High Point Psychology

Check out our latest blog post where we talk all about Dyslexia!

Those with dyslexia tend to have challenges reading accurately and fluently and may have trouble with reading comprehension, spelling, and writing.

To read more about dyslexia, causes and symptoms, and effective strategies for those with dyslexia, click this link: https://www.highpointpsychology.com/single-post/all-about-dyslexia

Do you need strategies to help encourage your child to read more? Try some of these!
Remember, each child may respond better to different strategies. Try a few and see what works best for them📚

We haven’t shown what our physical office looks like for a while!
Pictured here are a couple of our offices (top and bottom left) and our waiting room (bottom right)!

We hope you enjoy the space as much as we do☀️

What’s the difference between phonological and phonemic awareness?

Well, they are similar! Phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the spoken parts of words. Examples include being able to identify rhyming words or alliteration. Similarly, phonemic awareness is the ability to identify and manipulate individual sounds in words. Examples include blending individual sounds to create a whole word.

Both are incredibly important in preparing kiddos to read as they are foundational to good reading skills, such as sounding out (decoding) words, blending sounds, and reading aloud!

We all struggle with feelings of anxiety from time to time. Those feelings of uneasiness, worry, and dread that are often accompanied by physiological changes such as sweating, increased heart rate, feeling tense, etc.
It is important for us to practice coping strategies not only when we are feeling anxious, but when we are calm as well. If we practice these strategies when we feel relaxed, it is easier access and utilize these tools when we are in an anxious state. We have listed some strategies here!

Anxiety Canada has some helpful resources as well. You can find their website here: https://www.anxietycanada.com

Did you know that positive affirmations can help reduce negative thoughts, increase happiness, and can even help improve motivation? Positive affirmations also provide us with opportunities to be kind to ourselves ✨
There are many positive affirmations that may be helpful for you! We have included some examples in this post!

You can silently repeat these affirmations, write them down on a sticky note, journal them, or say them out loud! See what works best for you ☀️⭐️
What are your favourite positive affirmations? Comment them here!

Check out our latest blog post on executive functioning!
In this blog post, we discuss what executive functioning skills are, why they are important, potential signs of executive functioning challenges, and what parents and caregivers can do to help build these skills! Click this link to give it a read: https://www.highpointpsychology.com/single-post/executive-functioning-skills-in-children-and-adolescents-how-to-support-development-and-success

What are some of your favourite executive functioning strategies? Share them in the comments below ⬇️

Happy Monday!
We hope you’ve had a great start to the new week🗓
Don’t forget to do something that brings you joy this week ☀️✨

It is important to keep kids learning and engaged even during the summer months! The following article offers suggestions for summer activities for children with learning disorders, however, these activities can be helpful for all kiddos! You can find the article here: https://childmind.org/article/summer-activities-for-kids-with-learning-disorders/

Some suggestions include:
• Include academic work. The article suggests 15-20 minutes of reading and math most days for young children, and 20-30 minutes of reading, writing, and math for older elementary school children. Children with learning disorders may need formal instruction more often, but see how your child learns best!
• Try to keep a routine! This helps kids understand what they can expect each day and can also reduce anxiety. Even keeping bedtimes and mealtimes consistent can be beneficial.
• Spend time outside! This helps kids burn off energy and helps them focus later on. Scavenger hunts, walks, bike rides, going to a beach or pool, and obstacle courses are some examples of ways to get outside and get active.
• Try to work in activities that don’t involve a screen, such as art activities, building Lego, and including kids in household activities like cooking, laundry, and organization.

Happy Canada Day from the High Point Psychology team🇨🇦
We hope you all enjoyed the long weekend!

Happy Monday☀️
We hope you all have a fantastic week! Don’t forget to take some time this week to do something that brings you joy ✨

June is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month.
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can be developed after witnessing or living though an event that someone perceives as traumatic. Symptoms of PTSD may include sleep problems, irritability, dreams about the traumatic event, intense reactions when reminded of the trauma, amongst others. The onset of PTSD may begin shortly after the event, or many months after.
Many individuals with PTSD do not seek help. Help us bring awareness and spread the word that effective PTSD treatments are available.

Youth.gov and the National Center for PTSD have helpful resources and additional information available on their websites.

June marks pride month🏳️‍🌈 Let’s recognize the resilience, talent, diversity, history, and contributions of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities!
From an ally to an ally, Happy Pride Month🌈

This week is National AccessAbility week! Together, we can ensure everyone is included and make sure everyone’s voice is heard. Let’s create an accessible world for everyone!

Check out these programs from Enviros for those families with children between ages 6-17 without FSCD funding. Some of the activities are: Flying Squirrel, Swimming, Bowling, Climbing, Indoor playgrounds, with outdoor activities during the summer!

Limited capacity, reach out to [email protected] for more information or visit https://www.enviros.org/ for further offerings.

