• Sensory Processing Disorder in Children

    Sensory Processing Disorder in Children

    By Teresa Weeke, MA, PLPC *note: this article has been edited for readability, for the original, scholarly article, click here: Weeke Aug 2015 Original Article – Sensory Processing Disorder in Children What is it? Those who have Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), formerly known as Sensory Integration Dysfunction, experience sensory integration problems such that the input the brain receives from the senses does not match up with an appropriate response. Examples of an inappropriate response might include: temper tantrums because a child does not like how clothing feels next to the skin; eating problems relating to food texture; difficulty with coordination; non-stop activity or lethargy after simply going to the playground. SPD…

  • Back to School Tips for Getting Through the Morning

    Back to School – Tips for Getting Through the Morning

    by Carolyn Knarr, MSW, LCSW, Director of Children’s Therapeutic Services School is back in session. How is your morning going? Are your kids getting out of bed bright-eyed and bushy-tailed? Do they come down and sit for a nutritious breakfast and then cheerfully go brush their teeth and get dressed? No? What is a mother or father to do? If you’re like most parents, you may get frustrated, then annoyed, then start to nag or yell. And it is deja vu, morning after morning. Kind of like the movie “Groundhog Day.”  Nothing ever seems to get better —  but it can. And the answer isn’t nagging or yelling. Have you…

  • 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting With Love

    1st Corinthians 13: Parenting with Love

    by Carolyn Knarr, MSW, LCSW, Director of Children’s Therapeutic Services Sometimes it is hardest to apply God’s Word to relationships within our family. Let’s face it, our family and children can push us to our limits. We are often quick to react to the flaws of our family members even though we can easily show grace to strangers; and we easily show love and patience and bite our tongues when co-workers do things that bother us. Below is the well-known chapter on love from 1st Corinthians, applied to parenting. It is not meant to make you feel guilty or a “mess up,” but to encourage. It is a goal given…

  • Technology and Your Kids Appropriate Boundaries

    Technology & Your Kids: How to Set Appropriate Boundaries

    by Carolyn Knarr, MSW, LCSW, Director of Children’s Therapeutic Services Technology is a reality which is not going to go away. It’s imperative to teach children to make good decisions about technology, limit the frequency of its usage, and keep access to appropriate and safe content. If parents see technology as the enemy, they will set themselves up for years of frustration and struggle with their children. Rather than viewing it as the devil incarnate, parents need to team up with their children and allow them to enjoy the benefits of technology without allowing it to take over their child’s life. Often the fear of technology comes from a parent’s…