A Case for Optimism
By Matthew Hess, CEO, First Children Services It is April 5, 2020 and we have been in our government-ordered quarantine for going on three weeks. Schools have closed, businesses shuttered […]
School Anxiety and First Children Services
By Jay S. Cohen, M.Ed Supervisor of Transitions/Balance Programs Some students feign illness to skip going to school. Here, at First Children Service’s Transitions and Balance programs, it’s often anxiety […]
What is an “inclusive” child care program?
By Pam Radel, Director of Administration I am proud to say that for the last 20 years, I have been the director of an inclusive child care program. Some of […]
Childhood Trauma and Its Possible Link to Anxiety and Excessive Absenteeism
By Susan Goldman, MEd, Director, Community Educational Services I totally missed it! If I knew then what I know now, what a different impact I would’ve had on my inner […]
Top 10 Tips to Reduce Back to School Anxiety
What if I get lost? Will I make new friends? What if I don’t like my new teacher? Will I have someone to sit with at lunch? What if someone […]
Common Sensory Processing Disorder Symptoms That are Easy to Overlook
By Michelle Critelli, OTR/L Everyone knows a person or child who has at least some of the above issues. It may even be yourself and you never knew why certain […]
A Unique Environment for Kids with School Refusal Due to Anxiety Disorders
By Jay Cohen, M.Ed. A student’s ability to learn is often impacted by anxiety disorders. Although these kids might easily maintain average and above academic abilities, the stress related issues […]
Child-Only Insurance Plans for Children with Autism
What is the New Jersey Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities Mandate? In 2009, the New Jersey Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities Mandate was passed requiring all fully-insured plans written in […]
Autism Awareness in Ireland
Our Educational Program Advisor, Tom McCool, recently visited Ireland where he furthered awareness of autism on an international scale. Below is an excerpt of his visit. “Cathy and I […]
Teacher reaches his students through music
MEET JAY COHEN… By JAYNE JACOVA FELD Voice staff HOMETOWN: Cherry Hill FAMILY: Wife Robin, daughters Megan and Brittany, granddaughter Remy FAVORITE COMPOSER: Frédéric Chopin FAVORITE NIGHT OUT: Dinner and a Broadway show […]