Parenting Balance Podcast

Did you know that sensory integration problems may manifest as distraction, impulsivity, lashing out or melting down? It can also manifest through hyperactivity, resisting hugs and putting things in their mouth. There are many theories to the cause of this behavior: it can be sensory processing disorder, ADHD or autism.One popular approach to treatment is called Sensory Integration therapy (SI). SI uses fun activities in a controlled, stimulating environment. This way, kids experiencing senso...

In this week's episode, we explore ENERGY HEALING as an alternative treatment that can be used to relieve anxiety among kids with ADHD. It is more popular for dealing with health issues, but is gaining traction in mental health. This is because energy healing is intended to induce relaxation and disconnection from many sources of fears. You can learn more about energy healing and find a practitioner here.We invited an advocate and expert on this subject, Dr. Cynthia Higgins, who will sh...

This is the 2nd part of the 2-part series of our talk with Dr. Lisa Rapp-McCall about human trafficking. This episode focuses on the internet as the primary means for human traffickers to target unsuspecting and vulnerable youths for their own personal gains. Dr. Lisa Rapp-McCall provided valuable insights on how parents can protect kids against online predators without overstepping private boundaries.Dr. Lisa Rapp-McCall received her MSW degree in Social Work from the University of Buf...

Human trafficking is a 150 billion dollar industry and the third-largest crime industry in the world. The idea of human trafficking is so disturbing that many parents can’t imagine having a conversation with their children about it. In this episode, we talked to Dr. Lisa Rapp-McCall about the subject. Dr. Rapp-McCall explains the different types of human trafficking and the dynamics of the relationship between the trafficker and the victim. She also tells us what we need to know about how vic...

People with ADHD break the law four to seven times more than individuals without ADHD. This explains why many parents we talk to worry about their child getting into legal trouble. In this episode, Attorney Kevin Astl explains how parents can talk to their children about law enforcement. We also discuss the legal rights parents have when making treatment decisions for their children if both parents are not in agreement. Kevin Astl is a Family Law Attorney in the Tampa,...

Attention dog lovers! We were thrilled to have the opportunity to interview Dr. Sabrina Schuck about the research she has led on canine-assisted therapy. In this episode, you will learn the difference between a service animal, a therapy animal, and an emotional support pet. But most exciting are the findings of current research investigating the effectiveness of therapy animals working with kids with ADHD. *Spoiler Alert* The findings are promising but we suggest you listen for yourself. ...

With the COVID pandemic seemingly never-ending, many families find themselves making unhealthy meal choices while limiting their physical activity. We are guilty of this ourselves and coined the weight we gained “the Covid-19 lbs.” This is why we were very excited to speak to Nutrition Coach, Isa Griffin to learn the basics of healthy eating to boost immunity, maintain a healthy weight, and have optimal brain function. She shares tips and tricks to simplify the process of making healthy food ...

If your child continues to struggle academically academic coaching could be the answer. Students with ADHD and anxiety are more likely to experience problems with homework, GPA, and attendance. Oftentimes therapy and medication aren’t enough. We interviewed Dr. Norrine Russell, owner, and founder of Russell Coaching, to learn the difference between tutoring and academic coaching as well as the difference between traditional therapy and ADHD coaching. She covers information like what to look f...

Did you know that there are eye disorders that share the same symptoms like ADHD and Anxiety? Can you believe that as many as 1 in 20 school-age kids are affected by a vision difference called Convergence Insufficiency (CI), yet routine eye exams and school-based vision screenings don’t routinely look for it? Kids who have ADHD are three times more likely to have CI which causes difficulty reading and concentrating. Two core symptoms that are often quickly attributed to learning disabil...