By Dr. McKinzie Duesenberg-Marshall, PhD, LP, NCSP | Minds in Progress, LLC Picture a child who can explain the lifecycle of a star but can't organize her backpack. Or a boy who reads three grade levels ahead yet melts down at the sound of the cafeteria. Or a teenager who scores in the gifted range on every reasoning measure but hasn't turned in a homework assignment in weeks. These children are not lazy, disorganized, or tempermental. They are twice-exceptional. Twice-except

By Dr. McKinzie Duesenberg-Marshall, PhD, LP, NCSP | Minds in Progress, LLC Writing is hard. Most parents know this instinctively when they watch their child stare at a blank page, lose their grip on a pencil, or spend 20 minutes producing three sentences that their classmates wrote in five. What parents often don’t know is that this struggle usually has a clear, identifiable cause...and that research-backed strategies exist to address it. A study recently published in The Re

By Dr. McKinzie Duesenberg-Marshall, PhD, LP, NCSP | Minds in Progress, LLC Your child's teacher has flagged concerns about focus. Maybe your child is shutting down during tests, avoiding social situations, or struggling to finish anything at home. You've Googled "signs of ADHD" and checked most of the boxes...but something feels off. Could it be anxiety? Could it be both? You're not overthinking this. Anxiety and ADHD are genuinely difficult to tell apart in children, and ev

What the Research Says...and What to Actually Do About It By Dr. McKinzie Duesenberg-Marshall, PhD, LP, NCSP | Minds in Progress, LLC It’s become a familiar summer scene: kids sprawled on the couch, phone in hand, the afternoon disappearing into a scroll. Parents know something is off...but between working, managing the house, and the sheer exhaustion of summer logistics, it’s easy to let screens absorb the hours that feel hardest to fill. You’re not imagining it, and you’re

Understanding Test & End-of-Year Anxiety Across All Ages Something shifts in the air at this time of year. Backpacks get heavier, sleep gets shorter, and the phrase "I have a test" takes on a new weight. Whether your child is in third grade worried about a reading assessment, a tenth grader bracing for some of their first cumulative exams, or a college sophomore facing final exams, the end of the school year brings a particular kind of pressure...one that is very real, very c

Understanding the Gap Between a Medical Diagnosis and Educational Eligibility If you've recently received an autism diagnosis for your child from a psychologist, developmental pediatrician, or psychiatrist, and then turned around to find that your child's school says they don't qualify for special education services...you are not alone. This is one of the most confusing and frustrating experiences families navigate; it happens far more often than most people realize, and one

Understanding the function of behavior using the SEAT Framework by Dr. Mckinzie Duesenberg-Marshall You’ve been through the homework meltdown. The tantrum in the grocery store. The child who suddenly “can’t” do anything the moment it’s time to leave the playground. You’ve tried calm, you’ve tried firm, you’ve tried ignoring it, you’ve tried everything — and still, the behavior keeps coming back. Here’s what most behavior advice misses: behavior doesn’t happen randomly. Every

If you have more than one child (or have ever watched kids interact on a playground), you’ve heard it. That word, stretched out with total conviction: “THAT’S NOT FAAAIR.” The older one stays up later. One child gets extra help with homework. Someone gets a bigger snack. In your child's mind, anything that looks uneven is automatically unjust. And honestly? It makes sense that they think that way! They just haven't learned one of the most important distinctions of childhood y

Emotions don't come with an instruction manual...but the good news is that emotional regulation is a skill , and like any skill, it can be practiced, strengthened, and taught. Whether you're parenting a toddler mid-meltdown or navigating the emotional complexity of your own adult life, there are research-informed strategies that work. At Minds in Progress , we believe that supporting emotional wellness is a whole-family endeavor. This guide breaks down practical activities by

If you have a child who receives, or may qualify for, special education services, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process can feel equal parts essential and overwhelming. The room is full of professionals, the document is dense, and the stakes feel high. But here's the truth: you are the most important person in that room. You know your child better than any teacher, specialist, or administrator. Walking in prepared, with clear, specific questions, can shift the

And the questions you should ask before committing to one. You've done the research. You've made the calls. You've probably waited weeks for an opening. And when the evaluation report finally arrives — thick, formal, and full of terms like 'processing speed index' and 'confidence interval' — you sit down to read it and realize you can barely understand what it says about your own child. You're not alone, and you're not the problem. A peer-reviewed study published this year in

At Minds in Progress, we see firsthand how much happens between sessions and evaluations. Parents come to us with thorough notes, teachers share observations, and children bring everything they’ve been carrying all week — but the window for connection at home can feel narrow. Life is busy. Evenings are rushed. And when we ask families what gets in the way of consistency, the answer is almost always the same: “we just don’t know where to start.” That’s exactly why we created t

As a parent, you know your child better than anyone. You notice the small things — the way they play, how they communicate, how they respond to the world around them. And sometimes, something just feels a little different. If you’ve found yourself wondering whether your child might be on the autism spectrum, you’re not alone — and asking that question takes both courage and love. At Minds in Progress, we believe that every child deserves to be understood. A comprehensive auti

What You Need to Know at Every Stage of Life If you've ever wondered whether you or someone you love might have ADHD, you're not alone. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions in the world — and one of the most misunderstood. For many people, receiving a formal diagnosis is a life-changing moment that finally gives a name to years of struggle. For others, the idea of seeking a diagnosis feels daunting or unnecessary. So

Understanding the Developmental Stages of Curiosity Children's questions evolve as they grow. Understanding these developmental milestones helps you provide age-appropriate answers that nurture their learning. Ages 2-3: The Beginning of "Why" At this stage, toddlers are just discovering the power of questions. Their "whys" are often: Simple and repetitive More about testing language than seeking deep understanding Focused on immediate, concrete things they can see and touch S

When a child faces emotional, behavioral, or learning challenges, parents and educators often wonder who can best support the child's needs. The mental health and educational fields include several professionals with overlapping but distinct roles. Among these are therapists, school psychologists, and licensed clinical psychologists. Each plays a unique part in supporting children's development, but understanding their differences can help families and schools make informed d

When it comes to nurturing young minds, every step counts. Children face challenges that can sometimes feel like towering mountains. But guess what? With the right support, those mountains become hills, and hills become gentle slopes. That’s where child therapy services come in! They’re like a friendly guide, helping kids navigate their feelings, build resilience, and grow stronger every day. Today, I want to share how child therapy services can be a beacon of hope and growth