Troubled Teens Resources

Oppositional Defiant Disorder, ADD, ADHD, and all of the other “disorders” that troubled teenagers are tagged with will continue to be challenged by those in and out of the psychiatric field. This presents the parent of such a teen with the arduous chore of carefully examining both sides of the conflict and seeking advice from more than one source when determining the route they wish to proceed with a teen diagnosed with any one disorder.

“With increasing international concern about the large number of children labeled with so-called psychiatric disorders and prescribed mind-altering drugs, even the pioneer of psychiatry’s billing bible and “godfather of ADHD,” Dr. Robert Spitzer, recently admitted that normal children are being inappropriately labeled by health care professionals. Spitzer, a Columbia University psychiatrist, told BBC2 that children experiencing perfectly normal signs of being happy and sad are being labeled as mentally ill. While admitting this, he stopped short of informing BBC viewers that there is no scientific evidence that any of the millions of children so diagnosed have any physical abnormality that justifies the diagnosis. Nor that because of this, psychiatrists cannot agree on who is sick and who is well. Yet despite this fallible “science,” worldwide sales of psychotropic drugs prescribed to treat “mental disorders,” including stimulants, antipsychotics and antidepressants, now exceed $80 billion annually.”
(source)

Carol is a parent that opted out of a chemical solution, instead choosing to vigorously research alternative educational options for her at risk teen daughter.

“I interviewed staff at troubled teen boarding schools, brat camps and specialty schools. Andrea does beautifully if she is fully engaged. Her love of math and science seem to magically make her ADD disappear. I found a great private boarding school that basically prepares the budding scientist for college. Combined with her regular therapist teaching her how to manage her ADD and use it to her advantage, I think I really made the right choice. She is thriving now without any meds.”

It would be funny if it were not such an apt example of the degree of frustration that can visit a parent or teacher in the face of the behavioral problems of teens with AD/HD.
Obviously this teacher’s solution is the wrong way to handle it.

“A substitute teacher who taped a student’s mouth shut and bound four others to their seats at Pleasant Grove Elementary School was banned from working in Jefferson County schools one day after the incident.”

Unfortunately,right on the heels of AD/HD can come calling a laundry list of other problems with an at-risk teenager; low-self esteem, poor grades,rage, hostility and drug abuse. When trying to raise a teenager who’s behavior embodies all of these contributors, the parent is forced to consider alternative educational options. Though most public schools have excellent programs for the AD/HD inflicted teen, they are not adequately equipped to deal with AD/HD compounded by other behavioral disorders.

A key characteristic of the AD/HD afflicted teenager is the need for structure. Military schools with teen therapy programs, brat schools and teen wilderness programs will provide the troubled teen with exactly the amount of discipline, authority and structure they need.

A school counselor or the teenager’s therapist will be able to provide the parent of the troubled teen with guidance in selecting the appropriate boarding school environment.

Here are some coping skills that will assist your AD/HD teenager until an apprpriate program can be found.

• Sit in the front of class to limit distractions.
• Turn off email, instant messaging, and your phone when doing homework or other tasks that require focused attention. This will help protect you against being distracted.
• Talk openly with your teacher about your condition and work together to be sure you’re learning in a way that works for you. For example, some schools will allow people with ADHD more time for taking tests. Some teens may benefit from smaller class sizes and tutorial help.
• Use tools that help you stay organized. Keep a homework notebook to keep track of assignments, including a list of books and readings you’ll need to bring home to do them. Write down classes, extracurricular activities, and other appointments in a daily planner so you don’t forget. Keeping a daily agenda can also help you avoid making unplanned, impulsive decisions: If you’re scheduled to start homework at 4:30, you’ll know it’s not a good idea to go with your friend to watch her 4:00 soccer practice. The organization skills you develop now will serve you well in the future, too. Even people who don’t have ADHD all find they need to develop these skills when they head off to the workplace — so you’ll be ahead of the curve!
• Get plenty of exercise. Studies are starting to show that exercise can help people who have ADHD. If you feel hyper during school, talk to a teacher about taking activity breaks so you can stay focused and concentrate better when in class. Take frequent activity breaks while studying or doing homework.
• Practice relaxation and meditation techniques to relax and focus. Try this breathing exercise for starters.
• Let friends know what’s going on. Sometimes with our friends, we blurt things out and regret it later or we do silly, impulsive things. If this happens to you, let your friends know that sometimes you just say things without thinking all the way through, apologize if you have hurt someone’s feelings, and try to be extra careful in new situations.
• Take pride in the things you do well. Having ADHD is just a different way of being, and people with ADHD have their own abilities and talents.