Sue Scheff: ADD/ADHD - To Medicate or not to Medicate

Here is an interesting article that many parents with kids that are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD struggle with. As a mother of an ADHD child (now a young adult), after trying other alternatives, medication was the path that worked for us. By the time my son was in his Freshman year of College, he no longer was taking the medication. I know each child is different and I also know the feeling of wanting to help our kids when they are struggling. I think one of the largest misconceptions I get from parents today is that ADD/ADHD kids are less intelligent than a child without ADD/ADHD. My son has a very high IQ – however he couldn’t focus long enough to use it – until we decided on medication. Did I mention he had a full academic ride in a private college? Yes, ADD/ADHD children are very intelligent. (O-kay, so I am a proud mom!)


To Medicate or to not Medicate

When dealing with a child with ADHD or ADD, it seems like the only sane choice for you as a parent is to put them on the various medications that have been emerging. While these do take care of the initial symptoms, they also serve to build a dependence on medication and alter the complete mood of your child so that you are unaware where their personality went sometimes. With the increase in medicinal findings relating to such disorders, more and more parents are opting to put their children on various medications that are meant to relieve symptoms but can produce unwanted side effects.

Dealing with a teenager is rough enough as it is, but dealing with one with ADHD or any other behavioral disorder amplifies this time by 10. Additionally, the number of cases has increased drastically over the years, which reveals not only an influx of cases but an increase in medication as well. This in turn has led many to believe that this is not a “true” disorder and is an easy “cop-out” for parents with unruly children to find some way to calm them down. Furthermore, more and more college students are also claiming to have related disorders in order to get the medication and special help throughout classes. Ritalin and Adderall are in high demand throughout college campuses and serve to allow students to focus on their papers and assignments better. Encouraging this type of dependence from such a young age is detrimental for the health of these children and can serve to become a debilitating addiction. What happens when the children are adults and go off medication? Will they be able to focus on their life after this point or will they continually need to self-medicate?

Deciding whether or not to put your child on similar medications is a hard decision for any parent, but the recent findings relating disparaging remarks about medication are not entirely helpful for parents considering the option. For many of these parents, medication seems to be the last viable option, while many health care professionals believe that these behavioral disorders are becoming overdiagnosed around the country. While most children are prescribed medication in order to make them “normal”, many doctors have argued that no one has talked about the moral equivalent of medication: better parenting and more appropriate schooling. While it is unfair to blame the parents for this type of behavior condition, it remains apparent that the diagnosis is becoming increasingly popular among health care professionals and schools have yet to really revitalize their efforts to deal with students who suffer from this inability to focus on their work. Only a decade ago, few children were diagnosed with such a disorder; many were just assumed to not care about school. However, present day schooling has indicated that teachers need to recognize this type of behavior as a condition that can be treated with medication, not with increased supervision. In severe cases, medication may be the best option, but overall in the thousands of cases around the country, simply increased discipline on the child should serve to help their overall concentration. Behavioral conditions should not blossom in this way overnight out of little substance.

This post was contributed by Sarah Russel, who writes about the top rated colleges. She welcomes your feedback at SarahRussel1234 at gmail.com

Sue Scheff: Parenting Kids Online

Source: Examiner.com

Internet safety for families, part 1

By: Kathy Applebee

Children can benefit educationally and socially and find enjoyment on the internet. They also can find great danger from predators, pornography, spamming schemes and cyber bullies. Today we’ll discuss some concrete ways you can protect your children and yourself from hazards that range from mildly annoying to outright life threatening.

First, parents should up their ‘cyber-saviness’. Ignorance is not bliss. Go through an on line safety class with your child. Not only will you be educated, you’ll have a firm foundation of what your child knows. It can also serve to open communication so that if your child runs into problems down the road, the two of you have common ground to start that conversation.

Wiredkids.org has several safe surfing activities you can do you’re your children. Super Safe Kiddo is a type of superhero who has them respond with yes/no to questions like “Only kids are in kid chat rooms” or “I can tell how old a person is”. After they answer, the super hero discusses their answer choices with them. They also offer Sophia’s Safe Surfing Club where they can earn their safe surfing permit.

