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Got Attention?: An ADHD Community Pinterest Board

1/28/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

Pinterest is a great way to find and share new ideas.  The parenting community is very active and constantly pinning new ideas and posts from around the internet.  The board featured below is a collection of ADHD articles, blog posts, infographics, ideas, photos, and projects from several members of the ADHD community.

Pinterest has become so popular because it is an open community.  You're able to see all the great ideas that other people, from all over the world are pinning.  You can collect and save anything from the internet that has a picture.  I find ideas all the time on Pinterest for play therapy, parenting, home projects, and easy cleaning and organizing ideas.  You can follow me on Pinterest for tons great parenting resources, ADHD tips, and so much more!

Nikki Schwartz at Spectrum Psychological Services in Virginia Beach, VA
Nikki Schwartz is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Oaktree and focuses on using neurofeedback, play, and talk therapies to provide practical, effective counseling to families and clients. 

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ADHD Tips for Parents: Fidgets by Nikki Schwartz
ADHD Tips for Parents: Fidgets
ADHD Tips for Parents: Exercise, Lots of Exercise by Nikki Schwartz at OaktreeCounselor.com
ADHD Tips for Parents: Exercise, Lots of Exercise
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Awesome Autism Video

1/25/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

I saw this amazing autism video, What It's Like to Have a Brother with Autism, posted by Suzi Noyes, a local Realtor in Virginia Beach who's youngest son has autism.  It really touched my heart the care the relationship and care these two siblings have for one another.  
When you watch the video, pay attention to the back and forth interaction that you see between the two.  This is the main goal of Floortime Play Therapy, to help relationships become enjoyable for the person with autism. Not to make them comply, behave or simply to follow directions, but to help them connect to others in a meaningful way.
 

How Can I Foster This Kind of Relationship?

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Photo Credit: Spencer Timme from his YouTube Video "What It's Like To Have A Brother With Autism"
I decided to move the tips for helping children with autism enjoy relationships to a post of their own.

"... Do your kids have an autistic sibling? Parents of my autistic clients often ask how they can encourage their child to interact with themselves and their siblings.  It takes time, I tell them, but it's worth it to see them enjoy each other's company, to see them laugh together." 
CONTINUE READING

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Nikki Schwartz is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Oaktree Counseling and focuses on using neurofeedback, play, and talk therapies to provide practical, effective counseling to families and clients. You can find her on Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook.

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Spectrum Parents Facebook Group in Virginia Beach
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10 Self Care Tips for Parents with Kids on the Spectrum
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25 Awesome Ideas for Light Table Play from Dollar Tree!

1/21/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

Over Christmas, my husband built me a light table!  If you have not seen these, they are so great for sensory play and play-based learning techniques.  

So, last week I went in search of cheap light table activities at Dollar Tree®.  There were so many great inexpensive finds, I knew I had to share.  My toddler has had so much fun with these that I went back to buy a few more of his favorites!  What inexpensive light table activities have you found and loved?  Let me know in the comment section!
CONTINUE READING
(P.S. I have no affiliation to DOLLAR TREE®  and was in no way compensated for this post.)
25 Awesome Idea for Light Table Play from Dollar Tree | See all of our therapy pins at @SpectrumPsych

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How Does Neurofeedback Work?

1/16/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

The most common question I hear from anyone is, "So, how does neurofeedback work?"  It's seems confusing and difficult to understand.  I'm going to attempt to break it down into simple terms, in a way that is easy to understand.  This is how I explain it to new clients and parents.
CONTINUE READING
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Photo Credit: kennymatic via flickr

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Play to Learn Blog Hop!

1/15/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

Play Based Learning is great for any child, but especially helpful for children with Autism and Sensory Issues.  Spectrum Psychological is hosting a blog hop for posts that involve play based learning, Montessori, sensory play, open play, creative play, etc.  Anyone blogging about play is welcome to link up, including parents, teachers, social workers, therapists, etc.

Make sure to check out our awesome co-host, Lora at Kids Creative Chaos.
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Photo Credit: D. Sharon Pruitt via Flickr

Blog Hop Rules

Feel free to link up to 3 old or new posts related to play-based learning.  In exchange for each link, please leave comments on 2 to 3 other linked posts.  Add the blog hop badge to your site, either on your sidebar or in a post.  Please only link posts you have written yourself, no other link ups or blog hops. 
Play to Learn Blog Hop
Play to Learn Blog Hop
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Five of My Favorite Play to Learn Posts

1/14/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

I am a big fan of play based-learning, Montessori, and Reggio actvities for kids.  There is so much to be said for open-play.  So, without further ado, here are five of my favorite play-based learning posts. (I have no affliation to any of the sites, nor did I receive any sort of compensation for this post from anyone mentioned here).

