Sometimes our children present behaviors that concern us. Perhaps we have the sense early in their lives that they are not developing at a normal rate, or when they enter school they cannot keep up with their classmates or are having problems making friends. Later on, their lives may be marked by the problems of adolescence to a degree that involves them with truancy or even petty crime. Whether the problem is a minor one or one that appears to have more far ranging consequences, when we feel the need for help we often do not know where to look.
Some types of services that may be helpful
Child development centers
Child study centers
Educational attorneys
Educational consultants
Learning disabilities association
Local student advocacy groups
Mental health associations
Orton dyslexia society
You will want to learn what you are up against with issues such as learning disabilities or substance abuse. Learn your rights as a parent. The following resources can assist you in finding the specific help you need.
Web sites
www.bgcenter.com: Center for Cognitive-Development Assessment and Remediation (BG Center): psycho-educational services for internationally adopted preschool and school age children.
www.boardingschoolreview.com: directory, compare schools, lists fairs and events.
www.drugprevention.net: how to recognize drug use.
www.educationalconsulting.org: website for the Independent Educational Consulting Assn. provides professional information by state about consultants, who use thorough evaluations to direct parents and professionals to schools which meet their child’s needs.
www.ldaamerica.org:information and resources for parents relating to learning disabilities.
www.marthawelch.com: family treatment therapy and training for families with children suffering from behavioral and developmental disorders including Reactive Attachment Disorder.
www.natsap.org: National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, Program Directory, how to choose a program that targets your child’s behavior problems by asking the right question, varied articles.
www.petersons.com: Directory Of Private Secondary Schools, now available on the website, includes specific schools, varied programs, statistics, descriptions and much more.
www.strugglingteens.com: broad range of information for parents of troubled teenagers including variety of programs and sites to locate youth transport companies.
www.tapestrybooks.com: bookseller specializes books about all aspects of adoption.
wrightslaw.com: up to date information about school advocacy for children with special needs, state and federal law, strategies etc.
Support groups
AA-Alcoholic Anonymous
CHADD-Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
NACAC-North American Council on Adoptable Children-source for adoption support groups.
ALANON-for families of alcoholics
ALATEEN- for teenagers with substance abuse problems
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
FAMILIES ANONYMOUS- help for the families of children with substance and behavioral issues.
Directories and other books
THE PARENT EMPOWERMENT HANDBOOK 2004/2005-up to date information on 100+ private therapeutic, emotional growth, LD, wilderness schools available at amazon.com
THE FACE IN THE MIRROR: TEENAGERS AND ADOPTION, Marion Crook-good fiction for the adopted teenager.
A TRIBE APART, Patricia Hersch-cultural influences on teenagers.
TODDLER ADOPTION: THE WEAVER’S CRAFT, Mary Hopkins-Best.
PETERSON’S DIRECTORY OF PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
TEENS IN TURMOIL, Carol Maxym, and Leslie York-Getting help for troubled teens with good resources among all of its good information.
WHEN LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH, Nancy Thomas - Parental strategies for nurturing and providing structure for a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder.
FROM EMOTIONS TO ADVOCACY: THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SURVIVAL GUIDE Pam and Peter Wright- available through website wrightslaw.com- a must for people dealing with the public school system, legal issues, tactics, advocacy and much more.
Educational programs
• Emotional growth-behavioral: Based on developing independence, reliability, moral and ethical values. Teaches student to take responsibility for oneself and others and develop goals for excellence.
• Learning Disabilities: Specifically devoted to student who has been diagnosed with learning disabilities. Teach structure and organization and help student gain confidence and independence in study habits and skills and become a successful and functioning learner.
• Therapeutic: In patient and out patient programs designed to work with children and teens who have been diagnosed with psychological disorders and who in most cases have experienced an emotional crisis which requires treatment.
• Wilderness: Aimed at teaching survival skills and development of personal strengths and self-reliance. Most often are used to teach adolescents who have not been able to function in their home community due to inability to follow rules, rely on inner strengths and an inner structure which includes a value system. Requires a dramatic change in setting and rigid adherence to adult expectations.
• Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation: Assess and treat youngsters with substance abuse problems. Can be residential or nonresidential.
All of these resources have proven useful to those of us seeking answers for ourselves and our children. Often the help offered makes a dramatic difference for our children and provides a turning point towards a better, more peaceful and balanced life for the whole family. Do not hesitate to explore resources and decide for yourself what might provide the assistance you need with your parenting challenges.
