Why Your Kids are Struggling in School (and How to Fix it)

If your kids are struggling to pass classes or behave, know that you aren’t alone. Learn strategies to help your kids succeed.

No parent wants to see their kids struggling to succeed at school.

If your child is having behavioral problems or failing classes, know that you aren’t alone.

NeuroHealth has a team of specialists to help student’s academic and behavioral performance.

Let’s look at 13 simple ways you can help your child succeed in school.

How to Help School Performance

1. Get to Know the Teachers

Find a way to meet your child’s teacher and let them know that you are accessible. Encourage feedback by telling teachers not to hesitate if they think problems are developing with your child.

2. Visit the School

Visit the school and meet the support staff, administrators, and counselors working in the school. These people will be guiding your child’s education, so it is a good idea to develop a relationship with them.

3. Help Them With Homework

Often times, failure to follow a homework routine, or discipline sticking to a routine lead to poor academic performance.

Establish rules for completing homework from the very beginning. You should do your best to limit screen time to be sure that your child is completing their homework each day.

Provide your child with a quiet, comfortable place to do their homework each evening and be available to answer questions if needed.

4. Teach Them How to Study

Studying is a skill not all children possess from the beginning. You may have to help them figure out which method works best for them.

If you see them struggling, consider hiring a tutor or planning study dates with other children.

5. Get Involved

Many children are encouraged when they see their parents involved at school. Take every opportunity to chaperone field trips, attend career days, or volunteer for special events.

6. Take Attendance Seriously

Your child can’t learn if they’re not in the classroom.

Children should only be allowed to stay home from school if they have a legitimate illness or urgent family issue.

Excessive absences are a common driver of poor academic performance.

7. Know What Is Expected

Be familiar with the school’s disciplinary policy. Talk to your child about sensitive topics like bullying.

Make sure that your child understands the consequences of violating school rules.

Take a proactive approach. Ask your child to open up if they ever feel unsafe.

8. Set Your Child Up for Success

A good way to set your child up for success is to make sure they go to bed at a decent time. Establish a set bedtime and stick to it.

Send your child to school ready to learn by giving them a healthy, well-balanced breakfast.

Rest and diet jump-start the mind.

9. Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences

Make an effort to go to every parent-teacher conference. Even if your child is doing well in school, you should check-in with the teacher throughout the year to ensure your child’s success.

10. Know What the School Offers

Your child may not always be informed about what opportunities are available to them at school. Read all the information that is sent home with your child and talk to other parents to find out what opportunities or deadlines are approaching.

11. Voice Your Concerns

As a parent, it is your responsibility to voice any concerns you may have about your child’s well-being and education. Let an administrator know if you believe there are problems at school that need to be addressed.

12. Demonstrate a Positive Attitude

Going to school should be fun for your child. You can help develop a positive attitude towards school by showing that you value education.

Demonstrate how you use your education in your daily life and provide them with a model for success.

13. Ask Them How It’s Going

Get into the habit of providing your child the opportunity to tell you about their day. Ask questions that encourage open-ended answers – not just “yes” and “no.”

Offer Help

Now that you have the tools, start by sitting down with your child and talking to them about school.

What do your kids at school think is working? What’s not working?

If they are struggling, ask them what they need.

If you think your child may need professional help, contact us for a neuropsychological assessment.

Did you know that the average couple who attends counseling has been unhappy for six years before seeking help?

If you’re struggling in your current relationship, you’re not alone. Everyone handles stress and anxiety differently. Our significant other often becomes the brunt of our frustrations.

Movies and books often portray couples therapy as embarrassing, futile, or downright cheesy. But is that really the case? Could it be the right solution for you and your relationship?

In this post, we’ll discuss what couples therapy is like and the many benefits it can offer. Read on to learn more.

What Is Couples Therapy Like?

Many people assume that couples therapy only addresses very serious problems, such as infidelity.

The truth is that it can help with a wide variety of issues couples may face, including:

• Money and spending habits
• Parenting concerns
• Dealing with in-laws
• Chronic illness
• Sex and intimacy
• Gambling or substance abuse
• Infertility
• Grief or loss
• Conflict resolution
• Major life changes, such as the birth of a child or retirement

Couples therapy can benefit people from all backgrounds and at all stages of the relationship.

