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Pediatrics/Questions Answered by Expert Dr. Thomas Amberson, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist

Subject	Date Asked
defiant 4 year old w speech delay	6/20/2011
Q: I have a sweet bright and social 4 year old whose language isn't up to that of his peers. Services ... A: The best way to help your son feel more empowered is to find him the best speech therapist that you ...
Is my 2 year old too aggressive?	6/19/2011
Q: My two year old son is very physical, he has been throwing severe tantrums since he was about 10 ... A: you provided helpful details. There are a few issues that would be cause for concern from a ...
Toddler Stress.	6/18/2011
Q: Since January I have watched my 2 1/2 year old daughter's hair thin. It hasn't fallen out in clumps, ... A: The first place to check is with her medical doctor which you did, but I would ask to have some ...
bed Wetting and Soiling at nearly 4	1/8/2011
Q: My daughter is 4 next month She is my youngest at the minute - still wets the bed at night - we have ... A: Most likely the cause for your daughters regression is your pregnancy. It is not unusual at all for ...
continued soiling problem	1/6/2011
Q: My son is almost 5yrs old and starting school. He has had constipation issues since he was born and ... A: If you you review my history of previous questions you will find a few questions that address ...
3 yr old having bowel movements on himself	10/9/2010
Q: I have a fully potty-trained 3 year old son. He has been potty trained since feb of this year. He ... A: Nakia, It is my guess even though he appears to be doing well, that the stress of the move might ...
Son crying at night for long time	10/8/2010
Q: My son cries throughout night and this is happening from last one month. He was infected with H1N1 ... A: Anish, This sounds like a medically related issue if the crying started after getting H1N1 FLU. I ...
aggressive tantrums	10/7/2010
Q: i have a two year old with really bad tantrums, he head bangs, even had two blue eyes, bites pushes ... A: Karen, It sounds like you need professional help with your son. I am very concerned that he may ...
anxiety? speech delay? ASD?	10/5/2010
Q: delayed - has many words in her vocab but only communicates using one word and sometimes 2 words. my ... A: Sofia, You did not give the age of your daughter, I am assuming she is 2 to 4 years old. It is ...
6 y/o behavior	3/16/2010
Q: I travel a lot and just today I came home from a 4 day trip. My 6 y/o daughter was either so ... A: It is not unusual for children to either misbehave or act indifferent when parents are gone for more ...
Anger issues 8 year old boy	1/18/2010
Q: My 8 year old son (nearly 9) is the oldest of 3 boys, with a new baby soon to be born. He is ... A: Jackie, Thank you for your very detailed question all the details help a lot, and it tells me that ...
Sleeping	1/17/2010
Q: My son is 5. Has never slept through the night without getting up at least once. He always wants to ... A: Krista, There is a way to handle this issue with your son. One is the Super Nanny way. I don't know ...
Toddler Sexuality	1/16/2010
Q: Yesterday after I put my kids to sleep, I was about to walked in their room because my son (4yrs) ... A: Kathy, I would be concerned as well for your daughter. This is not usual or typical behavior for a ...
pre-teen crying	12/17/2009
Q: My grand daughter is 11 yrs old. She is not happy with herself. She is very conious about her looks. ... A: It sounds like a very difficult situation your grand daughter is in. I feel that the biggest change ...
bedtime troubles	12/16/2009
Q: Amberson, My eldest son just turned three and resists going to bed. He still wears diapers, and ... A: From what you share it sounds like he perhaps likes the attention. I would be sure he is fully ...
our 9 yr has decides he doesnt want to sleep in his room	11/11/2009
Q: I have a very sweet 9 yr old boy who has decided he wants to move back ino our room to sleep which ... A: It is my guess that he hates his room because he wants to sleep with you. It sounds like you have ...
meltdowns	10/19/2009
Q: I have a 3 year old son. He has these meltdowns over his pants. Getting ready to go somewhere is a ... A: Crissy, Boy this sounds like you have really been given alot of grief over your son's reactions to ...
Behavior	9/15/2009
Q: my kid is 27 months old and he is so naughty through all the time whole day. He never gets tired. He ... A: You have a very active child. It is possible your child may be hyperactive. I would encourage you to ...
