It would be foolhardy for me, or anyone one else for that matter, to deny the fact that ADHD in teenagers is a growing problem, not only in the United States, but all over the world. After all, statistics don't lie, and if recent statistics are anything to go by, the number of teens living with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) has increased tenfold in recent years. The question which many researchers are asking is why.
Some experts believe it's because we have more reliable and more robust ADHD screening procedures in place these days, and that because more people are familiar with the signs and symptoms of the disorder, more cases are being brought to the attention of health care providers.
On the other hand, a lot of people are arguing that many doctors aren't adequately experienced in this field, and are therefore likely to misdiagnose ADHD. In a perfect world, a psychiatrist or pediatrician lacking experience in this field would refer their patient to a different doctor, but as we all know, we don't live in a perfect world.
Many specialists in this field, including many people working in government agencies such as the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) believe that many of the cases involving ADHD in teenagers aren't legitimate cases and that many teens are actually faking the disorder. As many have pointed out, it's very easy for a teen to go online in order to familiarize themselves with ADHD symptoms, and then fake those symptoms for the sole purpose of obtaining the prescription drugs which are routinely used for treating ADHD.
Let's take a look at one possible scenario. Your teenage son spends a lot of his time hanging out with all his college pals, some of which might already be taking ADHD stimulant drugs, either legally or illegally. At some point, you son is offered some of these tablets. Maybe he takes them so he can stay awake longer than usual because he wants to study for an important exam. Maybe he's been invited to a party, and wants to stay awake all night just like his friends do.
Because these amphetamine-like ADHD drugs are so addictive, your son soon has a habit over which he has no control. He now has to rely on friends to keep him supplied, but because these drugs are a Class ll Controlled Substance, acquiring them without a prescription could land him in prison. Rather than risk his freedom, he goes online and does some research regarding ADHD symptoms, and before long, he's behaving just as any other ADHD teen behaves. As a parent, you're concerned so you take him to doctor for screening. Not having much experience, the doctor decides your son does indeed have ADHD, and duly prescribes ADHD stimulant drugs.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
8 Steps to Help You Stay Balanced for Teaching the Child With Autism
An autistic child can be extremely challenging to live with or
teach at times. Your own self-care is vital as you can easily become
drained and thrown off balance by the demands of parenting or teaching
these kids. This is being wisely selfish. Do something you love to do
every day which will recharge you. If you love to swim, go swimming, if
you love to play music, then play music, if you love to garden, then
spend time in your garden, if you love to ride horses then go riding. Do
whatever you need to do to care for yourself. You are the most
important person to influence your child so they need you to be grounded
and balanced.
Here are 8 STEPS to HELP YOU recover your energy and help you stay balanced.
1. Make a strong determination to overcome this challenge and to not be defeated by this diagnosis of autism.
2. Adjust your attitude from how unfortunate I am to have an autistic child to how blessed I am to be given a child whose mission it is to bring Light and Love to this world! See the gifts autism has to offer. The only thing we can control is our attitude and the most positive attitude is one of hope.
3. Strengthen your Faith. Implement a spiritual practice if you do not already have one. Whatever spiritual path that will nourish your spirit during difficult days. Prayer, mindful meditation and chanting are some ways which can help strengthen your faith.
4. Listen to and follow your Intuition which will guide you.
5. Appreciate your partner. You are not alone you are together as one team facing this challenge. Be determined that the challenge of autism is not going to tear apart your marriage. Take time out to spend time as a couple.
6. Find and build a support network especially if you are a single parent. Remind yourself that you are not alone. Talk to other parents either in a support group or in an online forum. Find support that uplifts you.
7. Do your inner work. It is important to clear your emotional baggage and negative beliefs that do not serve you anymore as children will tend to mirror your inner state. Find a healing modality that is effective and gentle, and a practitioner that you feel comfortable and safe with.
8. To care for yourself I recommend these simple methods:
Here are 8 STEPS to HELP YOU recover your energy and help you stay balanced.
