Atypical Children – Extraordinary Parenting

Autism

The "Uncanny Valley" Is a Lonely Place

David Krauss Ph.D. on November 29, 2022

The "uncanny valley" effect can help people diagnosed with autism better understand people's reactions to their atypical behaviors and what to do in response.

The "uncanny valley" effect can help people diagnosed with autism better understand people's reactions to their atypical behaviors and what to do in response.

Child Development

Using the "5-Tool" vs. "2- or 3-Tool Player" Analogy

David Krauss Ph.D. on August 21, 2022

This sports analogy can help parents make more sense of their children's neuropsychological testing results and understand the multiple intelligences model.

This sports analogy can help parents make more sense of their children's neuropsychological testing results and understand the multiple intelligences model.

Positive Psychology

A Liberal Psychologist Learns from Burkean Conservatives

David Krauss Ph.D. on March 27, 2022

Incorporating people's unique strengths and wisdom into interventions? Some conservative thinkers and liberal clinical psychologists can agree.

Incorporating people's unique strengths and wisdom into interventions? Some conservative thinkers and liberal clinical psychologists can agree.

Parenting

A Defiant Daughter, or a Runaway Bunny?

David Krauss Ph.D. on February 13, 2022

Is your daughter intense? Stubborn? Temperamental? Consider legendary author Margaret Wise Brown, worry less, and prize her more.

Is your daughter intense? Stubborn? Temperamental? Consider legendary author Margaret Wise Brown, worry less, and prize her more.

One useful way of thinking about children's brain networks is to compare those involved with "bottom-up" processing versus "top-down" regulation of bottom-up processing.

Resilience

Using a Resiliency Mindset to Choose Interventions for Children

David Krauss Ph.D. on July 5, 2021

Trying to sort through the various clinical therapies available to help your atypical child? Resilience research and a "resiliency mindset" offers a framework that can help.

Trying to sort through the various clinical therapies available to help your atypical child? Resilience research and a "resiliency mindset" offers a framework that can help.

Anxiety

Accessing Novice-to-Mastery Experiences

David Krauss Ph.D. on April 18, 2021

Want to help your neuro-developmentally atypical child to try new things and persist when frustrated? Accessing and using their past novice-to-mastery experiences can help.

Want to help your neuro-developmentally atypical child to try new things and persist when frustrated? Accessing and using their past novice-to-mastery experiences can help.

Pulitzer prize winner Isabel Wilkerson’s ‘Caste: The Origins of our Discontents’ can be used to teach the the power of cognitions to determine emotions and behaviors.

Anger

Reducing Children's Aggression Using Observational Learning

David Krauss Ph.D. on November 1, 2020

All children can be aggressive when frustrated. Neuro-developmentally atypical children experience more frustration than most. These observational learning strategies can help.

All children can be aggressive when frustrated. Neuro-developmentally atypical children experience more frustration than most. These observational learning strategies can help.

Child Development

When Life Is Like ‘Making Left Turns Against Traffic’

David Krauss Ph.D. on July 23, 2020

Many parents of atypical children report this "making left turns against traffic" analogy helps them better understand what their child's life is like and create better supports.

Many parents of atypical children report this "making left turns against traffic" analogy helps them better understand what their child's life is like and create better supports.

Relationships

Walking Together May Resolve Conflicts During the Pandemic

David Krauss Ph.D. on May 26, 2020

Research suggests that "social walking" can strengthen relationships.

Research suggests that "social walking" can strengthen relationships.

Here are some out-of-the-box suggestions for soothing stress.

ADHD

Aiming for Less Self-Blaming as a Parent?

David Krauss Ph.D. on February 11, 2020

Could the "butterfly effect" cause a neurodevelopmental disorder? Perhaps. Understanding brain development can help you blame yourself less and accept your child more.

Could the "butterfly effect" cause a neurodevelopmental disorder? Perhaps. Understanding brain development can help you blame yourself less and accept your child more.

Child Development

Blamed by Others? Blaming Yourself?

David Krauss Ph.D. on October 29, 2019

Just as it is vitally important for parents not to blame their children for their neurodevelopmental and psychiatric problems, it is also vitally important not to blame themselves.

Just as it is vitally important for parents not to blame their children for their neurodevelopmental and psychiatric problems, it is also vitally important not to blame themselves.

Attention

Treasure Hunting for Exceptions to Homework Struggles

David Krauss Ph.D. on August 24, 2019

We find it hard to recognize and learn from successes. What happens when we use a 'solution focused' approach to homework struggles? Learn to 'treasure hunt' for exceptions?

We find it hard to recognize and learn from successes. What happens when we use a 'solution focused' approach to homework struggles? Learn to 'treasure hunt' for exceptions?

Child Development

A “Bird by Bird” Approach to Homework Struggles

David Krauss Ph.D. on August 4, 2019

August, for some neuro-developmentally atypical children and their parents, can be a time of apprehension and even dread: HOMEWORK IS COMING. Try taking homework 'bird by bird.'

August, for some neuro-developmentally atypical children and their parents, can be a time of apprehension and even dread: HOMEWORK IS COMING. Try taking homework 'bird by bird.'