Potty Training - Poops on Floor!	9/14/2009
Q: Amberson, My daughter told me that her youngest son, who is 3 1/2 years old, poops on the floor! ... A: I would suggest you review my past answers on soiling and toilet training. It has been addressed ...
Thirteen Month Old Baby Has Headbutting Mannerism	9/13/2009
Q: My girlfriend has a thirteen month old son. Over the last few months (roughly the previous three) he ... A: The behavior of heading banging is very unusual and should be taken very serious. Your girlfriends ...
Toilet Training	9/9/2009
Q: 5 year old son. I have been trying to toilet train him for a year now on and off. Presently my son ... A: If your child is not yet talking by age 3.5, there is more going on with your child then having ...
13 year old daughter whines, tantrums etc.	9/8/2009
Q: My husband and I adopted are now 13 year old daughter from Romania when she was 15 months old. She ... A: It is my guess that your daughter may not have formed a significant attachment to a care giver the ...
2 yr old son cries by seeing new persons	9/6/2009
Q: We are from India,moved to UK 7 months back. My son becomes 2 years old next week(14th ... A: I would suggest to you that your son is not trying to control you but is saying to you that he is ...
5 yr. old masturbating	9/4/2009
Q: My 5 yr. old, during cuddle time, has been wrapping his legs (usually around one of my legs)and ... A: Children on their own can discover their genitals and how rubbing them can feel pleasurable. This is ...
Thumb Sucking / Psychological Withdrawal Issues	9/3/2009
Q: My 3.5 year old son has been sucking his thumb since he was six months old. While sucking his right ... A: This question is really outside of my area of expertise. I would encourage you to ask an MD this ...
Aggressive child	7/26/2009
Q: I have a 3 and a half yr old child in my care at the moment who is exhibiting some aggressive ... A: It sounds to me that this child should perhaps not be in a group day care setting. She maybe ...
Slow learning	6/23/2009
Q: My son is 19 months old. He says only a few words and they are very hard to understand. I have ... A: With a child this young it can be difficult determine. However if you can find a child psychologist ...
Possible molestation	6/22/2009
Q: My 3 yr old grandson has related things to me of sexual nature that he said happened at his ... A: I would encourage you to take his behaviors seriously. From what you describe if you brought him to ...
4 yr old behavior	6/4/2009
Q: I have a very healthy 4 yr old son, he pushes the boundaries all the time, but its the melt downs ... A: It is much to early to diagnosis a child this young with bi polar. Having said that Bi polar ...
My niece's problem	6/3/2009
Q: doctor. My older sister she has a daughter , she give a birth by operation. my niece she is now ... A: This is not a ADD or ADHD problem, it may be Elective Mutism, that has psychological roots. ...
soiling (encopresis)	6/1/2009
Q: My son is five and withholds his BMS. He will only go after soiling himself for days first. It ... A: Your son likely has to get over his fear of past painful BMS, which at some level he remembers, both ...
bed wetting	5/9/2009
Q: My 6 year old can't stop wetting the bed and now he is starting to pee on himself during the day. ... A: Your child has regressed due to the new marriage and the new baby. He needs alone time with you just ...
3.5 year old female pooping in pull-ups	5/8/2009
Q: My granddaughter just screams when her mother tells her to go poop in the toilet, stating she does ... A: It sounds like your granddaughter has regressed due to the birth of her 8 month sibling. Regression ...
Potty Training Resistance	3/31/2009
Q: very strong-willed child for the past 8 months. I know that he physically can do it, but he shows ... A: Potty training can be one of those very difficult issues for children and parents. However you do ...
squeezing	3/15/2009
Q: This may sound odd, but my six year old son has a major issue with squeezing peoples hands. He has ... A: Michelle, Thank you for your question, there are no odd questions. It sounds like your son gets ...
Actitude of an eight year old towards girls.	3/3/2009
Q: I'm just a little concern about my eight year old. The other day he commented me that he was curious ... A: Children are naturally curious about difference between girls and boys bodies. I would not be overly ...
My Kid	2/26/2009
Q: I have a son who will be 6 in May. We are just 3 people in home. Here are some of his behavioral ... A: In many ways your son sounds like a very normal child. I do wonder how ever if as a parent you are ...
