Phelan McDermid Syndrome, often called PMS, is a rare neurodevelopmental condition that impacts children in many different ways. Because the symptoms often resemble other conditions, families may spend years searching for answers before receiving an accurate diagnosis. For one Laurel Life family, this journey was filled with questions, evaluations, and uncertainty. Today, their daughter Tara is making meaningful progress with the support of Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA t

Reaching out for support can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re not sure what type of help you or your child might need. Many people think counseling is only for moments of crisis, but outpatient therapy is actually designed for everyday struggles that build up over time. It offers a safe, steady space to talk through challenges, learn new tools, and feel more grounded. If you’re wondering whether outpatient counseling might be the right choice, this guide can help you

Empowering School Leaders Through Trauma-Informed Practices The 2025 Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) School Leadership Conference brought together hundreds of education leaders from across the state at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in the Pocono Mountains . Each year, the PSBA Conference is one of Pennsylvania’s most anticipated gatherings for school administrators, board members, and educational professionals. It’s a time to connect, share ideas, and learn ho

Sprouts classrooms combine play, structure, and positive reinforcement to help preschoolers build confidence and kindergarten readiness. For many young children, the journey to kindergarten begins long before the first day of school. Laurel Life’s Sprouts program is a unique therapeutic treatment group that helps children build the emotional, social, and behavioral skills they need to thrive in the kindergarten classroom and beyond. Sprouts is designed for preschool-aged chi

As the psychologist Noam Shpancer said, "Mental health is not a destination, but a process." A pivotal part of the mental health process includes intervention services. The earlier these services are initiated, the better the outcome for the individual receiving them. School-based interventions are a proactive way to confront and resolve the trauma and stressors associated with declining mental health before these issues exacerbate. Folium, Inc addresses these concerns in man

October 2023 is ADHD Awareness month. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is described as a persistent or ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that gets in the way of daily life or typical development (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Individuals with ADHD may also have difficulties with maintaining attention and executive functioning, which includes the brain’s ability to begin an activity, organize itself, and manage tasks. Acc

Anticipating a class presentation, experiencing domestic violence in the home, or being exposed to bullying at school – all can be triggering events for youth. However, an individual’s resilience can determine how well they navigate these negative occurrences. Resilience is the capability to adapt and cope with circumstances outside of one’s control, and it shapes the way an individual responds and recovers from each incident. Further, resilience is not proven to be innate; b

“Conflict” is a loaded word. As a therapist, I’ve noticed that it sends some clients running for the door. While it’s easy to think that conflicts are themselves problematic, I’ve come to see them as inevitable. At work, school, and home (all places where there are groups of people sharing space) disagreement is part of the deal. So, if we see conflicts as simply negative, we may miss the opportunities they provide to develop mutual understanding and grow. Thus, the problem o

Since I was child, I always knew that I wanted to help people. As a young adult, I had the opportunity to work with children in the big brother/big sister program in Harrisburg, PA. Observing the needs of children helped to direct my college focus to social work. One I was in college, my experiences broadened to include families and adults, working in both the food bank and a a domestic violence shelter for women. In 2014, I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Mind-body techniques can be highly beneficial for teenagers struggling with anxiety. They are holistic, addressing both the mental and physical aspects of anxiety symptoms. These include activities such as diaphragmatic breathing, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation, which help to become more attuned to the physical sensations of anxiety, learn to relax, and develop strategies for managing their stress. Additionally, mind-body techniques can help teenagers to better under

Self-care is important for parents to be aware of and encourage in their children and themselves. Further, parents should serve as models of self-care for their children. This is because impact that self-care can have on the overall wellbeing of individuals, including children, is profound. Any conscious action taken to maintain physical, emotional, and mental well-being is known as self-care. While this may seem simple, it is crucial for parents to understand that children n

“Deep human connection is…the purpose and the result of a meaningful life – and it will inspire the most amazing acts of love, generosity, and humanity.” - Melinda Gates Humans instinctively have a need for connection with others. However, how the drive for connection manifests can appear as an array of different affections. In October of 1992, a marriage counselor by the name of Dr. Gary Chapman wrote a theory categorizing these affections, naming them “love languages”. Dr

Culture permeates everything. It shapes who we are and to what we identify, even if we are unaware of it. Truly, it is a part of us that cannot be ignored or denied, and it is important to understand the impact it has on our lives. For example, I was talking to a student about food the other day during lunch break. The topic of rice came up and, specifically, whether I rinse it or not. A simple question, yet one that, apparently, has strong answers. Although I don’t know exac

Sometimes, activities that create friction can lead to cohesion if the appropriate support, direction, and debriefing are provided. One of these activities is Zoom , a group challenge utilizing skills such as visual literacy, communication, listening, and empathy. It also allows for the opportunity of growth in leadership skills and conflict resolution. To effectively implement Zoom , however, it is important that you have a rapport with your group and, if possible, to have m

The holiday season has drawn to a close and, yet, this time of year brings a wide range of experiences for people. Some may feel joy and gratitude, while others may experience stress and anxiety. It is important to reflect on the traditions and customs that your family has embraced over the years - both in the present and in your upbringing. No matter what traditions are celebrated, it is important to remain open-minded about the different experiences that individuals had ove

Grief and loss are very complicated topics that often bring up uncomfortable feelings. This discomfort often leads to avoiding addressing a loss and, instead, letting it be “the elephant in the room”. Further, it can be challenging to bring up the topic and you may worry you might make someone else sad. However, it is always okay to share how you feel, especially regarding grief and loss. Sharing your feelings about sensitive topics can help build emotional resilience. Thus,

I recently was given the opportunity to attend an interactive virtual webinar titled Managing the Madness: Self-Care for Human Service Professionals , led by Gregory A. Krausz, MA, CAADC, LPC. There was substantial information of value to take away from his presentation; in particular, an approach combating and overcoming professional burnout known as the Three R approach. The first “R” stands for recognize . It is important to recognize and watch for the warning signs of pr

Self-injurious behaviors are explained as maladaptive behaviors to which the individuals physically harm themselves. Self-injurious behaviors (SIB) are a more common in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) than those with a different neurodevelopmental disorder. At least 50% of individuals with ASD will develop SIB at some stage in their life. SIB’s look like biting, scratching, pinching, skin picking, punching, or head banging. There are also less common behaviors

Children begin to learn taking turns through simple tasks in their everyday lives at school and at home. In particular, board games are a great option to practice taking turns frequently and playing with others. Further, playing a board game works on a child’s social skills and development of communication skills. Board games allow kids to think critically and problem solve by planning their next moves, considering their options, and determining the steps they need to take to

Imagine driving down a road and having no clue where you’re supposed to turn. As you continue driving, the town looks less and less familiar. You start to feel unsettled, confused, unsafe, lost, anxious, and so many more feelings. That is how a child with autism can feel when facing changes in their routines. Consistency allows the child to have a sense of familiarity and comfort. Developing anchor points takes time but enhances the child’s sense of security. Anchor points a