Disney offers some suggestions for starting a conversation about the Net. Asking the right questions of your child and other adults is the first step to help you understand what your child is doing on line. Some suggested questions are: What sites do you visit? What do you do there? How often/how long do you visit? Did they ask for any information? What did you share? You can download a list of six printable safety tips and an internet agreement.

Read more: http://www.examiner.com/x-11662-Virginia-Beach-Online-Learning-Examiner~y2009m6d24-Internet-safety-for-families-part-1

Sue Scheff: KidsHealth - Parenting Today

Welcome to KidsHealth!If you're looking for information you can trust about kids and teens that's free of "doctor speak," you've come to the right place. KidsHealth is the most-visited site on the Web for information about health, behavior, and development from before birth through the teen years.On a typical weekday, more than 500,000 people visit KidsHealth.One of the things that makes KidsHealth special is that it's really three sites in one: with sections for parents, for kids, and for teens.

KidsHealth is more than just the facts about health. As part of The Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media, KidsHealth also provides families with perspective, advice, and comfort about a wide range of physical, emotional, and behavioral issues that affect children and teens.To do this, our editorial staff communicates complex medical information in language that readers can understand and use. And all KidsHealth articles, animations, games, and other content go through a rigorous medical review by pediatricians and other medical experts. Ongoing, scheduled medical reviews ensure the information is as up-to-date as possible.

Along the way, KidsHealth has received its share of recognition — among them, four Webby Awards, including for Best Family/Parenting Site and Best Health Site on the Web, the Parent's Choice Gold Award, the Teacher's Choice Award for Family, and the International Pirelli Award for best educational media for students.KidsHealth cannot take the place of an in-person visit with a doctor, who can perform examinations and answer questions. But we can provide unbiased, reliable information to help you and your family pursue good health and wellness for a lifetime.

Nemours Center for Children's Health MediaThe Nemours Center for Children's Health Media is a part of The Nemours Foundation, a nonprofit organization created by philanthropist Alfred I. duPont in 1936 and devoted to improving the health of children.The pediatrician-led Center is unique in the nation with its exclusive focus on children's health media — and offers a post-residency fellowship for physicians seeking to further develop their skills in health communications.

Our recent projects include The Pink Locker Society, a novel that aims to educate and entertain preteen girls; and the Healthy Habits for Life Resource Kit, a DVD and 100-page booklet — produced in collaboration with Sesame Workshop — that helps preschool teachers incorporate healthy physical activity and nutrition habits into everyday routines. We also created Fit Kids, published worldwide by Dorling Kindersley, an illustrated book to help parents keep their kids and teens eating healthy and active.

Licensable Health Information and Media Inquiries

The Center also creates children's health information for licensed use by hospitals and corporations. Our business development team welcomes inquiries from organizations regarding collaborative or licensing projects. Requests from the media for interviews with KidsHealth experts are welcome. For permission to reprint or link to KidsHealth content, see our Permissions Guidelines.

Sponsorship OpportunitiesKidsHealth offers a variety of sponsorship opportunities on KidsHealth.org; KidsHealth in the Classroom; in our weekly e-newsletters; and through offline initiatives, video, and other means.

Sponsorship revenue is used to support the development of KidsHealth educational programs. We welcome you to join us in supporting families.Tell Us What You ThinkWe depend on you — and our millions of other visitors — to let us know your thoughts about KidsHealth, how we have been helpful, and ways we can improve the site.

If you have a correction to request, please send that along, too. I guarantee we'll listen.Editor-in-Chief and Founder, KidsHealthChief Executive, Nemours Center for Children's Health MediaNemours Foundation comments@KidsHealth.org

Sue Scheff: Safe Driving Club for Teens

Our Mission

To help you (Mom and Dad!) safeguard and protect your teen,
leading to reduced driving crashes, injuries and fatalities.

What We Do


We provide education and information for parents to help them protect and safeguard their children as they begin driving. To help parents with concrete and actionable steps they can take, we also deliver services and tools — proven to reduce the likelihood of a crash — to help parents keep their teens safe and alive.

Why We Do It

There is no other threat that consistently takes over 5,000 young lives each year. If there were, our nation would long ago have been galvanized into action to do whatever was necessary to stop the carnage. Yet teen driving has been a national health and safety issue — and a tragedy for thousands of families — every year since the late 1950’s when teens began driving in large numbers. We believe there is no more important step we can take for our young people than focusing on ways to keep them alive behind the wheel.