4 yr olds fear of germs	2/15/2009
Q: Amberson, Two days ago my wife and I had a perfectly healthy, happy four year old son. He then ... A: It is very distressing to hear about the change in your son. I sounds quite radical. Children have ...
getting up in the night confused and disoriented	2/10/2009
Q: my son is 11 years old.some night he gets up suddenly disoriented feeling frightened and he cries a ... A: Your son is having a nightmare or night terror. This could be due to things he is watching on TV, or ...
my sons lips and hands turn purple after drinking cold milk	2/8/2009
Q: I recently noticed my 18month old sons lips and hands turn purple after he drinks cold milk. It goes ... A: Please note I am not a MD but a psychologist so this question is out of my area of expertise. ...
Behaviour	1/30/2009
Q: My 15 month son cries every time we go out anywhere to a mall,store,anyone's place.It is creating a ... A: Mehta, I would suggest that you not bring your son out in public, for some reason he is not ready ...
Night wetting and feeding in the night	1/29/2009
Q: My daughter is 2 years old, how many times do you want me to feed (bottle) in the night as she is ... A: I would encourage you to direct this question to a MD, but generally if she is of normal weight for ...
4 year old and vomiting	1/26/2009
Q: My 4 year old son seems to be able to make himself vomit on demand. We are not sure if this is a ... A: Shirley, It has to be very difficult for you to see your son struggling. There could be a medical ...
Tantrums	1/22/2009
Q: I have a 10 year old daughter who will work herself into a complete hysteria over certain things. ... A: Carmen, I am wondering if your child may be stuck in the the FREEZE response. You may have heard of ...
my son does not want to talk	1/21/2009
Q: My son who is 3 years and three months in the last two weeks has had periods of time some lasting ... A: Daniel, I would suggest that if your son continues to not talk another two weeks that you seek ...
11 Year Old Son: Bedtime Meltdowns	1/10/2009
Q: My 11 year old son has been having emotional meltdowns repeatedly this school year. In September, ... A: It comes through that your a very concerned and caring parent. My best guess is that you have a ...
ADHD/ADD concerns	11/11/2008
Q: I'm 19 years old and I think I might have one of the disorders listed above. A doctor told my mother ... A: Brittany, It sounds like it is possible that you may have ADD or ADHD. If you took Adderall, and ...
Lack of self-control	11/5/2008
Q: I was reading on your web page an answer to a question you gave about self-control back in 2006. I ... A: I am sorry for the delay in getting back with you but my computer crashed and just have it back. ...
my son	7/28/2008
Q: I have a boy who is almost 12 and has always been my challenged child. He likes to be in controll ... A: It sounds like your son may have some Obessive Compulsive traits. It may be a phase he is going ...
ADHD and loss of appetite	7/26/2008
Q: My son was diagnosed as ADHD in 1st grade. He will soon be a 3rd grader. He is small framed (was ... A: Linda, Rather than adding another medication I would suggest you only have him on the medication on ...
8 year old daughter	7/9/2008
Q: I have an 8 year old that has started having panic attacks. Through kindergarten, she was very ... A: It does appear that this school year is not going well for her. What ever the second year teacher ...
two year old	6/20/2008
Q: Not sure if you can help me because my daughter is only 2 years old. She has always been a very ... A: It is possible that your child is having a bad dream or nightmare. Very young children are capable ...
A Few Questions	5/3/2008
Q: 1st Q - my daughter is now 5 and has been potty trained since before she was 3 by a few months and ... A: Terri, You are a very busy Mom with three very young children. Regarding the issue of bed wetting. ...
9 month old not sleeping	4/16/2008
Q: I have a 9 month old who is not sleeping through the night. I give him a bottle at bed time and he ... A: If he sleep better with the bottle i would let him have the bottle at night and not worry about it ...
5yr old daughter wetting	4/15/2008
Q: My 5yr old daughter has been having wetting accidents for 1.5yrs now. We have been to a peds ... A: I would suggest that you do a consult with a Child Psychologist concerning your daughter. Call your ...
5 year old sensitive daughter	4/13/2008
Q: She has always been pretty sensitive but for over a month she seems to cry for anything and ... A: I would make sure her stomach is not getting upset over foods or drinks. Also check to see how here ...
Potty training	3/10/2008
Q: My son is 3yr 7 months. We have been trying to potty train for what seems like forever. He will go ... A: I can understand your concern for your child's accidents. Concerning the peeing on toys. I would ...
