http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/help-for-troubled-teens.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/help-for-troubled-teens.html Sat, 28 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Troubled teens are often confused and frightened. They affect everyone in their life; mom, dad, brothers and sisters -- the entire family unit. Troubled teens have more of a negative impact than they think they do. The “troubled teen epidemic” has many parents, schoolteachers, and school administrators at their ‘wits end’.

A troubled teen is typically classified as one who is in the adolescent stage of life displaying self-destructive behaviors. A troubled teens life has simply gotten out of control. He/she may be using drugs and alcohol, is usually disrespectful, belligerent, rude, defiant -- and when it comes down to it, he/she doesn’t value family or themselves. Troubled teens tend to be involved in things that can ruin their life -- or even end it!

Troubled teens need professional intervention in an environment that is restrictive and isolated from any possibility of any substance abuse. When troubled teens are removed from their current environment, the first step toward help and progress is made. “Troubled teen programs” should also focus on the special needs of parents who are struggling with an adolescent, particularly those parents who have teenagers who are at high risk for behavioral, emotional, and academic problems that can affect their ability to succeed in school.

Our goal is to connect parents of troubled teens to the information and resources they need to quickly identify risk factors and take appropriate action to help their adolescents. For parents with troubled teens, you can contact our Site Sponsor, Mark Hutten at mbhutten@gmail.com, for possible solutions.

Are you looking for a teen help school, teen boot camp, or youth program for troubled teens? There are literally thousands of organizations designed to help troubled teens. Online Parent Support has helped thousands of parents get the information and advice about the best schools and programs that specialize in helping troubled teens. We have many years of experience working with a wide range of schools and programs for troubled teens throughout the U.S.

Parents often find it difficult to identify when a child is at risk for dropping out of school, failing classes, violence, drug or alcohol use, suicide, and other dangerous or self-defeating behaviors. When in “crisis-mode,” parents often seek out ‘boot camps’ with the assumption that a "wake up call" is all that is needed for their troubled teen.

Parents of struggling teens, who wait too long, failing to enact a substantial early-intervention program, usually regret that they waited. Parents with troubled teens who have struggled with finding solutions sometimes feel as if they have no place to turn. Parents need to be aware that drug use generally begins months, or even years, before parents actually do become aware of their teens drug use.

Parents often get into the cycle of denial, always finding a way to explain the behavior away so as to avoid the pain that is inevitable when you take decisive action with a rebellious, defiant child. Parents will do best if they look at their individual situation and decide for themselves if the teenager is on a self-destructive path. Parents who take an honest look at their child should trust their instincts -- if you think your child is in trouble, take action now.

Parents of troubled teens -- across the country -- are realizing that they need help dealing with a son or daughter that is making poor decisions, and they do what they have to do to keep their teenager from self-destructing.


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Mark Huttenlocker, M.A., is a family therapist who works with teens and pre-teens experiencing emotional/behavioral problems associated with ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Autism, etc. He works with these children and their parents – in their homes. He provides FREE online parent-coaching here: http://www.MyOutOfControlTeen.com/support

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/parenting-children-with-oppositional-defiant-disorder.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/parenting-children-with-oppositional-defiant-disorder.html Sat, 28 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500
· Set limits

· Curb sibling fighting

· Stop defiance, back-talking, lying and cursing

· Defuse explosive outbursts and uncontrolled anger

· Stay on task

· Do homework and chores

· Effective problem solving techniques

If their "acting out" has carried on for a long period of time and goes against what is socially acceptable, then your teen probably has a behavioral disorder. If your teen is self-destructive and adversely affects your family, then his or her behavior is clearly a problem.

Symptoms of ODD include the following behaviors:

· losing their temper

· arguing

· defying authority

· refusing adult requests or rules

· deliberately annoying others

· blaming others for their own mistakes or misbehavior

· being touchy or easily annoyed

· being angry and resentful

· being spiteful or vindictive

· swearing or using bad language

· moody and easily frustrated

· truancy from school (dropped out or expelled)

· increased involvement with, and loyalty to, delinquent peer groups

· greater isolation from other peers, family members

· stealing, shoplifting, running away, alcohol and/or drug abuse, sexual promiscuity

· problems with low self-esteem, low self-confidence, and/or depression

The causes of ODD are unknown, but many parents report that their ODD child was more rigid and demanding than the child's siblings from an early age. The symptoms are usually seen in multiple settings, but may be more noticeable at home or at school. Five to fifteen percent of all school-age children have ODD. Biological and environmental factors may have a role.

Oppositional defiant disorder appears to be more common in families where at least one parent has a history of a mood disorder, conduct disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or a substance-related disorder.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder does not occur alone:

· 50-65% of ODD children also have ADD ADHD

· 35% of these children develop some form of affective disorder

· 20% have some form of mood disorder, such as Bipolar Disorder or anxiety

· 15% develop some form of personality disorder

· Many of these children have learning disorders

Teens with ODD plus ADHD are much more difficult to live with. Their destructive and disagreeable behavior is purposeful. They like to push their parents anger-buttons. Every request ends up as a power struggle. Lying becomes a daily habit. Getting a reaction out of others is amusing to them. They are rarely sorry for the hurtful things they say and do. And they believe nothing is their fault.

Parenting strategies often include a home rules contract (i.e., a written set of expectations that parents have of their teens and preteens). The contract includes basic rules, consequences and privileges.

The primary purpose of a home rules contract is for teens to be held accountable for their behavior while allowing parents to maintain a reasonable amount of control (i.e., teaching teens that there are consequences for breaking rules, the knowledge of which hopefully will transfer in the teen's mind to school rules as well as the legal system).


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Mark Hutten, M.A., is a family therapist and provides FREE online parent-coaching here: http://www.MyOutOfControlTeen.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>