About Safe Teen Driving Club

Vehicle crashes are the #1 cause of death and injury for youngsters age 15 to 20. Guns, drugs, suicide, homicide and all other causes take a back seat to driving crashes. Nearly half of teen deaths result from vehicle crashes. For those who survive crashes, some 300,000 teens must be treated in hospital ER’s each year, many with life-changing injuries.

The Safe Teen Driving Club is a community of concerned parents, teens and professionals, and a resource for protecting teenage drivers and their families. We are working with parents, schools, educators, businesses, non-profits and public policy makers to create a safer driving environment for teens, while giving parents the tools and services they need to significantly affect and improve their teen’s driving behavior. We want to help you keep them safe!

Newsletter Archive

When it comes to parenting teens — keeping your son or daughter safe — understanding driving laws that affect both teens and parents — setting appropriate rules around driving — you’ll find a wealth of information at the Newsletter Archive. (Register or Login at the web site to access these back issues).

www.SafeTeenDrivingClub.org

Sue Scheff: Aniexty Disorders and Teens

Is ADHD causing your child's anxiety? Or could an anxiety disorder be to blame? Symptom and treatment information.

Free ADHD handout from ADDitude Magazine

Moderate anxiety - when taking a test or performing in a school play - is normal and healthy. But if your child's anxiety is more severe and commonplace, you may fear that an anxiety disorder is to blame. ADDitude has made it easier to understand anxiety with this quick comparison sheet that will help you understand the symptoms and treatment of anxiety disorder vs. ADHD. Contents include...

Common symptoms of anxiety disorder in childrenAn explanation of primary vs. secondary anxiety in children with ADHDEffective treatment options for children with primary or secondary anxiety

Get your Free Download Here: http://www.additudemag.com/RCLP/sub/5435.html

Sue Scheff: Hazing and Bullying

Source: Connect with Kids

HAZING

“I think that hazing by nature is not necessarily a bad thing. It's when it gets humiliating or cruel or overly anxiety-provoking and it becomes a traumatic event, we have to get rid of that.”

– John Lochridge, Ph.D., psychologist

Fifteen-year-old Sean Butkus sees hazing as a pretty normal part of team sports.

“Hazing is a way of initiating a kid and seeing if they’re determined enough’ he says. “Just like, it’s like a test to see if you know they’re gonna be there for you.”

As a freshman, Sean joined his older brother’s soccer team this fall. So he knew what to expect from hearing about his brother’s experience.

“He got his head shaved” says Sean. “And I knew maybe that would happen to me. I actually got a Mohawk.”

Psychologist John Lochridge makes the point that not all of these ‘rites of passage’ are damaging. They were originally meant to bring a group closer together through some sort of hardship, but within certain boundaries.

“I think that hazing by nature is not necessarily a bad thing,” Lochridge says. “It’s when it gets humiliating or cruel or overly anxiety-provoking and it becomes a traumatic event, we have to get rid of that.”

A new survey finds that 45 percent of high school kids have been hazed: one in four was sleep deprived and 8 percent of the kids had to drink so much they either got sick or passed out.

“There’s just not enough supervisors to see what’s happening in every room – what’s happening in the bathroom, the locker room – there’s just so many places where so many things can happen,” Sean says.

Experts say the key is for the adults in charge to be proactive, to be alert, to ask questions and to make boundaries clear at the beginning of the year or the start of the season.

“There needs to be no sexuality involved and no abuse, no nudity, no humiliation – those kinds of things are above and beyond,” says Lochridge.

And coaches in particular can make sure they pick the right kids to be the team leaders.

It helps to have captains who are approachable, who are mature enough to listen to the new kids, Lochridge states.

“You want a relationship somewhere between the kids where the ones who are being hazed can go to the older ones and say, look, this is enough,” he adds. “It’s gone over the line. It’s getting inappropriate. And hopefully, the older ones have the wisdom to respond to that.”

Sean was lucky. His team captains were responsible and his experience was all in good fun.

“I mean, we still laugh about it,” he says. “I liked it.”