15 month old with violence	2/24/2008
Q: I have a 15 month old daughter who I feel expresses her frustration through violence. She gets ... A: I would suggest you tape her when she is that way and then bring in the tape to your Pediatrician or ...
8 yr old son once was potty trained now has accidents	2/19/2008
Q: He has been having bowel accidents on/off now for a year or so. I did not notice any significant ... A: For what ever reason your son is going through a difficult developmental period that he is not ...
My 3.5yr old son has a stammering/stuttering problem and also drools alot	1/30/2008
Q: Our 3.5yr old son is very healthy, active and social, but for the past year he has begun stammering, ... A: Yvonne, I would suggest two things. See his doctor about the drooling and see if there is any ...
4 Year old with partial potty training issue	1/12/2008
Q: My 4 year old goes all by himself to the potty when he wants to pee. But when it comes to poop he ... A: Saravanan, Patience, Patience, Patience. I would not push the issue too much or will back fire on ...
Crying 8 month old.	1/9/2008
Q: I am a parent educator serving parents with children 0-3. One couple asked for help with their 8 ... A: There are basically two competing views on this issues. One is to not let the child cry, and go and ...
Kids not Eating during dinner	1/7/2008
Q: My five yo son all he want to do is laugh and play with his 7 yo brother during dinner. The 7 yo ... A: I would suggest at your next dinner you let them know that there will be no joking, or silliness ...
4 yr old hitting and urinating	12/8/2007
Q: Our 4-and-a-half year old son has been hitting other children in school. This seems to be triggered ... A: Your son is using hitting to express himself rather than using words. As a parent tell him when he ...
my 4 yr old	12/7/2007
Q: My 4 yr old daughter will not speak in class. IF asked to do something, she just wont do it. Shes ... A: Your child will out grow this problem if you and her teacher are patient with her. Do not discipline ...
Bed soiling	12/6/2007
Q: I have a son that will be 11 next month. Since he has been potty trained, he still has been wetting ... A: this is something that you should have his Pediatrician look at, you want to make sure there is no ...
How to make kids eat properly	12/5/2007
Q: My son who is 4 yrs old is weighing only 13.6 kg. He appears thin and is very mischievous & playful ... A: I would suggest you direct this question to a MD, as I am Psychologist. However it is never wise to ...
3 year old hitting problem	10/31/2007
Q: We have 3 year old triplets. One of our two sons began hitting not long after turning 2 years old. ... A: Your three year old sounds like he is becoming interested in other people. Hitting, pushing and ...
My 4.5 yr old won't poop on toilet	10/9/2007
Q: My daughter won't poop on the toilet. I have tried ever thing I have ever found on this subject and ... A: This is an issues that i have addressed previously and you may want to review my past answers. ...
Soiling and ?learning disability	10/8/2007
Q: My 8 yr.old son had ADHD impulsive hyperactive type and will sit in his poop, or hold it until he is ... A: There is no established link between soiling and learning disabilities. Nor do ADHD and soiling ...
Grandson plays with feces	9/29/2007
Q: My grandson, who just turned 2, wakes up from naps, takes off his diaper and smears feces on ... A: The smearing of feces for a two year old does not have to mean a child has some type of disturbance. ...
Five month old will not eat/drink	9/27/2007
Q: There was a question posed to you regarding a five month old girl that became angry when offered ... A: Unfortunately I am given no information on how to contact a parent on this site, other than how they ...
sleep problem	9/26/2007
Q: H Dr.Thomas,my daughter is 18 months old.She won't go to sleep on her own at night and day time.She ... A: Experts are divided on if you should let a child cry themselves to sleep or pick them up and hold ...
son's behavior	9/24/2007
Q: My son will be seven in December and is increasingly disinterested in school and seems to only want ... A: Angie, It sounds like there may be some issues that might need the help of a Child psychologist. It ...
Four year old behavior change	9/23/2007
Q: My son is almost four (in another few weeks) and in this last week he has been behaving very ... A: I would suggest that you make sure nothing stressful has occurred at the preschool, talk to teachers ...
female body order	9/22/2007
Q: My eight year old is experiencing underarm odor. I have told her we could use deodorant to help. Is ... A: While I am not a medical doctor and can't tell you why at 8 she is having body odor, I would explain ...
