The Unplanned Journey: When You Learn That Your Child Has a Disability

The Unplanned Journey: When You Learn That Your Child Has a Disability

written by Carole Brown, Samara Goodman, and Lisa Küpper posted on Parent Hub

The birth of a child with a disability, or the discovery that a child has a disability, can have profound effects on the family. In “You are Not Alone,” Patricia McGill Smith offers the insights that she and others have gained through their own experience of having a child with a disability. In this article, we will provide additional information to support the life cycle, health, and well-being of the family when a member has a disability.

It is with a great deal of humility that we are even attempting to describe what the future may hold for you and your family. On the one hand, we want you to be as prepared as possible so you can negotiate the challenges that may await your family. On the other hand, we recognize that individual variation and differences are the rule when a child has a disability. Researchers often base their findings on group data—what happens to the majority of people in a circumstance. However, what might be “true” in a research sense may not be at all true for your family. Therefore, while we hope this article will guide you to sources that are helpful, take from our discussion only what you need.

The Journey

Growth is endless and our lives change and change us beyond anticipation. I do not forget the pain—it aches in a particular way when I look at Jessy’s friends (her paid companions), some of them just her age, and allow myself for a moment to think of all she cannot be. But we cannot sift experience and take only the part that does not hurt us. (1)

No parent wants his or her child to be sick, disabled, or harmed in any way. It is not an experience anyone expects to have; rather, it is a journey that is unplanned. The terrain families must travel is often rough in places. And yet, the majority of families are able to find the strength within themselves and among their circles of support to adapt to and handle the stress and challenges that may accompany their child’s illness or disability.

Many parents have described the progression—and pendulum—of feelings they experienced upon learning that their child has an illness or a disability. Patty McGill Smith touched upon many of these emotions in her article—shock, denial, grief, guilt, anger, confusion. The type of emotions parents experience, as intense and overwhelming as they may be, are also normal and acceptable. Stability does return, both to the individual and to the family. Parents begin to search for needed information. Many report feelings of personal growth that are often, in retrospect, astounding to them. One mother, reflecting on life after the birth of a child with spina bifida and other disabilities, says:

I have learned, and grown, more since Dylan’s birth than any other time in my life. You learn patience, and you get to witness miracles that you otherwise would have been too busy to have noticed…You learn acceptance, you realize you have been wrong to judge, and you learn that there is a thing called unconditional love. (2)

Taken together, the many suggestions and insights offered by parents who have lived for years with the experience of disability in the family can provide parents who are new to the experience with much guidance and support. The remainder of this article will outline many of the ways that parents have helped themselves and those they love adjust to living with and caring for a child with special needs.

Access Information and Services

One of the first things you can do that may prove enormously helpful, now and in the future, is to collect information—information about your child’s disability, about the services that are available, and about the specific things you can do to help your child develop to the fullest extent possible. Collecting and using the information available on disability issues is a critical part of being a parent of a child with special needs. Fortunately, there is a great deal of information available on many disabilities and many disability issues.

11 Things Parents of Kids with Disabilities Need to Survive and Thrive

11 Things Parents of Kids with Disabilities Need to Survive and Thrive

written by Lisa Jo Rudy, posted on VeryWell Family

When you’re the guardian or parent of a disabled child, various aspects of parenting are magnified. Playdates can become complex projects requiring diplomacy, support, and vast quantities of time and patience. Trips to the doctor are frequent, expensive, time-consuming, and fraught with worry. Shopping excursions are likely to result in sensory and emotional overloads for both you and your children.

With so much more to think about, worry about, plan for, and manage, it is paramount that you’re taking good care of yourself.

11 Needs of Guardians of Disabled Children

Here’s a partial list that may sound familiar to parents and guardians of disabled children, especially if they have a disability themself. While these are the top 11, they’re in no particular order.

More Time

Between PTO meetings, helping out with homework, and work deadlines, it can be hard for any parent to find “me” time. Magnify that for parents of children with disabilities who might also have IEP meetings, therapy appointments, and many doctor appointments in the mix.

Add challenges such as driving 50 miles to get to the only dentist who will work with your child’s sensory needs, only to learn that you’ll need to come back next week to fill that cavity… and then driving 60 miles in the other direction because your kid wants to take ballet and the only mobility-inclusive ballet class is on the other side of the county.

And let’s not get started on how the rest of your time is spent working or nurturing relationships with your partner(s), your friends, and your extended family.