1. Make a strong determination to overcome this challenge and to not be defeated by this diagnosis of autism.
2. Adjust your attitude from how unfortunate I am to have an autistic child to how blessed I am to be given a child whose mission it is to bring Light and Love to this world! See the gifts autism has to offer. The only thing we can control is our attitude and the most positive attitude is one of hope.
3. Strengthen your Faith. Implement a spiritual practice if you do not already have one. Whatever spiritual path that will nourish your spirit during difficult days. Prayer, mindful meditation and chanting are some ways which can help strengthen your faith.
4. Listen to and follow your Intuition which will guide you.
5. Appreciate your partner. You are not alone you are together as one team facing this challenge. Be determined that the challenge of autism is not going to tear apart your marriage. Take time out to spend time as a couple.
6. Find and build a support network especially if you are a single parent. Remind yourself that you are not alone. Talk to other parents either in a support group or in an online forum. Find support that uplifts you.
7. Do your inner work. It is important to clear your emotional baggage and negative beliefs that do not serve you anymore as children will tend to mirror your inner state. Find a healing modality that is effective and gentle, and a practitioner that you feel comfortable and safe with.
8. To care for yourself I recommend these simple methods:
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Deep Breathing exercises
- Receive Reiki to raise your life force and relieve stress
- Take Access Body Talk course as a simple First Aid technique
I
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6767578
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Enrolling a Teenager With Aspergers Syndrome at a Therapeutic School
Aspergers syndrome is a disability that affects how a person relates to other people. People who have Aspergers may talk a lot about their hobbies but have problems in getting messages across other people or giving them a chance to talk. They may also have problems in understanding other people's feelings or their body gestures. Overall, it can be said that people with Aspergers have impaired communication with other people.
Aspergers is also demonstrated when people like their habits to be stringently observed and organized. They like everything to be at the right schedule and can be seriously frustrated when it is done in the "wrong" manner. The results of Aspergers vary and can range from formalized behavior to aggressive and anti-social behavior.
Secondary school can be highly upsetting for students with Aspergers syndrome given the secondary school's routine. Transferring classrooms and meeting new classmates and teachers can be extremely stressful for someone who likes everything to be "in place" or unchanging. A person who has Aspergers can also extend a lot of effort when speaking with others. While other students have better interpersonal relationship as they get older, people with Aspergers may find it tricky to maintain friendships.
A thesis by Petra Dewrang, a psychologist, investigates individuals with Aspergers from children between 14 and 18 years old. The thesis, which was based on interviews, self-evaluations and tests, found out that people afflicted with Aspergers were as comfortable as the comparison group. Although both Aspergers and comparison group established good relationships with their family, the former seems to have a difficult time building relationships outside the family sphere. With this, a therapeutic school can help people afflicted with Aspergers syndrome to gain more interpersonal skills, which permit them to relate with other people.
Hence, specialty schools such as an Aspergers school can help students get used to the school environment without much trauma. These schools have individualized programs that serve the needs of a person who struggles with a specific difficulty. For example, people with Aspergers can work with groups, such as clubs, that permit them to polish their hobbies. Although they are fascinated about a specific subject and have a difficult time keeping up with other subjects, personalized programs can help these adolescents concentrate on subjects where they are performing poorly.
Adolescents dealing with Aspergers can also experience burnout in terms of school work. Thus, facing homework can be even more daunting when they do not have colleagues to share it with. Therapeutic schools can work out with teachers to modify schoolwork for these students without actually lowering coursework quality. A school counselor can also help these students in developing positive attitudes in dealing with their interpersonal difficulties.
Aspergers is also demonstrated when people like their habits to be stringently observed and organized. They like everything to be at the right schedule and can be seriously frustrated when it is done in the "wrong" manner. The results of Aspergers vary and can range from formalized behavior to aggressive and anti-social behavior.
Secondary school can be highly upsetting for students with Aspergers syndrome given the secondary school's routine. Transferring classrooms and meeting new classmates and teachers can be extremely stressful for someone who likes everything to be "in place" or unchanging. A person who has Aspergers can also extend a lot of effort when speaking with others. While other students have better interpersonal relationship as they get older, people with Aspergers may find it tricky to maintain friendships.