Desperately Seeking Advice.	9/11/2007
Q: My 4 year old son experienced a school related trauma back in Feb of this year. This trauma lead to ... A: That would be a challenge if you are in China to find a psychologist. These books are written so ...
Desperately Seeking Advice.	9/4/2007
Q: My 4 year old son experienced a school related trauma back in Feb of this year. This trauma lead to ... A: I am very sorry for this long delayed response I was out of the country and forgot to post this on ...
encopresis	7/27/2007
Q: My 3 year old daughter started holding in poop about a month or two after we started training her ... A: Encopresis can be both a medical issue and a psychological issue, involving your child's fears. It ...
enuresis, encopresis	6/26/2007
Q: I am a family therapist working in the home, at school in the community. I have several boys from ... A: Sounds like you have your work cut out for you. With any intervention regarding enuresis or ...
enuresis	5/17/2007
Q: My son is 4 1/2 yrs old. he has never been dry at night, however, he has been toilet trained since ... A: It is not unusual for a four year old to have problems wetting the bed. Bedwetting is an issue that ...
5 Year old Bowel movements	5/9/2007
Q: My 5 year old refuses to make his bowel movements on the toilet. He will go for days sometimes a ... A: As a parent it is very frustrating when a child soils his pants. You know better than any one how ...
Infant with grandmother	5/4/2007
Q: My son, who is 7 months old is currently in another state, LA with his grandmother and ... A: I don't want you to feel that you are doing the wrong thing whether you keep him a week or two weeks ...
15 Month Old Sleeping Problem	4/18/2007
Q: Since my daughter was a baby she was a good sleeper then she got sick around 11 months and wouldn't ... A: Tanya, Having a child this young it is not uncommon that they wake up and need to be fed or from ...
22 Month Old Cries Inconsolably After Napping	4/17/2007
Q: Our dear little daughter has started to cry when waking from her naps. She'll wake up as usual, ... A: Your daughters reaction to your wife is likely a phase. She may be having bad dream that involves a ...
my four year is a inmate	4/9/2007
Q: I have a major concern with my four year old daughter.My daughter is a very busy girl she is ... A: From the information you have shared I would suggest you see a child psychologist. If she is only 4 ...
Childhood Agression	4/8/2007
Q: I have deleted the beginning of this question a few times deciding whether to put that i am a single ... A: The answer is YES he needs help and YES you need help as a parent. Do call your insurance this week ...
Advice.	3/18/2007
Q: Dr. Amberson. My name is Alice. I'm sorry about not post my full name, but my question is a little ... A: and questions of this sort can be difficult to ask, but I am glad you were brave enough to ask. It ...
sepration	3/17/2007
Q: My son is 4 1/2 and me and his father separated when he was 1 and we live in two different states ... A: I am sorry for the delay in getting back to you. It sounds like if your x-husband is "stone cold" to ...
adhd	3/16/2007
Q: I have a 4 1/2 year old daughter. She will be attending kindergarten in the fall. Right now she is ... A: It is possible that your child has ADHD. Observing your child in a group setting like you have done ...
12month old's sleeping...	2/17/2007
Q: My 12 month old has always been a good sleeper, from birth. But it seems like in the last month, she ... A: This is not an uncommon problem for young parents with infants and young children. There is no easy ...
Laughing	2/7/2007
Q: I am not sure if you will be able to help me or not. My daughter is 4 months old and while she ... A: When your a first time mom it is always difficult to know what is "normal" in a baby and child. I ...
10 year old brat	1/31/2007
Q: I have a son who is almost 11, he wants to be treated like he is 15, and when he does not get his ... A: It sounds you are at wits end, and I can sense how difficult your child is to deal with. However, I ...
Hamster sickness	1/27/2007
Q: i have a teddy bear hamster, which is about 2 years old, she was very active and playful until ... A: I am sorry about your hamster. I am sorry I cant answer your question. I would try and call a ...
Thumb sucking	1/25/2007
Q: I have a healthy little girl who is 9 months old. Since she was about 1 month she started sucking ... A: Given your childs young age I would not be overly concerned about the thumb sucking and certainly ...
