Mar
31
Posted by galleca on
March 31, 2009
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD or ADHD) is a neurobehavioral developmental disorder. It affects about 3 to 5% of children with symptoms starting before seven years of age.
The most common childhood-onset behavioral disorder, is nothing if not controversial. Nearly every aspect of ADHD from diagnosis to prevalence to medication, and even its mere existence, is disputed by at least one ‘concerned’ group. And honestly, who could blame parents for being hesitant to medicate their young children, especially since medications come with risks? However, ADHD is a very real (and prevalent) disorder which has discrete neurochemical and, as more and more research is suggesting, genetic causes. It has been linked with one neurochemical in particular.
ATLANTA – More older children are being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder while the rate is holding steady for children under 12, according to a government report released Wednesday.
Some experts called the finding surprising, noting that most childhood diagnoses traditionally occur by age 11.
The study didn’t investigate why the increase in one age group was so much higher than the other. It found the percentage of older children diagnosed with ADHD has been rising by 4 percent each year.
Some symptoms of ADHD are described as inattention, difficulty in performing tasks, hyperactivity and impulsivity. According to the DSM IV (DSM4) Criteria for ADHD.
A. Either (1) or (2)
(1). 6 (or more) of the following symptoms of inattention have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:
Inattention
(a) often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
(b) often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
(c) often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
(d) often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish
schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behaviour or failure to understand instructions)
(e) often has difficulty organising tasks and activities
(f) often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework).
(g) often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools)
(h) is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
(i) is often forgetful in daily activities
(2) 6 (or more) of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level
Hyperactivity Symptoms
(a) often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
(b) often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
(c) often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)
(d) often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
(e) is often “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”
(f) often talks excessively
Impulsivity Symptoms
(g) often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
(h) often has difficulty awaiting turn
(i) often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g. butts into conversations or games)
B. Some hyperactive-impulsive or inattentive symptoms that caused impairment were present before age 7 years.
C. Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g. at school [or work] and at home).
D. There must be clear evidence of clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.
E. The symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder)
Mar
30
Posted by galleca on
March 30, 2009
most kids do play
Most of the kids nowadays are up to games specifically video games that even parents might say these word :”Stop it! Enough! do your homework and find something else better than what you are doing!”
It can be good advice, even if you were just about to crash through to the next level. Why? Too much of anything is just too much. It’s true that some studies have shown certain video games can improve hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and the mind’s ability to process information. But too much video game playing can cause health problems.
It’s hard to get enough active play and exercise if you’re always inside playing video games. And without enough exercise, kids can become overweight.
Really overdoing video games also could affect other important stuff, like friendships and how well a kid does in school. And it’s still unclear what effect violent and disturbing games have on a person’s brain.
But here’s the good news: Playing video games some of the time can be OK. Just aim for no more than 1 or 2 hours a day and choose quality games.Well it could actually be improving your vision.
Scientists writing in the journal Nature reports that video games can improve players’ ability in what is called “contrast sensitivity”.
This is the aspect of vision which is the first to go as you grow older.
A good game will be the right one for how old you are. Games are rated like movies and your mom or dad can help figure out which ones you should use. If you can choose one that gets you up and moving, that’s even better.
Some parents may engage their children to sports like swimming,dancing, or board games like chess to enhance more their child’s skills or other aspects which can help them grow better as a child. This is also applicable not only to kids but for all who does not want to be an addict to any video games.
One more thing,learn to have family fun within a budget. It doesn’t have to cost a lot to spend quality time together. Sometimes it requires not much more than an investment in time and imagination.
Mar
17
Posted by careen on
March 17, 2009
Care of the Navel
The umbilical cord stump usually falls off in 1-3 weeks, but sometimes it takes longer. A small amount of blood or mucus is common, especially after the stump falls off. If you observe this, you may wipe the area gently with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol at each diaper change.
Care of the Genitals
Girls: Separate the labial folds and gently wash the area with soap and a soft washcloth. A mucousy white or slightly bloody vaginal discharge is very common in the first few days of life, may continue for several weeks, and will stop by itself.
Boys: Circumcision is a social custom; it is not medically necessary. If your son has been circumcised, the penis may still be somewhat irritated at the time of discharge from the hospital. With each diaper change, wash the penis gently and apply Vaseline to the head of the penis to keep it from rubbing against the diaper. Applying Vaseline is no longer necessary after the area appears healed, usually 3-5 days. If your son has not been circumcised, simply wash the genital area with soap and water. It is not necessary or desirable to retract the foreskin of the penis when cleaning. This will occur naturally over time, usually by six years of age.
Skin Care
Until the navel heals, sponge bathe your baby with mild soap and water. Once the cord has fallen off, he/she can be bathed in a tub or basin. Use a mild soap on your baby’s skin. Dove, Tone, or Caress soaps are fine. Bathe your baby only as necessary, as overbathing will dry your newborn’s skin. Any moisturizing cream (Baby Lotion, Keri Lotion, Vaseline Intensive Care) can be used to soften the dry skin that babies usually develop in the first months. Baby wipes are acceptable for the diaper area but should be discontinued if a rash develops. Diaper ointments or cornstarch powders are also acceptable to use but are not necessary.