What is psychological assessment?
A psychological assessment is a process of gathering information that helps understand how a person learns and processes information. Assessments can be done with children, adolescents, and adults and may help identify what is possibly impacting their academic, social, work, or overall well-being.

Assessments include standardized tests (e.g., intelligence tests, academic achievement), observations, rating scales, background information/history, and consultation. The process varies from each psychologist, but assessments typically include an intake interview, multiple 2-3 hour sessions, additional interviews (with consent and as needed), and a feedback meeting.

For more information on psychological assessment, you can check out one of our previous blog posts here: https://www.highpointpsychology.com/single-post/2017/08/23/what-is-psychological-assessment

If you think you or your child may benefit from a psychological assessment, email [email protected] to discuss your options!

The Mental Health Foundation recognizes Mental Health Awareness each year with Mental Health Awareness week (MHAW). This year, May 13th marks the beginning of MHAW.
In honour of MHAW, we have provided you with some ways you can prioritize your mental health this week, as well as other weeks!

For more information, you can find the Mental Health Foundation’s website here: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week

Does your child struggle with anger or emotional outbursts? If so, you may find this article helpful: https://childmind.org/article/is-my-childs-anger-normal/

The article discusses how most children experience meltdowns and temper tantrums. However, if these outbursts are experienced after the age of 7-8, if their behavior is dangerous or if it is causing them to get into trouble, if it interferes with their ability to get along with others, or if the anger makes them feel bad about themselves, this may indicate your child may need more support.
According to this article, it is important to understand anger in children, as this can provide additional insights into why they may be behaving in such ways and allow parents, caregivers, and teachers to better support them. The article explains that:
• Children with ADHD sometimes have trouble controlling their behavior. Their challenges with focusing can lead to tantrums and arguing.
• Children who seem angry may have anxiety. Anxious children may have a hard time coping with situations that cause them distress, and therefore they may experience big emotions and behaviors.
• A child may act out if they are experiencing learning problems. For example, they may have significant problems with math, which can cause them to feel frustrated.
• Children may experience outbursts due to their challenges with processing sensory information. If your child is over sensitive, for example, this can cause them to feel uncomfortable, overwhelmed, or anxious.

If you have significant concerns or if you would like additional support and information, contact [email protected] or visit our website: https://www.highpointpsychology.com

May 5th marks National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit (MMIWG2S) Awareness Day. On this day, we honour the many missing and murdered indigenous women, girls, two spirit, and gender diverse individuals in Canada and help build awareness to end violence against these individuals.

For more information or resources, you can visit the following websites:
• The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women contains a resources section with helplines: https://www.csvanw.org/advocate-corner/helplines-hotlines-and-warmlines/)
• The Government of Canada has a resources section for missing and mirdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1590865436545/1590865468777 and other helpful information can be found here: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1590523702000/1590523850562
• The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls contains helpful information and resources: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/

Together, we can help raise awareness and end violence towards Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, and gender diverse people.

Happy Friday everyone! We hope you have a fantastic weekend and enjoy all the sunshine ☀️

Have you read our most recent blog post on separation anxiety? If not, you can find it here: https://www.highpointpsychology.com/single-post/separation-anxiety
We talk about what separation anxiety is, potential signs of separation anxiety, and what parents and caregivers can do to help!

It is starting to feel like Spring 🌻
Many of us may be staring our Spring cleaning! Don’t forget to declutter your mind as well 💛 This can look like doing things that fill your cup, taking some time to unplug from social media, moving your body, or journaling out your thoughts!

Enjoy the sunshine!

Today is World Autism Acceptance Day!

Today, and everyday, we respect and appreciate our similarities and differences. Together, we can foster compassion and embrace inclusion for those who are on the Autism Spectrum. Let’s celebrate diversity!

Meet the newest member of the High Point Psychology team! Erica is a Registered Psychologist who specializes in assessment for children and adults. She has training and experience in the assessment of learning disorders, intellectual ability, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and mood and anxiety disorders.

Erica is passionate about supporting children, young adults, and adults to better understand themselves through assessment. Erica uses a comprehensive approach that incorporates feedback and perspectives from the client, their family, and their school.

Erica received her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from McGill University in 2017. In her spare time, Erica enjoys spending time outdoors, practicing yoga, and reading.

Check out our latest blog post where we discuss self-esteem in children and how to raise confident kids! You can read it here: https://www.highpointpsychology.com/single-post/self-esteem-building-confident-kids

We hope you enjoy Family Day and have a fantastic long weekend!

It’s Friday, don’t forget to smile 😃

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Friday!
We hope you stay safe and warm this weekend!

Are you currently a graduate school student? Or are you considering applying for graduate school? If so, our latest blog post may be a helpful read!
We provide helpful tips for students in graduate school as well as self-care strategies.

You can find the blog post here: https://www.highpointpsychology.com/single-post/surviving-graduate-school

Happy New Year Everyone!
Wishing you all a 2024 full of happiness, laughter, and wonderful memories! We hope 2024 is your best year yet!

#2024