Riedman-Dangler Counseling Services
Virginia (Ginny) Riedman-Dangler, MS Ed., LCSW-R
919 Winton Rd. S. Suite 206
Rochester, NY 14618
Virginia (Ginny) Riedman-Dangler, MS Ed., LCSW-R
919 Winton Rd. S. Suite 206
Rochester, NY 14618
Blog
Children and Learning Disabilities
| Posted on July 27, 2016 at 3:56 PM |
comments (18)
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Prior to my
current work as a mental health therapist, I worked as an elementary school
teacher. At times I reflect upon that work experience. I thoroughly enjoyed
being a part of my students’ academic and social development. Yet it was most
rewarding to play a role in their emotional development. I saw firsthand how
encouragement and praise gave a child the confidence and motivation needed to
be academically successful. It was this same encouragement and patience that
helped a child see that a mistake is just that; that we all make them and we
learn from them. I came to understand the importance of helping children find
ways to appropriately express feelings; both happy and upsetting feelings; that
this, also, is part of healthy emotional development. There is also the reality of learning disabilities that some
children do struggle with. Some children with learning disabilities can develop
poor self-esteem despite their earnest efforts to do well in school. Educators and parents of school aged children need
to be educated about the various learning disabilities in order to support
those who may have these challenges. Children can be successful and feel good
about themselves with this support. The following is a link to an article from the Child Mind
Institute; Supporting The Emotional Needs of Kids With Learning Disabilities. I
invite you to read it and comment about it on my blog. |
Making A Difference To The Homeless
| Posted on January 18, 2016 at 11:48 AM |
comments (10)
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 Making A Difference To The HomelessAs we move
into winter I often reflect on the issue of homelessness. This is something most of us
will never have to experience in our lifetime. I was
inspired a couple of weeks ago by a young child who stunned me, actually, with
her awareness and feelings about homelessness. She explained to me how she feels sad when she
looks out of the car window and notices a homeless individual on a street corner asking for money. I think it is important for
us to have the same awareness and compassion as this young child and reflect upon how we can best support the
homeless; especially during winter months. Remember, these individuals have had life
goals, have had/do have families, and many are war veterans. Some found the courage to leave a relationship where there was domestic violence and many have severe mental health issues. Perhaps with our
support and care, we can contribute to empowering individuals, even in a small
way, and help them become aware that their life does matter. For it is in this
way the quality of their lives can improve. All individuals deserve this! How can you support the homeless? Feel free to add a comment. Riedman-Dangler
Counseling Services will be collecting items that can benefit the homeless such
as socks, toiletries, winter coats…… Feel free to
comment on this blog as well as making a contribution to this Kindness Project.
The items can be brought to Riedman-Dangler Counseling Services on Tuesdays or
Thursdays. Feel free to call 241-0101 if you have questions. Catholic
Family Center Housing and Homeless – 546-7220 Project
Homeless Connect –546-6340 The Center
for Youth - 24-hour hotline: 585 271-7670 Salvation
Army – 987-9500 Everyone Deserves To Be
Treated With Respect…… |
The Impact Poverty Has On Children's School Performance
| Posted on August 7, 2015 at 11:51 AM |
comments (17)
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From: wsws.org Feb. 2015 As I read these statistics, I can’t help but remember my past experience as a teacher in the city. There were times a child came to school without the needed school supplies, tired and unable to concentrate. Some came to school hungry. These are distressing occurrences that many of us never had to deal with growing up. The impact of poverty on children, with school achievement in particular, is quite alarming. There have been extensive studies around this issue. Some of the findings include; children in poverty are more apt to be impacted by lead poisoning and/or suffer from asthma. It is known that lead poisoning can negatively impact a child’s ability to learn. Along with this, there has been much research in the past 20 years that supports evidence of the impact stress has on brain development. For many children, growing up in poverty can be stressful. For example, chronic stress can cause nutrients in ones’ body to be depleted. Hence, a higher risk of inattentiveness and slowed learning. (Karen M. Pellino; The Effects of Poverty on Learning) Characteristics of an environment not in poverty are those that foster academic learning and success in school. In an environment where there is poverty, parents may need to work two jobs to make ends meet. In doing so they may not be available in a way that supports their child’s learning, such as reading to their child. There may not be extra income to provide their child with rich and meaningful learning experiences such as taking their child to the museum or the zoo. The Kindness Projectwill be collecting school items for children/families in need. Some items include; crayons, pens/pencils, folders, child scissors, paper and small books for parents to read to their child. Also, if individuals are familiar with a family that may be struggling as they make plans for their child’s school needs, reach out to them in ways you can support them with the beginning of the school year! "We can make a positive difference in the lives of children and families." Riedman-Dangler Counseling will be collecting school supplies for families in need, for the upcoming 2015-2016. This can be dropped off at 919 Winton Rd. S. Suite 105. Feel free to call 241-0101 if you have questions. Thank-you! Feel free to share your thoughts or ideas of ways to help those families who are affected by poverty. |
Random Acts of Kindness Week Feb. 8- Feb. 14
| Posted on February 7, 2015 at 2:33 PM |
comments (11)
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This week is
designated as Random Acts of Kindness Week. I have blogged about the importance
of this choice before; not with just a particular week of the year. But practicing this on a daily basis, as well. Research indicates
that people who practice this are happier and more resilient; not to mention
the positive impact it can have on the receiver. I would like to
add a different spin on this, at this time. Along with doing random acts of
kindness for others, make sure to also be kind to yourself. Yes, kindness to
yourself! This is neither selfish nor greedy. In fact, quite the opposite.
Being kind to ourselves is very healthy and necessary. In
an article written by Rick Hanson, he states that “… taking care of yourself
has good ripple effects for others. Deliberately do a small thing that feeds
you—a little rest, some exercise, some time for yourself—and then notice how
this affects your relationships.” Try practice changing any negative self-talk
you may engage in; to more positive self-talk such as “I am a hard worker.” “It
is okay for me to take a break and take care of my needs.” “It’s okay to make
mistakes. Everyone does and sometimes we learn the best lessons this way.” I invite you to think of ways you can be kind
to yourself this week and, more importantly, to keep this self care going.
Remember you matter; you are unique and have valuable gifts. Let’s
support one another! Feel free to list other ideasfor kindness to ourselves and others. |
