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Parenting Teens

Building Resilience in Teens

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Building Resilience in Teens

written by Ken Ginsburg, posted on parent and teen

Building Resilience

Our parental instincts drive us to protect our children. Given a choice we’d bubble wrap them. But we can’t. We can, however, prepare them to navigate the world. We can support them to develop the character strengths and human connections that allow them to thrive in good times and rebound (maybe even grow) in challenging times. In other words, we can build their resilience.

No Bubble Wrap Needed

Resilience is better than bubble wrap because it is about developing internal strength rather than relying on an external shield. Think of resilience as a process of bouncing back — of rising above adversity. And to do so ideally, with lessons that enable you to better handle the next bump in the road.

It is a mistake, however, to only think of resilience as something that enables us to respond to adversity. The very same characteristics that allow someone to rebound from difficult times will position them to get the most out of life. We want our children to become their best selves, to experience healthy relationships, to make their unique contributions to our communities — to succeed.

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The Calais Adult Transition Program

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The Calais Adult Transition Program

Struggling to stay afloat in college? The Calais Adult Transition Program offers support to individuals with special needs looking to pursue higher education and employment. Calais provides on-site college and career readiness services for young adults ages 18 to 30 with mental health conditions, autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, and other special needs.
Services and Support includes:
  • Work-Study Model
  • Tailored to Your Personal Needs and Goals
  • Services on Your Own Schedule
  • Academic and Therapeutic Support
  • Life Planning and Career Counseling
  • Social Opportunities
Click here to learn more

Guide to Trade Schools for People with Disabilities

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Guide to Trade School for People with Disabilities

taken from www.primeweld.com

Professionally successful people living with a disability sometimes credit their impairment for boosting their career prospects, because it taught them perseverance and commitment. Others believe that their physical or cognitive differences in certain areas have led them to develop stronger abilities in others.

Choosing a trade school is an opportunity to assess one’s traits and capabilities, and find the right career for applying them.

Why Vocational or Trade School?

Success at a trade school can lead to stable employment with higher-than-average earnings. That makes trade school an attractive option for anyone.

For someone living with a disability, vocational or trade school training allows them to exhibit the talents and abilities they have, rather than those they don’t.

A trade school provides a structured learning environment, hands-on experience, and instruction from experts in the field. And like any accredited educational institution, trade schools are required to provide accommodations to level the playing field for students living with disabilities.

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College Planning for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Students

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College Planning for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Students

written by Edumed Staff, published on edumed.org

There’s no doubt that college can be challenging. It’s supposed to be. But for some students, higher education poses unique obstacles that require additional support and resources. For students with hearing impairment, earning a degree often means addressing each of these additional hurdles head-on. Whether it’s finding the right classroom accommodations or taking advantage of online learning, students with hearing loss don’t have to miss out on a high-quality college education just because of their disability.

With over 20,000 deaf or hard of hearing students enrolling in post-secondary institutions annually, colleges across the country are making an effort to help these students succeed. However, with only 30% of hearing-impaired students graduating with a four-year degree, there’s still plenty of work to be done. Learn what steps you can take to increase your chances of college success and find the tools and resources needed to make higher education manageable.

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Dating and Teens with Special Needs

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Dating and Teens with Special Needs

written by Dr. Liz Matheis, published on www.psychologytoday.com

Teens are teens, regardless of special needs/disability, or not. Puberty hits, sparks start flying and we, as parents, have no idea how to handle this new phase in your adolescent’s life. Within the special needs community, there is controversy as to whether dating is a good idea or not. My perspective is one of a parent as well as a psychologist, but as a mom first. Disability or not, our children are children and they have similar human developmental milestones along the way. Some get there faster and some get there slower, but the human need for connection and relating is one that exists regardless of disability or ability.

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Teens & Driver Anxiety

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Experts tell us their tips for teens with driving anxiety

by Lena Borrelli, published on bankrate.com

you would expect. It is not alcohol or drugs, or even crime that is responsible for about 300,000 emergency room visits each year. The leading cause of death for U.S. teens is a motor vehicle accident, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Every day, six teens between the ages of 16 and 19 years old die from crash crashes.

Research also shows that teen driver anxiety could be to blame.

Driver anxiety is a common affliction for many Americans today, but it can be incredibly hard-hitting for teens who have little experience to fall back on. Navigating America’s chaotic roadways is difficult enough for the mature driver, but it can be downright terrifying for teens.

Driver anxiety is a specialized form of anxiety marked by periods of discomfort and stress, with symptoms varying in severity. Some signs, like an extreme panic attack, could pose a significant risk of injury to both you and the drivers around you. Some people may avoid driving altogether to avoid these negative feelings and, quite possibly, a negative outcome while behind the wheel.

We look to the experts to see best practices for living with and overcoming teen driver anxiety on the road.

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How Do I Parent My Adolescent with Special Needs?

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How Do I Parent My Adolescent with Special Needs?

by Dr. Liz Matheis, published in Psychology Today

Raising an adolescent is hard. Their moods change quickly—one minute they’re angry and raging, and the next, they’re a pile of tears in your lap. They want independence and freedom and yet they are afraid of it. They want you to tell them what to do, but they don’t want your advice. They want you to listen, but then they tell you to go away. The mixed messages are intense. I know. I have two adolescents, one of each gender.

