Portsmouth Neuropsychology Center

10/17/2025

I'm excited to present on "The Effects of Trauma on Children and Impact on their Cognitive, Academic, and Social-Emotional Functioning in the Classroom" for Educational Technicians at the York School Department in early November. I love to partner with school districts to provide practical strategies for educators and promote the well-being of kids and teens.

From the "Spotlight on Special Education Professional Development":
"The York School Department is hosting a comprehensive Special Education professional development schedule this month, blending essential compliance and skill-building with cutting-edge expertise. Internal staff will lead key trainings on foundational practices...The schedule features a trio of expert guest speakers to deepen staff's specialized knowledge...Dr. Laura Rubin will present on the critical topic of trauma-informed practice, discussing the effects of trauma on children's cognitive, academic, and social-emotional functioning in the classroom."

10/06/2025

10/03/2025

October is ADHD and Learning Disabilities Awareness Month! Do you have a a struggling reader? Check out the following list of books about kids who also find reading difficult but also have their own set of strengths:

https://www.readingrockets.org/books-and-authors/booklists/kids-who-think-and-learn-differently/books-about-kids-who-find-reading

09/19/2025

The PNC Book of the Month! Key take-aways for psychological health: label feelings, manage our emotions, and focus on a sense of well-being (versus always seeking happiness, which can be short-lived).




brackett

09/18/2025

When kids believe in themselves, everything changes. Check out these 7 research-backed techniques—from giving meaningful choices to easing into tough tasks—which can help build self-esteem at school. Support, structure, and small wins make all the difference.

Explore the full guide from LD OnLine:
https://www.ldonline.org/ld-topics/self-esteem-stress-management/7-techniques-building-self-esteem-and-confidence

09/11/2025

What a fun night co-hosting the One Hundred Club Business Social with Laureen Dorow from White Birch Educational Services.

09/04/2025

A new study from Yale University highlights that Autism likely begins in the womb. Findings suggest that autism is primarily influenced by fetal genetics and placental development, challenging theories that link autism to vaccines.

“This puts a big nail into the theory that vaccines cause autism,” suggested Dr. Harvey Kliman. “Autism, in essence, starts in the womb, not after delivery, and is most likely due to the genetics of the placenta and to a lesser extent, the maternal environment the placenta finds itself in.”

In a new study, Yale researchers show that the placenta regulates serotonin delivery to the fetus, contrary to past beliefs that it manufactures the hormone.

08/29/2025

In the face of both local and national distressing events, consider the following in how to talk to children about difficult news (taken from the American Psychological Association):

1. Think about what you want to say.
2. Find a quiet moment.
3. Find out what they know.
4. Share your feelings with your child (at a developmentally appropriate level).
5. Lay out the facts at a level they can understand.
6. Reassure them that they are loved.

08/28/2025

Did you know that the risk of developing dementia is up to 45% determined by one’s lifestyle? Yale Assistant Professor of Neurology, Dr. Fesharaki-Zadeh, provides five simple tips for lowering your risk:

1) Make sure your diet is low in cholesterol. High cholesterol impairs heart and brain health.
2) Maintain your eye health, and wear glasses or contacts if needed. Individuals with uncorrected vision loss are up to 50% more likely to develop dementia due to decreased cognitive stimulation and increased social isolation.
3) Spend time with friends and family. Socializing helps to prevent depression and is linked to a longer life.
4) Exercise often. Exercise not only enhances heart health but also improves blood flow to the brain and supports mood regulation.
5) Drink less and eat healthily. Drinking after age 65 increases dementia risk. On the other hand, the Mediterranean diet has been shown to weaken the relationship between depression and dementia.

08/26/2025

A big thank you to for her work as a psychometrist intern this past summer at the Portsmouth Neuropsychology Center. Hannah returns to Yale this fall to resume her studies in neuroscience and psychology.

08/13/2025

Between 2-5% of children are affected by conduct disorder, which involves aggression towards people or animals, rule-breaking, and bullying. Up to 2% of children also have callous-unemotional (CU) traits; in other words, they lack empathy and tend to show less emotion. According to a recent article in Scientific American, research shows CU traits correlate with certain structural differences in the brain. While those with genetic CU traits do not respond well to punishment, studies show that a combination of guided rewards, emotional identification practice, and appropriate discipline can improve the parent-child relationship and help children learn to act in a more gentle way.

Interested in learning more to help your child? Schedule a consultation with a provider at the Portsmouth Neuropsychology Center.

08/11/2025

As the start of the school year gets closer, we help our children fill their backpacks with notebooks and pencils and brainstorm how to best support them in the year ahead. While mental health is not something your child can store in their bag, it is still an important part of school readiness. About one in five children has a diagnosable mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder, and ensuring your child gets the help they need will allow them to achieve academic success.



Source: Back to School and Mental Health: Supporting Our Children for a
Successful Year Ahead | SAMHSA