A newly engaged couple, for example, may seek counseling to gain a clearer idea of the responsibilities of marriage. A couple married for decades may use counseling to reignite the spark in their relationship.

Couples therapy begins with the counselor finding out about each person’s values and upbringing. Counselors usually focus on helping the couple improve their communication skills. They’ll encourage them to express their thoughts and desires in a calm and clear manner.

Together, the counselor and couple seek to identify the issue(s) and establish goals and a treatment plan.

What Are the Benefits of Couples Therapy?

Whether it’s a few sessions for an immediate problem or a longer series of counseling, couples have a lot to gain from trying relationship therapy.

For starters, counseling helps each person view the relationship objectively. Rather than getting caught up in a cycle of arguments and blame, the counselor helps each person understand the other.

A good counselor will identify dysfunctional behaviors and offer advice on how the couple can better interact. This is especially beneficial for couples that avoid expressing their deepest feelings and isolate themselves emotionally.

If a couple has fallen into a habit of shouting or resorting to ridicule and sarcasm, counselors can teach them how to speak to each other peaceably. Couples can also benefit from learning to become better listeners and really listen to what the other is saying.

A couple that’s in a downward spiral may have lost sight of the positive aspects of their relationship. Counseling can help them recall the strengths of their relationship and encourage unity in the future.

Could You Benefit from Couples Counseling?

As you can see, there are many potential benefits to trying couples therapy.

If you’re dedicated to your relationship — and to making it work — we invite you to learn more about our professional couples therapy.

Contact us today at 847-584-1671 or click here to use our online request form.

Did you know that the average teenager spends up to nine hours a day staring at a screen?

It’s not only teens and young adults that struggle with too much screen time. Even children younger than eight spend nearly 2.5 hours every day looking at a tablet or smartphone.

The connection between children and electronics doesn’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon. And, of course, some technologies have made our modern lives easier.

But are there any negative effects of screen time parents should be aware of? Are there any connections between electronics and child development issues?

In this post, we’ll take a look at three negative effects of screen time in children–and what you as a parent can do about it.

Disrupted Sleep

Do you feel annoyed when your phone wakes you up at night?

Imagine how exhausted your kids must feel when they spend half the night responding to texts and tweets. An endless stream of notifications throughout the night disrupts the sleep they need to avoid burnout.

As if that’s not enough, electronic devices also emit powerful blue light that “tricks” the brain into thinking it’s daytime. This makes it harder to fall (and stay) asleep and is connected to many physical and mental health problems.

Increased Anxiety and Poor Social Skills

Does your child become grumpy or irritable when they spend too much time on electronic devices? Does he have trouble focusing or is he always hyper-active?

Excessive screen time could be a contributing factor to ADHD. Too much screen time can overstimulate a child’s mind (this happens to adults too). When they don’t receive the validation they’re hoping for in the form of likes, clicks, or comments, their self-esteem may plummet.

Even worse, new research shows that constant exposure to electronics increases the likelihood of depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. Although technology appears to bring people together, in reality it has an isolating effect.

Children who spend too much time on electronic devices may fail to develop normal social skills. They may struggle to make “real life” friends or, as they get older, hold down a job or get involved in the community.

Exposure to Unwholesome Sites

Here’s a terrifying statistic for parents everywhere: 33% of children are exposed to a pornographic website before the age of 10.

Pornography isn’t the only concern either. There’s a vast amount of websites that perpetuate–even glorify–dangerous mental health disorders.

Some sites promote eating disorders, cutting, or other forms of self-harm. Others serve to destroy the fragile body image of developing teens (girls in particular).

The more time your child spends on the internet, the greater the likelihood of exposure to detrimental images and ideas.

Negative Effects of Screen Time: Now You Know

While technology has improved our lives in some ways, there are negative effects of screen time that we can’t ignore.

If your child is struggling with any of the symptoms outlined above, it could be from too much screen time.

Wondering what you can do? Contact us today to learn how to improve your family’s developmental, behavioral, and emotional health.

Negative Effects of Screen Time: Now You Know
While technology has improved our lives in some ways, there are negative effects of screen time that we can’t ignore.

If your child is struggling with any of the symptoms outlined above, it could be from too much screen time.

