What is my child's IQ?

Wednesday, September 28, 2011 by Kristina Murphy

The term ‘IQ’ actually stands for Intelligence Quotient, which was coined by William Stern in the 1920’s. There are many different theories on intelligence and how and if it can truly be measured.

 

IQ tests, currently often referred to as cognitive tests, have their limitations.

 

One may seek out cognitive testing, or IQ testing, for certain purposes. One reason may be to gain access into a private school or to receive enrichment services. Another reason it to gather information on a child’s  thinking and reasoning skills in conjunction with academic functioning to investigate if a learning disability is present.

 

If you have questions about testing, you can contact a child psychologist at Child and Family Development to see if testing your child is appropriate.

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Anxiety, ADHD or Both??!!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011 by Kristina Murphy
Anxiety can be both a symptom and a disorder itself. Children with anxiety may talk about their fears and worries but some may not be able to articulate the underlying cause of their restlessness or feelings of irritation.

Anxiety is often complicated by symptoms of irritability, distractability, difficulty concentrating or trouble eating or sleeping. Some children may complain of stomach aches, headaches or body soreness. While some worry is normal for most children, it is a serious concern when it interferes with a child's functioning and life.

ADHD is a neurobiological disorder, not a symptom. Anxiety, however, is often a symptom of an attention disorder or can present itself as one. ADHD is characterized by having difficulty sustaining attention, being easily distracted, hyperactive and impulsive. Children with ADHD may also struggle with emotional meltdowns, low self-esteem, troubled relationships and poor performance in school.

It is important to properly identify the source of the dysfunction. At Child and Family Development, we provide comprehensive diagnostic evaluations to investigate if a child has an anxiety disorder, ADHD or both.

Visit our website, www.childandfamilydevelopment.com, for more information or call to schedule an appointment with a child psychologist. 


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Summer....a good time for reflection

Wednesday, June 29, 2011 by Kristina Murphy

Now that summer is officially underway, a good activity to do with your children is to reflect back on the school year. 

Have your child think about all the things they improved upon, did well and are proud of from the beginning of the year. Acknowledging the things we worked hard at and did well helps improve and strengthen one's self-esteem. 

Once your child has really thought about the past academic year, you can then turn to setting goals for summer fun as well as the following school year.  


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Preparing students with ADHD and LD for College

Monday, October 18, 2010 by Kristina Murphy

Last week I posted information regarding a wonderful resource for students with ADHD or a Learning Disability applying to college.  But what about when you are in college and you are struggling to get your feet grounded without your parents' guidance and support? Or you have been accepted and want to learn ways to make the transition from high school to college as smooth as possible?

I recently came across a wonderful resource for helping students transition into the wonderful yet very scary world of college.  Ready for Take-Off: Preparing Your Teen with ADHD and LD for College by Theresa Laurie Maitland, Ph.D. & Patricia Quinn, MD. 

It would be most ideal to read this book as well as implement some of the strategies into your senior year (or earlier) to help smooth the transition.

Other resources to learn self-advocacy and study skills can be found on ADD Warehouse or working with a professional.  I currently work with students in high school and college on preparing for and dealing with the transition to college as well as everything it brings with it. 


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The ABC's of Behavior

Monday, October 11, 2010 by Kristina Murphy
Behavior is a specific action that a person does that can be observed. 

Example: Behavior--Tommy calls out in class. (concrete and measurable)
                Not a behavior--Dawn is disruptive.

In order to change a behavior, you first need to understand the chain of events that determine what will happen with a specific behavior in the future.

A=Antecedent:  Situation that comes BEFORE a behavior.  This sets the stage for a behavior to occur.  This can be an immediate setting event (i.e., parent request) or a long-term setting event (i.e., did not sleep enough the night before).

B=Behavior:  The actual behavior that is observed.  It is important to observe the behavior and determine if your child is having a skill or performance deficit.  A skill deficit is when the child does not have the skill in his/her repertoire.  A performance deficit is when the child has the skill but does not choose to use it.  It is also important to identify the correct behavior and what function the behavior is serving your child.

C=Consequences: What happens immediately following the behavior.  This can occur naturally or be planned.  The type of consequence that follows a behavior will determine if the behavior will occur more frequently or less frequently in the future.

With careful observation and documentation of the ABC's one can start to better understand the behaviors, the chain of events, and the factors that are contributing to the behavior. 

If you become more aware of the ABC's and still need assistance in finding ways to change the A's or C's, a counselor or child psychologist may be able to help you.  I work with many families at Child and Family Development with this process.  If you find you need assistance, you can call to schedule an appointment with me or another psychologist at 704-332-4834
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Students with ADHD and Learning Disabilities attending College

Wednesday, October 6, 2010 by Kristina Murphy
I was reading an article by Blythe Grossberg, Psy.D that stated, "5 times the number of students with learning disabilities now enter college than they did in the 1980's".

Applying to college is stressful enough without trying to also find a college that suits your needs as a student with a disability.  Dr. Grossberg's book, Applying to College for Students with ADD and LD: A Guide to Keep You (and your parents) Sane, Satisfied, and Organized Through the Admission Process may be a good resource to help you navigate the maze of college search and application.

For more information regarding Dr. Grossberg's article or book you can visit the website: www.myadhd.com.

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Worried about the SAT?

