Time Does Not Heal

My great grandson, Lincoln, is here! It is so awesome to see what an attached toddler does. So many families I have worked with thought their child would grow out of the behaviors. They waited! They call me when their child is 9 years old or older and they are exhausted,...

Three Steps to Get Them to Care

“I’m sorry” is so often a lie with children afflicted with RAD. They have little to no conscience so there is no feeling behind it. Often the words are delivered with a shoulder shrug and an eye roll! How do we get them to care?

The first thing I...

She raised her hand and challenged me, ” You mean when my friend and I go out on weekends to run over cats, there’s something wrong with that?” “Yes.” I replied. One after another six students tried to argue with me that the torturing and killing of animals they...

When are Pets a Good Idea?

I am not just horsing around or barking up the wrong tree here, animals make a difference in our lives. We have had lots of pets over the years. Currently, my puppy, Elan, fills my heart with her unconditional love and joy. Getting greeted like I am the most important...

Master Manipulator

The principal and the school secretary were digging through the school dumpster! They had already sorted through the entire row of cafeteria trash barrels. My child pitifully sniffled nearby observing the slime covered searchers. After a good hour of watching the show, my...

Hyperactive or Hypervigilant?

Too many children are misdiagnosed as hyperactive with attention deficits when the real problem is hyper vigilance caused by early childhood trauma. How can we tell the difference? When we see useless movement, such as tapping, it fits with the hyperactive label. The...

My friend, Melissa, was visiting from Alaska. She knows how to drive in the snow and is a very capable person so I had no worries when she planned to fly into Denver and drive over the two 11,000 foot high passes to get to our ranch. The rental car folks gave her a car and sent her on her way....

A Powerful Tool to Build Thankfulness

Did you know the exact opposite of anxiety is gratitude!? What a healing salve thankfulness is for the heart and the brain! Why do we focus on it one day a year? Let’s crank it up a notch and do it daily.

My children did a “feelings journal”...

Wild on a Sugar Load

One of my favorite therapists calls this “sugar season”. It begins at Thanksgiving and ends at Easter. She says its great for business! Many of our children are wild on a sugar load! Lets take a look at what other things they eat that can increase wildness and...

Why Do Children Hoard Food?

Autumn is here! Harvesting the fruits and vegetables here on the ranch has kept us busy! Here is a picture of my cowboy with some of our cabbage for kraut! I hope your stash is plentiful. As we move toward winter I have a feeling of safety when the food supplies are...

I almost poisoned my dog last night!! Elan works hard and yes, I spoil her! I admit it, I share my food with her. (It is part of my weight loss program:>)) 2 bites for me…one bite for her. As I sat savoring a rich chocolate truffle from my friend Judy, Elan came and sat next to me. I...

What is Respite?

Respite is defined as: “lifting a burden or pain”. When living with a challenging child, that means someone else takes the child and gives parents a break. This is essential for children over 5 that are wearing their parents down to the angry, screaming style of...