Dr. Luba Stein, Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.

10/23/2025

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Create-Change-at-Our-Autumn-Art-Night-.html?soid=1109382325610&aid=7TnxMIo1NVs

Email from Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR) Join Us in Painting a Brighter Future - Reserve Your Ticket Today! Valued Supporter, we invite you to immerse yourself in an evening of creativit

05/15/2025

Sounds painfully familiar, right? Everyone has ADHD. What contributes to it? What can be done?

Screen Time Contributes to Functional ADHD

In today’s digital world, screen time is nearly unavoidable—especially for children and teens. From educational apps to gaming, social media, and streaming, screens are deeply woven into our daily lives. While some screen time can be beneficial, an over-reliance on digital media—especially fast-paced, reward-heavy content—can condition the brain in powerful ways, shaping how we think, feel, and behave.

The connection between screen time and functional ADHD is a growing concern in clinical neuropsychology, especially as we observe more children and adolescents presenting with attention difficulties that mimic or exacerbate ADHD symptoms—without necessarily meeting criteria for a formal diagnosis. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as “functional ADHD” or screen-induced attentional dysregulation.

1. Screens Condition the Brain to Expect Rapid, Frequent Rewards
Many digital platforms use variable-ratio reinforcement schedules, where rewards (likes, wins, notifications, etc.) come unpredictably. This pattern is extremely effective at activating the brain’s dopaminergic system, particularly the mesolimbic pathway.
Result: The brain becomes trained to seek fast gratification.
Functional ADHD effect: Difficulty engaging with slow-paced, effortful tasks like reading or sustained writing—because these tasks don’t offer the same quick dopamine “hits.”
Read the full blog here
https://www.jeltova.com/screen-time-lost-time

05/14/2025

It is impossible to make sense of ourselves, never mind our children, without a clear understanding of these three important constructs. Yet increasingly, these dynamics are becoming confused with each other, with both shyness and shame losing their distinctiveness and drifting into the dark shadow of social anxiety. The impact on children can be devastating, never mind on parenting, teaching and even treatment. Teasing these dynamics apart, and reclaiming the right language to support them, has never been more important.

Join Dr. Gordon Neufeld to explore these topics in this online lecture on June 5th. Tuition is $35. Register now: https://discover.neufeldinstitute.org/

Can't attend live? No problem! The event will be recorded, and all registered participants will receive access to the recording.

04/07/2025

Join Dr. Neufeld live in Vancouver on April 30, 2025, for a special event on how attachment can be the antidote to anxiety, frustration, and attention issues in children.

Following the presentation, meet Dr. Neufeld at an exclusive book signing:
Already own Hold On to Your Kids? Bring your copy!

All attendees receive Chapter 21 for free, his latest insights on post-pandemic peer orientation and mental health.

The 2024 edition, featuring Chapter 21, will be available for purchase.

Tickets & details: https://www.bellperformingartscentre.com/event/supporting-wellbeing-in-2025-i

The event takes place at

04/07/2025

"One of the most important things is simply to trust in that process; to know that rest will bear fruit. If we can actually bring a child to rest ... it's not always easy to get a child to rest, but if we can bring a child to rest, nature will do the rest. That is our fundamental challenge, our fundamental job."

- Dr. Gordon Neufeld in his Helping Children Grow Up course

04/05/2025

Kids need to move and have fun! That’s a perfect place to do all of the above!

New Tuesday Morning Class Schedule!
Introducing Super Beasts at 11:15!
New Beasts/Super Beasts time 10:25 (was 10:30)

03/25/2025