Energy Reserves

Not only is it time-consuming to be an advocate for your child on top of parenting, it’s also exhausting. It takes a lot of energy to raise a child, and then add hours a day for driving to out of town appointments, filling out paperwork, reading new studies and research articles, caring for your child during meltdowns and flareups, or cooking special foods for your child because of allergies, intolerances, or feeding challenges.

Toss in the energy required to cope with strangers’ stares, teachers’ “concerns,” and grandparents’ worries, and it all adds up to very few hours of rest.

Money for Critical Expenses

Without taking into account the effects of inflation, a low minimum wage, employment discrimination, and other systemic barriers, the typical costs of raising a child increase if the child is disabled. A multi-income household should be able to earn enough money for a family to live comfortably, but that is not always the reality, and many households are led by one parent or guardian.

Mobility aids, communication devices, medicine, specialist co-pays, and the extra gas to drive to all those specialists—it all adds up. Many parents of disabled kids also wind up cutting back their work hours to be available for their child, thus decreasing their income when they need it most.

Should I Give Medication to My Child With ADHD?

Should I Give Medication to My Child With ADHD?

written by Dr. Liz Matheis, posted on Psychology Today

Medication for ADHD is not some sort of magical solution. Although it may help with improving your child’s attention for longer periods, it will not manage the executive functioning, behavioral, social, and emotional struggles that often walk hand-in-hand with ADHD.

Parents often struggle with this question – should I place my child on medication? The diagnosis itself does not create a clear-cut yes or no answer. Instead, it depends on your child’s profile and which types of activities of daily living your child is struggling with at home, as well as which abilities your child is having trouble with in school.

Hyperactivity, Impulsivity, and Inattention

When children in elementary school are diagnosed with ADHD, it’s not uncommon to see a high level of external hyperactivity and impulsivity. This may look like:

  • Shouting an answer within the classroom without raising his or her hand
  • Intruding or interrupting conversations or activities among peers
  • “Falling” out of his seat
  • Leaving her seat often and sometimes without a clear reason
  • Getting angry or sad quickly
  • Having a low frustration tolerance when things don’t come easily and giving up

Over time, as our children grow into teens and young adults, external hyperactivity and impulsivity turns into internal hyperactivity and impulsivity. That is, although our kids may not be leaving their seats or speaking out of turn, they are now internally distracted with their thoughts and worries. They are not feeling the need to get up and move but instead are restless and fidgety at their desk. They are tapping their pencil, shaking their leg, or twirling their hair.

Grieving During the Holidays as a Special Needs Family

Grieving During the Holidays as a Special Needs Family

posted on Raising the Extraordinary

The holiday season is my favorite time of the year. I love Christmas. Celebrating the birth of Jesus, the decorated trees, nativity scenes, cookies, seeing family, ringing in the new year with anticipation of what’s to come. It’s a very exciting time of the year filled with love and joy.

Well, most of the time anyway. As a special needs family, the holiday season can also bring feelings of grief as we are bombarded once again with the realization of just how different our family is. Don’t get me wrong. I love our family and everything about them. But even though my love for our family runs deep, it doesn’t mean there are not those moments where I feel the sting of their diagnoses all over again.

The holiday season is a time of reflection. Often, we find ourselves reflecting back on our Christmas celebrations as a child. We want to experience some of those same traditions with our own children. As a special needs family, we may or may not be able to participate in these traditions with our children.

Our children with special needs may not be able to participate in Christmas pageants. They might have sensory sensitivities that prevent them from wearing the pretty Christmas dress. Maybe their diet restricts them from enjoying Christmas cookies. We may not be able to take them sledding or skating. Sometimes, it may even be as extreme as not being able to attend family gatherings because of the sensory overload it can bring.

Holidays with Special Needs Children

Holidays with Special Needs Children

posted on Lori Lite’s Stress Free Kids 

Tips to enjoy the Holidays With Special Needs Children

Set Up a Safe Brain Break Space

Your child can enjoy downtime when they feel over-stimulated at your house or your relatives. Set up a brain break space and be sure that the other children and guests know that this space is off-limits. Empower your special needs child to recognize when they need to go to their brain break space. Practice, practice, practice ahead of time to know when the mood is escalating. Did I say practice? Empower children by packing a relaxation bag they can go to if they are feeling anxious. Bring earphones and their special relaxation music or stories. Playdough, stress ball, music, video game, even a camera can help children relax and give them a focus if they have social anxiety.

The Indigo Dreams Series gives you stories that incorporate actual relaxation techniques. The other kids may be jealous give them their own space to de-stress. You may start a new trend!