Monday, October 4, 2010 by Kristina Murphy
Often times students worry about test taking.  For some students this begins at an early age, such as during school administered tests like the End of Grade (EOG) tests.  For other students, worry and/or fear may develop in high school when students begin preparing for college.  Both the PSAT and the SAT can elevate stress for students as they prepare for college and in many cases prepare to leave home and their parents.

Anxious feelings can develop for students prior to test taking, including lack of sleep, lack of appetite, more easily agitated or irritable and/or lack of confidence.

We often hear that a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast are prerequisites for the SAT.  Thus, students experiencing test anxiety may not be off to such a great start.  While sleep and food are important, proper preparation prior to testing as well as being able to relax your mind and body during testing so optimal performance can be reached are extremely important.

If you, or your child, experience stressful and anxious feelings about test taking, a professional may be able to help.  In my line of work, I often help students experiencing test anxiety through a series of sessions aimed at reducing worry and fear, raising self-confidence, becoming aware of proper study habits and test taking techniques.

If you would like additional information about counseling services, please contact Tina Murphy, Psy.D., licensed psychologist at Child and Family Development, Charlotte, NC at 704-332-4834.
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Developmental Assessments Part II: Now What?

Friday, October 23, 2009 by Kristina Murphy

In my last blog I gave some brief general information about what a developmental assessment is and who might be in need of one.  Also, Melissa Bradley, Occupational Therapist at Child and Family Development recently blogged on developmental milestones that will serve as another good reference. 

If you are thinking a developmental assessment might be the next step for your child, now what?

First, set up an appointment with a psychologist or other professional that has knowledge about children and development.  Depending on the area of concern you may need to seek out an occupational therapist, physical therapist, speech/language therapist, or psychologist.  

A psychologist will evaluate cognitive functions including, but not limited to,  processing, memory, intelligence, attention/concentration, adaptive behavior, and learning.  

Prior to your appointment download the medical history form and complete it.  This will maximize the time you will have with the psychologist as well as help you think of other information or questions you may have.

At the first appointment, expect to go through a lot of information.   Areas that may be discussed include:
  • The presenting problem
  • Family Health History
  • Pregnancy, Labor, and Delivery
  • Child's Health
  • Family Separation
  • Feeding
  • Sleep
  • Activity and Motor Development
  • Social Skills and Environment
  • Coping
  • Language and Communication
  • Toys and Play
  • Feelings and Mood
  • Fears and Anxieties
  • Aggressive Behavior
Once the intake is complete, the professional will be able to make an informed decision on how to assess your child as well as answer the questions you may have about their development.

Once the evaluation is complete, you will have information on where your child's development stands compared to others their age, your child's personal strengths and weaknesses, and areas to target for intervention.

If you are in need of a developmental assessment, contact Child and Family Development to schedule an appointment.
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Developmental Assessments by Psychologists

Tuesday, October 6, 2009 by Kristina Murphy

Children's growth and development usually follows a certain path.  However, each child's time for achieving milestones may be slightly different.  Each developmental milestone has a range of what is considered normal development.  To learn more about what is expected at your child's age you can visit www.zerotothree.org.

When children do not reach their developmental milestones within the broad range considered normal, they may have a delay.

If you suspect your child may be behind his age mates, a developmental assessment may be warranted.

Child and Family Development conducts developmental assessments which are tailored to a child's age and presenting problems.  Children from birth can be assessed.

Specific areas of ability that can be assessed include:
  • cognitive
  • motor
  • language
  • social-emotional
  • adaptive behavior
For children 3 years of age and older these areas can also be investigated:
  • memory and learning
  • sensori-motor
  • social perception
  • visuospatial processing
  • executive functioning
  • school readiness
The assessment will help deepen your understanding of your child's skills and abilities.  You will know if your child is behind their peers and what areas should be targeted for intervention.

If you feel your child may have a developmental delay, please contact our office to set up an appointment to discuss your concerns. 
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To test or not to test.......

Tuesday, August 25, 2009 by Kristina Murphy

As a child psychologist, I often get questions about "IQ" or intelligence tests.
 
Current assessment tools that attempt to measure intelligence and other cognitive processes are often referred to as cognitive assessments.  The term "IQ" is a bit outdated and  tends to give the illusion of a number that "tells all", while in actuality a number is just that, a number, and often does little to describe the way someone thinks, learns, or processes.

Someone may benefit from a cognitive or psychological assessment for:
~early entrance into school
~admittance into private school
~admittance into a gifted or talented program
~to investigate a possible learning issue or disability (such as ADHD/ADD, Autism, a Specific Learning Disability, etc.)

Here at Child and Family Development in Charlotte, North Carolina, we conduct psychological assessments (which may include cognitive measures), educational assessments, and a combination of both or psycho-educational assessments.  The type of assessment is based on the individual's need and presenting concerns.  

For more information on myself, Kristina Murphy, Psy.D., other staff, and services at Child and Family Development visit our website at www.childandfamilydevelopment.com.
 


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GONE GREEN!!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009 by Kristina Murphy

I am so excited to join the Child and Family Development team in Charlotte, North Carolina and BLOG!!  My name is Kristina Murphy and I am a licensed psychologist and the newest addition to the Midtown therapeutic team.  As a child psychologist, I conduct psychological assessments as well as provide therapy to children and adolescents. I enjoy working with all ages; however, have a special interest in adolescents.  I have experience working with a variety of issues including (but not limited to) ADHD, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, anxiety, depression, and life adjustments. Child and Family Development also provides speech language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and educational therapy.  To learn more about me and the other members of the team, visit our website at www.childandfamilydevelopment.com. 
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