But what happens when that teenager is a child with special needs? For many children with special needs, the developmental milestones and struggles are the same but on a different timetable. If you have a comparison point with another child—a niece or nephew—you are likely going to notice that your teen’s development is not all that different.

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Let it Go: Parents, Let Teens Unwind This Summer

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Let It Go: Parents, Let Teens Unwind this Summer

by Dr. Liz Matheis, published on psychology today.com

The past 15 months have been unprecedented. As I always ask – how many pandemics have you lived through? Our teens made insane changes quickly and suddenly, and although they initially welcomed them, that is not the sentiment right now.

Our teens became anxious, sad, overwhelmed, socially isolated, and grieved for all the milestones they missed. They have learned how to “meet” with friends using apps, bake together, watch movies together, and all within the virtual world.

Even though March 2020 through June 2020 were boring and academics didn’t look anything like our teens knew them to be, they chugged along and hoped for a different September.

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"The various psycho-educational testing Dr. Liz conducted on our son gave us critical clues about where his learning strengths and weaknesses lie so that his needs could be better addressed at home and school. Moreover, because of their warm, kindhearted personalities, both Dr. Liz and her associate, Stephanie, formed an immediate bond with my son. He eagerly looks forward to his weekly therapy sessions. We are so lucky Dr. Liz came into our family's lives when she did! For stressed-out families trying to help their children as best they can, she is a calming voice of reason!"
- Julie C.
"Dr. Matheis has a remarkable ability to understand the unique needs of her patients and address them constructively. She builds strong, meaningful relationships with patients and their families, encouraging trust and collaboration. When working with my son who struggles with autism-related anxiety, she created an environment in which he was able to calm down and open up to her in ways I had not seen before. She was able to reach him and helped him work through his crisis/problem. Most importantly, she empowered him to move forward."
- N.L.
"Dr. Matheis is amazing. She has tremendous resources and loads of energy. She is not willing to accept anything less than the most effective results for her clients. She made me feel as if my son was her top priority throughout the entire process. I would, without reservation, give her my highest recommendations.  Thank you, Dr. Matheis!"
- Anonymous
"Dr. Matheis has an amazing ability to read kids and connect with them. She has been an invaluable resource for our family over the past several years and has helped us with everything from educational consulting, to uncovering diagnoses as well as family therapy. Working with Dr. Matheis never feels clinical and most importantly, our children love and trust her. We can not thank you enough Dr. Liz!"
- Anonymous
"My teenage son had been seeing Dr. Matheis through his senior year of high school, as he was only diagnosed with ADHD at 16 years old.  Dr. Matheis came highly recommended from our pediatrician and she has done wonders for our son as well as our family, navigating new ways for him to deal with his diagnosis without the use of medication.  She taught him ways to organize himself and even when something did not work for him, she patiently continued teaching him new ways to keep himself on track.  She has also helped us as parents to understand how his mind works so that we did not continue to blame his lack of focus on him, rather on his unique way of thinking.  Thank you Dr. Matheis!!!!"
- LG
"Dr. Liz is the best! Our family was directed to her by our Pediatrician to assist with figuring out severe mood changes, severe anxiety, strange new fears and food aversion that had come onto one of our children literally overnight. After just a couple of visits, she suggested that the issues may actually be rooted in a physical issue and suggested we immediately take our child to be swabbed for strep, because Dr. Liz suspected PANDAS (a pediatric autoimmune disorder brought on by strep). The same Pediatrician that suggested Dr. Liz would not do the swab (they do not believe in PANDAS and we no longer go there) but I took my child to my doctor who did the swab and it was positive for strep. When our child went on antibiotics, within 24 hours all symptoms went away and our child was back :-) Dr. Liz then recommended a PANDAS specialist who helped us and our child is in complete remission and is happy and healthy. We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Liz for her knowledge of all things, even the most remote and unusual and for helping us so much! Thank you!"
- Anonymous
"The various psycho-educational testing Dr. Liz conducted on our son gave us critical clues about where his learning strengths and weaknesses lie so that his needs could be better addressed at home and school. Moreover, because of their warm, kindhearted personalities, both Dr. Liz and her associate, Stephanie, formed an immediate bond with my son. He eagerly looks forward to his weekly therapy sessions. We are so lucky Dr. Liz came into our family's lives when she did! For stressed-out families trying to help their children as best they can, she is a calming voice of reason!"
- Anonymous
"Thank you, Dr. Liz. Although we have told you countless times, it will never feel enough. You have listened when J could barely speak and continued to listen when he was sad, angry and confused. You've challenged him and directed us in our roles as parents. You've helped J face his fears while the list evolved and changed, and yet you've stayed committed to 'the course.' We pray that your children realize that time away from them is spent helping children learn and that vulnerability is a sign of strength and bravery."
- June I
"My son was admitted to an Ivy League school when only 2 years ago, you assessed him and saw his struggles, his Dyslexia. We are grateful that he no longer has to carry that deep feeling of inadequacy or shame that must have kept him so self conscious and from reaching his potential. He has the PERFECT program for him. He has A's in high math and economics. He became a Merit Scholar, a Boys State legislature, the HEAD captain of the football team and help a job ALL while studying and managing his classes and disability. I am PROUD of you, a young doctor, who knows and sees the vulnerability of children and helps them recognize "it's NO big deal" God bless."
- Anonymous

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