Get Ready

Social stories, books, and movies can be a big help in preparing your child emotionally for holidays. Comfortable clothing and small dose exposures to holiday sounds can help physically. Think ahead with an eye for anxiety causing issues. If wrapping paper too loud? Use easy open bags or just decorate with a bow. Are the electronic bears with bells at Grandma’s house going to cause sensory overload? Ask her to unplug them before you get there. Let friends and family know about triggers ahead of time. If your child doesn’t like to be hugged suggest a handshake or just a wave. Your friends, family, and special needs children will be glad you did.

Prepare Your Children For Gatherings

Eliminate unnecessary anxiety associated with getting together with family members you rarely see by looking through photos of relatives prior to your event. Play memory games matching names to faces. This will help your children feel more comfortable with people they may not have seen in a while. Aunt Mary won’t seem quite so scary when she bends down to greet your child.

Use Relaxation Techniques

Incorporate deep breathing or other coping strategies into your day. Let your children see you use techniques when you are feeling stressed. Encourage them to use relaxation techniques on a daily basis. Breathing, visualizing,and positive thinking are powerful tools.

Incorporate Positive Statements Into Your Dinner

This is empowering and reflective. Each person at the table can state an attribute of their own that they are thankful for. For example, “I am thankful that I am creative.” Feeling stressed? Try, “I am thankful that I am calm.” Your special needs child can prepare ahead with a drawing or sign language if they want to participate without speaking.

 

Make the Holidays Manageable for Children with Special Needs

Make the Holidays Manageable for Children with Special Needs

written by Krystyann Krywko, Ed. D, posted on San Diego Family

Holidays provide your family with a break from the ordinary, time spent with extended family and friends, and also a chance to reinforce traditions. However, jammed schedules and unpredictable routines, mixed with sights and sounds of the holidays, can add up to a season full of stress for children with special needs.

“Change in routine is the biggest difficulty we have during the holidays,” says Sharla Jordan, mother of six boys (four with special needs) and author of Autism: Understanding the Puzzle. “The unfamiliarity and excitement can lead to difficult moments, so we try to prepare our boys as best we can.”

Here are tips to help make your holiday season run a little smoother.

To Test or Not to Test Privately?

To Test or Not To Test Privately?

written by Dr. Liz Matheis, published on Psychology Today

You know your child is struggling academically, whether he’s not reading at the same level as the other kids in his grade or she’s struggling to write her thoughts on paper.

You’ve spoken to your child’s teacher, who is on board with you and confirms what you see and know. With that said, what’s the next step?

The natural next step is to reach out to the child study team (CST) of your school. From my experience during the last three years, there is often redirection back to the general education arena for an intervention and referral services plan (IRSP), which includes the accommodations to be implemented for 4-6 weeks.

Teachers are asked to offer more differentiated instruction and try more strategies before the child can be referred for a child study team evaluation.

Where does this leave our struggling child? Waiting. Waiting for intervention while more time in the school year passes by. During that time, the gap widens, and remediation opportunities are lost.

I speak from both personal and professional experience. This means that both you and your child are frustrated and flailing.

What’s another option? The private psycho-educational evaluation.

Build Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills

Build Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills

written by Dr. Liz Matheis, posted on Psychology Today

As parents, we want to give our children the tools they need so they can be successful. Unfortunately, when our children enter late elementary or middle school, there isn’t a class to teach them how to organize their materials and plan ahead for their assignments, projects, and tests.

When my son and daughter started middle school, they were overwhelmed with how many responsibilities their teachers now expected them to juggle. They weren’t prepared to handle the demands of each class with a different teacher, a locker, so many notebooks to carry, and the weekly array of quizzes, tests, journals, and so on. Throw in a pandemic, and the result is that many kids lost out on building these skills during a critical time.

For children and teens with ADHD, it’s OK if parents need to coach and mentor with a more hands-on approach. Many parents even continue to coach their young adult children while in college, and that’s OK. Keep in mind that each child’s journey is going to be unique. The goal is to make progress without the pressure (on you and your child) to achieve a certain goal by a specific age. That will only serve to frustrate the both of you.

