Vital Minds Therapy

01/26/2026

01/23/2026

Over the counter medication is dangerous for kids and teens so be mindful. This include DayQuil and others

Two teenaged girls overdosed after participating in the “Benadryl Challenge” at a sleepover.

“She was grabbing at things that weren’t there. She was seeing things — she was hallucinating. She wasn’t able to really talk at this point; it was all gibberish. Then she started to get really weak and fall backward, and she wasn’t able to stand.”

The “Benadryl Challenge” involves taking a large amount of over-the-counter medication in an attempt to induce hallucinations — a practice that can be deadly.

https://bit.ly/4bNb3rP

01/18/2026

Research is amazing 🤩 let’s follow research

A new review of studies has found that taking Tylenol during pregnancy doesn’t increase the risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disabilities. Read more: https://fox8.com/news/new-research-bolsters-evidence-that-tylenol-doesnt-raise-risk-of-autism/

01/16/2026

✨ Vital Minds Therapy is now accepting new clients✨

We’re currently welcoming new clients ages 7 and up, including
individuals, couples, and families 💛

What we offer:
• 💻 Telehealth & 🏢 In-person sessions
• 🕰️ Weekend & evening availability (as needed)
• 💳 We accept insurance
• 💵 Cash-pay options starting at $50 per session

Our clinicians are warm, skilled, and committed to meeting you where you are — whether you’re navigating anxiety, relationships, family stress, or just need support.

📞 Call or text: 725-243-6644
📧 Email: welcome@vitalmindstherapy.com

You don’t have to do this alone. We’d love to support you. 🌱

01/12/2026

01/04/2026

Dear DSM-6 Decision-Makers,

Hi there.

It’s me, Max, a member of the Autistic community.
I’m one of the people whose brains you metaphorically dig into every time you decide to change the list of things that make a person Autistic.

It must be so odd for you to have a representative of one of your official diagnoses weigh in on your decisions.
You tell clinicians how to identify us, but frankly, your track record is not so good.

With that in mind, I want to talk to you about autism and ADHD, called AuDHD in my community.

For years, you told us autism and ADHD could not co-exist. Mutually exclusive, like oil and water. War or peace. We could have one of these identities or the other, but not both.

You also told us Autistic people couldn’t experience co-occurring selective mutism (what we call situational mutism).
Funny thing, though.

Many speaking-Autistic people, myself included, experience environments or interactions that trigger a loss of our ability to communicate with spoken words.

Imagine my surprise when your “science” finally caught up with my lived experience. After the 2013 edit of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, what had always been true was suddenly allowed to be named: I could be Autistic and ADHD, and experience situational mutism. Woo hoo!

Since those DSM-5 edits, research has continued to validate what Autistic people already knew.

A 2017 Swedish population study of nearly 1.9 million people found that ADHD is not just slightly more common, but dramatically more prevalent in Autistic people than in the general population.

Sit down for this one. It’s not a little more likely in our community, or something that happens sometimes.

ADHD is 22 times more common in Autistic people.

Twenty-two times.

At what point does “co-occurring” stop meaning exception and start meaning the majority experience for Autistic people?

From where we sit, AuDHD is not rare.
It is common and it is expected.
Autistic people without ADHD are starting to look like they are in the minority, especially among those without an intellectual disability. (I suspect that latter may be due to diagnostic overshadowing.)

The diagnostic manual has changed dramatically in just 13 years. Criteria have been rewritten, categories have merged, and assumptions have been overturned.

It is time to formally recognize the prevalence of ADHD for Autistic people, develop more relevant supports for our particular blend of neurodivergence, and recognize the AuDHD identity.

There is no date set for the next revision of the DSM, but there is every reason for your team to get to work on it.

When ADHD is ignored in Autistic people, the result is unmet needs.

To be precise: more unmet needs — something Autistic people already have more than enough of.

01/02/2026

I didn’t just come back. I came back knowing exactly what I wanted — and built it my way. And also I don’t like having bosses

12/31/2025

Millennial parents are raising children in a world unlike any before. Economic pressures, social isolation, and high stress levels make parenting uniquely challenging. From student loans and housing costs to job insecurity and constant digital distractions, the environment is demanding.

Despite these obstacles, millennials spend more time with their children than previous generations. Meals, bedtime routines, and playtime are often prioritized, showing a conscious effort to stay present. This increased engagement fosters stronger parent-child bonds, emotional security, and cognitive development.

Research shows that quality time matters more than ever. Even short periods of focused interaction can boost a child’s emotional resilience and sense of safety. Millennials are using technology and flexible schedules creatively to maximize meaningful moments with their kids, compensating for the stress and demands of modern life.

By intentionally investing time, parents are shaping healthier, happier, and more secure children. Their efforts demonstrate that strong relationships do not rely on perfect circumstances but on commitment, presence, and consistency. Millennials may face unprecedented challenges, yet they are raising a generation with more connection and support than ever before.