Hair pulling	1/24/2007
Q: I am 13 and i have been pulling out my hair for about 1 -2 years. I don't know how to stop. A: Pulling out your hair is a sign of extreme anxiety, especially if you have been doing this for over ...
shyness	1/19/2007
Q: I have a 4 year old daughter (about to turn 5). I stay at home with her. She goes to a little ... A: Wow, Michelle, Your doing many of the things that I would suggest. First off your daughter is in ...
fussy baby	1/14/2007
Q: my son is 3 1/2 months old, we adopted him at birth and he suffers from reflux and pretty sure colic ... A: I might encourage you to find a Reflexologist that works with children this young and talk to her on ...
Encopresis and Aspergers	12/21/2006
Q: My son's school has just suggested my 5 year old son may have aspergers disorder. (Sensitivity ... A: Asperger's (AD) and encopresis are usually two independent diagnosis's, they may be seen together ...
baby confusion	12/15/2006
Q: Doc, My child is just a little over 5 months old. Unfortunately, his mother and myself have proven ... A: I am sorry to hear that you and your child's mother are not able to hold the marriage together. ...
child development	12/14/2006
Q: I have great concerns about the academics that are being pushed upon all children in preschool and ... A: I do empathize with you. I feel that teachers are placed with very difficult educational goals. I ...
Characteristics/Gifted/Asperger's Disorder	12/13/2006
Q: My 5 year son has these Characteristics and today was his diagnostic evaluation, My son's doctor ... A: I am a psychologist that does deal with with Aspergers children. From the symptoms you describe I ...
i think i have an eating disorder	12/8/2006
Q: i think i have an eating disorder. i have been restricting my food to 200cals a day and making ... A: I want to thank you for the courage to write me. An Eating Disorder is a very difficult disorder to ...
What to do when my daughter wake up night	12/3/2006
Q: Tomas, My daughter is 18 months old, she was sleeping at night very well when she was 1 year old , ... A: I am sorry for the delay in getting back with you. You will get differing opinions from ...
potty accident in day care	11/17/2006
Q: I work in a child care center and we have a three year old child who wets his pants every day after ... A: I am sure you tried the logical options such as getting him to go before the nap, watching his water ...
hello	11/11/2006
Q: i dont know if u could help me with this or not. anyway, im 17 and a senior, and i strive to get ... A: I admire your effort and desire to get A's. I wonder if you find your concentration wondering, if so ...
kids not sleeping	11/8/2006
Q: Dr Thomas, i am a mother of twin girls, they will be turning 3 in January. my problem is they wont ... A: I would perhaps encourage you to separate them at bed time, placing them in different rooms to fall ...
fussy baby	11/7/2006
Q: Good work for everybody cooperating with the site. I'd like to ask a question about behavior. I ... A: Boy that is a tough question. It would be difficult to constantly hold and move your child. You said ...
10 year old boy throws crying tantrums	11/1/2006
Q: I have a 10 year old son who throws crying tantrums whenever he does not get his way. He no longer ... A: One way to handle your sons tantrums is to ignore them. This can be handled better when he has them ...
is it asperger's or jsut giftedness??	10/31/2006
Q: I have a very bright 6 1/2 y.o. son who has been fascinated by numbers and letters since he was a ... A: From what you share about your son, I feel there is reason to be concerned. It sounds like he has an ...
Seperation Anxity	10/24/2006
Q: I am a childcare provider and I have a 1yr old boy who cry's all day because brother and sister are ... A: This is a tough one. In an ideal world I would say that this child needs to be home with his mother, ...
7 month old girl behavior	10/5/2006
Q: My daughter is 7 months old. She has been stiffening her legs and arms, rolling her ankles in a ... A: I would encourage you to ask this same question to one of the M.D.'s on the site as it is getting ...
encopresis	10/3/2006
Q: My son is 9. He is having bowel movements in his pants. After he does this he will not clean himself ... A: As a parent it is very frustrating when a child soils his pants. You know better than any one how ...
Unusual behavioural "quirks"	10/2/2006
Q: My daughter is 4.5 years and very bright. She interacts well (although perefers older children and ... A: Regarding your daughter I would continue to keep an eye on her repetive behavior. Generally children ...
sleep problems	9/29/2006
Q: This may be out of your area of expertise but I will try anyway. My 28 month old daughter started a ... A: I would suggest that you rethink your daughters placement in preschool at this time. If she has been ...
