Heritage Behavioral Services Blog

As a teenager, Michael McLaughlin wanted to go to college. He had several disabilities including dyslexia and bipolar disorder, which threatened to make the road ahead more difficult....... c ontinue reading

While emotional problems are common in our daily lives, particularly in childhood, over diagnosing mental health conditions with over use of psychiatric medications are epidemic leading to presupposition of mental health crisis.  Dr. Stanley Kutcher of Dalhousie University, working with the World Health Organization (WHO)  has brought these issues to light. continue reading..

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) recognizes March as Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month. The goal for this month is to create awareness about developmental disabilities, teach the importance of inclusion within every aspect of life and to share the stories of individuals with a disability to show that a successful life is possible.

E-cigarette use and vaping have been described as safer alternatives to smoking cigarettes, but advocacy groups and some scientists studying the growing trend say those nicotine-containing devices carry known risks to developing teenage brains-- and some kids are already using them . CBS News Report.....

CNN: UK and Italian scientists are getting closer to developing blood and urine tests for autism, which could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of the condition, a new study suggests. Autism is a developmental disorder that mainly affects social interaction, causing a wide spectrum of behavioral problems, including hyperactivity, anxiety or speech disturbances. continue reading..

While precise numbers are hard to come by, by some estimates at least 80% of adults with autism are unemployed, even though their IQs are often well above average. .......  Last April, 50 big-name companies -- including JP Morgan, Microsoft, Ford and Ernst & Young -- came together for a summit on how to bring more autistic adults into the workforce. WATCH CBS SUNDAY MORNING   continue reading...

U.S. nursing homes have significantly reduced the use of powerful antipsychotic drugs among their elderly residents, responding to pressure from many directions. Yet advocacy groups insist that overmedication remains a major problem, and want the pressure to intensify. continue reading