Author name: Devora Samet

(1-minute read) Solutions for my thoughts, feelings, sensations, urges, and actions To get a pdf of this sheet for your personal use, click here. When I teach a class of students, I ask the kids to fill out a Reflection sheet at the end of each class, which gives me feedback from each of the students. […]

(2-minute read) Question: I have a student who doesn’t think through her decisions. Instead, she makes impulsive choices which she later regrets. Sometimes, she’s not so lucky and her choice is irreversible. She cries and throws a fit demanding that I should fix things for her. Is there anything I can do to help stop

(1-minute read) A few months ago, my very good neighbor and dear friend encouraged me to become a TorahMate. I finally joined and it has really paid its dividends. My TorahMate is a lovely young lady from Dallas, Texas, who is also a therapist! She wanted to learn the weekly Parsha (Torah portion) and I

(30-second read) My plan was to send an email last week Monday, and my message was going to be that… I give you permission to take care of yourself. Take the time off to do something nice for yourself, especially when the kids have off and the schedule is less pressuring as there is no

(1-minute read) Whether you’re going on vacation or doing a stay-cation, kids can get very dysregulated, whiny, and out-of-control, especially when there is a lack of structure. What makes it even more upsetting is when parents make elaborate plans so that their child should have an enjoyable time, but the child complains and is ungrateful.

(1-minute read) Vacation are supposed to be fun and exciting, right?? Well, for some families, the thought of traveling with children who tantrum, fight, and complain, especially in public places, can be a nightmare. Although there is no magic trick to prevent problems on a trip, a social story or mini-behavior book can make a

(1-minute read) So how many times should we remind our students and children to do routine tasks? Last week, I mentioned that we should teach, not preach. Constant reminders come across as preaching. They usually don’t go over so well in the long run. They also make kids become dependent on the adults instead of

(1-minute read) Question: Hi Dr. Samet, I teach 7th grade girls and my students are mostly intelligent and talented young ladies. There are approximately 6 students in my class who have strong personalities and their behavior is negatively affecting the social vibe in my classroom. During recess, they  can be very overpowering and don’t give other girls

(2-minute read) Several years ago, I created this chart for a 7th grader who did all the reds above!! She had difficulties in many areas. She was annoying to her siblings, kept away from her peers, didn’t know how to keep herself busy in a productive manner, didn’t help much at home, and had a

(2-minute read) Sometimes, as parents, educators, and professionals, we struggle with a child and wonder if we’re making any real difference. We have self-doubt whether the strategies we’re using are worth the backlash from the child. The tantrums, the arguing, the crying, and the cursing…(a/k/a an extinction burst – the child gets worse initially to