Newsletter Contents

• Publisher's Pen
• Empowering Parents and Teachers
• Empowering K.I.D.S. (Kids In Daily Situations)

Publisher's Pen: Beyond Behavior to the Brain

I don’t know why I did it; I don’t know why I enjoyed it;
and I don’t know why I’ll do it again.”
                                                          Bart Simpson

Even Socrates back in 400 B.C. said, “Children today are tyrants. They contradict their parents, gobble their food, and tyrannize their teachers.” But, today, in the year 2004, we have research into the brain and body that explains much of the behavior that we see in kids.

From the development of technology to the way we take care of the environment in our changing world, many factors can influence the behavior of our children. The ongoing research into the brain can help us to understand what is behind the behavior, so that we can work toward a solution.

However, with all of the research, more children than ever before are on drugs for behavior. Is it necessary? Are we too quick to medicate our children before looking at the big picture? One report says that there has been a 369% increase in use of drugs for attention deficit disorder for children under 5 years of age. In addition, there has been an increase in antidepressant drugs for adolescents.

Quick fixes, like fast food, seem to be the norm for our lives today. Stress levels are high, so we want to make it easy. We want to take a pill and have it all go away. Sounds like me when I think about losing 15 pounds. I want to take a pill, sit on the couch with chocolate, watch a good movie, and have the weight melt off.

We know down deep that it doesn’t really work like that. We need to look beyond the behavior and find out what the true cause is, so that we can come up with a viable solution. May we gain insight as we take the time to contemplate cause and effect – in our lives and in the lives of our children.

Smiles,

Elaine

Empowering Parents and Teachers:

Unruly behavior can stem from a wide range of factors, and may be beyond your child’s control. Before you resort to discipline, here is a list that may help you to identify whether or not you need to seek outside help from your family physician or counselor.

Behavior Predictors:

Fetal Alcohol syndrome – hyperactivity, aggression – surf here:
http://www.usd.edu/~rthompso/fas/FAS%20paper.html%20/faspaper.html#anchor155034

Chemical imbalance – ADHD, depression – surf here:
http://www.mental-health-matters.com/articles/jc002.php?artID=160

Head injury or trauma – anxiety attacks, mood swings – surf here:
http://www.homeopathicwonders.com/articles-head-trauma.html

Brain dysfunction –ADHD, slow response to learning – surf here:
http://www.parentsofallergicchildren.org/brain_dysfunction.htm

Toxic environment – disruptive, whining – surf here:
http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/teaching_techniques/chips.html

Food allergies – irritability, inability to concentrate – surf here:
http://allergy.mcg.edu/advice/chldrn.html

Chemical sensitivities – stressed, depressed – surf here:
http://ohioline.osu.edu/cd-fact/0192.html

Birth trauma – extensive crying – surf here:
http://www.primalspirit.com/pr2_1solter_tears.htm

Genetics – antisocial behavior – surf here:
http://www.personalityresearch.org/bg/transmission.html

Illness – emotional issues, dependency – surf here:
http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/transplant/transadol.html

Abuse in childhood – overly aggressive/overly passive, fearful – surf here:
http://muextension.missouri.edu/xplor/hesguide/humanrel/gh6604.htm

Empowering K.I.D.S. (Kids In Daily Situations):

Can you relate to any items on the list in Empowering Parents and Teachers? Do you know anyone who fits the descriptions? Do some research on your own, and you might help a friend in trouble.

Kids of all ages have the ability to see the big picture. Take a step back and think about yourself and your friends. Anyone having difficulty? Take the time to investigate it and gain some knowledge.

Because knowledge is power!

And above all – have some FUN! – and enjoy your summer.

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