A thesis by Petra Dewrang, a psychologist, investigates individuals with Aspergers from children between 14 and 18 years old. The thesis, which was based on interviews, self-evaluations and tests, found out that people afflicted with Aspergers were as comfortable as the comparison group. Although both Aspergers and comparison group established good relationships with their family, the former seems to have a difficult time building relationships outside the family sphere. With this, a therapeutic school can help people afflicted with Aspergers syndrome to gain more interpersonal skills, which permit them to relate with other people.
Hence, specialty schools such as an Aspergers school can help students get used to the school environment without much trauma. These schools have individualized programs that serve the needs of a person who struggles with a specific difficulty. For example, people with Aspergers can work with groups, such as clubs, that permit them to polish their hobbies. Although they are fascinated about a specific subject and have a difficult time keeping up with other subjects, personalized programs can help these adolescents concentrate on subjects where they are performing poorly.
Adolescents dealing with Aspergers can also experience burnout in terms of school work. Thus, facing homework can be even more daunting when they do not have colleagues to share it with. Therapeutic schools can work out with teachers to modify schoolwork for these students without actually lowering coursework quality. A school counselor can also help these students in developing positive attitudes in dealing with their interpersonal difficulties.
Friday, February 17, 2012
A Therapeutic School for Troubled Youth
Most people agree that teenagers of this generation deal with more daily activities, entertainment, and worries compared to those in the past. With technological advancements at their behest, they enjoy many things their parents didn't. However, this wide range of choices and overwhelming stimuli also has an effect on them; their emotional and psychological aspects of growth are often compromised. Fortunately, research and developments on educational, medical, and clinical institutions help troubled teens find a shelter in boarding schools designed especially for them.
Boarding schools for struggling teens accept students with various forms and manifestations of developmental, educational, and psychological issues. They help those with autism spectrum disorders, adoption issues, anxiety, as well as oppositional, bipolar, and borderline personality disorders. Such boarding schools also deal with students with post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse issues, and depression, impulse control, and anger management problems. Those struggling with their academic, family, and communication aspects can also enroll in these schools.
Therapeutic schools for troubled teens have a variety of clinical services to handle different teen issues. They refer to modern treatment modalities to help each student have a higher functioning level, diminish symptoms and manifestations, and help them become productive family and community members. These modalities include behavior, group, and family therapy, each with its own features and advantages that suit a student's needs.
A multi-disciplinary team includes therapists, teachers, and psychiatrists who coordinate structured treatment programs for a student's specific needs and preferences. These experts assess a teen's capabilities and current levels of achievement using standardized tests used by licensed professionals in the industry. Aside from individual treatments, a school for troubled youth also employs group therapies that allow students to interact with fellow teens.
Schools for troubled teens also develop and provide programs for teens with clinical cases such as Asperger Syndrome. Their team of knowledgeable experts refers to the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV-TR) for the symptoms and criteria to determine if your child has the condition. A leading Aspergers school can effectively deal with your teen's needs while also allowing them to function normally at school
With today's teens' plethora of issues and problems, a therapeutic school where they can find help, healing, and happiness is the ideal place for learning, development, and growth. Such schools can help them become successful, positive people who know their self-worth and potential. A safe, balanced environment for growth with the right facilities, programs, and people can help teens become productive individuals.
Boarding schools for struggling teens accept students with various forms and manifestations of developmental, educational, and psychological issues. They help those with autism spectrum disorders, adoption issues, anxiety, as well as oppositional, bipolar, and borderline personality disorders. Such boarding schools also deal with students with post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse issues, and depression, impulse control, and anger management problems. Those struggling with their academic, family, and communication aspects can also enroll in these schools.
Therapeutic schools for troubled teens have a variety of clinical services to handle different teen issues. They refer to modern treatment modalities to help each student have a higher functioning level, diminish symptoms and manifestations, and help them become productive family and community members. These modalities include behavior, group, and family therapy, each with its own features and advantages that suit a student's needs.
