Katie Blaha, PhD

11/04/2025

Mayor Scott has announced funding for various crucially needed services, including food, childcare, housing, utilities, and employment assistance, for Baltimore city residents to mitigate the effects of the ongoing government shutdown.

Mayor Brandon M. Scott has announced a $4.68 million investment by the City of Baltimore to support residents and federal workers impacted by the ongoing government shutdown.

11/04/2025

Baltimore, mark your calendars! 📅 Next month, MOHS joins local agencies and partners for the Pathway to Assistance and Transition from Homelessness (PATH) Community Fair (Nov. 14–15), a two-day event focused on connecting Baltimore residents experiencing homelessness with essential services, care, and support. 

Together, we’re building stronger pathways to stability. 💛

10/28/2025

With the possibility of a drastic reduction in food-providing benefits (including SNAP) in Maryland as of November 1st due to the government shutdown (linked news article with more information in the comments), please find Baltimore-area free fridges and pantries, as well as pet pantries, in the linked resources below.

The link can also connect people who want to start a free fridge or pantry in their community to guidance offered by the Bmore Community Fridge Network.

BCFN coordinates free food, meals, and resources for Baltimore community fridges

10/16/2025

Feeling anxious? You’re not alone. In a world filled with uncertainty, anxiety can feel overwhelming. But there’s a simple way to ground yourself when those feelings arise.

The Soles of the Feet practice can help you stay centered in the face of anxiety. By focusing on the sensations in your feet, you can anchor your attention, calm your mind, and reconnect with the present moment.

✨ Want to try it out? https://vist.ly/4aixf

10/16/2025

Your words have power, especially the ones you say to yourself. Talk a little nicer to yourself today. 💙 You're doing your best, and that is always enough.

09/25/2025

🚪💜 Rapid Rehousing Program
Our RRH Program supports individuals 18+ with safe units and rental support so they can transition into permanent housing.

✨ Program features:
✔ Efficiency & 1-bedroom units
✔ Rental funding (6–12 months) through MOHS
✔ Housing assistance + case management

📌 MOHS Matched Referrals Only (for entry).

Because everyone deserves the chance to rebuild their life with dignity. 🌈

09/25/2025

How do you refer to your students? Taking the time to rephrase our binary language is so important! Using gendered language that doesn’t include all of your students is harmful, especially over the course of their educational career. Think about feeling othered or left out every day…week..month…the entire school year. Learn more in our chapter on “Daily Gender-Inclusive Practices” from our book Gender Inclusive Schools! Link to purchase the book in the comments!

09/25/2025

09/25/2025

09/25/2025

Asking “What do I need?” is not selfish—it’s self-compassion in action.
When we truly care for ourselves, we’re better able to care for others. This question is like a compass bringing us closer to alignment with our values.

🌱 Next time you feel stressed or overwhelmed, try asking: What do I need right now? Then honor your answer.

09/25/2025

About a month into the new school year, some students and families are struggling with inconsistent school attendance or, worse still, complete school non-attendance. Dr. Eli Lebowitz, expert in childhood anxiety disorders, offers an overview of effective strategies for helping non-attending kids get back on their feet at school and re-integrated into their learning communities.

A six-point plan for parents for getting school-refusing children back to school. to learn more about SPACE, parent-based treatment for child anxiety and OCD...

09/24/2025

My fellow psychologist at Mt Washington Pediatric Hospital, Dr. Harper Johnston, provided factual information based on her decades of experience in autism research in response to harmful disinformation promoted by the current presidential administration.

“[The] study the White House is citing to support this claim shows only a correlation, not causation, and explicitly states that further research is needed to determine if acetaminophen directly causes autism.

Harper Johnston, a licensed psychologist at Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital with more than three decades of autism research experience, explained the difference between correlation and causation in this context.

"What that could be is that mothers who are taking acetaminophen have certain pre-existing medical conditions. It could be anything from chronic pain to immune system problems, and they're more likely to take acetaminophen. And then their preexisting condition is the thing that is causing an immune response against the fetal brain development," Johnston said.

Johnston emphasized that the scientific understanding of autism's causes remains incomplete.

…The Autism Society of Maryland has received numerous calls and emails from concerned parents following the administration's announcement. Executive Director Melissa Rosenberg described the community's reaction.

"I think it's been a very emotional day in the wake of the announcement, starting last night. Lots of very strong feelings on the part of professionals, family members, and certainly our autistic self-advocates," Rosenberg said.

Beyond the scientific concerns, autism advocates criticized the language used in the announcement as harmful to the autism community.

"Some of the things that said were very hurtful to the autism community. Describing an individual as being at the heart of a horrible crisis that's destroying families, it's not only inaccurate, but it's dehumanizing, it's dangerous, and that kind of language upends the value and lived experiences of autistic people," Rosenberg said.

The Autism Society is available to help families struggling after the announcement.”

Trump claims acetaminophen causes autism during pregnancy, but experts say research shows correlation, not causation. Autism advocates respond.