Psychological Assessment 101

Often, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is not identified until a child begins struggling in elementary school or later. In kids younger than elementary age, ADHD can be difficult to identify since the main symptoms of the disorder (inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity) are common in toddlers and preschoolers. While there may not seem to be an obvious difference between very young children with ADHD and without, there is a distinct difference in their school-readiness. In a study [...]

As Daylight Savings Time has kicked in once again this year, now is an important time to discuss the phenomenon known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). With fewer hours of daylight and more time spent in darkness, combined with colder temperatures and less outdoor time, the human body and mind can be quite affected. This time of year is certainly an adjustment for all, but for some individuals, the fall and winter season can have [...]

Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries (TBI) that can occur from falls, accidents, impacts, or other types of activities that cause the brain to move rapidly back-and-forth within the skull. Though on the outside, the injury may not appear to be significant, the sudden and rapid movement of the brain can damage cells and chemical processes, as well as impact brain functioning. The effects of concussions can be mild or more severe, causing brief or [...]

This year, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their diagnosing and treatment guidelines for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This update makes pediatricians’ guidelines more in line with the diagnostic criteria for ADHD in the DSM 5 (the manual used by psychologists and psychiatrists for diagnosing). Pediatricians now recognize that ADHD symptoms may be more obvious in later childhood, so the criterion on age of first symptoms has been extended from age 7 to age 12. [...]

For hundreds of years, people have sought out how to live a longer and healthier life. Over the years, research has shown us the many things that may contribute to an earlier death, such as substance use or environmental hazards. This research, though, tends to focus on the negative and what can cut our lives short rather than what helps increase our life span. Interestingly, new research does just that, and has shown that optimism [...]