That’s just not true. Talking about your feelings, whether you’re stressed, sad, anxious, or just unsure about how to handle a situation, is another way for you to connect to a parent, friend, family member, or therapist. You will undoubtedly realize that you are not alone in how you feel and that your feelings and thoughts are valid.

Sometimes, just hearing your own thoughts out loud takes them out of your head and makes them tangible. Making them tangible helps you to find potential solutions or ideas for how to manage something that needs to be managed. If you’re not ready to talk to another person, journaling or texting another person is also helpful. The key thing is to talk about it and not let it fester inside your body and your mind.

Not sure how to get a conversation started? Try something like, “I have a lot of thoughts in my head. Can you help me figure them out?”

Take Digital Breaks

If you’re anything like my own teens, you have your phone in hand almost 24-7. Your phones are basically glued to your hands. Constant exposure to social media, news updates, and even text messages can take a real toll on your mind. I’m not suggesting that you quit social media, but rather create some time when your phone is not with you and you engage in an electronics-free activity or time for your mind and body to quiet down.

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Navigating Adult ADHD

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Navigating Adult ADHD

written by Dr. Liz Nissim, posted on Psychology Today

ADHD doesn’t end when a person leaves childhood. Many adults (like myself) are undiagnosed, because there was limited awareness of the disorder. Instead, we were labeled as forgetful, a space cadet, or quirky. Many adults continue to live with ADHD into young adulthood and adulthood. Adult ADHD is real, and it can interfere with daily functioning. Navigating personal and professional lives becomes tricky, and the need for intentional executive functioning strategies and systems becomes essential. The goal is to establish systems that work and can be maintained day after day.

Create Routines and Find Time Management Tools

As much as ADHD thrives on novelty, it is of key importance to create structured routines that can be followed each day. That is, make use of calendars and either paper-based lists or to-do apps to keep track of daily tasks.

  • Set alarms and put them on repeat for tasks that you may struggle to remember.
  • Set up your environment so that there are visual cues along the way to pick up or take what you need as you walk out your door.
  • Plan ahead and prepare a school bag or work bag the night before so there is no scurrying in the morning.
  • Break down tasks into smaller tasks with time limits to avoid feeling overwhelmed

Set Up a Distraction-Free Study/Work Environment

Clutter or a workspace that has too many items on the surface can be distracting and promote procrastination.

  • Create a devoted workspace between two walls and avoid being seated by a window.
  • Place all items inside your desk or in another space. Your desktop should be empty.
  • Turn off all notifications on your phone or computer.
  • If you have the urge to pick up your phone when you are struggling to complete a task or assignment, place your phone in another room.
  • Use noise cancellation headphones or listen to music that will improve your focus (e.g., meditation music for focus, or classical tunes).
  • Set specific goals that are achievable within 15-minute increments. For example, if you are cleaning your room, identify 1-2 tasks.
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From a Teacher: 7 Tips for Parents for the First Month of School

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From a Teacher: 7 Tips for Parents for the First Month of School

written by Mary Jo Wyse, posted on iMom.com

Jitters. I’d get my class lists, finalize my lesson plans, and buy a new pair of shoes (tradition, of course). But with the first day looming, my jitters didn’t go away. They increased. I felt like one of the kids: excited, but nervous. But because students and teachers probably feel the same way, there’s some advice for parents during the first month of school that could help us all.

Little shifts in thinking and speaking to your kids at home can go a long way toward improving their behavior and focus in the classroom. When kids are attentive, teachers have more time to teach—and to get to know each student. If you want to help your kids get off to a great start, here are 7 tips from a former teacher with advice for parents during the first month of school.

1. Transition your kids from vacation mode to learning mode.

For the last several weeks, kids have probably enjoyed a less-structured schedule with lots of fun and play during the day. While we still want kids to have fun at school, it’s a different type of fun. And it helps if parents start shifting kids into learning mode so they’re ready to go. It’s like taking off one hat and putting on another. Talk to your kids about this shift: Going to school is your job right now. That means listening to your teachers, trying your best, and being a helpful and kind classmate.

2. Start talking about a growth mindset.

No one child is going to be the best at everything. We know this as moms, but many kids might not. Things are supposed to be more challenging this year. Start encouraging a growth mindset with your kids: It takes time to learn how to read. You may not be able to do this math now, but with practice, you’ll get there. Sharing this wisdom at home will make their attitudes (and effort!) better in the classroom.

3. Encourage effort over results.

If your child is trying hard, that’s what teachers want to see. The grade at the end of an assignment matters less. Years from now, no one will remember the grade. But your child’s effort, diligence, and determination will carry her through every challenge, every school year. So, praise her for that persistence you’re witnessing at home. I love how you keep at it! Wow—you have a lot of grit! Keep it up! Your child will hear your words and apply that effort in the classroom as well.

4. Kick them outside to burn off energy.

If you haven’t been on a school playground during recess, it’s a sight to see—so much pent up energy bursts through these kids’ bodies. When they head back inside, they’re ready to return to work. And it’s true—the CDC says that recess improves kids’ memory, attention, and concentration. I’ve seen it with my own kids as well. Playing outside, getting fresh air, and burning off steam after school also helps them sleep better at night. Walking the dog, playing on a backyard play set, or taking a bike ride around the block all count.

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"The various psycho-educational testing Dr. Liz conducted on our son gave us critical clues about where his learning strengths and weaknesses lie so that his needs could be better addressed at home and school. Moreover, because of their warm, kindhearted personalities, both Dr. Liz and her associate, Stephanie, formed an immediate bond with my son. He eagerly looks forward to his weekly therapy sessions. We are so lucky Dr. Liz came into our family's lives when she did! For stressed-out families trying to help their children as best they can, she is a calming voice of reason!"
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"Thank you, Dr. Liz. Although we have told you countless times, it will never feel enough. You have listened when J could barely speak and continued to listen when he was sad, angry and confused. You've challenged him and directed us in our roles as parents. You've helped J face his fears while the list evolved and changed, and yet you've stayed committed to 'the course.' We pray that your children realize that time away from them is spent helping children learn and that vulnerability is a sign of strength and bravery."
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