Tips for Parents

Hazing was created as a way to develop teamwork and unity among a group of individuals. It was also designed to “prove one’s worth.” While trust, devotion and determination are important attributes to possess, many organizations who participate in hazing take it to the extreme, turning it from a symbol of loyalty into a celebration of humiliation. Experts have developed a list of alternatives to hazing.

Plan events in which the whole group, team or organization attends (such as field trips, retreats, dances, movies and plays).

Participate in team-building activities (visiting a ropes course, playing paint ball, etc.).
Plan a social event with another group.

Develop a peer-mentor program within the group, teaming seasoned members with new members.

Work together on a community service project or plan fundraisers for local charitable organizations.

Hazing may not seem like a big deal to a lot of people. Students and parents may consider hazing a part of tradition, having fun or harmless pranks. But according to D'Arcy Lyness, a child and adolescent psychologist, viewing hazing this way only adds to the problem. It trivializes the actual dangers that exist in the act of hazing. There are steps, however, that parents can take to help prevent hazing, Lyness says.

Be educated about state anti-hazing laws (all but seven states have some sort of law applying to schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions). Some schools – and states – may group hazing and bullying together in policies and laws.

Make sure your child's school and/or district has clearly defined policies that prohibit hazing, is taking measures to proactively prevent hazing from occurring and is acting immediately with repercussions when hazing does occur.

Ask your parent-teacher association and/or school administrators to invite a local law-enforcement official to speak to parents and/or the student body about hazing and the state's anti-hazing law.

Work with school personnel and student leaders to create powerful – and safe – experiences to promote positive alternatives to hazing that would foster cohesion in group, club and team membership.

Talk to other parents – especially those of upperclassmen and your child's sports teammates – about what their children may have seen or experienced. If you know that the problem exists at your child's school, you'll be better prepared to discuss it with your child, fellow parents and school officials.

Clichéd as it is, have the "if everyone else was jumping off the bridge, would you do it, too?" conversation with your child. Talk about why your child shouldn't feel pressured to participate in anything, even if "everyone else is doing it" or "it's always been done this way."

Talk specifically about hazing and what your child would do in a hypothetical hazing situation. Discuss how the group mentality sometimes can cause people to wait for someone else to do the right thing, stop something dangerous, speak out, etc. Discuss the topic in a way that doesn't lecture or tell your child what to think or do. Let your child know that often it takes just one person to speak out or take different action to change a situation. Others will follow if someone has the courage to be first to do something different or to be first to refuse to go along with the group.

Explain to your child that physical and mental abuse, no matter how harmless it may seem, isn't part of becoming a member of the in crowd or a specific group, and that it even may be against the law. Emphasize the importance of telling you and an adult at school whenever another kid or group of kids causes your child or anyone else physical harm.

If your child has experienced hazing, talk to school officials immediately. If physical abuse was involved, talk to your local law-enforcement agency. Though he or she may be unwilling or may feel uneasy about "telling on" peers, get precise details from your child about the incident – who, what, when, where and how.

Above all, maintain open communication with your child. Always ask what's going at school, what peers are doing, what pressures are present – physically, academically and socially. Encourage your child to come to you in any uncomfortable situation, big or small.

References
Kids Health
Stop Hazing
National School Safety Center
University of Maine

A Guide for Teens: How to Find a Summer Job!

Quintessential Careers: A Guide for Teens: How to Find a Summer or Part-Time Job

by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

Even if summer vacation is still a few months away for most teens, now is the time to plan and lay a foundation for landing that cool summer job you really want.

Some caveats: This article is really geared to older high school and college teens, with a focus on summer jobs, not internships. For younger teens (under 15), check out another article I wrote, Job Ideas for Teens 15 and Younger: Beyond Babysitting. For college students looking for internship tips, we're working on such an article, but for now, please visit: Quintessential Careers: College Internship Resources.

The Action Plan for Teens Wanting a Summer Job The first step you need to do is decide on the summer job you want or need -– in terms of the type of job, the location, the hours, the pay. You may not be able to find a job that meets all your needs, but given the current employment situation you should strive to find one that meets as many as possible.

