Resources for Parents
Parents
The critical role of parents in the lives of their children cannot be overstated. It is often difficult to find accessible and accurate information about mental health issues affecting youth. In this ‘Parent Section’ of the Resources link, we have included several broad categories that may be of interest as well as corresponding links to resources. A common starting point is to assume that you know your child(ren) better than any professional does. You are the expert on your child(ren). This is not to say that you know the answers to every challenge your child(ren) will face, but it is important to remain the final source of authority for decisions related to your child(ren).
Drug-Free solutions to what is labeled “ADD” or “ADHD”
Dr. David B. Stein, Ph.D. has written several workbooks for parents and a website that will provide parents with drug-free options for youth diagnosed as “ADD” or “ADHD”:
http://www.drdavestein.com/
ADHD Medication: Can Your Child Go Without?:
http://ccf.buffalo.edu/pdf/USNews_20090114-2.pdfAre ADHD Medications Right For You or Your Child?:
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_medications.htm
Dr. Peter Breggin has been one of the leading voices in America on challenging the underlying premises behind the ADD/ADHD diagnosis as well as drug prescription as treatment. In this two-part clip he discusses Childhood Challenges and Medications:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCzton-vn4s&feature=related (Part 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezlxs_DWW5U&feature=related (Part 2)
Dr. Breggin’s Website:
Trauma and Children
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) provides comprehensive information on issues pertaining to children and trauma as well as resources for parents:
http://www.nctsn.org/
Helpguide.org provides a nice summary of the different causes of trauma and resources to help those suffering:
http://helpguide.org/mental/emotional_psychological_trauma.htm
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides a definition of trauma and evidence based interventions:
http://www.samhsa.gov/nctic/trauma.asp
Children, Diagnosis and Medications
In this fascinating five part series the New York Times examined issues including the transition to adulthood, the uncertainty of diagnosis, the use of multiple medications and the role of parents:
http://www.nytimes.com/ref/health/troubled-children.html
Award winning author Robert Whitaker discusses the astonishing rise of mental illness in America:
http://www.freedom-center.org/pdf/anatomy_of_epidemic_whitaker_psych_drugs.pdf
AbleChild: Parents for Label and Drug Free Education:
http://www.ablechild.org/about%20us.htm
The Parental Intelligence Newsletter:
http://www.parental-intelligence.com/
Drug Free Solutions to what is labeled:
http://www.livesinthebalance.org/
Medication Guide: About Using Antidepressants in Children and Teenagers:
For Further Reading:
http://www.amazon.com/Critical-Perspectives-ADHD-Gwynedd-Lloyd/dp/0415360374/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311614982&sr=8-1
For Further Viewing:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/medicatedchild/
