Sue Scheff: Teen Gang Statistics

Today I Blogged on my main Blog - http://www.suescheffblog.com/ about Teen Gangs. Now that it is summer, parents need to be sure their kids are busy with constructive activities. Idle time can lead to trouble.

Read about Teen Gangs here: http://suescheffblog.com/2009/06/sue-scheff-teen-gangs/

Youth Gang Statistics

Youth gang activity is a significant problem in the United States. The following are statistics related to youth violence and gang activities:

•14 percent of teens are gang members (according to a survey in Denver)
•89 percent of serious violent crimes committed by teens were committed by gang members
•Gang members are 60 percent more likely to be killed
•The average age of a gang member is 17 to 18 years old
•25 percent of gang members are between the age of 15 and 17
•Police reports indicate that 6 percent of gang members are female and that 39 percent of gangs have female members

•Of female gang members:

◦78 percent have been in a gang fight
◦65 percent carry a weapon for protection
◦39 percent have attacked someone with a weapon
•Youth gang activity by area type:
◦72 percent of large cities
◦33 percent of small cities
◦56 percent of suburban counties
◦24 percent of rural counties
◦51 percent overall

•Youth gang activity by region:

◦74 percent in the West
◦52 percent in the Midwest
◦49 percent in the South
◦31 percent in the Northeast
◦51 percent overall

Click here for more.

Sue Scheff: Drop Your Reins - ADHD Program

Drop Your Reins – Learn to Trust
Peaceful Solutions for ADHD/ADD & Autistic Children Using Natural Horsemanship

Founded and run by Danielle Herb, Drop Your Reins is a holistic training school based in Live Oak, FL. From direct interaction with horses to supplemental training videos the program uses Natural Horsemanship For Kids helps guide the powerful minds of ADD/ADHD and Autistic children to reach their greatest potential while maintaining their innocence and purity.

Horses are amazing because they are sentient animals that mirror our personalities as well as our fears. –Danielle Herb

The old model of parenting and training horses, still being used by many today, is to break their spirit into submission to get them to do what you want. They are repeatedly worn down until the end result is unhappy, unhealthy kids and horses.

Are you curious about how horses can help humans learn to communicate more effectively, build inner self-esteem and outer confidence? By partnering with horses, we create an experiential learning environment that invites open communication, personal reflection, and increased self-awareness. Find out more about this “horse stuff” by joining us for a short, complimentary, introductory demonstration of this truly amazing learning process!

We begin each demo with introductions, to each other, to horse assisted learning and to horse behavior. Next, we partner with our four-legged friends to give you an opportunity to experience, first-hand, an on-the-ground (non riding) Drop Your Reins experience. Following the exercise with the horses, we take time “debrief” or talk – seeking to help identify assumptions and belief systems, increasing understanding and awareness. There’s also time to answer questions about how we can collaborate to help you reach your families development or personal growth goals.

Learn More here: http://dropyourreins.adsonvids.com.au/

Sue Scheff: Anxiety Disorder: Symptoms & Treatment

Is ADHD causing your child's anxiety? Or could an anxiety disorder be to blame? Symptom and treatment information.

Free ADHD handout from ADDitude Magazine

Moderate anxiety - when taking a test or performing in a school play - is normal and healthy. But if your child's anxiety is more severe and commonplace, you may fear that an anxiety disorder is to blame. ADDitude has made it easier to understand anxiety with this quick comparison sheet that will help you understand the symptoms and treatment of anxiety disorder vs. ADHD. Contents include...

Common symptoms of anxiety disorder in children
An explanation of primary vs. secondary anxiety in children with ADHD
Effective treatment options for children with primary or secondary anxiety

Get your Free Download Here: http://www.additudemag.com/RCLP/sub/5435.html

Sue Scheff: Keeping Kids Safe This Summer

Source: ADDitude Magazine

Expert tips to help parents avoid some common risks to their ADHD children.

by Larry Silver, M.D.

Little children fall and scrape their knees or bump their heads. Big kids drive too fast, and get into accidents—or experiment with drugs or alcohol. They... well, it doesn't pay to spend too much time pondering all the risks youngsters face.

Suffice it to say that childhood and adolescence can be risky—especially if your child has ADHD. The risk increases in summertime, when kids spend more time outdoors—beyond their parents' supervision.

Not long ago, a mother called me to say that her 10-year-old son, a patient of mine, had vanished. It was 7:00 p.m., getting dark, and Billy was nowhere to be found. She was frantic. I suggested that she call the police. At 8:00 p.m., she called back. Billy had been found, safe, at a nearby creek. He was surprised to see the police and could not understand why his mother was upset.

Billy explained that he had been unable to find a friend after dinner, and so had decided to go frog-catching. Asked why he did not tell his mother where he was going, he said simply, "I forgot." Of course, forgetfulness was not the problem. The problem was that Billy's ADHD medication had worn off around 6:00 p.m. He had headed for the creek on impulse.
I share this story not to scare you, but to remind you of the fact that ADHD makes kids vulnerable.

Remember, ADHD is a neurological disorder, resulting from a deficiency of specific neurotransmitters within the brain. By correcting this deficiency, medication goes a long way toward curbing impulsivity, distractibility, and hyperactivity. But, as Billy's case illustrates, parents must be especially vigilant at those times of day when a child's symptoms may not be fully controlled: early in the morning (before the first dose kicks in) and at the end of the day (when the last dose has worn off).

Be especially careful if your child takes a break from meds on weekends or vacations.
Of course, medication alone is not enough to protect your child. You must be alert to the dangers ADHD kids face, and provide an extra measure of structure and supervision. Here are the biggest causes of accidental injury—and strategies you can use to protect your child:

Read complete article here: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/976.html

Sue Scheff: Power Moms Unite - Parenting ADHD

I love stumbling over great new parenting websites - and what a name - Power Moms Unite - Founder, Candace McLane offer a wide variety of articles, thoughts, tips, parenting resources and more on ADHD. As a mother of an ADHD son, I really enjoy this site. Check her Blog out too - great up to date info!

What is a Power Mom??

Power Moms are moms working to successfully balance the needs of child, family, and self. Some work outside the home, balancing a career with the needs of their child, family and personal self. Other moms are working from home, managing families while managing a small home-based business or managing large families and a homeschool. There are a wide range of us- all power moms- looking to do our best at our many hats as mom- be that nuturer, coach, educator, cheerleader, psychologist, disciplinarian, party arranger, role-model, etc. The roles are vast and numerous, the balance often difficult to strike. This site hopes to empower these moms by providing timely, valuable and informative resources for celebrating family life and successfully managing ADHD.

Sue Scheff: ADDitude Magazine - ADD/ADHD with Kids and Adults

ADDITUDE MAGAZINE - Living well with ADD and other Learning Disabilities!

Check out this website with a vast amount of information on ADD/ADHD and more. Not only does this cover kids, it also gives great information about adults with ADD/ADHD.

Are medications right for you? What are the pros? What are the cons? Parenting ADHD and lots more. Visit www.additudemag.com today.