Space Coast Parent - April 2018

26.03.2018 Views
Contents 3Cover Photo Entries A few entries from the cover photo contest 5Health Assisting children with ADHD 6Raising Stars How local families with showbiz aspirations follow their dreams 8Out and About What time do your children go to bed and what’s your bedtime routine? 9Family Fun A roundup of kid-friendly events on the Space Coast 14 Catching the Zsssss Sleep tips from newborn to early childhood On the cover Evangeline Martin, 8, of Viera. Photo by Jenny Puranen Photography At left: Space Coast Parent on Facebook; At right: Space Coast Parent online at floridatoday.com/spacecoastparent SCP making more of an online presence Michelle Spitzer Let’s face it, we always have a smart phone or some kind of tablet nearby. It’s how we communicate and get information quickly. Parents rarely have time to sit down and (as much as I hate to admit this) read a magazine. The Space Coast Parent Magazine staff realizes this. We want to make sure we’re using the best possible means to get you helpful tips, useful articles and details Spitzer about family-friendly events. Because of this, we’ve decided to discontinue the print version of SCP, but the information will still be there. In fact, it will be even more visible. We’ll be posting a lot on our Facebook page so if you don’t like us yet, give us a follow at Space Coast Parent. You can also ÿnd the latest parenting news and stories at ‘oridat oday.com/spacecoastparent. The features you love and look forward to will continue. There will still be a photo contest every month. The winning child will get a professional photo shoot and be featured in the FLORIDA TODAY newspaper. Details on how to enter will be posted on our Facebook page. Each month we’ll still have our Out and About feature where we ask families questions and post their pictures and answers. We’ll also continue telling you about fun events your family can enjoy in the community. In addition, we’ll have links to interesting articles relevant to you and your family. You’ll ÿnd our Facebook page much more engaging. We want to hear from you. We want your input on what kind of articles you want to read, what topics are important to you and we want to hear your parenting tips. This may be the last print edition, but we’re excited to transition SCP to better meet our readers’ needs. Please email me at mspitzer@‘oridat oday.com with your suggestions on what you would like us to cover and remember to look for us on Facebook. floridatoday.com/spacecoastparent Facebook: Space Coast Parent 4 | Space Coast Parent APRIL 2018 2018

Assisting children with ADHD By Michelle Spitzer Childhood disorders can have a negative impact on many areas in the life of a child, including social, emotional, relational, educational, behavioral, familial, spiritual and economical. ADHD is one such disorder. Early interventions, including diagnosis and treatment can alleviate the cumulative impact on any of the above-mentioned domains. Dr. Carol Atkinson, a Licensed Psychotherapist and Certiÿed ADHD Consultant of CaBrit Psychotherapy Services provides some tips to help parents identify symptoms of ADHD in their child/ren. These tips are not exhaustive; therefore, it is important that the child is seen by a mental health professional for a comprehensive evaluation. How would I know if my child has ADHD? There are three broad categories to help you identify indicative behaviors. These are hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Behaviors include children who: ❚ Find it hard to maintain interest in activities ❚ Lose things, forget things and is often late and unprepared ❚ Daydream, and struggle to process information quickly ❚ Act or speak before thinking ❚ Is constantly on the go The symptoms must exist in more than one environment in the child’s life, e.g., home and school, and have occurred for at least six months. When should I be concerned enough to get help for my child? If you observe speciÿc behaviors in your child, or experience anything from the list below, and the behaviors are to such an extent that they interfere with the functioning of your child’s usual activities of daily living, this is a good indicator that you might need to seek professional help: ❚ Increased contact from teacher about behaviors in the classroom ❚ Frequently fails to complete homework, and the work is messy ❚ Environment and personal space is disorganized Dr. Carol Atkinson is a Marriage and Family Therapist for CaBrit Psychotherapy Services in Melbourne. CRAIG RUBADOUX/ SPECIAL TO FLORIDA TODAY Dr. Atkinson can be contacted by phone 321-805-2982 or email: Dr.A@Cabritpsych.com ❚ Fails to focus on a task or see it through to completion ❚ Fidgety and constantly on the move ❚ Seems distracted during conversations even without external distractions ❚ Frequently interrupts during conversations where he/she is not a participant ❚ Does not remain seated in places where seating is required Are there different types of ADHD? Yes. There are three di“ erent types of the disorder; the inattentive type, characterized predominantly by inattention; the hyperactive/impulsive type, characterized predominantly by hyperactivity and impulsivity, and the combined type, characterized by symptoms from all three of the broad categories. What kind of help is available if my child is diagnosed with ADHD? There are various treatment options available to treat ADHD. Psychotherapeutic interventions can assist with behavior changes; parent skills training and classroom management training are evidenced-based treatment modalities that are also e“ ective, and can be provided through psychotherapy. Recent research reveals e“ ectiveness in treating the child’s entire environment, i.e., school, peer group and home. Medication is another treatment option, and though medication does not cure ADHD, the medication can help to manage the symptoms so that your child can be more successful throughout the school day. Medication can also be combined with psychotherapy as a treatment modality. It is very important that your child is monitored while taking medication, either by their pediatrician or a psychiatrist. How will my child be affected at school if he/she is diagnosed with ADHD? First and foremost, it is important for you as a parent to liaise with the school. Every public school has an ESE (Exceptional Student Education) specialist, who will work with you and your child to help your child function at their optimum, and endeavor to attain academic goals as expected. Your child can be evaluated by the education department and you will be invited to participate in meetings about your child’s progress. The process can be long and arduous, but it is a worthy road to travel to fulÿl your child’s educational needs and ultimate goals. There will be many acronyms for you to become familiar with as you embark upon this journey with your child, for example, IEP (Individual Education Plan), RTI (Response to Interventions), FBA (Functional Behavior Assessment) and many more. As a parent it is imperative to remember that you are the expert on your child, and as professionals we are the experts in our chosen ÿelds. Collaboration with professionals is highly recommended. With your child’s welfare being paramount as a shared guiding principle, collaborative e“ orts often bring about positive change, and sets a precedence for navigating what may initially seem like a maze. How can I help my child at home? It is very important for children with the diagnosis of ADHD, to live in an environment that provides them with routine and structure. Parents can create an environment where certain activities, for example, meal times and bed times are the same time every day. Within the broader parameters of the home, as a parent, there are many small changes you can implement to alleviate some of the challenges faced by your child. For example, keep the home organized, including your child’s personal space and belongings - “give everything a home.” Ensure all the adults in your child’s life provides your child with the same messages – consistency is a crucial feature to assist children with understanding boundaries. Also, limit distractions during activities, avoid giving multi-step instructions, and simplify tasks using child friendly language. Most important, be your child’s role model and lead by example. FT-0000600148 APRIL 2018 2018 Space Coast Parent | 5

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Space Coast Parent - April 2018

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