CLINTON — As the new school year approaches, it’s important for parents to communicate the needs of their child to their teachers and other educational leaders.
Dr. Adam Schwebach, a neuropsychologist who just opened a practice in Clinton, said everyone should be on the same page at the beginning of the year to ensure a successful experience for the student.
“This communication needs to be ongoing throughout the school year,” he said.
Schwebach said he opened up his Clinton office because there was a growing need in the area.
“I found many families were having difficulty finding sufficient mental health resources close to their communities so we opened a specialized center to fulfill the growing need in Davis and Weber counties,” he said. “There are very few neuropsychologists in these counties who provide these specialized services.”
The Neuropsychology Center of Utah is located at 1477 N. 2000 West, Suite E in Clinton. The center will provide comprehensive neuropsychological and psychological evaluations to children, adolescents and adults with various brain based disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, learning disabilities, depression, anxiety, traumatic brain injury and dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Neuropsychology is the study of the relationship between the brain and behavior, Schwebach said.
“What we have found is that behavioral disorders are best treated trough proactive, evidence-based methods,” he said. “So we dedicate to working with our patients and their loved ones to create and individualized action plan which helps them successfully manage their disorder. This approach is successful because it’s personalized to meet their specific needs and challenges.”
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the disease affects more than 33,000 Utahns. The state is expecting a 127 percent increase between 2010 and 2050. The Centers for Disease Control reports 5.2 children are currently dealing with ADHD across the nation. The Brain Injury Association of Utah reports that every 23 seconds one person in the U.S. sustains a brain injury.
“Although frightening, neuropsychological and psychological disorders are manageable,” Schwebach said.
Schwebach also said it’s understandable that some parents worry about their child being labeled. However, he said by not communicating the child’s needs or trying to sweep it under the rug, it may cause more harm.
“If parents are concerned about the struggles their child is facing, they should seek professional help by first getting a comprehensive evaluation to better understand exactly what their child needs and then work closely with their medical providers to ensure an appropriate plan is in place,” he said. “Most of the parents I see that are struggling are the ones who are not sure what to do. There is help available to them and their child but they need to really come to understand exactly what the problem is so they can develop an effective treatment plan to make things better.”
Comments