The End to Bullying Starts At Home

TPNN recently held our regular Nanny Get Together and was honored to have Daniela Redpath, Vice President of Teach Anti-Bulling, Inc. speak to us about recognizing the signs of bullying and how to get involved to stop the vicious cycle. Redpath, along with President and Founder, Dr. Claudio Cerullo, formed the non-profit organization in late 2011. After watching her son, who suffers from Asperger’s, be a victim of bullying in his younger years, Redpath decided to change her career paths and help families in need. Their goal was help children and families who have been, or are currently, affected by bullying.

            Teach Anti-Bullying, Inc. goes into the community and local schools to raise awareness about bullying. They stress that if the lines of communication are not open at home, they will not be applied in the classroom. It is the parents’ and caregivers’ job to get involved. Redpath emphasized that children need two things, empowerment and conviction. During the younger years, children need to know that parents cannot solve all of their problems. They need to be able to express their emotions when they feel they are a victim of bullying, in a non-violent manner, and then have a conversation with an adult about how they handled the situation. For the kids doing the bullying, they have to be taught at a young age that their behavior is unacceptable.

            As children get older, parents and caregivers need to become more involved, clarify the lines of respect and disrespect, and notice for changes in behavior. Children usually do not tell an authority figure when they are being bullied because of fear of retribution. It is up to the adults in their lives to notice changes. This includes teachers because 33% of children in grades third through fifth admitted that bullying happens in the classroom with the teacher present. Some signs of bullying may include ripped clothes, odd attire, missing items, lack of interest in school, circle of friends changing, method of transportation changing, grades drastically suffering, nightmares, or sleep trouble.

            Signs of bullying are usually mirrored in home behaviors. Respectful children are less likely to be school bullies. Disrespectful, rude, violent, or out of control kids are usually the same at home and at school. When kids arrive home, parents and caregivers need to ask questions. Ask what happened at school, who did they eat lunch with, how was the school bus ride, and who did you sit next to? Willingness to share this type of information opens the lines of communications. Adults also should be aware that girls tend to use cyber bullying, the newest form of bullying, more frequently with 51% of girls cyber bullying as opposed to 37% of boys.

            Parents and caregivers are responsible for noticing the signs of a bullied child or a child doing the bullying. The age of suicide because of bullying or tormenting has gotten younger. Children with low self-esteem become adults with low self-esteem and child bullies become adult bullies. All children have to be taught empathy, compassion, and respect. Just as Redpath stressed, children have to be taught empowerment from a young age. A little courage can go a long way and Redpath said it best with the advice she gave her son to make him feel special and confident when he was a victim of bullying, “You’re not disabled, you’re differently abled.”

Visit: www.teachantibullying.com

Do You Know The Signs Of ADHD?

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a common childhood brain disorder. While the hyperactivity aspect may fade as children get older, there is always a chance that other aspects of the disorder continue into adolescence and adulthood. The National Institution of Mental Health reported that in youth with ADHD, the brain matures in a normal pattern, but is delayed by about three years. The delay is most evident in the thinking, attention, and planning sections of the brain.

            Some of the symptoms of ADHD may include varying degrees of difficulty focusing on one thing, struggling to follow directions, becoming easily confused, having trouble sitting still, trouble with quiet tasks or activities, fidgeting and squirming, blurting out inappropriate comments, or having difficulty waiting.

            Researchers have yet to find a cause for ADHD. While there is speculation that the cause could be one of five areas (genetics, environmental factors, brain injuries, sugar, or food additives), there is no scientific proof. If a caregiver suspects a child is demonstrating elements of ADHD, she should discuss her observations with the parents and recommend a meeting with the pediatrician. The behavior may look like ADHD and therefore can sometimes be mistaken as other problems. Some children may be inattentive but because they are not overly hyperactive, symptoms could be overlooked. Also, children who exhibit hyperactive or impulsive symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for having disciplinary problems.

            ADHD symptoms usually appear between the ages of three and six. Because symptoms vary from person to person, the disorder may sometimes take longer to diagnose. Teachers and caregivers are usually the first to notice signs, as they are with children a large portion of the day. After expressing concerns with the parents, proper help can be sought. Pediatricians can then decide whether or not the child should see a professional who specializes in testing and treating these disorders.

            There is no current cure for ADHD. Some of the common treatments used to control the disorder include medication, various types of psychotherapy, or education and training. Early intervention is best. If diagnosed early, treatments can allow for better adjusted educational, social, and emotional growth.

Information from: The National Institution of Mental Health