Help for parents coping with difficult kids

Teaching Pre K-8, Apr 2001 by Laminack, Lester

Health Education Consultants (HEC) has published a new workbook series to help adults evaluate difficult behavior and to provide easy-to-understand guidance to address it. Anne Yarnevich, executive director for HEC says, "Our goal is to provide parents and teachers with the tools to distinguish between normal difficult behavior and behavior that signals more serious problems. If adults are better equipped to recognize the early warning signs of trouble, we may be able to reduce violence in our schools and communities."

The workbook series, When Being a Good Parent or Teacher is Not Enough, describes issues and mental disorder that frequently challenge children and adolescents, with detailed "red flags" that indicate intervention is in order. The following, taken from When Being a Good Parent or Teacher is Not Enough, is a list of behaviors that may be seen as cries for help from troubled kids. HEC warns that one behavior, in isolation, is not necessarily indicative of a serious problem. But a child or adolescent who exhibits a pattern of the following behaviors may be crying out for help.

Frequent temper outburst, persistent irritability, unrelenting anger over minor irritations

Lying

Shoplifting or other forms of stealing

Destructive and/or threatening behavior

Poor school behavior

Underachievement in school, difficulty concentrating

Marked change in school performance

Refusal to go to school, truancy

Complaints of physical ailments that seem to have no organic cause

Low energy and fatigue, never initiates activities or acts independently Change in eating or sleeping habits

Intense fear of becoming obese, pronounced weight loss, excessive exercise Binge eating, pronounced weight gain

Inability to cope with everyday problems and activities Withdrawal from usual activities, shows no interest in others

Marked change in peer relationships, no friends of approximately the same age, exclusion from all peer groups

Persistent negative mood and attitude

Extreme fear of leaving home Regular use of alcohol and/or other drugs

Sexual promiscuity Self-mutilation, ie, cutting arms and legs, burning self with cigarettes, etc.

Suicidal ideas, threats, gestures or suicide attempt

For more information about this workbook series, be sure to check out the Health Education Consultants website at www.aboutkidsmentalhealth.c om or call 913-831-1393.