All children want to do well, even if their behavior makes you think the complete opposite. Even if you feel more frustrated and exasperated with them than you ever thought you could possibly feel. Kids want to please the adults in their lives. I have long purported the power of praise. I believe that all kids need it -- those with mild to minimal behavioral difficulties need it, and those with significantly challenging behavior need it. Be they younger or older, children nee

It may take weeks. It may take months. It may take years. But at a certain point some parents start to acknowledge that nagging, sinking feeling. They start to listen to that little voice in their head and heart telling them that perhaps something is “wrong” with their child. Some parents know right away. An amniocentesis during pregnancy led to a diagnosed disorder or anomaly. At birth parents and hospital staff members know the immediate steps to take and the right people t

At some point many parents will ask themselves: “What can I do to change my child’s behavior??” and at some point they’ll likely come across someone or something telling them to make a behavior chart. Now, there have been some recent articles about the question of using charts for pro-social behavior. They make the point that pro-social behavior should come from an innate, internal desire to help others rather than doing something for the sole purpose of a reward. That is not