Wondering what you can do? Contact us today to learn how to improve your family’s developmental, behavioral, and emotional health.

The holiday season is typically associated with smiles, giving, and spending time with family. However, the holiday’s can be a stressful time for many people, and for various reasons. In fact, studies show that 62 percent of Americans say their stress levels elevate during the holidays. Students are no exception, and many student’s grades tend to suffer during this joyful time.

So, what causes this elevated stress in students during this time of year, and how does that translate to their performance and grades? Let’s take a look at some of the causes and effect of this stress so that you can help your child or students have a better time during the holidays.

What Causes Holiday Stress?

Before we can discover why holiday anxiety might affect a student’s grades, it is important to understand why holiday stress might exist. While the holidays are synonymous with spirit and joy, it is not that way for everyone. Many people dread the holiday season for many reasons including:

• Financial problems and instability
• Strained family relationships
• Feeling the need to please others
• Having to fit more activities into an already busy schedule

Many families in America live at or below the poverty line, 12.3 percent of the population to be exact, which can really put a damper on the season of gifts and giving. This is especially true for children. Many students also come from broken homes, which makes the sentiment of spending time with family and loved ones anxiety-inducing.

How Does Holiday Anxiety Affect a Student’s Grades?

It goes without saying that elevated levels of stress can cause anyone to underperform in tasks. Especially when those tasks are already challenging on their own.

If a student is worrying about a holiday event coming up that they don’t want to go to, or they are being surrounded by happiness and joy that they are missing out on, they may not be able to focus in school.

When students are left to worry about whether they will get dinner that night or if they will be able to stay warm, it is hard to keep schoolwork a priority.

How Can We Improve This Situation?

Whether you are a parent or a teacher concerned about a child’s grades dropping, there are things you can do to help.

If you are a teacher and you notice that some of your students are struggling to keep up during this time of year, try going easier on some of the assignments. Maybe even consider giving fewer homework assignments. Evidence has actually shown that while homework can be good, it can also be impeding in excess.

Here are a few tips for helping your child/student get through their holiday stress:

• Acknowledge that their stress is legitimate
• Minimize your own visible stress
• Spend a little more time helping them out with lessons and concepts that they are struggling with
• Make sure their diet is healthy, even if it is limited
• Talk to them about how they are feeling and try and help them find a solution to their troubles

Making sure that the child is getting all that they need can seem out of reach, especially those living in poverty. If this is the situation, consider reaching out for help. There are tons of resources for helping families in need, particularly during the holidays.

However, sometimes all that it will take is a little bit of extra time and effort to turn around a student’s grades and overall levels of stress. Check out our website to find even more resources and information about your child and their mental well being. Happy holidays!

It’s no secret that college students are under a lot of stress, especially during the first year. But sometimes stress that seems normal is actually a sign of deeper struggles. In fact, a recent study found that one in three freshman students had mental health struggles.

It can be difficult to recognize whether your child is dealing with mental health issues. Acknowledging and understanding these issues can also be challenging. If you’re worried about your child and the pressure they may be facing in college, we can help.

We’re going to cover some important information about college students and mental challenges. We’ll tell you some reasons your child may be struggling at college and how you can help. Read on to learn more about the plight of the stressed college student.

Students Today Don’t See Value in Downtime

If you’re wondering why your child is so much more stressed out than you were in college, you aren’t alone. Many parents and other adults don’t quite understand the stress of students today. But a lot of it stems from the fact that today’s students don’t place a priority on rest or relaxation.

Many students feel that they have to be productive during all waking hours. And with smartphones and tablets, it’s easy to always be “on” and doing something. You can encourage your child to take breaks with exercise, time outside, or time with friends.

Your Child May Not Have Strong Coping Skills to Deal With Mental Challenges

It’s important to realize that college being tough – especially during the first year – is typical. Mental challenges and stress are common with any transition. For college kids who don’t have the right coping skills, the transition can be even harder.

You may not think you were a helicopter parent, but we encourage you to rethink things. All parents want to protect their children, but sometimes they over-protect and over-indulge. Help your child develop and learn coping skills now, so they can grow and thrive in college and beyond.

