
The Sunfield Center Blog
Misdiagnosis of ADHD and ASD: Why It Happens and How We Can Improve
By: Xinran Ge, MSW Intern and Juno Ottathengil, LLMSW
September 19, 2025
The overlap between ADHD and ASD traits are substantial. A child who struggles to focus, talks excessively, or has meltdowns in overwhelming environments could fit criteria for either condition—or both. Read on to learn more..
How to Help Children Cope with a Move
By: Shelby Brennan, M.A., TLLP & Juno Ottathengil, LLMSW
August 29, 2025
Making a move, whether big or small, can be challenging for children. Although not an extensive list, this blog offers tips for parents and clinicians to support children before, during, and after the move to ease the transition.
Helping Adoptive Families Thrive: A Clinician’s Perspective
By: Xinran Ge, MSW Intern and Juno Ottathengil, LLMSW
August 15, 2025
Supporting adoptive families requires a trauma-informed, developmentally attuned, and culturally humble approach. By guiding open communication and honoring each child’s unique story, clinicians can help adopted children not just heal—but thrive. Read on for more information..
ASD & Language Development for Bilingual Children
By: Erna Chiu, MSW Intern and Juno Ottathengil, LLMSW
August 1, 2025
Raising a bilingual child with autism can come with questions and uncertainties—but research shows it can also offer unique benefits. In this blog, we explore what the latest studies say about bilingualism and ASD, and share practical tips for supporting language development at home.
The Importance of Building Rapport with Autistic Clients
By: Zachary Burton, MSW Intern and Juno Ottathengil, LLMSW
July 18, 2025
Discover how evolving clinical perspectives are reshaping the way we build rapport with autistic clients—emphasizing empathy, authenticity, and collaboration over outdated, deficit-focused models. This blog offers insight and practical inspiration for clinicians seeking to create stronger, more person-centered connections across the neurodiverse spectrum.
Medications Commonly Prescribed for Mental Health
By: Hanah Allen, MSW Intern and Juno Ottathengil, LLMSW
June 27, 2025
While medications aren't a one-size-fits-all solution—and Sunfield Center clinicians don’t prescribe them directly—we play a vital role in helping families make informed decisions. This post explores common medications used to support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and related behavioral challenges, highlighting how they work, who they’re for, and what to consider when exploring treatment options.
Planning Out the Summer for Your Child
By: Xinran Ge, MSW Intern and Juno Ottathengil, LLMSW
June 13, 2025
Without the structure of school, it's easier for the days to blur together and for children and caregivers to experience uncertainty due to the loss of routine school provides. However, with some planning, summer can be a time of growth, fun, and connection. This blog will highlight several strategies for planning a summer that works for you and your child.
Educational Apps for Neurodivergent Kids
By: Erna Chiu, MSW Intern and Juno Ottathengil, LLMSW
May 30, 2025
In today’s digital world, learning and practicing skills can be as simple as using an app on your phone or tablet. Here are some of the latest educational apps that can help neurodivergent kids practice various skills while also having fun. Focusing on three broad categories: daily schedules and habits, emotion recognition and regulation, and social skills and social-emotional learning.
Tips For Interacting With Law Enforcement
By: Shelby Brennan, M.A., TLLP & Juno Ottathengil, LLMSW
May 23, 2025
Interacting with law enforcement can be stressful, especially for neurodiverse individuals whose behaviors may be misunderstood. To help you prepare, we've compiled a list of resources, social interaction tips, and emergency planning considerations designed to support you in navigating potential encounters with law enforcement.
When Should You Get Your Kid a Cell Phone?
By: Xinran Ge, MSW Intern and Juno Ottathengil, LLMSW
May 19, 2025
Recent studies indicate that most children in the United States receive their first cell phone around the age of 11 or 12. However, researchers emphasize that there isn't a universal "right" age. Instead, they recommend that parents consider a child's maturity, responsibility level, and specific needs. Read on for considerations..
The Importance of Empowering Parents and Guardians
By: Hanah Allen, MSW Intern and Juno Ottathengil, LLMSW
May 6, 2025
Empowering parents and guardians is beneficial for creating and sustaining confidence in their skills, which in turn creates better parent-child relationships and aids in their child’s progression in different forms of therapy. Read on for tips and community resources..
How to Help Children and Youth Navigate the Political Climate and Current World Conflicts
By: Hanah Allen, MSW Intern and Juno Ottathengil, LLMSW
April 25, 2025
One of the biggest questions caregivers and parents face today is: How much news is healthy to share with children? In a world where information spreads instantly, this question feels more relevant than ever. In this post, we explore research on what's developmentally appropriate to share—and offer a simple, practical template to help guide adults through these challenging conversations.