Koy Roberts, Ph.D. Blog

Mom or Dad depressed?

2012-05-14T14:37:38Z

There is few that would argue the high burden a mother's depression and anxiety places upon her children and teenagers because it is associated with a host of behavioral and emotional problems. However, the situation is considerably worse if dad is also depressed. Just 6% of kids with two mentally healthy parents have psychological problems. That number rises to 11% if dad is depressed and 19% if mom is depressed. If both parents have Depression it means one fourth of these children will have significant emotional and behavioral problems. So while we understandably worry about our kids' mental health we would best serve them by taking care of ourselves first.

Exercise is good for your brain and body

2012-05-14T14:11:38Z

Gretchen Reynolds' New York Times article shares new research behind the process of how exercise improves cognition while Denene Miller encourages parents to fight for the fourth "R" because among other things 42% of kids get most of their exercise from recess.

Is your child catching enough zzzz's?

2012-04-23T14:24:17Z

Some children diagnosed as ADHD may have another problem: a sleep disorder, according to researchers. Children who lose as little as one-half hour of sleep can display symptoms of ADHD. It's critical that parents and doctors rule out sleep problems initially. Evidently, most parents are uninformed because fewer than 10 percent of parents can answer correctly questions about healthy sleep habits.

Kind Campaign

2012-03-26T13:48:37Z

Two girls traveled across the country to expose the truth about girl against girl bullying. If you missed one of their screenings you can still catch their documentary on March 30th at Harpool Middle School in Lantana.

Facebook Depression?

2012-03-17T15:26:36Z

Social media has a more negative impact on self-esteem, distorted body images, eating disorders and insecurities than traditional media. The heaviest users tend to have the most distorted beliefs about society says Dina Borzekowski, professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, who specializes in children, media and health. "Messages and images are more targeted; if the message comes from a 'friend,' it is perceived as more credible and meaningful."

Yikes! We've got be more aware of the messages reaching our kids and teens. Or better yet...do what Amanda Coleman, the president of her college sorority did...and quit.

Whitney Houston

2012-02-17T16:43:27Z

Whitney Houston "could not or had not repaired her damaged self." This is a good editorial with a very important message that the most important relationship we will ever have is our relationship with ourselves.

ADHD Medications

2012-02-15T05:41:00Z

Reports of a shortage of stimulant medications across the country.

Unraveling Teenage Weirdness

2012-01-29T19:26:44Z

What happens when children reach puberty earlier and adulthood later? Teenage weirdness. Alison Gopnik in The Wall Street Journal writes how developmental psychologists and neuroscientists are starting to explain the foundations of that weirdness & readjust adolescence. Clue. It might just mean requiring our children to apprentice and have real responsibilities so we can actually shape and change the teenage brain for the better.

Want your child to do better in school?

2012-01-16T05:45:24Z

Make sure they get plenty of physical exercise. Just as more schools are decreasing Physical Education class in order to increase academic preparation here is some new research that suggests this is not such a great idea. I know my daughter gets P.E. about once every three school days whereas I remember getting both recess and P.E. every single day. Not to mention playing soccer or football in the school yard with my friends every day after school. Needless to say we weren't prepping for TAKS or STAAR.

Worst Parents of 2011

2011-12-30T16:48:13Z

Just in case you are beating yourself up for mistakes made this past year...here is a list to make you realize you're doing a pretty good job.

Adolescents and their phones

2011-11-07T15:02:09Z

Sexting linked to psychological distress. Yet even more evidence for parents to monitor and supervise phones as if they were computers.

Oct 16-21

2011-10-20T17:54:12Z

October 16-21 is ADHD Awareness Week. Get the facts, take a survey and read what over 2000 people have had to say about ADHD.

Bully to elevate social status

2011-10-17T02:52:18Z

The stereotype of the school bully preying upon the weak student isn't much of a reality among today's youth according to new research. In a CNN study researchers surprisingly discovered there isn't much difference between bullies and victims. Most bullying reflects what they call "social combat". The prime motivation behind bullying appears to be social status. The higher students rise on the social ladder, the more they bully other students, and the more other students bully them.

What teachers really want to tell parents

2011-09-23T15:16:27Z

Ron Clark writes one of the best editorials I have ever read. I agree that a parent should consider a teacher's advice as they would a doctor or attorney. They are professional educators and have the objectivity, training, experience and knowledge we do not possess. Plus, they really do care for and love our children. They have their best interest in mind. Most will tell you "I'm sure not in it for the money."

SpongeBob Deficit Disorder?

2011-09-16T13:36:04Z

New study suggests fast-paced cartoons cause short-term attention and learning problems.

9/11/01

2011-09-10T01:58:56Z

A parent's struggle with explaining this event to his children.

Start strong

2011-09-05T15:40:20Z

A slew of resources, advice and tips to ensure your child with ADD, ADHD or Learning Disabilities has a great school year.

http://www.additudemag.com/channel/adhd-learning-disabilities/index.html

College professor's video game addiction

2011-08-29T00:10:41Z

An honest and eye-opening account of a man's struggle with video game addiction. I was especially interested in how this problem manifested itself during his teenage and college years. He and his parents apparently normalized the behavior. We do that...don't we? I agree that gaming can be a poor substitute for legitimate social relationships. Social needs and self-esteem are met in a virtual world where one feels important and powerful. His story is an important lesson on managing our children's electronic habits.

First day of school

2011-08-22T18:51:57Z

Hope everyone has a great first day! Here is my 3rd Grader.

ADHD on the rise

2011-08-20T04:35:11Z

The CDC just released new data that indicates ADHD prevalence rose from 7% in 1998-2000 to 9% in 2007-2009. In the south and midwest prevalence increased to 10%. Critics and skeptics will argue it's over diagnosis and misdiagnosis due to our search for easy answers to behavioral or attention problems along with an increasingly pill happy society. I would argue that while some of that may be true most of the increase is due to better awareness and detection, less stigmatization and improved access to mental health care.