Child/Adolescent Issues

Where can I go for tips about talking with my teen about drug use?

I understand that a lot of kids and teens use drugs these days. I am concerned that my teen might be turning to illegal drugs or alcohol. Where can I go for tips about talking with my teen about drug use? Also, where could I find out how his or her medications might interact with other substances?

There are a number of places where you can go and people you can talk to for advice, including your child's school counselor, your local hospital outreach program, your local YMCA, or your church or synagogue. To find out about how his or her medications might interact with other substances, you can talk with your doctor, or other knowledgeable professionals, including your local pharmacist, pharmaceutical companies, or reputable mental health care organizations (such as NAMI or NMHA).

The following are a list of websites that could be helpful:

Where can I find details of private treatment facilities?

My child was released from the hospital but we are struggling with having him or her at home, and I am starting to consider placement in a private facility. Where can I go to learn about programs that might help us?

Both NAMI and Regional Center are excellent resources to help you. Also try Healthy City at www.healthycity.org. The Southern California Rainbow Resources Guide, which is available at the Nathanson Center, will also be an excellent resource for you. Finally, for addition recommendations, talk with the case manager or social worker who worked with your family while your child was in the hospital.

Should I force my child to visit a sibling in hospital?

My other child finds it upsetting to visit his or her sibling in the hospital. Should I force a child to come to such an intimidating place?

It is not a good idea to force your child to come to the hospital. However, it is helpful to encourage your child to talk about his or her fears. You may also want to consult books and other resources on ways to talk with your child about mental illness.

How can you explain mental illness to a child?

I have a difficult time explaining mental illness to a child. Do you have resource recommendations?

There are a number of excellent books regarding this subject, specific to both the type of mental illness and the age of the child. The Reading Room in the Nathanson Center has a large collection of books and educational materials on this topic. Some of these books include:

  • A Family Affair: Helping Families Cope with Mental Illness by Abigail Van Buren
  • When Madness Comes Home by Victoria Secunda
  • When Someone You Love has a Mental Illness by Rebecca Woolis
Is there any truth to the idea that diet can influence the severity of autistic symptoms?

Some researchers have reported that a gluten-free and casein-free diet may reduce the severity of autistic traits; however, addition studies are still needed to provide conclusive evidence. Please talk with your doctor regarding recommendations for your child.

Where can I learn more about the causes of autism?

I have heard a lot of different explanations of what causes autism. Where can I go to learn more about this subject?

Also browse the content on this site tagged with 'Autism'

 

Are there resources that can help me be an effective parent?

I'm concerned because I feel that my special needs child is taking up so much of my time and attention that sometimes his or her sibling(s) feel left out. Are there resources that can help me be an effective parent even though I am stressed?

There are a variety of organizations that offer support groups and classes for parents and family members of special needs children. Two excellent resources are NAMI and Regional Center. You may a lso want to take advantage of respite care to allow you to take a break from your caregiving role and let you spend some time with your other family members.

Here at the Nathanson Family Resource Center, we have a number of books related to this issue including:

  • A Family Affair: Helping Families Cope with Mental Illness by Abigail Van Buren
  • When Madness Comes Home by Victoria Secunda.

Also, there are some sites online that may help:

Where can I find out about obtaining additional social skills training for my child?

My child has such a difficult time making friends. Where can I find out about obtaining additional social skills training for him or her?

Regional Centers offer social and recreational programs which can develop social interaction and leisure skills, as well as increase your child's community involvement. Contact your local Regional Center for more information.

UCLA also offers Social Skills and intervention programs for teenagers and young adults

How could I apply for respite care

I am the caregiver to a child with special needs. I am overwhelmed and exhausted. I heard something about "respite care". How could I apply for it?

Respite care is short-term care provided to people with disabilities so their families can take a break from the daily routine of caregiving. You can contact your local regional center for more information about respite care. The National Respite Locator Service (www.respitelocator.org) can also help you find care in your local area.

Where can I find updated information about the state's budget crisis and how it may affect services for special needs children?

Two great internet sites to obtain this information are the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (www.cbpp.org), and the California Research Bureau (www.library.ca.gov). Your local Regional Center can also provide you with up-to-date information.

I would like to get my special needs child involved in some extra-curricular activities

I would like to get my special needs child involved in some extra-curricular activities - are there organizations that we can turn to?

Regional Centers offer social and recreational programs for your child. They can also provide additional recommendations for extra-curricular activities that will best suit the needs of your child.

If your child is autistic, you can contact The Foothill Autism Alliance at www.foothillautism.org or via phone at 1-818-662-8847.

Is there an organization that can help me with my child's IEP

My child's IEP is coming up soon. I would like to have a legal advocate there with me. Is there an organization that can help me with this?

There are a number of special education advocacy services in the Los Angeles area. A great resource that would be able to refer you to an appropriate advocate is your local Regional Center. In addition, a great internet resource is ISER (Internet Special Education Resources). They provide a nationwide directory of special education advocacy services (www.iser.com/CAadvocacy.html). I was told by another parent that my child might qualify for something called "Regional Center." What is this, and how can I find out if they can help us?

Regional Centers are community based organizations which contract with the State Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to coordinate the services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

The services provided by a regional center will include:

  • information and referrals
  • assessment and diagnosis
  • counseling
  • lifelong individualized planning and service coordination
  • assistance in finding other community resources
  • advocacy for the protection of legal rights
  • early intervention services for at risk infants and their families (Early Start Program)
  • planning, placement, and monitoring of out-of-home care
  • community education about developmental disabilities

To find out more about Regional Centers, please contact your local center:

What is an IEP?

An Individualized Educational Program (IEP) describes the special education and related services specifically designed to meet the unique needs of a student with a disability. The program is developed by a committee that includes a school administrator, the student's teacher, the parents, and the student when appropriate. An IEP contains goals and objectives based upon the student's present level of educational performance, it specifies the educational placement or setting, and it discusses the related services necessary to reach the outlined goals and objectives.

To learn more about IEPs you can visit the following websites:

Recommended therapist not taking new patients. What do we do now?

My loved one was sent home but we followed up and the therapists that were recommended to us are not taking new clients or don't see adolescents/children - what do we do now?

The first thing you should do is contact the case manager or social worker who gave you the original recommendations. They will likely have additional recommendations, and they will probably be happy to know the current status of the therapists on their referral lists. 

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Nathanson Family Resource Center at UCLA