The second step you need to do is complete a self-analysis. What do you have to offer an employer? What kind of skills do you have? What kind of other work have you done -– paid or volunteer? What have you learned at school that might be useful in your ideal summer job?

The third step you need to do is develop a resume. You will put forth a very professional image if you present a professional-looking resume to potential employers. You'll want to visit Quintessential Careers: Resume Resources. You'll also need to learn about cover letters, so plan on visiting Quintessential Careers: Cover Letter Resources.

The fourth step you need to do is use all your available resources to land that ideal summer job. Talk with your parents and older family members, your friends' parents, your teachers, and any other adults you know and ask them if they have any contacts at your ideal job's company. Give them copies of your resume. We call this step networking, and it will give you the highest chances of landing your ideal job.

The fifth step is hitting the pavement, reading the newspaper want ads, and/or surfing the Web. If you don't get any job leads from the fourth step, you have to take action!

The sixth step is applying for the jobs that interest you. This step is where you again use your resume. Make sure you are familiar with job applications and have all the information you need to complete them.

The seventh step is interviewing for the jobs. Make sure you know something about the company; develop answers to common interview questions; think of a few questions you could ask; practice, practice, practice with a family member of friend; dress conservatively for the interview.

You can read these interviewing tips in more detail -- and find lots more -- by visiting Quintessential Careers: Interviewing Resources.

Where Teens can Find Summer Jobs There are any number of places where you can look for a good summer job:

Local merchants: local stores often need good help – and not just in the summer.

Small businesses: most towns have a number of small business offices – and your family or friends probably know several owners or office managers.

Corporate offices: many have established summer jobs and internship programs, but often these are the most competitive.

Stores at the mall: have a favorite store you like to shop at in the mall? Maybe now is the time to get a job there –- just be careful not to spend all your earnings buying their products.

Hotels and resorts: summer is the busy season for most hotels and resorts.

Tourist attractions: even if you don't live in Florida or California, most states have tourist attractions that especially need help during the busy tourism season.

Golf & Tennis clubs: as the weather improves, these clubs are usually looking for part-time help.
Grocery stores: maybe not the most exciting jobs, but probably the most convenient -– and not just for summer.

Fast food and restaurants: local restaurants always need good help -– and while not the most glamorous, it's still a job.

Parks and recreation departments: city, state, and national parks and recreation departments often develop special summer programs, and thus have job opportunities.

Local government summer job programs: often various government agencies sponsor different kinds of summer youth work programs.

Summer camps: okay, you went to camp as a kid – now you can go back as a counselor and get paid while being at camp.

Working for yourself: there are all sorts of jobs/businesses you could develop for yourself in your neighborhood –- Check out my article, Job Ideas for Teens 15 and Younger: Beyond Babysitting.
The Web: especially if you want to work outside your neighborhood, or even your state, the Web is the place for you to explore all sorts of summer job opportunities -– so go visit Quintessential Careers: Summer Job Websites.

What do Employers Look for in Teens Employers want motivated teens who are going to arrive to work on time, have a positive attitude, work hard, work well with others, show leadership qualities, work their full shift, and do the best job they can. You need to show your employer that you are a good investment, both for the current position, as well as for any potential future positions.

Final Words of Advice Jobs are jobs. You are going to have to work, no matter how "cool" the job or company, so be prepared for some days to not be as great as others. The keys to remember are that you are earning money, you are gaining experience, and you are making good contacts (and references)!

Questions about some of the terminology used in this article? Get more information (definitions and links) on key college, career, and job-search terms by going to our Job-Seeker's Glossary of Job-Hunting Terms.

Dr. Randall S. Hansen is founder of Quintessential Careers, one of the oldest and most comprehensive career development sites on the Web, as well CEO of EmpoweringSites.com. He is also founder of MyCollegeSuccessStory.com and EnhanceMyVocabulary.com. He is publisher of Quintessential Careers Press, including the Quintessential Careers electronic newsletter, QuintZine. Dr. Hansen is also a published author, with several books, chapters in books, and hundreds of articles. He's often quoted in the media and conducts empowering workshops around the country. Finally, Dr. Hansen is also an educator, having taught at the college level for more than 15 years. Visit his personal Website or reach him by email at randall(at)quintcareers.com.

Reprinted with permission; copyright Quintessential Careers