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Ep. 223: Should I Medicate My Child? – Part 1 with Lance Steinberg, M.D.

Release Date: 02/04/2025

Ep. 228: Understanding Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) with Dr. Samantha Levy

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are excited to have Samantha Levy, PhD join the show again this week to discuss Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). Dr. Samantha Levy is a clinical psychologist specializing in youth with chronic pain disorders. She uses a biopsychosocial approach to address both physical and emotional struggles, working with children, families, and parents to help them align the mind and body for improved functioning. Dr. Levy also runs parent groups, writes a parenting blog for , and works as a psychologist for Whole Child LA. Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a condition in which often...

Ep. 227: Teen Depression Gone Viral with Dr. Meredith Gansner

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

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Ep. 226: Is It Autism? Recognizing, Assessing & Supporting Children and Teens with Dr. Chandni Singh

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

This week on the podcast, we are happy to have Dr. Chandni Singh on the show. Dr. Singh is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than a decade of experience in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions in children, adolescents, and young adults. She is committed to providing evidence-based assessments and tailored treatment recommendations, and she strongly focuses on serving culturally and ethnically diverse communities. At West LA Neuropsychology, PC, she specializes in early diagnostic evaluations for young children and comprehensive assessments...

Ep. 225: Moving Beyond Accommodations and Modifications to Cognitive Change for Academic Gains with Shelley Woon

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

This week on the podcast, we welcome Shelley Woon to the conversation. Shelley is a dedicated educator and school leader with over three decades of experience supporting students, families, and staff in overcoming learning challenges. She holds a Master of Education in Leadership, has specialized qualifications in Special Education and Reading, and serves as Head of School at and Superintendent of Special Education. Shelley values the brain-learning connection and is committed to helping others unlock their potential. Shelley joins us to explore how we can move beyond compensatory strategies...

Ep. 224: Should I Medicate My Child? – Part 2 with Lance Steinberg, M.D.

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Following up on last week’s episode, we are joined once again by , M.D. to further discuss the complex issue of medicating children with conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and depression, and if you missed part 1 of the discussion, be sure to go back and listen to that before diving into part 2! In this continuation of our discussion, Dr. Steinberg sheds more light on the approach that is required when considering medication, stressing that a thoughtful evaluation is important before immediately jumping to medical solutions. Dr. Steinberg offers some insights into the FDA-approved medications,...

Ep. 223: Should I Medicate My Child? – Part 1 with Lance Steinberg, M.D.

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are joined this week by , M.D. Dr. Steinberg is an expert in psychopharmacology, specializing in conditions such as OCD, ADHD, and autism. He has taught internationally and at institutions like UCLA, earning multiple awards for his outstanding teaching. He completed his medical training at Dartmouth, UCLA, and Stanford, and he currently practices in Calabasas, Encino, and Valencia. Dr. Steinberg joins us today in this first part of a two-part episode to discuss managing medication for youth with conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression. We discuss the important factors parents...

Ep. 222: Wildfires and Mental Health: Understanding the Impact and Strategies for Recovery with Dr. Jyoti Mishra

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are joined for this episode by Dr. Jyoti Mishra to help us discuss an incredibly important and timely topic - the impact of wildfires on mental health. Dr. Mishra is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UC San Diego, the founder of NEATLabs, and co-director of the UC-wide Climate Change and Mental Health Initiative. Dr. Mishra specializes in climate trauma, resilience, digital health interventions, and precision psychiatry, with her work featured in major media outlets like CNN, TIME, and NPR. In this episode, we explore how natural disasters (such as the recent wildfires in...

Ep. 221: Would a Behavioral Aide/Shadow Help My Child?

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

This week, joins us to talk about the role of behavioral aides or "shadows" in schools, focusing on how they help children with unique behavioral challenges thrive in the classroom. Lisa is a board-certified behavior analyst with a master's in Applied Behavior Analysis and more than a decade of experience in private practice. She provides 1:1 support for children and teens with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and other behavioral challenges, along with parent coaching. In this episode, we dive into the types of challenges that might indicate a need for a behavioral aide, such as social conflicts,...

Ep. 220: How to Support Children and Teens with Chronic Pain with Dr. Samantha Levy

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Dr. Samantha Levy joins us this week to discuss the challenges of supporting kids with chronic pain. Samantha is a clinical psychologist specializing in youth with chronic pain disorders, using a biopsychosocial approach to address both physical and emotional challenges. She also supports parents through individual sessions, group facilitation, and a parenting blog for , while working with Whole Child LA. In this episode, we discuss the complexities of chronic pain and explore its neurological nature and the effects that it has on one's body, mind, and family dynamics. Dr. Levy explains...

Ep. 219: Understanding Dysgraphia: Signs, Strategies, and Support for Struggling Writers with Natasha Gray

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

This week, we discuss the complexities of dysgraphia, a neurodevelopmental disorder that can greatly affect written expression. We are joined by Natasha Gray, founder of in the Caribbean. We unpack dysgraphia and what it is and highlight its varied types and how it often overlaps with other challenges such as ADHD and dyslexia. Natasha explains the different ways that dysgraphia can manifest and discusses some of the warning signs such as illegible handwriting, avoidance of writing tasks, and challenges with spelling and spacing. Natasha also shares her insights into the neurological...

More Episodes

We are joined this week by Lance Steinberg, M.D. Dr. Steinberg is an expert in psychopharmacology, specializing in conditions such as OCD, ADHD, and autism. He has taught internationally and at institutions like UCLA, earning multiple awards for his outstanding teaching. He completed his medical training at Dartmouth, UCLA, and Stanford, and he currently practices in Calabasas, Encino, and Valencia.

Dr. Steinberg joins us today in this first part of a two-part episode to discuss managing medication for youth with conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression. We discuss the important factors parents should consider when considering medication for their children.

Dr. Steinberg also stresses why it's important to consider various elements such as family dynamics, the impact of education, and medical history in planning treatment. We cover why it's important to go through a careful process to accurately diagnose and create personalized interventions for each child.

Dr. Steinberg shares his holistic perspective, including insights from psychology, neurology, and education to provide a well-rounded view of a child's needs. This conversation is packed with valuable information for parents, educators, and healthcare professionals. Again, it is the first part of a two-part series; so be sure to tune in next week when we will dive even deeper into some strategies for managing medical treatment!

Show Notes:

[0:08] - This episode discusses medication for ADHD, anxiety, and depression in young people.
[2:21] - Dr. Lance Steinberg explains his interest in psychiatry, focusing on the connections between medicine, neurology, and education.
[5:16] - Hear how Dr. Steinberg enjoys helping patients, emphasizing considering factors for effective treatment.
[6:32] - When determining if medication is appropriate, Dr. Steinberg explains why a holistic approach is important.
[9:12] - Dr. Steinberg highlights the need to rule out coexisting issues via thorough history-taking.
[11:38] - Dr. Steinberg discusses the impact of medical issues and substances on ADHD-like symptoms.
[15:00] - Dr. Steinberg acknowledges Dr. Wilson's reputation for being an open-minded individual in assessing ADHD symptoms.
[15:50] - Treatment ultimately differs if the issue is sleep apnea or ADHD without a sleep component.
[18:57] - Dr. Steinberg stresses the importance of executive functioning in managing ADHD.
[22:16] - Environmental adjustments can enhance learning and self-esteem for kids with ADHD.
[25:42] - Lance appreciates Karen's concise approach to considering factors before medication.
[28:48] - Careful medication choices must account for medical status, family history, and potential side effects.

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Dr. Steinberg's Website
Phone: 818-224-3540
Email: [email protected]

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