Overexcitement and Loss of Control	9/26/2006
Q: I have a three year old soon who gets overexcited and loses control. When he becomes incredibly ... A: It sounds like your son is a great kid, but who, when excited, does not have the ability to control ...
Child development	9/25/2006
Q: My son turned 2 on 9/7/06. My question is this: when he plays with lego blocks and builds towers he ... A: I would be very encouraged by what you are seeing in your child, he is sorting out by color a more ...
Temper Tantrums	9/21/2006
Q: My two year old son has the worst temper tantrums I can imagine. For example, I will put him in a ... A: I would not assume your son has a psychological problem due to the car seat problem. He may be ...
prolong crying	9/20/2006
Q: I have a lovely and brilliant 2 year old boy. He is a very wel-behaved child. U to now he only ... A: Before your child's crying is viewed as purely a behavioral problem I would be concerned about a ...
no appatite	9/19/2006
Q: my son is 2 1/2, developmental delays were early on, but mnay he has starting to outgrow with the ... A: This question is getting a bit outside my area of expertise, so I would referr you to the following ...
Seperation Anxiety	9/18/2006
Q: I have a 5 year old - who is experiencing severe seperation anxiety at drop off. Mother drops off ... A: It would double check to see if there is anything going on in the family that might trigger this, ...
kids health	9/15/2006
Q: how can you tell if a child has add what are the symptoms A: I would refer you to my previous answer to this question, please review them and you will find my ...
Night time accidents	9/14/2006
Q: I am trying to get my 4 year old daughter to sleep in her own bed again. Two problems we are ... A: These are questions that I have dealt with in the past and I would encourage you to review my ...
3 year not sleeping through the night	9/12/2006
Q: I have a 3 year old that has not slept through the night since I can remember. We are military & ... A: I am going to copy my answer to a question that is very similar to your regarding a 9 year old who ...
ADHD? Aspergers? Dyslexia?	9/10/2006
Q: I have an 8 year old son with an unspecified LD. He did not talk until he was 3.5 years of age, and ... A: It does sound to me that your child is experiencing developmental delays (slow language development, ...
night wakenings	9/9/2006
Q: Our son is just over 9 months. For about 3 months now we have gotten him on a bed time routine. He ... A: Welcome to the world of infants. Many parents report similar problems with their infants, and often ...
9 yr old sleeping problems	9/7/2006
Q: My 9 year old daughter recently started waking up at 3 in th emorning complaining she could no tgo ... A: First find out her concern and address it in a different manner. If you just tell her you have to ...
BI POLOR	9/6/2006
Q: MY CHILDS FATHER HAS ADHD AND IS ALSO HAS BI POLOR DISORDER..IN FACT EVERYONE IN HIS FAMLIY HAS ... A: Based on the information you have shared it would be very difficult to comment on if you son has any ...
depression in 11 y.o.	9/4/2006
Q: Our 11 y.o. daughter has been as long as I can remember a child that has separated herself for hours ... A: While I don't want to second guess a therapist that knows your daughter and her issues I understand ...
Does my son have tourettes syndrome?	9/1/2006
Q: This happened while on vacation in Banff a couple of weeks ago and has not let up since we returned. ... A: Tourettes, is a disorder that is not uncommon that involves involuntary verbal or motor tics that ...
Training Blues....	8/30/2006
Q: I hope you're able to help and thank you in advance. My son is now four and a half, and will NOT ... A: As a parent it is very frustrating when a child soils his pants. You know better than any one how ...
Autism	8/11/2006
Q: I have a 3 year old with autism. He was diagnosed at 2 and looking back now that I am educated, we ... A: Amy, Have a child with any significant disability is very difficult on parents. You are a very ...
11-year old male	8/9/2006
Q: My girlfriend has an 11-year old boy (he will be 12 in January) and is entering 6th grade. He is a ... A: Tony, Single parents, raising one child in general tend to have a very close relationship with ...
