Opinion
I sent my suicidal teen patient to the ED: Whew?
- Author:
- Barbara J. Howard, MD
We now know that certain kinds of psychotherapy have evidence for preventing subsequent suicide in teens at high risk due to suicidal ideation and...
Opinion

Child ‘Mis’behavior – What’s ‘mis’ing?
- Author:
- Barbara J. Howard, MD
Considering child behavior as resulting from both parent and child factors is central to the current transactional model of child development.
Opinion

To vape or not to vape: Is that really a question?
- Author:
- Barbara J. Howard, MD
In addition to its inherent risk, vaping increases the risk of severe COVID-19 disease.
Opinion

Manners matter
- Author:
- Barbara J. Howard, MD
Modeling manners around the child is the most important way to teach courtesy.
Opinion

How dogs can teach parenting
- Author:
- Barbara J. Howard, MD
Behavior management works best and fastest if all the humans agree on the rules and follow them.
Opinion

Racism: Developmental perspective can inform tough conversations
- Author:
- Barbara J. Howard, MD
Racist discrimination, fear, trauma, or distress may produce or exacerbate conditions we are treating.
Opinion

Making something ordinary out of the extraordinary
- Author:
- Barbara J. Howard, MD
Establishing and maintaining routines is important for both physical and mental health at every age and time, but especially when a major change...
Opinion

Play it as it lies: Handling lying by kids
- Author:
- Barbara J. Howard, MD
Lying is a normal part of child development, and a tricky part of parenting.
Opinion

Poor sleep due to ADHD or ADHD due to poor sleep?
- Author:
- Barbara J. Howard, MD
The first line and most effective treatment for sleep problems in children with or without ADHD is improving sleep hygiene.
Opinion

It’s all in the timing
- Author:
- Barbara J. Howard, MD
After seeing so many behaviors change quickly, parents expect all change to be equally fast.
Opinion

ALERT: Grandmother in the room!
- Author:
- Barbara J. Howard, MD
You may be able to moderate an open conversation about past hurts in parent and grandparent relationships that...
Opinion

Scoring below the cut but still depressed: What to do?
- Author:
- Barbara J. Howard, MD
If you diagnose a teen with mild depression, there are six nonmedical goals you can set before trying medication.
Opinion

Making an effective referral is surprisingly complex
- Author:
- Barbara J. Howard, MD
Lack of completion of referrals can come from structural factors and interpersonal factors.
Opinion

Dissuading parents from using corporal punishment
- Author:
- Barbara J. Howard, MD
Dr. Barbara J. Howard offers strategies for talking with parents about giving up corporal punishment as way to...
Opinion

Ghost busting in pediatric primary care
- Author:
- Barbara J. Howard, MD
Look for connections to the parent’s past when the parent’s handling of typical or problematic child behaviors...