PEARS, PLLC

10/10/2025

It's World Mental Health Day!

Every year around this time, I (Dr. A) find myself thinking about how often we say, “mental health matters,” and how rarely we pause to ask what that actually means for us. Sometimes, taking care of your mental health isn’t about the big gestures, like therapy sessions, retreats, or radical life changes. Sometimes, it’s just letting yourself feel tired without guilt.
- It’s saying no when you need to.
- It’s asking for help before things feel unbearable.
I encourage you to think about how mental health can start in small, personal ways, such as being kinder to ourselves, listening without fixing, or resting without apologizing.

If today brings anything, I hope it’s taking a small moment of reflection: "How am I right now?" You don’t need a perfect answer. Just the willingness to ask yourself this question and reflect on what you need in this moment.

09/23/2025

The American Psychological Association is deeply concerned about the Administration’s recent announcement on autism.

Promoting unsupported scientific theories risks fueling stigma, undermines public trust and distracts from real scientific progress.

09/23/2025

09/15/2025

Reposting as parent-teacher conferences are likely starting soon in your child's school. You are your child's biggest advocate! Take full advantage of your upcoming parent-teacher conference by planning ahead and getting more answers about how your child is doing this school year.

Many students in the DFW area are getting settled into school now. This means it will not be long until that first parent-teacher conference. These conferences are an important opportunity to establish a strong partnership between you and your child’s teacher. To make the most of these meetings, consider asking these key questions:

1. How is my child adjusting socially and emotionally?
Beyond academic performance, it’s crucial to understand how your child is feeling and adjusting in the classroom. Ask the teacher about your child’s social interactions, friendships, and emotional well-being. Are they participating in group activities? Do they seem happy and engaged?

2. What are my child’s academic strengths and areas for growth?
Understanding where your child excels and where they may need extra help is vital. Ask the teacher to share specific examples of your child’s work, highlighting both their strengths and challenges.

3. How can I support my child’s learning at home?
Teachers often have valuable suggestions for reinforcing classroom learning at home. Whether it’s reading together, practicing math skills, or encouraging curiosity in a particular subject, ask for tailored advice that aligns with your child’s needs and the curriculum.

4. What are your expectations for behavior and homework?
Understanding the teacher’s expectations can help ensure consistency between home and school. Discuss classroom rules, homework policies, and any tools the teacher uses for communication (like a homework app or planner). This will help you reinforce positive habits at home.

5. How do you prefer to communicate with parents?
Establishing clear lines of communication is essential for staying informed about your child’s progress. Ask the teacher how they prefer to be contacted—whether by email, phone, or through a parent portal—and how often you should expect updates. This sets the stage for ongoing collaboration throughout the year.

By asking these questions, you can better understand your child’s experience in the classroom and work together with the teacher to support their growth and success.

09/08/2025

988 Day is a Day of Action held annually on 9/8. The goal of 988 Day is to raise awareness and positive buzz about the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline through a variety of creative activities spearheaded by communities, organizations, and individuals.

If you ever need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is available for you. Call. Text. Chat. Visit https://988lifeline.org/. You are not alone. You can get help.

09/03/2025

Now that the school year is underway, you may be noticing your child struggling with focus, learning, or emotions. If you have concerns, a comprehensive evaluation can provide clarity and guidance. Dr. Arduengo primarily works with children, teens, and their families to help them better understand themselves and to identify areas where support can make a difference. PEARS currently has immediate availability for testing appointments. To learn more or request an appointment, visit www.pearspllc.com

08/15/2025

Happy ! As we settle into the first few days back to school (or prep for the start of the school year), it is important to remember that downtime and self-care are just as vital as homework and routines. Below are a few ideas to do today as everyone finishes school and work:

- Make dinner easy. Order pizza or pop a frozen meal into the oven.
- Have a movie night.
- Read a favorite book ( or two) together
- Take a walk around the neighborhood
- Listen to music (or have a dance party!)
- Play a board game or complete a puzzle together
- Practice gratitude

08/12/2025

Starting a new school year brings excitement, challenges, and opportunities for growth for students, teachers/school staff, and parents. There are a lot of things happening this time of year, and it can certainly be an adjustment! Make sure you are taking care of yourself during this time of year. Practice self-care, be kind to yourself and others, and do not hesitate to reach out to someone if you need support!

07/31/2025

Beyond thankful and blessed to be honored as the best psychologist in the McKinney and Allen area for the 4th year in a row. It has been a pleasure to empower futures and unveil strengths through comprehensive evaluations, and I truly thank everyone who has supported me and trusted me with themselves or their loved ones.

06/20/2025

Happy first day of summer from PEARS!

04/24/2025

There is a lot of uncertainty in our country right now, especially with everything in the news regarding the proposed autism data registry. I (Dr. A) understand your concerns, and it is totally okay to have questions!

Here’s what I want you to know: when you use insurance for autism evaluations, there is a chance that your information may be more accessible for governmental or federal tracking, especially if policies like this proposed registry ever moves forward. That is because insurance billing often involves diagnostic codes and other health data that can be reported or requested.

However, when you choose to go the private pay route (meaning you pay out of pocket), your information stays between you and your provider. At PEARS, as a private pay provider, Dr. A is not required to share diagnostic codes or personal health information with any third parties unless she is subpoenaed or legally obligated to do so. This gives us, and more importantly you, more power and control over how your information is handled and protected.

I believe everyone deserves access to quality care and the ability to make informed choices about their privacy. I am happy to answer any questions you have or talk through what the evaluation process at PEARS could look like in more detail. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Send a message to learn more

04/24/2025

Dr. Goldstein could not have said it better.... "Kennedy’s plan reduces autism research to a simplistic search for a “cause,” as though autism were a singular condition with a singular explanation. It fails to incorporate the foundational principle of developmental psychopathology: that behavior emerges from complex, evolving interactions among genes, brains, and environments."

Kennedy's autism plan overlooks scientific evidence. Only population-wide, longitudinal studies can reveal the complex roots of autism. Simpler approaches lead to dead ends.