By Emily Hanlon Christmas morning. Wrapping paper flies, giggles echo through the house, and then... " This gift SUCKS!"  your child blurts out. Ouch. Right in front of the in-laws, too. Cue the awkward silence. But what if I told you that this wasn’t rudeness or ingratitude? What if it was disappointment ? The build-up to holidays like Christmas is intense. From advent calendars and Santa wish lists to sparkly decorations and presents under the tree... the hype is real . As adults, we often...

By Emily Hanlon We all love the idea  of Christmas... the joy, the magic, the candy cane-scented memories. But behind the scenes? It’s a lot . Especially for neurodivergent children. The Disruption of Routine During the holidays, structure often disappears: Bedtimes are inconsistent. Meals are unpredictable (and sugar-laden). Activities vary day to day. Social expectations increase. For many kids, this can be exciting. But for others, especially our ADHD, autistic, anxious kiddos... it’s...

By Emily Hanlon “Sensory supports are not rewards.” This isn’t just a professional opinion; it’s a non-negotiable stance I hold as a child psychologist. It’s a hill I will die on. Every week, I walk into schools where fidgets, wobble cushions, movement breaks, noise-cancelling headphones, and calm-down corners are treated like gold stars...only to be handed out if a child “behaves.” And every week, I see the fallout of that mindset. Let’s get one thing straight: Sensory tools are not...