A multi-disciplinary team includes therapists, teachers, and psychiatrists who coordinate structured treatment programs for a student's specific needs and preferences. These experts assess a teen's capabilities and current levels of achievement using standardized tests used by licensed professionals in the industry. Aside from individual treatments, a school for troubled youth also employs group therapies that allow students to interact with fellow teens.
Schools for troubled teens also develop and provide programs for teens with clinical cases such as Asperger Syndrome. Their team of knowledgeable experts refers to the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV-TR) for the symptoms and criteria to determine if your child has the condition. A leading Aspergers school can effectively deal with your teen's needs while also allowing them to function normally at school
With today's teens' plethora of issues and problems, a therapeutic school where they can find help, healing, and happiness is the ideal place for learning, development, and growth. Such schools can help them become successful, positive people who know their self-worth and potential. A safe, balanced environment for growth with the right facilities, programs, and people can help teens become productive individuals.
Executive Education Strategy and Its Administrative Relevance
In the domain of management training and consultation, national education development for executives is accomplished by keeping strategic planning in the mind. Several agencies across the domains are engaged in planning and managing the development of education systems for executives more and more strategically. A number of reasons force organizations to put a straight focus on the implementation of executive education strategy in the best manner possible.
Organizations wish to plan all the educational activities and goals without necessarily achieving the expected outcomes of the strategies. During the strategy resolution process more resources are not applied for the betterment of the results. Experts believe that there is no hard fast rule that ensures a perfect mechanism to conduct strategic planning for executive education strategy. A number of typical management steps however involved to carry out the methods in the proper sequence.
* Education Strategy Analysis
* Strategy Planning
* Planning Implementation
* Strategy evaluation
The primary segment of executive education program is known as Strategy Analysis. The analysis phase conducts data collection on the basis of internal dynamics of the organization. During the sector analysis, experts take care of the entire executive strategy to address the major issues of the setup planet including the educational challenges of the movement. The question asked during the executive education strategy includes the various strategic goals that organizations work on to promote the executives in the best manner possible.
Executives usually want to plan and carry out all the training and education activities without looking across the ultimate goals and business results of the strategies. During the process, it's not necessary that more and more resources and utilities are put in action for the best results. These strategies are however formulated in strict accordance with the different levels of benefits and results. A balanced decision-making process across the strategy consultation helps decision makers to take better decisions on the topics like strategy evaluation, strategy planning, planning implementation and strategy analysis as well.
A strategy building process begins with the primary phase called Analysis. The process analyzes the current situation of a system moves ahead with the critical issues regarding status and functioning of the remedial options available in the organization. The strategy then seriously formulated and appraised on the basis of several important and core issues. This all depends on the overall providing policy orientations and associated mechanism.
When the system analysis is finished, future directions are made and traced to revamp the management decisions. Administrators can further proceed with planning the necessary actions to correct or improve the situation. Finally, operationalization of the education strategy takes place that work ahead with the necessary action reforms and institutional measure to sustain the actual start of the system.
Experts however believe that deliberate planning and subject management are important aspects that influence the feedback-providing operations. The operation usually collaborates three major parts during the process. These parts include monitoring, review and evaluation of the ongoing processes.
Organizations wish to plan all the educational activities and goals without necessarily achieving the expected outcomes of the strategies. During the strategy resolution process more resources are not applied for the betterment of the results. Experts believe that there is no hard fast rule that ensures a perfect mechanism to conduct strategic planning for executive education strategy. A number of typical management steps however involved to carry out the methods in the proper sequence.
* Education Strategy Analysis
* Strategy Planning
* Planning Implementation
* Strategy evaluation
The primary segment of executive education program is known as Strategy Analysis. The analysis phase conducts data collection on the basis of internal dynamics of the organization. During the sector analysis, experts take care of the entire executive strategy to address the major issues of the setup planet including the educational challenges of the movement. The question asked during the executive education strategy includes the various strategic goals that organizations work on to promote the executives in the best manner possible.