Digital Technology Makes it Harder to Connect with Others

We mentioned how technology can prevent your child from shutting down and taking a break. But technology can also be getting in the way of your child making meaningful connections with peers. Living their lives online has actually led many young people to feel very lonely.

Your child may need to trade their online social time for socializing in real life. Spending time with others sharing similar experiences can be therapeutic. Encourage your child to spend more time with their peers and college friends in person.

How to Help Your Child and Promote Mental Wellness

Mental challenges can encompass more than the struggles of college life. We understand you want to help your child improve and maintain their mental health at all stages. We’re proud to offer a wealth of advice and tips.

Browse our blog for guidance on helping your child manage their mental health. Learn about disordered eating, dealing with the trauma of loss, and more. Whether you have a young child, teen, or young adult in college, you’re sure to find valuable advice here.

College is an exciting time, full of endless opportunities. Students can explore new majors, take on exciting internship opportunities, and perhaps even study abroad. They’ll make lasting friendships and even explore new romances.

But, along with all this opportunity comes a wealth of new stress and pressures. A large part of that stress stems from academic responsibilities. Of equal weight is the stress that comes with wanting to fit in and make new friends.

A large part of struggling in college stems from poor study habits and procrastination – something that can be combatted. Let’s explore the five top reasons why the rigors of college can really hit home, as well as the best way to combat all of them.

1. Bad Study Habits

Gone are (the majority of) the days when students just need to memorize facts and regurgitate them. Now, professors are looking to see that students are in-depth, critical thinkers.

This requires time, effort, and energy. It’s important to spend time reading the text, asking tough questions, and focusing in on in-depth reports and papers.

2. Procrastination

Bad study habits lead to procrastination. If students don’t manage their time well, they wind up staying out all night with their new friends and then “cramming” when it’s time to study or write a paper.

Procrastination walks hand in hand with stress. It creates undue pressure when tasks can be completed at a steadier pace.

3. Uncertainty

College breeds a whole new set of questions and uncertainties. Now’s the time to select a roommate, declare a major, set your course load. Being responsible for so many outcomes is another breeding ground for self-doubt and stress.

4. Adult Bullying

In truth, it’s easier for students to find their pack of friends in college than high school. There are so many after-school programs and opportunities to meet people with similar interests.

But, what if, in those new circles, your child feels somehow left out or marginalized? It’s hard for them to put themselves out there, so any sort of feelings of non-acceptance can be hard to handle.

5. Failure

Procrastination, as well as the distraction of trying to fit in, or the potential disappointments that come with feeling left out, can take a toll on your child’s ability to perform well in the classroom.

This is their first time “out on their own” and the fear of failure, or actual existence of failure, can really shake a student’s sense of self-esteem.

How to Help Your Child Struggling in College

One of the best things you can do is help your child struggling in college is to make a schedule they can stick to. It’s absolutely possible to take everything in and succeed. But, it’s a matter of time management.

Help your child set up a schedule that revolves around classes, part-time work or internships, and study time. Then, with all the remaining time, encourage them to take advantage of clubs and campus dinners with roommates and friends.

Here at NeuroHealth, we can help you ensure your child succeeds in their academics. We offer neuropsychology testing, school consultation advocacy services, and an array of treatment options.

Together, we can develop a plan to meet the behavioral, developmental, emotional, and social needs of your child. Feel free to contact us today!

Has your teen suffered a head injury? If they have, or if you want to be prepared just in case, you’ll want to know what to look for in case of a concussion.

So, what are the signs of a concussion in a teenager? More importantly, what are you supposed to do if your teen does have a concussion? We’ll try to answer all of these questions, and more, in the next few paragraphs.

Headache and Dizziness
A concussion is essentially a brain injury, often mild, that is caused by the brain being knocked against the skull. Because of this, the person will often complain of a headache.

A person with a concussion can also feel dizzy, and will often look it. They may also complain of vision problems, most often blurred vision or seeing double. Exposure to light doesn’t clear things up and may even make them feel worse.

Confusion and Decreased Faculties
Confusion often accompanies a concussion, as do a few minor functional issues. The patient will often have difficulties remembering the event. They may show signs of slurred speech and not respond to questions as quickly as they usually do.

Physical Symptoms
Nausea is another symptom to look out for, as is vomiting. They may also feel exhausted and lose consciousness. This can be a potential sign of danger, but not necessarily.

