Center For Social Success

08/18/2025

CSS is at Shelton School's Meet the Advisor Come & Go Event today. Stop by and say hello!

07/21/2025

Call now to sign up for our PCIT Parents virtual group Monday's in August!

07/13/2025

🐾 I run this place. The humans just think they’re in charge.

07/07/2025

Supporting Your Child After Tragedy

In light of the recent and heartbreaking events that took place along the Guadalupe River and at Camp Mystic, many children and families in our community are experiencing grief, confusion, and distress. As a parent or caregiver, you may be wondering how to talk with your child about what happened—and how best to support them as they process such a difficult event.

Here are a few gentle suggestions that may help:

1. Be Honest, Yet Age-Appropriate
Children need truthful information, but it should be delivered in a way that aligns with their developmental stage. Use simple, clear language and avoid graphic details. It’s okay to say things like, “There was an accident at camp, and some people got hurt,” or “Some families are very sad right now.”

2. Listen More Than You Speak
Give your child space to ask questions and express feelings. It’s okay if you don’t have all the answers—what matters most is being present and emotionally available.

3. Validate Their Feelings
Children may show sadness, anger, worry, or even numbness. Let them know that all feelings are okay. Saying things like, “It’s normal to feel scared or confused,” can offer reassurance.

4. Maintain Routines
Keeping daily routines consistent can provide a sense of safety and predictability during uncertain times.

5. Limit Media Exposure
Repeated images or stories about the event can increase anxiety. Try to monitor what your child is seeing or hearing, and be available to discuss anything they’re exposed to.

6. Model Coping Skills
Children take emotional cues from adults. It’s okay for them to see you feel sadness, but try to show healthy ways of managing it—such as talking about your feelings, taking deep breaths, or seeking support.

Please know that you are not alone in this. If you feel your child—or your family—could benefit from additional support, we are here to help. We are also offering a free community support group for children, teens, and adults who have been impacted by this tragedy (see attached flyer). Feel free to reach out for more information.

With care and compassion,
CSS

06/11/2025

Make summer easier for your ADHD child with these helpful tips!
https://conta.cc/3ZqxAnA

Email from Center for Social Success   Tips for A Successful Summer   Erin has put together a list of evidence-based tools to help you guide your ADHD child through the summer time! These tips and tri

04/16/2025

Executive Functioning Skills Coaching Now Available at CSS!

Do you or your child/teen struggle with time management, turning in homework, self- regulation, and/or frequently forgetting things? If so, Executive Functioning Skills Coaching could be a helpful solution!

What is a Certified Executive Functioning Skills Coach?
A certified executive functioning skills coach helps you improve the mental tools need to stay organized, manage time, complete tasks, and regulate emotions. Whether your child is struggling to turn in homework or you are feeling overwhelmed by daily responsibilities, a coach provides personalized strategies to build routines, strengthen focus, and boost independence. Through ongoing support and accountability, you will learn how to break down big tasks, plan ahead, adapt to challenges, and ultimately feel more confident and in control of your day-to-day life!

What are Executive Functions?
Executive Functions are a set of cognitive processes that enable individuals to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and manage multiple tasks successfully. They are like the brain's "management system" and are essential for goal-directed behavior. There are over 30+ cognitive and motor executive functions!

The Core Executive Functions We Focus on Include:
-Working Memory
-Agility
-Attention
-Balance
-Self-Regulation
-Beat Competency
-Organization
-Body Awareness
-Cognitive Flexibility
-Motor Cognitive Timing
-Pattern Recognition
-Coordination
-Planning & Previewing
-Core Strength
-Response Inhibition
-Hand Eye Coordination
-Self Monitoring
-Postural Coordination
-Sequencing
-Spatial Awareness and Movement
-Speed of Processing

Why are Executive Functioning Skills Important?
Executive Functioning skills play a central role in current and future academic achievement, self concept, and social competence, as well as future employment success. Children and adolescents with strong executive functioning skills have higher graduation rates, more achievements, have better job outcomes, lower rates of drug use, and make fewer unsafe choices than those who struggle with executive functioning skills.

Boost Organization, Focus, and Follow-Through With a Coach Who Gets It!

Meet Your Executive Functioning Coach, Allie Manos!
Allie Manos has a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is currently an LPC-Associate, supervised by Erin Lozano LPC-S, RPT-S, and a Certified Executive Functions Coach. She specializes in helping children and adolescents with social skills, behavioral management, anxiety, depression, stress management, self-esteem, and executive functioning skills. She sees clients individually and in group settings. In her free time, Allie enjoys spending time with her family and her dog, Millie. She enjoys yoga, being outside, drinking coffee, watching movies, and eating sweet treats.

At the Center for Social Success, we’re here to help and answer any questions you may have about Executive Functioning Skills Coaching. Our team takes a compassionate, personalized approach to help you or your child feel supported every step of the way.

To schedule a session with Allie or for more information, please reach out to Melissa at melissa@cssdallas.com or call 972-404-3001.

Check out our website for more information!
www.CSSDallas.com

03/19/2025

Assessments for ADHD and Autism Now Available

We’re excited to share some great news with you – the Center for Social Success is now able to provide assessments for ADHD or autism for both children and adults! If you’ve been wondering whether ADHD or autism might be affecting you or your child, an evaluation can be a game-changer. Getting the right diagnosis can help provide a better understanding of how the brain works and what strategies can help you or your child thrive in daily life. We use a series of evidence-based assessments that also rule out learning differences, trauma-related symptoms, mood disorders, and more.

