Center for Psychological and Educational Assessment

04/03/2026

04/02/2026

🌟 April is Autism Acceptance Month! 🌟

This month (and every month) we celebrate the autistic community and the rich diversity of human experience. Acceptance goes beyond awareness: it means listening to autistic voices, embracing neurodiversity, and building a world where everyone belongs.

Here are a few ways to show up:
♾️Learn from autistic-led organizations and advocates ♾️Challenge assumptions and ditch harmful stereotypes
♾️Support inclusive workplaces, schools, and spaces
♾️Celebrate autistic joy, not just struggles

Autistic people are artists, scientists, activists, parents, friends, and so much more. They don't need to be "fixed": they need to be included, respected, and valued.

💙 This April, move beyond awareness to action.

04/01/2026

The New York State Department of Education refused to answer questions about the criticisms of their 10 million dollar literacy program such as who reviewed the course, the qualifications of instructors or the course content suggesting that balanced literacy is compatible with the science of reading. Instead, the department referred all questions to New York State United Teachers and the governor.

A New York State course intended to help educators use phonics and the science of reading effectively doesn’t do so and could impede students’ progress, literacy experts say.

03/30/2026

One day left to apply to become the next Elevate intern.

Elevate is a paid internship for people with disabilities who are looking to build meaningful careers and get paid for their work. Take Jordan, for example, who is currently interning with HD Supply. He says, “Elevate Academy helped me tackle some of my fears about not being competent enough, which had been a major concern of mine for quite some time. What I like most about the program is the opportunity to participate and continue improving myself.”

We thank our employer partners: Atlanta Braves , HD Supply , Dogma Dog Care , Piedmont , and Milner .

Learn more and don’t miss your chance to apply >>>> https://bobbydodd.org/elevate-academy/

ID: On a dark blue background, text reads: “Paid internships for people with disabilities. One day left to apply.” The Bobby Dodd Institute logo appears at the top.

03/26/2026

Is therapy always the answer for struggling kids?

A clinical psychologist with 20 years of experience is challenging what many parents assume: parents may be over-relying on therapy when many child struggles are actually developmentally normal.

The real spark of change is more likely to come from the parents than from a therapist. Research supports this too; parent-focused interventions can reduce child symptoms even without the child ever being in therapy.

Why? Because young children's brains often aren't developed enough to remember and apply coping strategies in the middle of a meltdown, but parents CAN learn to recognize triggers, get ahead of difficult moments, and respond in ways that reduce emotional dysregulation.

The line between normal struggle and disorder has become blurrier in today's mental health culture, and our culture's push for optimization may be leading families to seek diagnoses and treatment for experiences that are simply part of growing up.

This doesn't mean therapy is never the right call. It means the most powerful lever for change is often **you.**

Many parents think therapy is the solution when kids struggle. But the biggest lever for change might not be the child in therapy—it might be the parent.