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Child Development Central

Practical, evidence-based information for parents and professionals.

Attention
How to Break Free of Your Phone's 'Persuasive Design'

Mark Bertin M.D. on December 31, 2023

To raise children in a more balanced world and improve our mental health, we can each decide to push back at the way tech companies try to manipulate our online experience.

To raise children in a more balanced world and improve our mental health, we can each decide to push back at the way tech companies try to manipulate our online experience.

Empathy
Healing Your Children's Future

Mark Bertin M.D. on October 22, 2023

Even when what you most want is to convince someone to follow your heartfelt advice, it starts with understanding what they most care about. 

Even when what you most want is to convince someone to follow your heartfelt advice, it starts with understanding what they most care about. 

Parenting
The Most Reliable Ways to Help Kids Thrive

Mark Bertin M.D. on August 14, 2023

What conditions can we rely on that make it more likely our children thrive? Around nearly any parenting challenge, let go of trends and return to well-seasoned guidance instead. 

What conditions can we rely on that make it more likely our children thrive? Around nearly any parenting challenge, let go of trends and return to well-seasoned guidance instead. 

ADHD
Making Collaboration Work With ADHD

Mark Bertin M.D. on January 19, 2023

ADHD affects group work directly. From the start, consider discussing how both parties work best and discuss how you might resolve or negotiate differences in work style.  

ADHD affects group work directly. From the start, consider discussing how both parties work best and discuss how you might resolve or negotiate differences in work style.  

Attention
Healthy and Mindful Eating for Children

Mark Bertin M.D. on December 7, 2022

Mindful eating is deliberately paying attention and being fully aware as you eat, inside your body, outside yourself, and in your environment, but without criticism or judgment.

Mindful eating is deliberately paying attention and being fully aware as you eat, inside your body, outside yourself, and in your environment, but without criticism or judgment.

ADHD
Preparing Students With ADHD for College

Mark Bertin M.D. on September 28, 2022

Students with ADHD face a perfect storm of challenges at college, as all the support and scaffolding of parents and high school teachers falls away.

Students with ADHD face a perfect storm of challenges at college, as all the support and scaffolding of parents and high school teachers falls away.

Meditation
Sharon Salzberg and the Power of Compassion

Mark Bertin M.D. on August 19, 2022

We have agency in terms of what we're going to do about something. You might have a huge wave of anger—that doesn't mean you're going to press send on the e-mail. It's up to you.

We have agency in terms of what we're going to do about something. You might have a huge wave of anger—that doesn't mean you're going to press send on the e-mail. It's up to you.

Mindfulness
The Power of Nonviolent Communication

Mark Bertin M.D. on May 23, 2022

Will we revert to stone-age methods of dominance, even in personal interactions, or can we recognize and embody our potential for compassion and cooperation?

Will we revert to stone-age methods of dominance, even in personal interactions, or can we recognize and embody our potential for compassion and cooperation?

Health
Communicating with Your Health Care Provider

Mark Bertin M.D. on April 22, 2022

Communication can be a challenge in any human interaction, but particularly when discussing stressful topics in a health care visit.

Communication can be a challenge in any human interaction, but particularly when discussing stressful topics in a health care visit.

ADHD
Why Is Adult ADHD So Often Unrecognized?

Mark Bertin M.D. on February 22, 2022

Just the act of getting diagnosed can be a game-changer with ADHD. It's like reading the last chapter of a mystery novel, where suddenly you look back and everything makes sense.

Just the act of getting diagnosed can be a game-changer with ADHD. It's like reading the last chapter of a mystery novel, where suddenly you look back and everything makes sense.

OCD
Living With Both ADHD and OCD

Mark Bertin M.D. on January 20, 2022

Having either ADHD or OCD can be challenging in itself. But having both is greater than the sum of its parts.  

Having either ADHD or OCD can be challenging in itself. But having both is greater than the sum of its parts.  

ADHD
Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and ADHD

Mark Bertin M.D. on September 14, 2021

Your habitual nasty voice is not based in reality. Most people feel better and work harder when they let go of self-criticism.

Your habitual nasty voice is not based in reality. Most people feel better and work harder when they let go of self-criticism.

ADHD
Your ADHD Plan: A Recipe for Better Focus

Mark Bertin M.D. on June 21, 2021

An effective and compassionate path of trial and error around ADHD relies on a clear-sighted exploration of what’s possible without self-criticism or blame.

An effective and compassionate path of trial and error around ADHD relies on a clear-sighted exploration of what’s possible without self-criticism or blame.

DSM
The Reality of Auditory Processing and Our Online World

Mark Bertin M.D. on March 23, 2021

A crisis of misinformation escalates parents’ stress while often providing misguided direction.  There is no straightforward way to sort out what is valid around childrenn today.

A crisis of misinformation escalates parents’ stress while often providing misguided direction.  There is no straightforward way to sort out what is valid around childrenn today.

Attention
Coming to Attention: Mindfulness, Crisis, and Resilience

Mark Bertin M.D. on January 5, 2021

Mindfulness arises from a core premise. Ask yourself, is it true? Does paying attention matter? Nothing anyone says changes your life unless you try it yourself.

Mindfulness arises from a core premise. Ask yourself, is it true? Does paying attention matter? Nothing anyone says changes your life unless you try it yourself.

ADHD
ADHD at a Distance

Mark Bertin M.D. on August 31, 2020

Understanding what is needed and possible in any situation means framing ADHD as a disorder of self-management.

Understanding what is needed and possible in any situation means framing ADHD as a disorder of self-management.