Emotional Symptoms
Another sign of a concussion in a teenager is abnormal behaviors. It is not uncommon for a concussed person to appear angrier than usual or more depressed. Be on the lookout for any odd emotional patterns in your child.

Abnormal Sleep Patterns
In some cases, symptoms of a concussion can last for days to even months. Persistent symptoms are most common in children, teens and the elderly. This is especially true if the person has had a concussion before.

In cases such as these, you may notice the patient is sleeping more than usual. Others may complain of insomnia. Contrary to popular belief, it is not dangerous to fall asleep with a concussion. In fact, sleep is recommended to help the body rest and heal itself.

All the same, you may want to take this with a grain of salt. While a person with a concussion definitely needs sleep, you’ll need to make sure that it is just a concussion. More serious conditions could cause harm if you allow the patient to sleep.

Treatment
Regardless of the situation, the patient should always be taken to a doctor. On the rare chance that something more serious has occurred, the doctor will be able to spot it and be better equipped to treat it.

If it is determined that the patient has a concussion and nothing more, the best thing for them is to sleep. Depending on the doctor, they may decide to keep the patient overnight or send them home.

Signs of Concussion in a Teenager
When looking for signs of concussion in a teenager, there’s a whole list of things to watch for, from dizziness and headache to emotional shifts. There may also be nausea, vomiting, abnormal sleep patterns or difficulty concentrating or doing everyday tasks.

If you want to know more about neurological health and other neurological conditions, please contact us. Maybe you want to know more about anxiety and how to get help for it. Perhaps you’d like to know how to spot depression, and what to do if you have it. We can help with that, too.

In America, 6.4 million children between the ages of four and 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD.

The diagnosis of attention deficit disorder in yourself or child can result in several different emotional responses.

It can be a relief to know the reason behind the behavior, but it can also be an added stress to an already complicated life.

But, through the diagnostic process, it is essential to understand that you are not alone.

Many families in America undergo a similar experience, and learning more about ADHD and ADHD statistics can help you navigate this new world.

Read on to learn a little about attention deficient disorder, its three different types, and the numbers behind it.

Defining ADHD
In order to delve into the mental disorder that is ADHD, it is first essential to understand what it is.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a medical level neurodevelopmental disorder. It involves problems with attention, concentration, and increased level of activity. This affects a child’s performance in school, social situations, and work.

It is most common in children under twelve, but it can also occur in adults. Historically, it is believed to have first mentioned in 1902.

Additionally, attention deficient disorder, known as ADD, has been recently reclassified as a type of ADHD.

Symptoms of ADHD
Several symptoms of this disorder can help a doctor determines if it is a possible cause. There are three types of ADHD.

The first symptom is that patients fail to pay attention to details, and are prone to make frequent mistakes in their work. They may have trouble sustaining attention, listening when spoken to directly, and following directions on projects.

Other potential presentations of the hyperactive-impulsive type include talking excessively, constant restlessness, blurting out sentences, struggling to wait in line, and interrupting others.

Interesting Facts About ADHD
There are several important facts and figures to consider with ADHD, including the sheer amount of people that have the condition.

The CDC reports that an estimated 9.4% of children struggle with it, as well as 4% of adults. But, some studies suggest an even higher prevalence in the U.S. alone.

Other ADHD statistics include that the average age of diagnosis is 7, but symptoms typically manifest between the ages of 3 and 6.

As well, in the U.S. 6.1% of children between the ages of 2 and 17 take ADHD medication.

ADHD often overlaps with other disorders, though that does not mean that ADHD is linked to these.

Almost two out of three people with ADHD have at least one other mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder.

Disparities in ADHD Statistics
Children that live below the poverty line are two times more likely to have ADHD, which may represent an environmental component to risk.

The is also huge variation among different states in the United States, according to CDC ADHD rates.

Moreover, kids that come from English-speaking home have four times the likelihood.

There are certain disparities among genders as well. In their lifetimes, 12.9% of males will be diagnosed with ADHD, while only 4.9% of females will be.

This translates to males having a three times higher risk than females. There also may be different symptoms between the girls and boys.

Final Thoughts
It is essential to understand the full scope of an ADHD diagnosis. The rates of the disorder have consistently risen since the mid-2000s, and continue to do so.

