On Point | Podcast Falling Behind: How to talk with boys
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Aug 30, 2025 Dr. Kevin Simon, an attending pediatric psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, discusses the unique challenges boys face in educational settings. He highlights systemic issues, emphasizing the need for supportive environments tailored to boys’ emotional needs. The conversation dives into the importance of culturally competent support, emotional literacy, and the vital role of parents in advocacy. Dr. Simon also addresses the disparities in mental health services and the necessity of fostering trust within therapeutic relationships.
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Schools Often Misfit Boys' Development
- School's structure often mismatches boys' typical behavior and penalizes them more harshly.
- This mismatch creates a self-fulfilling academic and disciplinary decline for many boys.
Request Evaluations Proactively
- Advocate for evaluation and accommodations early by requesting a 504 or IEP from the school.
- Persist with the school because bureaucratic timelines can delay services by months or years.
KJ Example Shows Age-Appropriate Activity
- Kevin describes his four-year-old KJ as bubbly and active, typical for that age.
- He uses that example to show how expected behavior can clash with classroom demands.