Is there a problem with my cousin?	7/20/2006
Q: ok my aunt left my 3 yr old cousin and his 2 yr old brother in the tub for a few seconds and said ... A: To address your question if your 3 year old cousin has a problem with aggression, it is important to ...
poor growth	7/19/2006
Q: I have 4 year old son who was born underweight( 1.6kg) full term. My wife doesnt have any medical ... A: I am not a medical doctor and a psychologist so this question is getting somewhat out of my area of ...
does my son need a psychologist or behavioral specialist???	7/17/2006
Q: My son Jayce is 6 years old. He has had problems in the past w/ hearing( he has had 6 sets of tubes) ... A: Denise, It is posssible that a Child Psychologist or Child Therapist could help your son with his ...
4 year old out of control	7/10/2006
Q: I have a four year old I fear he may be out of control. He does not listen to us. It usually takes ... A: Andrea, Parenting any child always includes a balance between love and limits, and staying calm ...
Sleep Issues in 18 month old (from rambling TIRED mommy..so bare with me)	7/9/2006
Q: Good Evenin' Sophie has never been what one would call and excellent sleeper....she goes to bed with ... A: Jennifer, Being a tired Mommy is not fun. The change in her sleep pattern is likely not due to ...
hair pulling	7/3/2006
Q: im 15...ive been doing this for a little over 3 years.....i take medicine....How do i stop pulling ... A: Hair pulling may be due to anxiety or obessive thoughts (reoccuring thoughts). It is likely a ...
6 YEAR OLD GIRL TEMPER TANTRUMS	6/30/2006
Q: I HAVE A 6 YEAR OLD GIRL, THAT WHEN SHE GETS TERRIBLE MAD. SHE GOES CRAZY, KICKING, SCREAMING, ... A: I would be curious as to how long it is taking her to calm down. If it is 20 minutes or less I would ...
Strange behavior.	6/25/2006
Q: My name is Alice M. I need some advice, but the theme make me a little embarrassed. I have three ... A: It sounds to me this "al-queda" game is only a cover for some possible sexual play. I would find it ...
soiling (encopresis)	6/22/2006
Q: I am a mother of two and am potty training my newly 3 year old little girl. She is very strong ... A: Encopresis can be a very complicated issue for both parent and child. First a few pointers. 1. ...
Five month old refuses to eat/drink	5/3/2006
Q: My bottle-fed five month old has been drinking/eating less and less for the last three months. She ... A: This is getting outside of my area of expertise. But I would suggest talking with another MD ...
Eight year old boys	4/28/2006
Q: I need advice on 8 year old boys. Is there a book that I can purchase to help me understand them. ... A: I want you to breath easy. I take it you may be a single mother raising an eight year old boy. Age 7 ...
learning disabilities	4/13/2006
Q: I have a daughter that will be two in May. She has had a lot of problems with her ears since she ... A: Elishia, At age two it is difficult to assess learning disabilities unless the delays are very ...
son believes he's a nerd	4/12/2006
Q: I have an eleven year old son who is at the end of grade five. Next year he moves on to a much ... A: Heidi, It is always difficult when children are teased at school. It might be helpful to him to ...
4 year old - no birthday party	4/10/2006
Q: My son is going to turn 4 in few days. I was planning to take him a birthday cake to school where he ... A: Gina, I had sent you an answer to your question a few days ago, but it appears the E-mail did not ...
7 mos old ballls up hands	4/1/2006
Q: Dr. Thomas Amberson, My 7 mos old grandson is attempting to crawl. A member of the family has said ... A: I would look for other signs of disstress in a young child besides "balling up the hands while ...

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Dr. Thomas Amberson, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist

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I am a child psychologist that deals with children and teenage issues. I can help with parenting concerns, such as ADD/ADHD, bed wetting (enuresis), soiling (encopresis), learning problems and general parenting concerns. I cannot answer questions about medical conditions. Please direct medical questions to an MD.

Experience

Experience in the area. I have been a child psychologist for nearly 20 years working parents and their children. I am trained in Somatic Experiencing a body oriented approach to dealing with emotional and traumatic experiences. I also have some training in EMDR. Organizations belong to: American Psychological Association, Claremont Wellness Professionals Foundation for Human Enrichment National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology Education/Credentials: Doctorate in Psychology, Rosemead School of Psychology, CA Masters in Psychology, Rosemead School of Psychology, CA B.A. in Psychology, Bethel College, MN Awards and Honors: National Honor Society in Psychology, Psy Chi Chapter Who's Who Amoung Students in American Universities Colleges

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