Empathy in every detail: How Sensory-Friendly Home Spaces Enhance Emotional Well-Being in Autism

Empathy in every detail: How Sensory-Friendly Home Spaces Enhance Emotional Well-Being in Autism

Empathy in home design transcends aesthetics and functionality, embodying a thoughtful approach to nurturing well-being and tranquility. It implies crafting spaces that resonate with the intricate nuances of an individual’s sensory preferences, creating an environment where comfort meets necessity. This sentiment is particularly essential in formulating sensory-friendly havens that cater to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

ASD, characterized by varying degrees of sensory sensitivities, affects 1 in 36 children, according to the latest study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Therefore, developing empathetic home spaces isn’t merely an architectural endeavor but a profound act of understanding and accommodating the sensory intricacies that individuals with autism navigate daily. This person-centered approach ensures their living spaces are not just a shelter, but a therapeutic sanctuary that nurtures emotional well-being through every carefully considered detail.

Understanding Sensory Sensitivities in Autism

The Sensory Spectrum in Autism

Navigating the world with autism often involves traversing a unique sensory spectrum, which can encapsulate two contrasting experiences:

  • Hypersensitivity: A heightened state of sensory reception, where individuals may find themselves overwhelmed by loud noises or uncomfortable with certain textures. This heightened sensitivity can sometimes transform a bustling environment into a whirlpool of discomfort.
  • Hyposensitivity: A diminished sensory response that may manifest as a craving for stronger stimuli. It could be an increased tolerance or even desire for experiences involving pressure, vibration, or other tactile sensations. In this case, finding peace might mean seeking out these intense sensory interactions that others might find too extreme.

Emotional Impacts of Sensory Overstimulation

For those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), sensory overstimulation can be more than just a fleeting discomfort. It often acts as a precursor to heightened stress, anxiety, and in some cases, full-blown meltdowns. A sudden blast of music or a flash of bright light might not just be a minor nuisance, but a profound emotional trigger.

Studies, like that published in the National Library of Medicine have shown a direct correlation between sensory overwhelm and compromised mental well-being in ASD individuals. This isn’t merely about external disturbances; it’s about the internal tumult that arises from a barrage of sensory input, impacting emotional equilibrium and daily functionality.

The Cornerstones of Sensory-Friendly Home Design

The Role of Colors and Visuals

Colors and visuals wield a remarkable influence in shaping perceptions and evoking emotions. From the serene embrace of pastels to the bold statements of vibrant shades, their role is profound and pervasive.

  • Color Psychology in Detail: The hues and patterns surrounding individuals with autism can profoundly influence their mental state. Gentle tones like blues and greens can act as calming agents, nurturing tranquility amidst neurological whirlwinds. Conversely, bright reds or erratic patterns might amplify stress, igniting sensory overload. Thus, a carefully curated visual environment can be a vital tool for fostering emotional equilibrium in those with autism.
  • Spatial Arrangements: Open spaces can evoke freedom, while cozy nooks offer security and solace. Creating a harmony between a clutter-free zone and a personalized environment not only facilitates comfort but also significantly enhances emotional well-being, nurturing both independence and tranquility.

Lighting and Its Nuances

Lighting holds nuanced significance in autism, influencing mood and comfort levels. Adapting brightness and hue can forge a supportive, serene space, alleviating sensory sensitivities and promoting integral welfare.

  • Natural vs. Artificial Light: The therapeutic embrace of natural sunlight can act as a serene anchor, promoting harmony and stability. On the flip side, the flickering and buzz of fluorescent lighting might stir irritation or discomfort. Hence, carefully selecting lighting sources can be a cornerstone in creating a nurturing and soothing environment for individuals with autism.
  • Tailored Lighting Solutions: Customizable elements such as dimmers and colored lights offer a personalized touch, allowing for an environment that resonates with tranquility. Moreover, soft ambient lighting serves as a gentle caress to the senses, ushering in a calming and harmonious atmosphere that nurtures both mind and spirit.

Acoustics and Sound Management

Mastering acoustics is key in autism care, shaping serene environments. Strategic sound management, incorporating both innovative materials and nature’s buffers, cultivates a tranquil space that nurtures emotional stability and peace.

  • Buffering External Noises: Utilizing soundproofing materials and sound-absorbing elements enhances tranquility, providing a haven from auditory overstimulation. Incorporating natural sound barriers like trees or outdoor fountains not only dampens unwanted noises but also introduces soothing auditory textures, promoting emotional health in both indoor and outdoor environments.
  • Incorporating Beneficial Sounds: Acoustic engineering goes beyond muting; it’s about curating therapeutic soundscapes, especially for autism. Research indicates that soothing elements like white noise or nature sounds can significantly alleviate stress. Tailoring soundscapes to individual preferences, thereby, not only fosters a calming ambiance but also empowers them with a sense of control and comfort in their surroundings.

