|
$$PLAIN_TEXT_PREVIEW$$
School-Ready, Feelings-Ready
|
ASK A PCIT THERAPIST: SCHOOL SEASON SUPPORT
|
|
Back-to-school season is full of excitement—and, let’s be real, some panic. New routines can bring stress and challenges for kids and parents, leading to struggles with behavior and communication. That’s where Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) helps. Whether you’re a parent or a professional, PCIT offers helpful strategies to strengthen connections, manage behaviors, and ease the chaos of change. Wondering if PCIT is the right fit for your clients or family? Curious about what actually happens in session—or what makes it work so well? This is your opportunity to sit down (virtually!) with one of our Parent-Child Interaction Therapy clinicians and get answers straight from the source. Join a Virtual Speed Chat with a Mind Chicago PCIT Specialist! Get your PCIT questions answered, such as: ✅ When is PCIT a good fit (and when isn’t it)? ✅ How does PCIT help with emotion regulation, behavior, and connection? ✅ What actually is the “magic” of PRIDE skills? ✅ What does the process look like, from intake to graduation? Spots are limited! RSVP to grab your time slot on Aug 21st or Sept 25th. We can’t wait to connect.
|
SETTING THE STAGE FOR READING SUCCESS THIS SCHOOL YEAR
|
|
We’ve known for a long time—from research, from clinical experience, and from listening closely to the kids themselves—that reading challenges don’t suddenly appear in second or third grade. They have earlier roots. Now, a new study from Harvard adds even more weight to this understanding: the brains of children later diagnosed with dyslexia show differences before they’ve even begun formal reading instruction. As the researchers put it, “The brain regions and tracts that eventually support decoding and word reading begin to develop long before the skills themselves emerge.” In other words, by the time a child starts kindergarten, their brain may already be signaling that they’ll need extra support to learn how to read. This is not bad news. In fact, it’s empowering. The earlier we recognize which children might need that support, the sooner we can help—and the better the outcomes. So, how do we identify these early signs? We start with phonological awareness—a fancy term for a surprisingly intuitive skill: the ability to notice and work with the sounds in spoken language. It’s what helps a child hear that the word cat is made of three distinct sounds: /k/ /a/ /t/. Long before children see letters on a page, their brains are already starting to map these sounds, preparing them for decoding and reading fluently. Phonological awareness is foundational. It’s measurable. And it gives us a window into which kids might need extra help learning to read. At Mind Chicago, we offer an Early Reading Evaluation for preschool and kindergarten students. It’s designed specifically to answer that early question: Is my child developing the core skills needed to become a confident reader? If your child is in first grade or older and reading is feeling hard—harder than it should—we’re here for that, too. Our team of neuropsychologists provides Dyslexia Evaluations and Comprehensive Neuropsychological Evaluations to help families understand what’s going on and how to move forward with clarity and compassion. Reading is not a race—but every child deserves to feel like they’re on the path, at their pace, with the right support in place.
|
FROM QUESTIONS TO CLARITY: MEET DR. RENAY
|
|
Like we were just saying—early identification matters. Whether it’s through an Early Reading Evaluation for your kindergartener or a Comprehensive Neuropsychological Evaluation for your older child, the right assessment can be the turning point: the moment when uncertainty shifts to understanding, and support becomes clear. That’s why we’re so excited to introduce Dr. Renay Gartner, a neuropsychologist who brings deep experience and genuine care to this work. Renay specializes in the kinds of evaluations that help families make sense of where their child is—and how to move forward. She comes to Mind Chicago with an impressive background, having served as the Director of Assessment at The Family Institute at Northwestern University and as a past President of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS) Chicago. But beyond her credentials, what makes Renay exceptional is how she connects—with children, with parents, and with the complex story each brain tells. She’s especially passionate about supporting kids who are navigating early reading difficulties, learning differences, or attention-related challenges. Her evaluations aren’t just comprehensive—they’re thoughtful, collaborative, and grounded in each child’s unique strengths. When she conducts an Early Reading Evaluation, Renay’s goal is to answer that pivotal question: Is my child building the foundation they need to become a successful reader? And for school-age children and teens, her Comprehensive Neuropsychological Evaluations provide a fuller picture—helping families understand the “why” behind challenges with reading, focus, memory, or emotional regulation. Outside of her clinical work, Renay loves weekend dim sum brunches with her kids—those small, joyful moments of connection that reflect the kind of presence she brings to her work every day. We’re so glad to have her at Mind Chicago. If you're wondering whether an evaluation might help clarify your child's needs, we’re here. Dr. Renay Gartner—and our whole team—is ready to walk with you, every step of the way.