Washing Baby’s Clothes
Baby’s skin is sensitive and fair. It tends to be irritated by detergents. Use Ivory Snow or Dreft to wash the baby’s clothes and diapers. In general, a fabric softener added to the wash is better than one added to the dryer. If a skin rash develops, try eliminating the fabric softener altogether.
Fever
Any fever in the first 6-8 weeks of life is a problem. It is not necessary to check your child’s temperature unless he/she feels warm or is not acting his/her usual self. Temperatures should be taken by gently inserting a rectal thermometer in to the baby’s rectum for 2 minutes. This is the fastest and most accurate method for taking a baby’s temperature. If the thermometer reads more than 100.4º F, the baby has a fever. If your child is less than three months of age, notify the doctor immediately.
Mar
12
Posted by careen on
March 12, 2009
Should children brush their teeth and floss? Yes, oral hygiene should start early. Caring for your children’s teeth and gums should be a priority. Teaching your children to care for their teeth will eliminate tooth decay and gum disease down the road.
Here are techniques to promote healthy teeth and gums:
- Do not give your infant or small child a bottle of milk, formula, juice or any product that contains sugar when putting them to bed. The sugar causes tooth decay.
- Encourage your baby to start drinking from a cup around 9 months or shortly thereafter.
- Clean your child’s teeth with a gauze pad or soft cloth when they first surface. Once they break through, use a soft children s toothbrush with water only.
- Encourage your child to stop sucking their thumb or fingers. See your dentist if you’re unsuccessful.
- Around 1 – 2 years of age a dot of toothpaste may be used on the child’s toothbrush. Encourage your child not to swallow the toothpaste and rinse well with water.
By age 3 or 4, children should be able to brush their own teeth. You should check your children’s teeth to ensure proper brushing. Chewable Disclosing Tablets can used to determine if any plaque is on your child’s teeth. The Disclosing Tablet will leave a color on the teeth when plaque remains.
Have your child brush their teeth twice a day.
Gently floss between your child’s teeth until they learn the proper technique.
Schedule regular dental check-ups for your child as early as 2 years of age. (Make sure your dentist and hygienist work well with children).
Make it a habit.
Just like adults, children should get into a healthy routine of brushing after breakfast and before bed. They should brush for at least two minutes so that the fluoride has time to work. Brushing after other meals and snacks, while not always possible, is even better. Ask your pediatrician or pediatric dentist when to begin brushing an infant’s baby teeth, which tend to appear at six months of age.
Limit the amount of toothpaste.
Young children don’t need more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste to clean effectively. Teach them to swirl and spit out toothpaste, rather than swallow it, which can result in discoloured teeth.
Show them how to brush.
Do a “show and tell” on yourself first to demonstrate. Start by angling your brush at 45° brushing up from the gumline to teeth with back-and-forth strokes. Explain the importance of brushing behind and on top of the teeth as well on the roof of the mouth and tongue. Give them pointers and praise while they brush.
“Be an example, brush and floss regularly with your child and maintain regular dental appointments.”
Mar
09
Posted by careen on
March 9, 2009
Every child has the right to grow up in an environment which promotes his or her health and safety, free from abuse and neglect. When we talk about abuse and neglect, we are not merely talking about physical abuse but also mental and sexual abuse.
Tennessee law requires the reporting of suspected child abuse and protects the identities of the person reporting the abuse. Tennessee also allows the state to intervene in the parental rights to raise the child, and also provides criminal sanctions when a child is abused or neglected.
The cycle of abuse is often repeated from generation to generation and may require professional intervention to break the chain. Also, many instances of child abuse or neglect to unreported because people don’t want to get involved, or believe that it will disappear in time, or are simply afraid of legal liability. The laws of Tennessee are specifically aimed at these problems.
Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37, Chapter One, Part Four requires that any person having knowledge of child abuse or neglect must report the abuse to the Juvenile Court Judge, or the Department of Human Services, or the Sheriff or Chief of Police. Failure to report child abuse or neglect is a crime. Reports of child abuse are confidential and if the report is made in good faith, the person making the report cannot be sued or charged with crime for reporting.
The report leads to an immediate investigation and if the situation calls for it the child may be removed from the home.
If the authorities believe that there is a need for court intervention, a petition will be filed in Juvenile Court asking the court to intervene and protect the child. This is called a dependency and neglect action. It is not a criminal action and no one is charged with a crime. A separate criminal action can be instituted. In a child abuse case in Juvenile court the petition alleges that the home of the child is unfit by reason of neglect, cruelty, depravity, or physical abuse by the parent, guardian or other person having custody.
The petition alleges certain facts, which if the court finds are true, could cause the child to be declared dependent and neglected.
If it is possible that a parent may lose parental rights, they have a right to be represented by an attorney. If they cannot afford an attorney the court will appoint one.
After a finding that the child is “dependent and neglected”, the court may make an order to protect the child. The court has the power to remove the child from a custody of persons otherwise entitled to custody and to order participation in counseling and psychiatric sessions. The court also has the power to place the child in the home of a relative or into foster placement.
