Shealah West Therapy, LLC

10/04/2025

It disregards the genetic underpinnings of ADHD to suggest it is solely caused by environmental factors and foods, twists data to stoke fear over rising diagnosis rates, and excludes a wealth of studies that link stimulant medication use to improved health outcomes.

additu.de/maha1

10/02/2025

Cognitive Reframe!

09/25/2025

The 2025 Through Their Lenses Conference is coming up this November, and tickets are now live! This year's conference will take place Nov 12th-14th in Wichita, KS, and will present a unique opportunity for connection. Hear from fellow child welfare professionals and learn and hear the stories of those directly impacted by the child welfare system.

Don't miss out on this exciting chance to expand your knowledge and network to help make a difference! Click the link in the comments below for full session details and to reserve your ticket for the conference!

When: November 12th-14th
Where: Holiday Inn Wichita East I-35, an IHG Hotel
549 South Rock Road Wichita, KS 67207
Cost: Donation-only model, free breakfast and lunch for first 125 attendees

*Note: Licensed foster homes will receive training hours and social work professionals can earn CEUs for pre-conference events.

09/19/2025

Fantastic news! Congratulations to all who worked tirelessly to see this through!

🎉✨ HISTORIC NEWS FOR THE FASD COMMUNITY❣️✨🎉

We are thrilled to share that the FASD Respect Act language has officially passed the U.S. Senate as part of the SUPPORT Reauthorization Act of 2025 (HR.2483) and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law! ✍️

This is a milestone moment for the 1 in 20 Americans living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders ( ). For too long, families and self-advocates have gone without recognition or resources at the federal level. Today, Congress has taken a historic step toward changing that reality.

💡 What this legislation does:
🎯Authorizes a federal response to FASD.
🎯Allows the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to fund education, prevention, and awareness programs nationwide.
🎯Provides resources to States and Tribes to build FASD-informed services into their systems of care.
🎯Brings hope, recognition, and validation to families and self-advocates who have fought for years to be heard.

This victory is thanks to the bipartisan leadership of Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), plus Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN), and to the tireless voices of advocates, families, and self-advocates across the country.

As Susan Shepard Carlson, former First Lady of Minnesota and past FASD United Board Chair, reminds us: “The passage of FASD authorization is truly historic and a huge victory for the FASD field. This would not have happened without the bipartisan leadership in the House and Senate, and the united effort of so many advocates around the country.”

👏 THANK YOU to everyone who raised your voice, called your legislators, shared your story, and stood with the FASD community. This is YOUR win.

Week

09/11/2025

Wichita area. Who needs baby kitties?

09/08/2025

Yes, we do. But it doesn't mean we are always right in understanding contributing factors and context. It doesn't mean we aren't capable of perpetuating something out of ignorance. Case in point: a kid got into trouble for making that gesture of the limp hand tapped against the chest at a friend "because they were being slow". Upset it was called "hate speech" because "it was a gesture, not words". Once there was a discussion about how that gesture and mindset behind it is offensive to those with intellectual (and other) disabilities and correlating it with other forms of discrimination, how speech is non verbal as well as verbal, kid was upset with themselves and better understood the situation. Lack of awareness, lack of understanding can still catch us up. It's also a struggle because sometimes we lack the awareness of when it's a good time to simply let something go because things are not within our control and walk away to keep situations from escalating so we can approach it a little differently. I've put a target on my back multiple times because I couldn't recognize when I needed to walk away from something or try a different tactic.

09/07/2025

Sitting in the room with and doing their OWN THING. Not hovering, not correcting, not commenting. Just BEING. Otherwise it feels controlling or babysitting.

Spare your family the drama and fights by following this homework system designed for children with ADHD and learning disabilities. additu.de/no-stress

09/07/2025

The play therapy community lost a bright light yesterday. I had the great pleasure of meeting and attending a phenomenal play therapy training by Carmen in 2023. She was a dynamic force, creative and incredibly talented, teaching all of us ways to stretch ourselves professionally in the play therapy room, offering ingenious interventions to help our clients sort through and rise above the muck in life. Her absence will be acutely felt.