The Pearla Mutombo Foundation "Autism Where Hope Lives"

01/21/2026

🤔💭 answer in the comments below 👇

01/21/2026

01/21/2026

College is exciting, but it’s also stressful. For some kids, so many changes and new responsibilities all at once can trigger depression. The lack of structure and support also makes college an especially difficult time for kids to cope with depression.

Read more:
https://childmind.org/article/helping-college-kids-with-depression/

01/21/2026

It’s common for children to have more than one mental health or learning disorder. Called “co-occurring” disorders, they may be diagnosed at the same time, or one may be diagnosed later, if treatment for the first doesn’t resolve all the symptoms that are troubling them. Sometimes struggling with one disorder causes kids to develop another, especially anxiety or depression. Treatment needs to address both to be effective.

Read the full article:
https://childmind.org/article/kids-with-multiple-diagnoses/

01/21/2026

For many families with kids who have ADHD, sleep is one of the biggest challenges faced by both parents and kids. Bedtime can be chaotic. Kids may take hours to fall asleep, wake repeatedly during the night, or struggle to wake up in the morning. And in many households, everyone starts the day already exhausted.

These ADHD sleep issues are very common. William Benson, PhD, a psychologist in the ADHD and Behavior Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute, says sleep problems are “one of the most frequent challenges” he sees in children and teens with ADHD. “Some estimates suggest that 50 percent or more of individuals with ADHD experience significant sleep disturbances,” he says. For some kids, sleep problems can also be a side effect of stimulant medication.

Sleep challenges can show up at the start of the night, in the middle, or in the morning — and many kids struggle with all three. Kids may resist bedtime, feel “wide awake” even when exhausted, wake multiple times overnight, or sleep so deeply that mornings become the most stressful part of the day.

ADHD makes sleep harder because calming racing thoughts, settling emotions, and winding down the body all require self-regulation — something kids with ADHD struggle with, even when they’re tired. Anxiety, inconsistent routines, natural circadian shifts in adolescence, and medication timing can all add to the challenge.

Poor sleep can make ADHD symptoms worse during the day, affecting focus, mood, and behavior. But improving sleep — even a little — can help kids feel more regulated and make family life more manageable.

“Kids aren’t trying to give their parents a hard time,” Dr. Benson says. “They’re having a hard time.”

🔗 Read the full article:
https://childmind.org/article/adhd-and-sleep-issues/

01/19/2026

Martin Luther King Jr. delivers a speech at UC Berkeley’s Sproul Plaza in Berkeley, Calif., on May 17, 1967.

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
— from In My Own Words, a collection of King’s sermons, speeches and writings selected by his widow, Coretta

✨✨🙏 Never Lose Hope

01/14/2026

Behavior is communication. And most of the time, it’s pointing to an unmet need.

Schools often talk about the 4 functions of behavior, but understanding the function isn’t enough if we ignore what the student actually needs.

This article walks through:
• the 4 functions
• real school examples
• and what gets missed in behavior plans

Save this for your next IEP or behavior meeting. 👇

01/11/2026

You've probably heard that eggs are a great way to get protein. But lots of other foods, from chickpeas to h**p seeds, offer just as much or more. https://wb.md/49rX2x6

01/11/2026

Did you know the cashews you buy in stores with a raw label aren’t exactly that? Before they hit shelves, they’re steamed to remove a toxin called urushiol — the same toxin found in poison ivy — in their shells. https://wb.md/3Z0h6Se

01/11/2026

The best defense against back pain from ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is controlling your disease with a daily treatment plan. It will usually include medications your doctor recommends. When the pain is worse than normal and you’re having a flare, your doctor may have you try other drugs.

But you can take steps on your own, besides meds, to ease pain and stiffness. https://wb.md/3N7BBKd

01/11/2026

Zinc not only needed for your cells fight off bacteria and viruses, it also helps you heal wounds, aids your senses of smell and taste, and is important for infants and children as they grow. More on zinc: https://wb.md/4ppaacl

01/11/2026

In your relationship, does it ever feel like one person is quietly steering the ship? 😬
In the Gottman world, “accepting influence” is one of those research-backed habits that separates couples who feel like true teammates from couples who end up stuck in power struggles. It is not about giving in or losing your voice. It is about letting your partner’s inner world actually matter in what you do together.
This new guide unpacks what accepting influence is, how it protects relationships from resentment and gridlock, and simple prompts you can try in your next conversation.
Read the full guide and explore ways to practice this in your own relationship here: https://bit.ly/3KJmm9k

Important note: These concepts are not meant for relationships where there is abuse or violence. In those situations, safety and specialized support must come first.