Upcoming Presentation
Friday, October 17 in Dallas Texas, 'An Introduction to Floor Time' at the National Play Therapy Association Annual Conference
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Autism is a severe, lifelong neurological disability that is usually diagnosed between the ages of two and three. Autism interferes with the normal development of the brain in areas that control verbal and non-verbal communication, social interaction and sensory development. Raising a child with autism can be very demanding and affects everyone in the famiy.
Early intervention with intensive behavioral therapy may reduce, improve, and in some cases, alleviate certain symptoms. Currently, there is no consensus regarding the cause and there is no cure.
Selective Mutism is an extreme form of an active childhood anxiety disorder where a child cannot speak in select settings, such as in school, despite their ability to speak normally in situations where they are comfortable, such as at home. Since over 95% of Selective Mutism children have social anxiety, the school setting in particular, can be extremely anxiety provoking.
Being unable to communicate verbally can be quite debilitating and painful for the child and family affected. These children often stand motionless with fear as they are confronted with specific settings. If left unchecked, the fear can grow and take over the life of the impacted individual.
Dr. Hess is a clinical pediatric psychologist, working in the areas of Child, Adolescent & Family Therapy/Development Delays.
An expert in her field, Dr. Hess has over 24 years of experience.
The practice is divided into two categories. One division includes dealing with child, adolescent and family work as it pertains to issues of crisis; divorce, abuse, affective disorders, depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compuslive disorder, school phobias and attention deficit disorder.
The other half of the practice is devoted to working with children and their families impacted by developmental delays, retardation, autistic spectrum disorder, pervasive development disorder NOS , Asperger's syndrome and learning disabilities as well as children impacted by acute anxiety disorders such as selective mutism. In addition to treating the affected child, psychoeducational support is given to the healthy siblings of the child (children), to the parents, grandparents, any additional childcare providers and when needed a specific school system that the child is attending in the form of individual, couple and group therapy; instruction is given both in Dr. Hess's office, the family home and the school classroom.
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