|
COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR A SMOOTHER SCHOOL YEAR
|
|
The start of a new school year can bring big feelings—for kids and parents. New routines, shifting expectations, and the stress of transitions often lead to meltdowns, pushback, or door slams. Sound familiar? That’s where a few simple, evidence-based strategies from Parent Management Training (PMT) can make a real difference. PMT helps caregivers respond to tricky behavior in ways that are calm, clear, and connection-focused. Three go-to tools—validation, editing, and silence—can help communication go more smoothly at home as everyone settles into the school year: Validation: Acknowledge your child’s feelings—even if their behavior isn’t okay. “Sounds like today was really frustrating” goes a lot further than “You’re fine.” Editing: Use short, specific instructions. Instead of “Get ready for school,” try “Please put on your shoes and grab your backpack.” Silence: After giving an instruction or validating a feeling, pause. Give your child space to process and respond.
You don’t have to get it perfect—just practicing these tools can lead to calmer mornings, smoother transitions, and stronger connections.
|
BACK TO SCHOOL ESSENTIALS ✏️
|
|
If you grew up in the ‘80s, ‘90s or ‘00s, you probably remember Book It!, Lisa Frank Trapper Keepers, glitter pens, and TI-83s. While supply lists have changed in 2025, that feeling of possibility with a cool, new notebook in hand hasn’t. We asked Becky Sinclair, Executive Director of Redwood Schools—a K–8 program specializing in evidence-based instruction for students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and other learning differences—to share her top four back-to-school essentials for today’s learners. ✏️ Audiobook Access - access to grade-level texts through Bookshare, Learning Ally, or Audible. ✏️ Simple, Powerful Fidgets - Small tools that make a BIG difference in focus and calm. ✏️ Lila Learning Planner - an executive functioning game-changer! ✏️ Erasable Gel Pens - to make writing more fun. Whatever ends up in the backpack, the magic is the same: new routines, new opportunities. And if you sneak a sparkly sticker onto a folder or a note into someone’s lunchbox—well, some traditions are timeless.
|
|
Read OUT Loud, a national day of action celebrating queer children’s books and the kids who love them, is happening August 2–3. A great way to kick off Back To School season! Read OUT Loud is a 24-hour Zoom read-aloud, plus in-person readings at bookstores and libraries nationwide. Organizers describe it as both a protest against LGBTQIA+ book bans and a celebration of representation in classrooms and libraries. The event also responds to the recent Mahmoud v. Taylor decision—aiming to affirm every child’s right to see themselves in stories. The goal? To boost visibility, borrowing, and sales of queer children’s books—and to read them out loud in solidarity. Here’s how to get involved: Mind Chicago will be reading and watching - see you there!
|
|
PARENTING TRICKY BEHAVIORS (FOR ADHD) 📆 Tuesdays, September 9th - October 21st, 2025 @ 12:00-1:00p 📍 VIRTUAL OMG - ONLY MAKING GAINS KIDS’ DBT SKILLS GROUP 📆 Wednesdays, August 27th - October 8th + Virtual Parent Session @ 5:00-6:00p 📍 IN-PERSON (Ravenswood Location)
|
|
|
|
