Dr. Emily W. King, Ph.D., PLLC

If you are raising a child with anxiety, ADHD, autism, or any other developmental challenge, you have had some moments when you don’t feel grateful at all. Am I right? There have been moments when you looked at others and thought, “Why can’t my kid just sit down and eat like that kid?” or “Wow, that kid just walked right into that classroom like it was nothing!” When your child isn’t meeting milestones “on-time” or they are on their own path with their social-emotional develo

In my work with parents raising children with special needs, the most common question I get is this: “How do I know how much to push? How do I know what is his disability and what is “laziness.” I always stop parents right there. When children (and people) appear “lazy,” they are usually fatigued, unmotivated, disinterested, or the task is too hard. So, let’s look beyond “lazy” and uncover what is really going on. The truth is, when parenting children with special needs, ther

Welcome to summer! It’s time to play outside, explore the backyard, and create imaginative games. Except, for some children, it’s not that simple. There is quite a bit of advice out there encouraging parents to promote free time for their children. Free time allows children to feel what it's like to be bored, gives them a chance to work out their differences with siblings, and lets them solve their own problems without an adult. Free time encourages independence, increases so

The Spring Break season is upon us and that means taking a break from school and spending time with family and friends. It also often means traveling, late bedtimes, and likely more sugar for our children. But for differently-wired children, those with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), ADHD, and anxiety, it also means different schedules, unknown routines, and often more dysregulation. I often work with families to create vacation routines that differ from home and school rout

In my work with individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), I have learned so much. These children, teens, and young adults ranging in age from two years old through their early 20s are my teachers. I find our sessions so rewarding because, despite having the same diagnosis, each child is different, and so are their experiences. I predominately work with children and adolescents with ASD who are verbal and often referred to as “high functioning.” My quotations

I work with many young children whose families are in the early stages of monitoring their developmental and behavioral concerns in order to determine if an evaluation and diagnosis are needed. Most parents are aware that they will need a diagnosis for insurance purposes, or for their child to receive intervention services at school. But what if you're paying privately for services or what if your child goes to private school? Is it really necessary? The short answer is "Yes.

Welcome to the PARENTING…on your own path BLOG! I’m glad you’re here. I’ve spent the last 15 years working with children with special needs and their families. I’ve worked in public schools, a hospital-based assessment clinic, and private practice. I’ve completed evaluations, delivered hard news to parents, been to hundreds of IEP meetings, and consulted with teachers, administrators, and school-district staff. But my heart is in catching families after the diagnosis and gett