All Posts

Childhood seizures can be a frightening experience for both the child and their family. Understanding what seizures are, how they impact a child’s development, and the importance of specialized care, such as neuropsychological testing, can help families navigate this challenging journey. What Are Childhood Seizures?  Seizures are sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain that can cause changes in behavior, movements, feelings, and levels of consciousness. They

Introduction In the bustling world of childhood, where play and sports are fundamental to development, the risk of concussions cannot be overlooked. Pediatric concussion, a form of traumatic brain injury, poses a unique challenge to children’s developing brains. Addressing this issue requires more than just physical healing; it necessitates a comprehensive approach that includes neuropsychological care. At HM VPSYCH , Dr. Harry Voulgarakis prioritizes the mental health and c

Navigating the complexities of childhood and adolescence in the fast-paced environment of New York City can pose unique challenges for both children and their families. Behavioral Pediatrics is a specialized branch of medicine that focuses on the comprehensive care of children and adolescents’ behavioral, emotional, and developmental issues. This guide will delve into what Behavioral Pediatrics entails, its benefits for your child, and why it might be the crucial support your

It is currently estimated that 1 in 4 children have difficulty with reading and comprehension. These students struggle both in and out of the school setting. Not only do impaired reading skills impact someone’s ability to learn but can also be the source of significant stress for young children leading to mental health concerns and social difficulties. Further, when untreated, poor reading skills that are not remediated have been associated with negative long-term effects inc

With August just around the corner, back-to-school anxiety is starting to feel very real for many kids (and their parents). This is of course amplified by the post-pandemic return, which, depending on location, can come with varying levels of restrictions and regulations for students and staff.  And while many parents may still be worried about the delta variant and other COVID-19 related concerns, experience tells me that there is more that students are feeling nervous about

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world by storm in a very short period of time, whether directly affected or not. Of course, what I mean by directly affected are those that have contracted the virus, but the reality is that everyone around the world has been impacted by this global public health concern. While social media has contributed to the spread of information, it has also undoubtedly contributed to the hysteria and panic, which is not exclusive to COVID-19. Still,

The last week or two have been particularly challenging for many of us as we have become witness to a number of racially driven, and in some cases, violent or even deadly incidents. In the wake of COVID-19, many are already experiencing emotional distress. On top of that, events such as a woman calling the cops on a black man in central park, and the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, 25, and George Flody, 46, have shaken us to our core. And while each of these instances are unique, th

When people ask me what I do, and I tell them that I work with people with developmental disorders like autism, I univariably get one of two responses: “wow, you must be really patient!”, or, “hmm…why is there so much autism today? We didn’t have autism when I was young.” And, while I won’t speak to my patience, I will spend some time untangling the autism “epidemic.” Dr. Leo Kanner first began to study autism over 70 years ago, yet little was heard of it in mainstream educat

Many children who show early signs of autism do not receive appropriate screening for neurodevelopmental conditions for many reasons. These include fear and stigma around labeling children, denial of a potential problem, or fear of the unknown. Beyond that, many families, especially first time parents, do know there are any delays present for many months as they may be unaware of expected milestones. Finally, lack of resources, access to care, and inappropriate assessment pra