How To Handle a 3-Year-Old’s Pestering

Dear Dr. Heather, I have a 3 year-old daughter who is very strong willed and just won’t give in. For example, she wants me to get her ‘blanky’ which is lying around the house somewhere. I tell her no, you go and fetch it, then she says NO — I must fetch it — and more »

Helping Young Children Understand Feelings

Parents can start helping their kids to become emotionally “fluent” at a very early age. I recommend that parents keep a “running commentary” going, when observing social and emotional situations with their children. Start as young as 9 or 10 months, to get in the habit, and to convey the message that feelings are important more »

Pregnant with Baby #4 (and I Just Turned 41)

Dear Readers, This post isn’t an emailed question from one of you. It’s from me, your BabyShrink. I can finally come out with the news I’ve wanted to tell you for 18 weeks now: I’m pregnant! This has come as somewhat of a surprise to us, although a very welcome one. Many of you recall more »

The amygdala, babies, and Autism

Following up on yesterday’s post is an interesting new finding from the University of North Carolina, where researchers are confirming more evidence for an actual structural brain difference in babies with Autism. Please excuse the “science geek” in me, but this stuff is really important for us to understand. It will help us to better more »

Possible Autism Signs in the Young Infant

I’ve written before about the confusion and difficulty around the diagnosis of Autism in young children (before the age of 3). My regular readers know that I’m a strong proponent of Early Intervention screening, and also of early intervention therapy services. This means having your local Child Development center see your child BEFORE the age more »