Tactile Experience and Furnishings

Thoughtfully selected furnishings offer sensory comfort, supporting individuals with varied touch sensitivities, and nurturing a harmonious environment of solace.

  • Material Selection: Opting for tactile-friendly fabrics like soft cotton and plush textures extends a gentle invitation to comfort. On the contrary, steering clear of rough wool and certain synthetics prevents sensory discomfort. Material selection thus becomes a guiding compass, steering mental well-being through every touch.
  • Furniture Designs: Embracing rounded edges over sharp corners not only enhances safety but also fosters a sense of ease. Prioritizing stability and predictability with robust, grounded furniture pieces offers comfort and a reliable environment, vital for nurturing emotional well-being in individuals on the autism spectrum.

Evaluating the Transformative Effects of Sensory-friendly Design

Emotional and Psychological Well-being

  • Stress Reduction: Minimized sensory-triggered meltdowns translate to improved emotional well-being. A 2021 study highlights how tailored environments lead to enhanced sleep quality and overall relaxation. By curating spaces that cater to sensory needs, a tangible reduction in stress-related challenges is achieved, fostering a peaceful living experience.
  • Boosted Social Interaction: Creating comfortable environments serves as a catalyst for improved interactions. A positive feedback loop is established, wherein enhanced social interactions not only enrich experiences but also contribute to the cultivation of more frequent and meaningful social connections.

Fostering Independence and Skill Growth

  • Self-regulation Techniques: Exploring the realm of fostering independence and skill growth in autism unravels the power of self-regulation techniques. Individuals learn to tailor environments to align with their sensory needs, fostering autonomy. Embracing tools and technology aids in refining sensory processing, enabling them to navigate the world with increased confidence and competence.
  • Skill and Confidence Building: In the context of emotional state in autism, skill and confidence building emerge as essential pillars. Mastering one’s personal space fosters a heightened sense of self-worth and agency. By promoting the exploration of novel activities and embracing challenges, individuals are encouraged to step beyond their comfort zones, cultivating resilience and a robust foundation of self-assuredness.

Physical Health Benefits

  • Improved Sleep Patterns: Crafting optimal sensory environments plays a pivotal role in facilitating restful sleep. The interconnectedness is evident: enhanced sleep ripples positively, bolstering overall health and consequently, contributing to the elevation of emotional balance in individuals on the autism spectrum.

Enriched Learning Environments

  • Optimal Sensory Stimulation for Learning: Within the framework of emotional well-being in autism, the concept of enriched learning environments takes center stage. Striking the delicate equilibrium between sensory inputs that foster concentration and those that potentially distract is crucial. Strategies such as using ambient noise machines to enhance focus and incorporating tactile tools for kinesthetic learners underscore the intricate art of providing optimal sensory stimulation for effective learning experiences.
  • Holistic Development: The canvas of emotional condition in autism is painted with the strokes of enriched learning environments. These spaces serve as catalysts for holistic development, nurturing cognitive, motor, and social skills. A sensory-friendly reading nook, for instance, becomes a vibrant hub where language acquisition flourishes, illustrating how tailored spaces empower individuals to embark on a comprehensive journey of growth.

Enhanced Family Dynamics and Relationships

  • Shared Understanding and Bonding: A sensory-friendly home acts as an arena where siblings and parents alike glean insights into sensory sensitivities and needs. This ripple effect extends beyond, nurturing empathy, patience, and forging profound familial bonds, amplifying the enriching journey of growth for all members involved.
  • Positive Feedback Loop: Creating a comfortable environment initiates a positive feedback loop: alleviating stress within the family, fostering more positive interactions, and nurturing robust, enduring bonds. This symbiotic relationship between well-being and relationships reinforces the delicate balance that harmonizes within the familial ecosystem.

The Bottomline

Advocating for empathetic design across all spaces is crucial to enhance emotional well-being in autism. This commitment goes beyond homes, extending to public and private environments, fostering inclusivity and addressing diverse sensory needs. A collective effort towards creating such spaces not only improves the lives of individuals with autism but also contributes to more compassionate and harmonious societies.

Looking forward, the evolution of sensory-friendly design is marked by technological advancements and innovations. From smart sensors to adaptive environments, these developments hold great promise in tailoring spaces to individual sensitivities. Yet, awareness and education remain essential to drive lasting change. By nurturing understanding and empathy, we can build a future where sensory-friendly environments are the norm, ushering in a world that champions the well-being of everyone.

