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Parenting & Behavior

Practical strategies for meltdowns, hitting, transitions, siblings and everyday family life.

· Counseling, Parenting & Behavior

Counseling Services for Children, Teens, and Families – Emotional, Behavioral & Parenting Support

At BDI, we support children and adolescents in exploring their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to promote healthy coping strategies for life’s challenges. Much like physical health, mental well-being is essential for academic success, fostering healthy relationships, building self-confidence, and cultivating the ability to navigate life’s challenges. By prioritizing mental health early on, we can create

· Sleep & Routines, Parenting & Behavior

The Importance of a Summer Routine

The Importance of a Summer Routine When school ends your child’s daily routine doesn’t have to! Summer is the perfect time to remain consistent. For kids, having a routine in the summer is especially important. It helps provide stability, which is crucial for their development and well-being. Here are several ideas for a summer routine:

· Occupational Therapy, Parenting & Behavior

How Does Vision Affect Behavior?

How Does Vision Affect Behavior? Vision plays a pivotal role in shaping our behavior, influencing how we interact with and respond to the world around us. With approximately 80% of sensory input being visual, our perception of the environment profoundly impacts our actions and reactions. There are two types of visual pathways focal and

· Holiday, Parenting & Behavior

Spooktacular Inclusive Halloween

Do you want your child with special needs to be able to participate and make memories this Halloween season? Great news, you can! Here are some tips and tricks to help children of all abilities have a spooktacular, inclusive Halloween. Read a social story about Halloween multiple times to your child Watch silly music videos

· school, Parenting & Behavior

Preschool: Top 5 Reasons Why Preschool is Important

Questioning whether or not to send your child to preschool? From a therapist perspective, preschool is such an important piece to practicing skills required later down the road. It facilitates structure, independence, social-emotional learning, and the foundation for higher level skills. 1. PLAY AT PRESCHOOL Play is how kids learn! They learn to use their

· school, Parenting & Behavior

Back to School Transition Strategies

Back to School Emotions August means back to school is right around the corner! Back to school means transitioning to new schools, new teachers, new peers, new expectations and new routines! Many kids are excited about the anticipation of a new school year, but for many kiddos “new” can be scary and worrisome. Children can

· Feeding, Parenting & Behavior

Undistracted eating- Meals without the iPad

It has become a common occurrence to see a child on an iPad while out to eat, and often enough we hear families telling stories about iPads at meals. We get it. It is hard! Kids don’t want to sit still; kids don’t want to eat right now; my kid is super picky; there’s more

· Parenting & Behavior, Feeding

Small Steps for a Healthier Life

Worried about your child’s health related to weight? “The most common causes of childhood weight issues are are genetic factors or family history of obesity; decreased participation in physical activities; unhealthy eating patterns or behaviors; and, in rare cases, medical conditions.” – AOTA. Do you have concerns about your child? Getting healthier doesn’t have to be

· Parenting & Behavior, Holiday

Thriving, Not Just Surviving, The Holidays

During this time of the year, a lot is going on so it is natural for kids to be overwhelmed and act out! If you plan on having a family gathering that involves new smells, loud voices, or too many sights; try some of these tips to help your kiddo out. Social Stories Reading

· Parenting & Behavior

My Kid Keeps Hitting

Does your child keep hitting others when he wants what they are playing with? Grab toys away from other children? Kick over other’s toys? These are all considered undesirable behaviors and can be frustrating to watch your child do at home, in their community, or at school. Here are some strategies to help your child

· Parenting & Behavior, Activities & Play Ideas

Learning to Play Games

Does your child struggle to play simple games, take turns, or is a sore loser? I often work with children who hate losing games or do not have the attention to wait for their turn. This blog will highlight some strategies I use to help children learn to play a board game with the whole

· Parenting & Behavior, Occupational Therapy

Busting Behavior Challenges: Behavior Management Strategies

Behavior. Something sets off your child, and the screaming, throwing, crying, or hitting behavior begins. We have all been there. Your panic rises. Somehow, you make it through the moment and on to the next, but there may be chaos left in the wake of the meltdown as a result of negative behaviors. Occasionally, negative

· Occupational Therapy, Parenting & Behavior

I can wash my hands all by myself!

Is your child having trouble washing his hands by himself? Is he not thorough when washing hands? Or, would you like your child to wash hands independently? Teaching your child how to wash their hands can be accomplished in a few easy steps! The important thing to remember when teaching any hygiene routine is to

· Potty Training & Pelvic Floor, Parenting & Behavior

Starting Potty Training

Ready to start potty training your child? Are you unsure of where to begin? Do you feel hesitant to jump in without more information? Here are 6 ideas to do before you start the process of potty training. #1 READ! A great introduction to potty training for your child is to read books to increase

· Parenting & Behavior, Counseling

How to Support Siblings of Special Needs Kids

Have you ever heard “It’s not fair; he gets all the attention” or “You never have time for me?” Are you dealing with siblings of special needs kids that are acting out or misbehaving as a means of getting your attention? Do you ever refrain from disciplining them out of guilt? If you have experienced

· Sleep & Routines, Parenting & Behavior

When in quarantine, keep your kids in routine!

Why is Routine in Quarantine Important? We are in the midst of a great time of uncertainty, one we never would have fathomed in our lifetime we would see. As adults, we are processing a myriad of emotions including confusion, anger, fear, sadness or possibly even joy as we savor the extra moments with our

· Holiday, Parenting & Behavior

Be Your Child’s Best Valentine

Love is in the air, and Valentine’s day is the perfect opportunity to show your child just how much you love them! While February can be a busy time for families, building in a little extra love for your little one this Valentine’s day can be easy and fun, in addition to bringing you closer

· Parenting & Behavior, school

Drop-Off: My Child Cries and I Want to Too!

What should you do if your child cries at drop-off? Dropping your child off at preschool, daycare or a babysitter can be a time of anxiety for both parent and child but it doesn’t have to be! Here are some do’s and don’ts of dropping off your teary-eyed child. DO Do Leave! This is huge!

· Parenting & Behavior, Infants

Pacifier Weaning

Every parent who has a child who loves their pacifier dreads the day when it’s time to start pacifier weaning. Here are 8 ideas to help you navigate this big transition! 1. Prepare your child for the eventuality that pacifiers are not forever. Bring up pacifier weaning whenever your child asks for the pacifier or