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Return to ADDvisor Volume 2 2000 Index
Number 9 May 1, 2000
In this issue: 1. Quote of the Month 2. Personal Thoughts 3. The Lives of Teens 4. Resources - Another Great Newsletter ============================================= QUOTE OF THE MONTH ============================================= All sunshine makes a desert-Oriental proverb
============================================= PERSONAL THOUGHTS ============================================= One of the problems of being the parent of an ADHD teenager is that it is difficult to know the difference between normal teenage behavior and ADHD teenage behavior. For this reason we will be presenting a series of articles on normal teenage behavior over the next few months. These articles will be contained in the newsletters that are published the first week of the month. If you would like additional information about normal teenage behavior, we suggest you read a book entitled " Get out of my life, but first could you drive me and Cheryl to the mall." The author is "Wolf". As always, if you have any questions about ADHD teenage behavior or normal teenage behavior, feel free to write or call us.
============================================= THE LIVES OF TEENS ============================================= By most measures, teenagers across the country are doing well. Most teens, most of the time, make choices that protect them from harm. This, according to a recent report called the Add Health Project (a project funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) is certainly reassuring information. Even more helpful, however, is the data this study provides to help us understand which teens are at greatest risk for unhealthy behavior. This study goes on to indicate: "Adolescent health is influenced not only by the strengths and vulnerabilities of individual adolescents, but also by the character of the settings in which they lead their lives." What's the bad news? After more than a decade of a decline in the health of America's youth, significant improvements were reported in the decade of 1980-1990. Since 1990, some of those risky behaviors have again increased. The report states: "Teenage cigarette smoking is up by as much as 2 percent per year since 1992. Until recently, marijuana use had increased for three straight years among 8th, 10th and 12th grade students. More teens live in poverty now than during the previous decade. Violence, suicide and teenage pregnancy continue to be problems for many young people. Teenage homicide has increased. Between 1979 and 1991, almost 40,000 adolescents ages 15 to 19 died as a result of firearms; 62 percent were homicides, 33 percent were suicides and 3 percent were unintentional accidents." The data from the Add Health Study provides a foundation for understanding the most important risk and protective factors. More specifically, it explores how individual, family and school characteristics protect teens across America from emotional distress, suicidal thoughts and attempts, violence perpetration, cigarette use alcohol use, marijuana use, early sexual involvement and pregnancy. Emotional health. As teens get older, emotional distress increases. High school students report higher levels of distress than 7th and 8th graders. Girls report one-third more emotional distress than boys. About nine percent of youth report having suicidal thoughts. Girls are more than twice as likely as boys to have attempted suicide. Violence. Over 10 percent of males and over five percent of females report having committed a violent act in the past year. More younger teens report having been involved in violent activities. About twelve percent of students say they have carried a weapon to school in the past month. Tobacco, alcohol and drugs. About 25 percent of adolescents report being a current smoker. About 18 percent of teens say they drink alcohol more than monthly, while nearly 10 percent admit to drinking at least one day a week. One fourth of all teens report having smoked marijuana at least once. Sexual involvement. About 17 percent of 7th and 8th graders report having had sexual intercourse. High school age teens report an almost fifty percent rate - with boys and girls reporting equivalent frequency. Pregnancy rates were reported at a frequency of 11.8 percent for 7th and 8th graders and 19.4 percent for 9th though 12th graders. The research indicates specific characteristics of the home and school environments make a difference in the health of American youth. The specifics of these characteristics will be explored in next months issue. ============================================= RESOURCES - ANOTHER GREAT NEWSLETTER =============================================
ADDCollegeBound Helping Gifted Students with ADHD Achieve Their College Dreams
Craig Porterfield, Ph.D., a psychologist in Delaware really enjoys coaching parents and gifted ADHD middle and high school students to pass high school with flying colors and to achieve their college dreams. His enthusiasm and knowledge comes though loud and clear in his newsletter. If you would like to subscribe to ADDCollegeBound, send us an e-mail at Alan@ADDvisor.com.
CONTACT INFORMATION _______________________ Alan R. Graham, Ph.D. Bill Benninger, Ph.D. ADDvisor.com Voice: 1-866-ADDvisor Fax: 847-824-2386 Email: Alan@ADDvisor.com Bill@ADDvisor.com Web: www.ADDvisor.com (c) Copyright 2000 ADDvisor.com, Ltd. All rights reserved The above material may be retransmitted or distributed to whomever you wish as long as not a single word is changed, added or deleted, including the contact information. However, you may not copy it to a web site. Republication of "The ADDvisor" in paper media is encouraged and permitted by organizations and associations which serve parents of ADHD children at the national, state and/or local level as long as the issue is reprinted in its entirety without charge and includes the contact information. With advance permission, we are happy to edit an issue to fit your space requirements. Republication is also encouraged under other circumstances, however, the advance permission of Alan R. Graham and/or Bill Benninger must be obtained in the event that changes in the text are desired or republication is to be made by individuals or by organizations other than those mentioned above.
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