Self-Care Tips for Parents of Special Needs Children

Self-Care Tips for Parents of Special Needs Children

Being the parent of a child with a disability carries with it unique responsibilities, stressors, and rewards. It requires an extra dose of emotional resilience, perseverance, and resourcefulness. Powered by the same (or an even stronger) drive to nurture, protect, and empower their children as parents of kids perceived as normatively abled, parents of children with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities such as autism spectrum issues, spina bifida, or Down syndrome often face profound social and systemic prejudices. These “invisible” obstacles can be all the more agonizing when they are unacknowledged.

The Global Partnership for Education notes “children with disabilities remain the most excluded group [when it comes to educational opportunities], discriminated not only because of their disability but also because of lack of understanding and knowledge about its causes, implications, and stigma.” Even parents seeking to support their child with attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) or physical conditions such as blindness or mobility issues can find themselves overwhelmed by the challenges of getting proper testing or access to a restroom or play space. When a child’s disability dovetails with preexisting societal or cultural prejudices related to gender, race, religious affiliation, or sexual identity, the challenges intensify, with an impact on parents that peers, colleagues, and others may not fully comprehend or appreciate.

As parents of children with disabilities proactively seek information and support and advocate for their children, they may discover frustrating limitations that reinforce a sense of isolation or exclusion and stoke emotions such as grief or anger. As a result of these and other factors, parents seeking support for their special needs children have special needs of their own when it comes to self-care.

"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!"
- Julie C.
"Dr. Matheis has a remarkable ability to understand the unique needs of her patients and address them constructively. She builds strong, meaningful relationships with patients and their families, encouraging trust and collaboration. When working with my son who struggles with autism-related anxiety, she created an environment in which he was able to calm down and open up to her in ways I had not seen before. She was able to reach him and helped him work through his crisis/problem. Most importantly, she empowered him to move forward."
- N.L.
"Dr. Matheis is amazing. She has tremendous resources and loads of energy. She is not willing to accept anything less than the most effective results for her clients. She made me feel as if my son was her top priority throughout the entire process. I would, without reservation, give her my highest recommendations.  Thank you, Dr. Matheis!"
- Anonymous
"Dr. Matheis has an amazing ability to read kids and connect with them. She has been an invaluable resource for our family over the past several years and has helped us with everything from educational consulting, to uncovering diagnoses as well as family therapy. Working with Dr. Matheis never feels clinical and most importantly, our children love and trust her. We can not thank you enough Dr. Liz!"
- Anonymous
"My teenage son had been seeing Dr. Matheis through his senior year of high school, as he was only diagnosed with ADHD at 16 years old.  Dr. Matheis came highly recommended from our pediatrician and she has done wonders for our son as well as our family, navigating new ways for him to deal with his diagnosis without the use of medication.  She taught him ways to organize himself and even when something did not work for him, she patiently continued teaching him new ways to keep himself on track.  She has also helped us as parents to understand how his mind works so that we did not continue to blame his lack of focus on him, rather on his unique way of thinking.  Thank you Dr. Matheis!!!!"
- LG
"Dr. Liz is the best! Our family was directed to her by our Pediatrician to assist with figuring out severe mood changes, severe anxiety, strange new fears and food aversion that had come onto one of our children literally overnight. After just a couple of visits, she suggested that the issues may actually be rooted in a physical issue and suggested we immediately take our child to be swabbed for strep, because Dr. Liz suspected PANDAS (a pediatric autoimmune disorder brought on by strep). The same Pediatrician that suggested Dr. Liz would not do the swab (they do not believe in PANDAS and we no longer go there) but I took my child to my doctor who did the swab and it was positive for strep. When our child went on antibiotics, within 24 hours all symptoms went away and our child was back :-) Dr. Liz then recommended a PANDAS specialist who helped us and our child is in complete remission and is happy and healthy. We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Liz for her knowledge of all things, even the most remote and unusual and for helping us so much! Thank you!"
- Anonymous
"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!"
- Anonymous
"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."
- June I
"My son was admitted to an Ivy League school when only 2 years ago, you assessed him and saw his struggles, his Dyslexia. We are grateful that he no longer has to carry that deep feeling of inadequacy or shame that must have kept him so self conscious and from reaching his potential. He has the PERFECT program for him. He has A's in high math and economics. He became a Merit Scholar, a Boys State legislature, the HEAD captain of the football team and help a job ALL while studying and managing his classes and disability. I am PROUD of you, a young doctor, who knows and sees the vulnerability of children and helps them recognize "it's NO big deal" God bless."
- Anonymous

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