Author name: Devora Samet

(2-minute read) (2-minute read) Does a Child with Social Challenges Automatically Have Autism? As parents or teachers, it can be concerning when we notice a child struggling socially. Maybe they interrupt others often, miss subtle social cues, or have a hard time managing their emotions around peers. One question I often get is: “Does this […]

(2-minute read) Question: Hi Devora, I’m wondering if you can help me with my question. I attended Sarah Ward’s workshop last year and gained a lot in different areas. However, while I heard all the “Do Not’s,” I’m still at a loss when it comes to the “Do’s.” I know that lists aren’t beneficial and

(30-second read) Is Our Family Normal? Are Our Children Okay? A Social Behavior Story Especially For Parents… We often imagine and wish that the time we spend on holidays and Yomim Tovim with our children and family will bring us nachas (pride) and joy — but oftentimes, it can be quite the opposite. A lot

(30-second read) Hi All, Last year, I wrote a short book which was actually a social story to prepare children for the expectations of Erev Pesach and Pesach. It contains behaviors that parents and professionals requested to be in the book. I modified it slightly to make it relevant to this year’s yomtov schedule. To

(1-minute read) We Do Our Part—And Let Go of the Rest I learned a powerful idea this week from Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski that really resonated with me, and I wanted to share it. I’m grateful to my TorahMate in Dallas, Betty, with whom I study Twerski on Chumash each week. This sefer (book)

(1-minute read) How to Respond When Anxiety Says, “Stay Home”: The Power of Your Response In last week’s post, we explored the anxiety formula: (Threat Likelihood × Threat Severity) + Physiology ÷ Coping = Anxiety Intensity While building coping skills is key, sometimes the most powerful tool we have as adults is how we respond to a

(1-minute read) Why Do Some Kids Experience More Intense Anxiety Than Others? A parent recently asked me, Why does my son’s anxiety feel so overwhelming compared to other kids? It’s a great question—anxiety looks different for every child, but some experience it far more intensely than others. I recently came across a simple formula that helps explain

(2.5-minute read) Expanding Your Anti-Anxiety Toolbox: Strategies for Every Kind of Mind In continuation of last week’s blog, it’s important to remember that there’s no single anxiety strategy that works for everyone. That’s why it’s so helpful to have a whole “bag of tricks” — a variety of approaches to suit different situations and personalities.

(3-minute read) Teenage Manipulation: What to Do When Your Teen Says, “You Never Spend Time With Me” Question: “Thanks for sharing more on this topic (of teens and tweens). These are very helpful tips and can go a long way. What happens when a teenage daughter is manipulative and uses this all to manipulate the parents

(2-minute read) Staying Connected with Your Tween or Teen:A Few Final Ideas to Strengthen Your Bond In the past two blog posts, we explored effective strategies for strengthening your connection with your tween or teen—fully listening, validating their perspective, and creating special one-on-one time. Now, let’s wrap up with a few final ideas to deepen