1. DIY Light Box Tutorial

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I love The Imagination Tree!  So many ideas to make at home for kids to play with for hours.  This is a simple tutorial to make a light box for sensory play at home.  Most light tables are fairly expensive ($400 to $500).  This is a much less pricey route with good instructions.

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Awesome Autism!: A Community Pinterest Board

1/11/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

Over the next few weeks, I'll be featuring several of my community Pinterest boards.  Pinterest is a great way to organize ideas, especially the ones you want to save, but read later.  This first board, Awesome Autism! features pins from several different members of the Autism community.  You don't have to have an account to browse Pinterest, but you will need an account to save or "repin" anything that you like.

Are you on Pinterest?  Has it been useful in helping you compile ideas for your autistic child?  You'll find lots of great resources, suggestions, and ideas on our pinboards, stop by when you get the chance.

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Nikki Schwartz is a Counselor Resident at Spectrum Psychological and focuses on using neurofeedback, play, and talk therapies to provide practical, effective counseling to families and clients.

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60 Second Parent featured my post on their site
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ADHD Tips for Parents: Background Music
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ADHD Tips for Parents: Rough & Tumble Play

1/9/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

What else can you do to help your ADHD focus better and get some of the fidgety energy out?  This post in the ADHD Tips for Parents series focuses on how and why playful rough housing and energetic activities is so helpful for kids with ADHD.  Occupational Therapy calls this "heavy work". What is Heavy Work?
CONTINUE READING
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Photo Credit: "Mike" Michael L. Baird, flickr.bairdphotos.com
Important Note: Safety is key with this type of ADHD strategy.  Please utilize these ideas wisely.  These suggestions are not meant to substitute common sense or the advice of a health professional.

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Neurofeedback for PTSD featured by The Daily

1/7/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

Last year journalist Katie Drummond, of The Daily, interviewed Staff Sgt. Justin Roberts, who suffers from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) about his experience with neurofeedback.  
Katie also did her own neurofeedback session with Sue Othmer, of EEGInfo.

Neurofeedback can help reduce the anxiety clients with PTSD experience, because it helps the brain learn to regulate itself by showing the brain a mirror of itself.  Check out this post for more on how neurofeedback works.

It is so exciting to see neurofeedback showing up more and more in mainstream media.  Check this video out for another perspective on neurofeedback for PTSD.  Let me know in the comment section what you think of the video in the comment section.

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Nikki Schwartz is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Oaktree and focuses on using neurofeedback, play, and talk therapies to provide practical, effective counseling to families and clients.

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What is a Neurotherapist by Nikki Schwartz
How does Neurofeedback Work? (What is a Neurotherapist)
How can Neurofeedback Help? by Nikki Schwartz
How Can Neurofeedback Help?
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Myths about the Autistic Child and Autistic Adults

1/5/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

Leah Kelley, who blogs about her son at 30 Days of Autism shared this video on our community Pinterest board Awesome Autism!.  The video is titled No Myths and features an autistic child and two adults.

This is such an encouraging, positive message on Autism Awareness, that I highly recommend taking a few minutes to watch it and share it on Facebook, Pinterest, etc.
 

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Nikki Schwartz is a Counselor Resident at Spectrum Psychological and focuses on using neurofeedback, play, and talk therapies to provide practical, effective counseling to families and clients.

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How Can Neurofeedback Help Your Autistic Child?
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Proactive Parenting Infographic
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    Nikki Schwartz, Licensed Professional Counselor

    Nikki Schwartz,
    LPC, NCC

    About Nikki

    Nikki is a Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of Oaktree.  She focuses on utilizing neurofeedback in the Virginia Beach area, as well as play therapy, and other counseling techniques to help clients and families play, live, and work together.

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  • Home
  • Counseling
    • Request an Appointment
    • About Nikki Schwartz, LPC
    • ADHD
    • Anxiety
    • What if Talk Therapy Isn't For You?
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  • New Clients
    • Directions to Our Office
  • Blog