Executives usually want to plan and carry out all the training and education activities without looking across the ultimate goals and business results of the strategies. During the process, it's not necessary that more and more resources and utilities are put in action for the best results. These strategies are however formulated in strict accordance with the different levels of benefits and results. A balanced decision-making process across the strategy consultation helps decision makers to take better decisions on the topics like strategy evaluation, strategy planning, planning implementation and strategy analysis as well.
A strategy building process begins with the primary phase called Analysis. The process analyzes the current situation of a system moves ahead with the critical issues regarding status and functioning of the remedial options available in the organization. The strategy then seriously formulated and appraised on the basis of several important and core issues. This all depends on the overall providing policy orientations and associated mechanism.
When the system analysis is finished, future directions are made and traced to revamp the management decisions. Administrators can further proceed with planning the necessary actions to correct or improve the situation. Finally, operationalization of the education strategy takes place that work ahead with the necessary action reforms and institutional measure to sustain the actual start of the system.
Experts however believe that deliberate planning and subject management are important aspects that influence the feedback-providing operations. The operation usually collaborates three major parts during the process. These parts include monitoring, review and evaluation of the ongoing processes.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Helpful Hint by a Mother Who Knows How It Is
My goal for myself is to provide information to people involved in the special education community. My tip of the week idea may turn into tip of the day as I have 11 years of information to share!
I have been thinking about this for a very long time and where to start - so I chose to start at the beginning - and the first feeling I had when my son was diagnosed with autism. FEAR. Fear was the first emotion that I experienced, dealt with for years and have finally overcome. Fear of the unknown...
the unknown of what autism is
unknown of future
unknown of medical testing, psychological testing, etc...
unknown of efficacy of treatment and therapy
unknown of psychologists, therapists, doctors, etc...
unknown of what to do and what to do next
unknown of child's rights
unknown of laws
FEAR
fear of my decisions
fear of doctors advice
fear of following my gut
fear of not following professional advice
fear of schools, teachers, administrators,advocates
fear of financial effects on family
fear of my decisions
fear of SOMEONE SAYING NO
So now that I have experienced every one of these fears and unknowns, I can tell you that it wasn't easy - I guess that was why I was a size 2. Decision making and facing fear and the unknown does get easier and easier. You begin to trust yourself and to follow your gut.... Your gut is your best guide - you know your child the best. Maybe you don't have a PhD or an MD or an MS but you are either a mother or a father or a relative or teacher. Fear is a motivator and if you don't face fear and stare it down, you will go nowhere. FEAR is only a feeling - one that can be overcome like sadness, like being upset. These feelings often pass with time - and so will FEAR.
Don't be Afraid of FEAR - it is just another test in life - testing your courage - and even if you don't find the answer right away, you gain courage, education, self-esteem, contacts, and a reason to keep going. Don't let FEAR take away your rights and opportunities and that is exactly what it will do if you don't face it and act upon it. You may stumble, but that is human nature - get up and try again!
Winston Churchill once said "NEVER, never, never give up!"
I have been thinking about this for a very long time and where to start - so I chose to start at the beginning - and the first feeling I had when my son was diagnosed with autism. FEAR. Fear was the first emotion that I experienced, dealt with for years and have finally overcome. Fear of the unknown...
the unknown of what autism is
unknown of future
unknown of medical testing, psychological testing, etc...
unknown of efficacy of treatment and therapy
unknown of psychologists, therapists, doctors, etc...
unknown of what to do and what to do next
unknown of child's rights
unknown of laws
FEAR
fear of my decisions
fear of doctors advice
fear of following my gut
fear of not following professional advice
fear of schools, teachers, administrators,advocates
fear of financial effects on family
fear of my decisions
fear of SOMEONE SAYING NO
So now that I have experienced every one of these fears and unknowns, I can tell you that it wasn't easy - I guess that was why I was a size 2. Decision making and facing fear and the unknown does get easier and easier. You begin to trust yourself and to follow your gut.... Your gut is your best guide - you know your child the best. Maybe you don't have a PhD or an MD or an MS but you are either a mother or a father or a relative or teacher. Fear is a motivator and if you don't face fear and stare it down, you will go nowhere. FEAR is only a feeling - one that can be overcome like sadness, like being upset. These feelings often pass with time - and so will FEAR.