From ADHD statistics to the basic symptoms of the disorder, being informed can help you determine the best course of action.

If you think your child may be struggling with ADHD, schedule an appointment with NeuroHealth in Arlington Heights. Contact us today.

Most people hear about obsessive-compulsive disorder on a daily basis, often used in the wrong way.

While many people associate OCD with a need for cleanliness or order, the truth is that OCD is far more disruptive than many people know.

And although many people “know” about the disorder 2 percent of the population lives with, few actually understand it.

So what exactly is OCD and what are some of the most common OCD signs and treatments? Read on to learn more.

Defining OCD

OCD is defined as a disorder which involves repeated, unwanted thoughts, feelings, tics, or obsessions.

But what exactly does this mean in ‘real’ terms?

Imagine having a thought or feeling that won’t leave your mind, no matter how hard you try and think of something else. You may even feel that if you stop thinking about the subject, something disastrous will occur.

This is more or less what living with OCD is like.

It’s about recurring thoughts that can impair the way people live their day to day lives.

For many, this means following a strict routine that cannot be deviated from. They may need to count to a certain number or perform a certain activity in order to feel like they can go about their day.

OCD isn’t something to joke about, it can be quite difficult to live with.

Common Symptoms of OCD

Now that we have a clearer idea of what OCD looks like, let’s discuss some of the most common symptoms of OCD.

However, it’s important to note that no two patients will show the exact same symptoms. Should a reader feel they may suffer from OCD, consult a mental health specialist.

Recurring Thought

Those with the disorder may find themselves repeatedly experiencing thought patterns that may make daily life difficult. These types of thoughts can involve harming one’s self or others, sexual images, or a sense of paranoia.

Obsessive Cleanliness

While it’s often joked about, cleanliness is a major factor of OCD. But not in the way that many seem to believe.

Examples include hand washing to the point of raw or bleeding hands or constantly showering due to a fear of germs.

Ritualistic Behavior

Many patients with OCD carry out what is referred to as ritualistic behavior.

As the name may suggest, these activities are small, daily tasks that the patient must complete to go about their day. Should the ritual become disrupted in any capacity, many patients will start over until proper completion.

Some examples include obsessive prayer and counting.

Treatments For OCD

Fortunately, OCD is quite treatable. While a patient is never ‘cured’ in a traditional capacity, solutions such as medication and talk therapy can make daily life far easier for those with OCD.

Other, more unorthodox methods may work as well. These include hypnotherapy, exposure therapy, and imaginal exposure.

Are You Experiencing Common OCD Signs?

It’s important to reiterate that no two patients will experience OCD signs in the same fashion. Therefore, it’s recommended that those who believe they may be experiencing symptoms of OCD talk to a professional.

To learn more about OCD treatment, get in touch today. The life you deserve is out there. All you have to do is reach out.

 

If for more than two weeks you’ve felt sad and have lost interest or pleasure in your usual activities, you may be depressed.

Symptoms of depression, on the other hand, aren’t as clear-cut as they are for a common cold. Intense sadness and a feeling of hopelessness often comes into play. Depressive symptoms can also range from mild to severe overnight, and they often disguise themselves as everyday habits and emotions that you wouldn’t necessarily consider depressive behavior.

If you’ve experienced several of the signs listed below, call NeuroHealth for a neuropsychological assessment and treatment plan.

Depressive Behaviors

• Not having the energy to go out anymore
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• A lack of concentration
• Relying on alcohol and other sedatives
• No longer wanting to do the activities you usually enjoy

Feelings of Depression

• Disappointed
• Indecisive
• Irritable
• Frustrated
• Guilty
• A lack of confidence
• Miserable
• Sad

Depressive Thoughts

• ‘I must be weak to have become depressed.’
• ‘I don’t think depression is worth talking about.’
• ‘I’m worthless.’
• ‘I am a burden on others.’
• ‘I either figure this out or I end my life.’
• ‘People would be better off without me.’

Symptoms of Physical Depression

• Headaches
• Back pain
• Muscle aches and joint pain
• Chest pain
• Digestive problems
• Exhaustion and fatigue
• Problems with sleeping
• Change in appetite and fluctuation
• Dizziness or feeling lightheaded