Ridge Zeller Therapy

02/12/2026

When life hurts, how we feel matters just as much as what we’re going through.
Chronic stress keeps our nervous systems in survival mode, not just making us anxious, but dulling motivation, pleasure, and connection. This article highlights tools like ventilating emotions in a safe space, practicing radical acceptance, and pressing pause on reactions so we can calm our nervous systems and make room for joy again.

Naming and expressing feelings, not suppressing them, helps the brain settle, easing fear and grief while inviting motivation and connection back in.

When stress overwhelms, our nervous system can get stuck in survival mode. Ventilation, acceptance, and small pleasures help restore calm and hope.

02/11/2026

Adaptive clothing = independence + confidence
The latest episode of Enable: The Disability Podcast highlights how adaptive clothing makes everyday life easier for people with disabilities, from magnetic closures to thoughtful design that helps with dressing, comfort, and personal style.

Adaptive fashion isn’t just functional, it’s about inclusion, dignity, and expression for all bodies.

The clothes are designed for people of all abilities, including wheelchair users or those with sensory issues.

02/10/2026

Researchers at the University of Rhode Island are using advanced motion capture technology to study how motor skills like jaw and lip movement, relate to early language development in young children. By tracking facial movement during speech and comparing kids with typical language milestones to late talkers, this study aims to predict language delays earlier and get kids into the right support sooner.

The goal? A Better understanding of how motor coordination and language grow together so children can get help earlier and more effectively!

KINGSTON, R.I. — Jan. 14, 2026 — Despite the well-documented academic, cognitive, and social difficulties associated with persistent language disorders, predicting early-life language issues remains a significant challenge for researchers and clinicians. Using acoustic equipment and an advanced ...

02/09/2026

For many autistic children, even those with strong cognitive skills, handwriting can be one of the biggest academic hurdles because fine motor control and letter formation take much longer and feel harder than for their peers. It’s more than just messy writing, it can affect confidence, classroom participation, and how quickly kids can show what they know.
What helps? Occupational therapy, adaptive tools (like keyboards), and patience over pressure.



https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/wellness/story/autistic-children-handwriting-biggest-challenge-9036125

02/08/2026

New research shows that when preschoolers swap screen time for shared book reading with a caregiver, they boost their language and emotional skills. It doesn’t matter if the screen content is “educational” the magic is in the human interaction and rich language that happens during reading together.

A new analysis finds that replacing time on digital devices with shared reading improves language and emotional development, even when compared to educational apps.

02/07/2026

Play isn’t just fun, it’s key to social growth!
New research shows that the way kids play, especially pretend play with others, is connected to important social skills like sharing, helping, and understanding feelings. When kids use internal state language (talking about thoughts and emotions) during play, it even lights up brain areas linked to empathy and perspective-taking.
So next time they’re lost in playtime, remember: they’re building social brains one game at a time.

A new study has uncovered the ways different types of play are linked to children's social abilities and brain activity. The research, conducted by researchers at King's College London and Cardiff University, has uncovered how children's play styles differ depending on whether they are playing alone...

02/06/2026

Transitions big or small can feel overwhelming for little ones because uncertainty is hard, not the change itself. What they really need isn’t stress-free days, but steady, emotionally present adults who help them feel safe and understood.

Small consistent rituals, predictable routines, and lots of empathy help children build resilience and confidence in facing new situations. It's not about perfection, it’s about showing up with love. Give them tools, remind them of past wins, and keep connection first.

Transitions can stir big feelings in young children, even when nothing is “wrong.” Steady, emotionally present caregiving helps them build resilience through everyday change.

02/05/2026

According to psychology, boomers who stick to 7 simple morning habits, from waking up consistently to moving before checking their phone, show more self-discipline than 95% of people.

While millennials debate the perfect morning routine app, disciplined boomers have quietly mastered seven science-backed habits that psychologists say create an almost unfair advantage in self-control—and the research behind why they work might surprise you.

02/04/2026

Arizona State University scientists have uncovered a surprising role for the cerebellum, long known for movement, showing it also helps shape social behavior during early development. Disruptions in cerebellum-brain connections during critical early life stages impacted social behaviors in animal models and could offer new insights into autism.

There is a window of time, a critical period, during infancy and early childhood when the brain learns how to process information — what different objects look like, parsing sounds that make up language and how to navigate social interactions. If the brain is not exposed to information during this...

02/03/2026

What if resilience isn’t something you’re born with, but something you build every day? A retired Navy SEAL commander breaks down the science‑backed pillars that help elite warriors stay steady under pressure, and how you can apply them in life, work, and leadership too. If you want a practical, science‑informed guide to staying calm, focused, and purpose‑driven no matter what life throws at you, this is a must‑read.

These science-backed pillars of resilience work in the battlefield and the boardroom

02/02/2026

Why Autism Runs in Some Families, New Genetic Clues

Scientists are uncovering powerful new insights into the genetic roots of autism. Recent research shows that autism isn’t caused by a single gene instead, a complex mix of rare mutations and common genetic variants can influence whether someone on the spectrum develops it. Some of these changes are inherited, others happen spontaneously, and environmental factors still play a role too.
Read the full article to learn more about how genetics shapes autism and why researchers caution against oversimplifying this complex condition.

This report is based on a recent in-depth article by the BBC, which examined how modern genetics is transforming scientific understanding of autism and reigniting debates within the autistic community about identity, disability and treatment

02/01/2026

What Is Autism Masking And Why It Matters

Many autistic people engage in masking, a coping strategy where natural behaviors are suppressed or hidden so they fit in with social expectations. While masking might help in the short term, it can take a real toll on mental health, leading to exhaustion, burnout, stress, and even delayed diagnosis when traits are hidden too well. Autistic individuals deserve spaces where they can be their authentic selves without stigma or pressure to conform.

Autism masking refers to autistic people hiding natural traits or behaviors, often due to stigma or a fear of rejection. Learn more here.