Don't be Afraid of FEAR - it is just another test in life - testing your courage - and even if you don't find the answer right away, you gain courage, education, self-esteem, contacts, and a reason to keep going. Don't let FEAR take away your rights and opportunities and that is exactly what it will do if you don't face it and act upon it. You may stumble, but that is human nature - get up and try again!
Winston Churchill once said "NEVER, never, never give up!"
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Touch Typing Tutor for Children With Special Needs
Learning to touch type can be a life changing skills for children with special needs. By learning this priceless skill these kids can improve other skills such as reading and spelling not to mention the vocabulary enhancement. The best way to teach special needs children to type is with a touch typing tutor.
There are many touch typing tutors out there aimed designed for kids with some sort of learning disability. The most popular type of learning disability these tutors are used for is Dyslexia. For years teachers across the land have used specially designed typing tutors to teach dyslexic children how to type.
But these programs have proven to be useful with other types of Special Needs including Dyspraxia / Development Co-ordination Disorder (DCD), Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Aspergers, Semantic Pragmatic & other language disorders and Visual Impairment.
A typing program aimed for special needs children must add educational value and teach keyboard skills at the same. So such programs must include:
A focus on additional literacy benefits whilst teaching touch typing
Grammar and punctuation lessons
Written and Spoken instructions
A simple and uncluttered presentation style
Games (A bit of fun is always welcomed)
Rewards (to keep children motivated)
Short Lessons
Benefits for Dyslexic Children
Learning type can bring many benefits for children with dyslexia including reading, comprehension, focus and spelling not to mention the reduction in handwriting, often a challenging area for many dyslexics.
Benefits for Visually Impaired
For the majority of visually impaired children learning keyboard skills is the only way to use a computer, despite the great strides made in voice recognition software's the keyboard still the most practical way for someone with sight problems to control a computer.
Benefits for Children with ASD
ASD is the acronym for Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Autistic children have difficulties with producing written work and evidencing progress. Reason why the chosen typing tutor must have well structured lessons with a clear beginning and a clear ending as well as a reward system which is immediate.
Benefits for Semantic Pragmatic Children
Semantic Pragmatic Disorder or SPD causes complex communication problems that can be overcomed with touch typing because it will improve the process of written communication by greatly reducing the need for a linear thought process.
There are many touch typing tutors out there aimed designed for kids with some sort of learning disability. The most popular type of learning disability these tutors are used for is Dyslexia. For years teachers across the land have used specially designed typing tutors to teach dyslexic children how to type.
But these programs have proven to be useful with other types of Special Needs including Dyspraxia / Development Co-ordination Disorder (DCD), Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Aspergers, Semantic Pragmatic & other language disorders and Visual Impairment.
A typing program aimed for special needs children must add educational value and teach keyboard skills at the same. So such programs must include:
A focus on additional literacy benefits whilst teaching touch typing
Grammar and punctuation lessons
Written and Spoken instructions
A simple and uncluttered presentation style
Games (A bit of fun is always welcomed)
Rewards (to keep children motivated)
Short Lessons
Benefits for Dyslexic Children
Learning type can bring many benefits for children with dyslexia including reading, comprehension, focus and spelling not to mention the reduction in handwriting, often a challenging area for many dyslexics.
Benefits for Visually Impaired
For the majority of visually impaired children learning keyboard skills is the only way to use a computer, despite the great strides made in voice recognition software's the keyboard still the most practical way for someone with sight problems to control a computer.
Benefits for Children with ASD
ASD is the acronym for Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Autistic children have difficulties with producing written work and evidencing progress. Reason why the chosen typing tutor must have well structured lessons with a clear beginning and a clear ending as well as a reward system which is immediate.
Benefits for Semantic Pragmatic Children
Semantic Pragmatic Disorder or SPD causes complex communication problems that can be overcomed with touch typing because it will improve the process of written communication by greatly reducing the need for a linear thought process.
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