What is an Assessment for ADHD or Autism?

An assessment for ADHD or autism is a comprehensive evaluation that involves interviews, questionnaires, and observations. The goal is to better understand patterns of behavior, social skills, and emotional responses. There are several reasons why one might consider getting an assessment.

Why Should You Get an Assessment?

1) Clarity and Understanding

One of the most important benefits of an assessment is the clarity it provides. Without a clear diagnosis, behaviors might be misinterpreted. For example, a child who struggles to stay focused in school or at home might be labeled as “lazy,” but they may actually be experiencing symptoms of ADHD that could be properly supported. Similarly, an adult who struggles in social situations might be considered “shy,” but an assessment for autism could reveal that social interactions are simply not their strength. A proper assessment opens the door to the right solutions.

2) Intervention and Support

For children, an early diagnosis of ADHD or autism can lead to tailored interventions that make a significant difference in their school and home life. For adults, a diagnosis can help identify strategies to improve social, organizational, or emotional development. A proper assessment ensures that the correct interventions are put in place to help you or your child thrive in daily life.

3) Improved Mental Health

Living with undiagnosed ADHD or autism can contribute to mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and frustration. A diagnosis can provide a sense of relief and understanding, as it validates struggles that might have been overlooked for years. Knowing the root cause allows you to feel more empowered in managing everyday challenges.

4) And More!

There are several other reasons to undergo an assessment for ADHD or autism, including access to specialized resources, ensuring you or your child are on the right medication regimen, and implementing accommodations at home or at school.

How We Can Help

At the Center for Social Success, we’re here to guide you through the process of an assessment for ADHD or autism. Our team takes a compassionate, personalized approach to help you or your child feel supported every step of the way. Let us help you take that next step. To schedule an assessment or for more information, please reach out to Melissa at melissa@cssdallas.com or call 972-404-3001.

www.CSSDallas.com

02/26/2025

All of us will go through conflict at some point in our lives. Teaching children how to handle it in a healthy and productive manner is a great way to set them up for success! When managed in a healthy way, conflict can create an opportunity for a growth in relationships.

Here are some steps in dealing with conflict:

Feeling Identification:
It is important to help your child learn to identify the feelings that arise during a conflict. When conflict initially occurs, big feelings often come up. It is important to help children identify these feelings, and active listening is a great way to help with this. It is important to let our kids tell us how the experience made them feel and to also validate their feelings. Instantly jumping into problem solving mode does not allow them to process emotions and problem solve on their own. The feelings wheel is a great tool to have at home to help name feelings. Labeling and understanding feelings help with emotional regulation.

Emotional Regulation:
Once these emotions are identified, children can begin to work through their emotions. Name to tame is a technique we teach in therapy to assist and encourage emotional regulation. The goal is to understand and de-escalate big feelings before trying to manage the conflict. You can do this by encouraging your child to take a minute, get their mind off the problem for a moment, then take a few big deep belly breaths. Calming down will increase the likelihood they can problem solve. Problem solving when emotions are escalated is not the time: this can lead to increased outbursts. It is important to let kids know that it is okay to take time to resolve issues and then let them do it when they feel calm.

Define the Problem and Perspective Taking:
Helping kids pinpoint the problem helps with successful conflict resolution. You can help them identify if this is a recurring problem or the first time the conflict has occurred. If it is recurrent, what are the triggers that usually leads up to this moment, as well as the barriers that are stopping change from occurring. Additionally, It is important role model and encourage them to practice putting the conflict into perspective. You can do this by asking the child to try to see things from the other person’s perspective, putting context to the situation, and looking beyond the situation. Looking beyond the situation can mean- What does it look like if I don’t resolve this? How will my life look if I don’t repair this relationship? Is this conflict worth ending a whole relationship over?

Dealing with the Conflict:
Once your child has had a chance to work through their feelings, de-escalate, define the problem and put it is perspective, now is the time to encourage your child to talk to the other individual in the conflict. Encourage your child to use “I” statements to foster open communication without blame and finger pointing. Children learn effective communication from us, so if the conflict is within the home, this is a great time to role model how ask clarifying questions and talk about feel without putting blame on the other person.

Not every conflict will end with effective communication and resolve. But keeping the focus on those things that we can manage and reflection on what went well and what did not creates an opportunity for growth!

From the Desk of Mattie Crownover, LMSW
For more of our newsletters, visit CSSDallas.com

02/10/2025

Dear Parents,

Love is in the air, and Valentine's Day is just around the corner! As we celebrate this season of love and compassion, here are some heartfelt tips and activities for you and your children!

From the Desk of Kaitlin Peters, LPC-A
Supervised by Erin Lozano, LPC-S, RPT-S

Check out our website for more helpful therapy tips and CSS updates! www.cssdallas.com

10/17/2024

Here is what we have going on this month at CSS. Check out our new CSS Newsletter!

www.cssdallas.com

10/10/2024

Today is World Mental Health day. Be sure to take care of yourself and check in on others.

www.cssdallas.com

10/01/2024

Blitz turns 12 years old today! He has worked in the office since he was a puppy. He thanks everyone for all the birthday wishes!! 🎂
Www.cssdallas.com