The dependency cases are reviewed from time to time to determine the current status. At these review hearings, the court reviews the case and determines what will best serve the minor at that time. Once the court assumes jurisdiction over a child, it may continue to intervene until the child reaches 18 years of age.
In some instances, the investigation leads to a criminal complaint being filed. The basic child abuse provision in Tennessee is Tennessee Code Annotated Title 29 – Chapter 15, Part 4. Generally stated, the section proscribes willful cruelty toward a child, and endangering life, limb, or health of a child. The charges in this sort case are not limited to this basic provision, but may include charges of other crimes as well.
To report child abuse, call the Department of Human Services – under Tennessee law if you have knowledge of child abuse or neglect you must report it. The number for the Department of Human Services in Knoxville is 594-6767.
Mar
06
Posted by careen on
March 6, 2009
In cases of divorce, the court of jurisdiction for the divorce proceedings also determines child custody arrangements. Under the common statutory provision, if the spouses have children together while married, the parents have joint guardianship over that child and the parental rights are equal. Each parent has an equal right to the custody of the child when they separate.
The parent with custody controls decisions pertaining to the child’s education, religious upbringing, and health care. Courts have the option of choosing one of several types of custody. Temporary custody grants custody of the child to an individual during the divorce or separation proceeding. Exclusive custody endows one parent with all custody rights to the exclusion of the other parent. The non-custodial parent may receive supervision rights or in certain cases, supervised visitation rights. Joint custody grants the parents equal rights in making decisions regarding the child’s upbringing. Courts award joint custody for cases in which both parents can properly perform their duties as parents. If one parent sues for exclusive custody, the suing parent must rebut a presumption that joint custody is in the child’s best interests. A court can award the custody of a child to a third-party if the third-party has sought custody. The third-party is often a grandparent or other close relative. If a marriage results in multiple children, a court has the authority to separate the children and split the custody between parents in accord with the best interest of each particular child. Ordinarily, however, the best interests of a child will be to live with that child’s siblings, in part for reasons of emotional support.
When determining the home in which to place the child, the court strives to reach a decision in “the best interests of the child.” A decision in “the best interests of the child” requires considering the wishes of the child’s parents, the wishes of the child, and the child’s relationship with each of the parents, siblings, other persons who may substantially impact the child’s best interests, the child’s comfort in his home, school, and community, and the mental and physical health of the involved individuals.
Visitation Rights
When a court awards exclusive child custody to one parent, the non-custodial parent maintains the right to see and visit the child, absent extraordinary circumstances. If the court’s custody decree fails to mention visitation rights, the law implies the parent’s right to visitation. Thus, an express prohibition on visitation must exist within the decree in order to deny parental visitation rights because visitation rights stem from the fact of parenthood. Even though this strong presumption in favor of visitation rights exists, courts may impose restrictions on visitation by noncustodial parents.
If a party convinces the court that visitation rights would be injurious to the child’s best interests, then the court possesses the authority to deny visitation rights. This best interest of the child analysis, however, does not give dispositive weight to the child’s stated desires because parents inherently possess the right to attempt to repair the parent-child relationship. Cases in which courts deny visitation rights often include noncustodial parents who had physically or emotionally abused the child in the past and noncustodial parents severely suffering from a mental illness that would emotionally devastate the child. Noncustodial parents who are incarcerated or who have a prison record are not categorically denied visitation rights.
If a parent refuses to obey the court’s visitation or custody decree, the court can order the parent in indirect contempt of court.
Like other aspects of family law, the states control most law in the field of child custody.
Mar
02
Posted by careen on
March 2, 2009
On Jan. 27, 2009, the federal government introduced a budget that provided a $40 billion stimulus to the economy. There was temporary new spending for infrastructure, tax cuts for individuals and corporations and more money for employment insurance benefits and retraining. But there was nothing new for child-care.
Former prime minister Paul Martin, who ran for election in 2004 on the promise of universal daycare, also noticed: “A daycare plan would create immediate short-term stimulus and be good for the productivity of the country,” he said earlier this month.
After telling us about the high expense, the ineffectiveness of the “Harper hundred” subsidy and the lack of daycare spaces, some argued that the most urgent issue is that it’s the kids who are most affected by the current state of daycare in Canada. Here’s a summary of the themes that emerged.
Costs? What about space!
“The daycare cost is not the major issue for our family, although it does put a stain on our budget,” said SB, a parent in Winnipeg. “The main problem is the daycare space availability. For example, we had to place our child in a substandard private daycare in order for mom to go back to work, or lose her professional career.”
“For us the problem was less the cost and more the lack of availability,” a mom in Vancouver told us. “We have been on wait lists for months and heard nothing. We almost had to hire a nanny so that I could go back to work. I am lucky and at the very last minute found something great, but I saw some terrible places, and of those many of them didn’t even have space!”
It’s hard for first-time parents to think that far ahead, but as soon as they found out they were having twins at four months, they put them on several daycare waiting lists..
