I'm a guest blogger

I had an opportunity to write a piece for The Scientific Parent, a website that asks professional experts in their fields to write about parenting topics by presenting scientific facts only, not opinions. They look for specialists in every field - who are also parents - to write in anunbiased, fact based article about their area of expertise. Each piece has an author bio at the end, and I can tell you they vetted me to make sure I fit the criteria to be a guest blogger. The goal of the site is to inform readers and parents on a relevant topic and allow them to draw their own fact-based conclusions to fit their life. The topic is very close to my heart and my work:

What is Autism & When Should Parents Seek A Diagnosis?

When writing this piece, I thought long and hard about every parent I've met who has a child, adolescent, or an adult with autism in their life. I tried to conjure up what I think would be the "key things" to think and do if autism becomes a part of someone's life. I thought first and foremost of Autism as Love. Here is an excerpt and a teaser if you'd like to read more: 

“So, what is autism? That can be a difficult question to succinctly answer. Trying to define Autism feels a bit like trying to describe Love. It goes by a singular name, but its manifestations are so incredibly broad and varied that it defies simple distillation or description. I love my wife, I love my kids, I love my caregivers, and while I call what I feel for each “love,” each love is different. This is a little like what it’s like to define autism.”

First Week Follow Up

I had an amazing first week in private practice. I met with 13 different families at both of my office locations and learned about their children who ranged in age from 4- to 22-years-old. The diversity of strengths and interests of each child, adolescent, and young adult gives me a great deal of hope and excitement about the weeks ahead as we forge a therapeutic relationship. Their families are incredibly engaged and motivated to help their loved ones flourish.

I am excited, too, that I have another 10 new clients scheduled for next week and a few additional new clients scheduled for my third week of practice. I really can’t thank my colleagues and friends enough for “getting the word out” about my practice and helping to build my schedule with wonderful new people. Rest assured, there is still plenty of space left, and I am eager to welcome more new clients in the coming weeks.

I’ve had folks from a few different organizations reach out to me asking if I have a flyer to share with them that they can hand out to families. I did not have a flyer, and I think it is a fabulous idea. I developed a first edition flyer to view, share, and download here. 

Please feel free to share it with others who may be interested. You can offer feedback on the flyer by reaching out to me directly, or in the comments section of this blog post. 

Thank you!

My first day of Private Practice

You know how parents take pictures of their kids on the first day of school? 

Well my wife likes to do this to me on my ‘first day’ of new positions like internship and post-doc. The first day of private practice is no exception. However, this time when I protested, she snapped all of those lovely moments, too.  That’s how my first day of private practice started!

Day 1: Monday, July 11 – Clinton Crossing

Mondays and Fridays I will be at Elmwood Pediatric Group in Clinton Crossing, Building A, Suite 105.

My first day at Elmwood Pediatrics office went really well. I felt incredibly supported and welcomed by the providers, technicians, and staff at the 919 Westfall location. There may have been some happy squealing by certain providers when they saw me arrive. I really appreciate being able to stay connected with medical providers as part of my psychology practice and value being able to collaborate with them to help patients.

I saw three patients on my first day at Elmwood Pediatrics, and I was honored to meet each of them and their families. It also meant a great deal to hear from these families that I came recommended by my colleagues at Kirch Developmental Services Center. My first day consisted of intake appointments to learn about presenting concerns and select an appropriate “first step” that fits with what families are looking for and need right now.

Day 2: Tuesday, July 12 – East Avenue Towers

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays I will be at the Psychology Office in East Avenue Towers. The entrance is around the back of the building, Suite 108.

My first day at East Avenue was a smooth one filled with four intake appointments. It was really nice to work closely with my psychology colleagues in this private practice setting and to dialogue more directly with the administrative team who schedules my patients.

I am amazed by the strength and love caregivers clearly show for their children when meeting with me for the first time. I think it takes a lot to seek out help, especially when we think about time and effort involved with committing to therapy. I realized today, too, that I am well positioned as part of my training with Tristram Smith, PhD and Laura Silverman, PhD to provide behavioral, evidenced-based supports for caregivers whose children present with developmental differences and behavior concerns.

Day 3, 4, & 5: We will see!

I am really looking forward to finishing out my first week. Today and Thursday I will be at East Avenue and Friday I rejoin my friends at Elmwood Pediatrics. I am excited to have two offices and two sets of professional colleagues to work with everyday. Wish me luck for the rest of the week to be as awesome as the beginning was!

The Final Countdown

It's almost here and I feel like a kid eagerly awaiting Christmas morning. What is this "IT" I speak of? It's the first day of my private practice on Monday, July 11. 

While you may know some things about me, you probably have no idea how long this dream has been in the making. Back in the summer of 2005, I walked the Inner Harbor of Baltimore City with a girl* I was dating and first put words to my dream. It was tentatively worded and quietly uttered. Thank goodness that girl is neither tentative nor quiet and has supported me over the last 11 years with making this dream a reality.

*I asked that girl to marry me soon thereafter. She said yes. Some guys have all the luck.

This time is also bittersweet because I will not be at the University of Rochester for the first time in 9 years. My post-doctoral fellowship ended on June 30, and I am adjusting to the fact that I will not see my trusted colleagues and mentors on a daily basis. The folks I came to know at the U of R trained and prepared me well for this next step, and I am excited to meet so many new people along their own journeys.

An amazing farewell gift from my colleagues. The original is proudly displayed in my new office. They nicknamed me "coach" in clinic.

So between now and 9 a.m. EST on Monday, July 11, I am taking some family time to rest and recharge before embarking on the next phase of my professional life. I leave you now with the epic imagery playing on a loop in my mind as I anticipate the days until July 11. 

The 1986 hit by Europe, "The Final Countdown" - can't you hear the riff?

Finding the Right Provider

I was recently asked by the Rochester Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder (RRCASD) to write an Information Sheet that helps to address a very important question:

What do I do now?

This is a question I often faced in diagnostic clinic when a caregiver receives a diagnosis and is feeling uncertain about what to do next. As part of the diagnostic process, the caregiver will receive a plan that outlines recommended next steps. While hopefully helpful, this document is more of a road map than a how-to guide, and these next steps often involve finding new providers for ongoing support.  The next important question caregivers face is:

How do I find the "right" provider?

I wrote this document to help address this question in an organized way. I try to define things like: what type of providers are out there, and what is the difference between them (e.g., what does that alphabet soup of certifications even mean?)  I also outline types of services, service delivery formats, and how to choose the right therapist for the patient and family. This all may sound a bit familiar if you have navigated around my website.

I am grateful for the Rochester Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder (RRCASD) distributing this resource and hope that it provides some clarity and concrete next steps for families trying to figure out the next steps after a loved one receives a new diagnosis.