Children's Social Skills Group - NEW DATE: September 19

Due to scheduling issues, the Children's Social Skills Group will now start Saturday, September 19, from 10:30-11:30am. The group will meet every other Saturday (9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 10/31, 11/14, 11/21). 

RSVP today! 919-941-2900 or Pfeiffer.Reach@Pfeiffer.edu

    The social skills group offered at Pfeiffer Institute Reach provides children ages 5-8 with the opportunity to increase social skills and peer interactions.  The group will sharpen social skills common for this age group, including meeting peers, maintaining friendships, and sharing.  In addition, the group will focus on helping children to respond appropriately to challenging social situations such as losing, apologizing, and identifying and managing emotions.  Children will learn how to identify emotions, and connect emotional experiences to physical feelings through interactive and visual activities.  The group will focus on helping children to manage difficult emotions, such as anger and fear, and connect emotional experiences to social interactions through role-plays and group member interaction. 

    The social skills group is a great opportunity for any child who is experiencing Autism, behavioral issues, ADHD, social delays, anxiety, or emotional dysregulation.  The purpose of the group is to help children learn appropriate social responses, interact well with peers, and regulate emotion.

    The group facilitators, Toni Nicolsen and Nicole McCarthy, are advanced graduate students and therapist interns at Pfeiffer Institute Reach.  Toni has previous experience leading social skills groups for children with behavioral disorders and social anxiety.  She enjoys the interactive nature of a group setting and helping children engage in social and emotional experiences through hands-on activities and building peer relationships.  Nicole has been working with young children for several years, and has experience helping children to improve their social/emotional skills.  She enjoys helping children to better understand their emotions, while giving them tools to cope and express themselves in positive ways.

RSVP today! 919-941-2900 or Pfeiffer.Reach@Pfeiffer.edu

Help! My Child is Diagnosed with ADD!

by Nate Sawyer, Reach Therapist Intern

      What do you do when your child’s teacher sends home a note that says she keeps acting up in class and cannot complete her work? She talks to other children too much, cannot pay attention, and will not complete her schoolwork. Parents often go to one of two extremes: "that is not my kid causing trouble, she just has an overzealous teacher, [child] just has too much energy," or "I cannot deal with her anymore, let's get her to the doctor and see if we can get some medicine!" Unfortunately, many well-meaning parents end up getting ADHD medication for their children from doctors willing to prescribe without trying the most difficult route of affecting their child's behaviors at home. As a therapist and husband to first grade teacher, I see this disturbing trend of over-medicated children. My wife has said that many of her teacher and educational researcher colleagues agree that much of what children are expected to learn in our educational system, especially in elementary school, is not always developmentally age appropriate.
So what do you do when your child is overly energetic? There are a few helpful behavior encouragement techniques to try at home before going to the doctor. In school, teachers often set-up a reward system where stickers are earned for good behavior after a certain agreed upon number are acquired the child receives a prize from the prize box. The most important aspects of this system are clear communication of expectations, follow through, and consistency. It is important for parents to make a big deal and celebrate desired behavior because it will encourage continued good behavior.
       Our technologically-driven society has encouraged a lot less physical activity or time outside, which can lead to much unused energy in children from sitting on the couch watching TV. Parents should schedule regular outdoor play or physical activity into their child's routine.
      Establishing a routine of eating, sleeping, play, and homework is crucial to helping children focus and have continuity in what they do. Children need to be given tasks and goals such as homework or chores to learn how to feel accomplished and how to follow through with projects. The sticker system is helpful to reward completed tasks. It is especially important to give children with tendencies of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD tasks to complete because this is often difficult for them to see things to completion.
       If you try some of these activities and still notice that your child has difficulty paying attention at home and school then you might want to talk to your child's pediatrician about therapy or medication. Medication can be helpful for some who cannot focus, but in order for it to be successful it requires some parenting work, as well. We help lots of parents at Reach, with all kinds of parenting issues. Hang in there parents; talk to their teacher, work with them at home, get some support at Reach, and your hard work might pay off. The difficulty for parents with hyperactive children is often the amount of patience required for the task! Hang in there parents, keep up the hard work, and think of the potential your little one holds!

Parenting a Child with ADHD: RISE to the Occasion

by Jearilyn Singleton, Reach Therapist Intern

Has your child been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? Feel like you’re not getting it “right” as a parent? Well, fret no longer. Help has arrived! If you can remember that all you have to do is RISE to the occasion -- focusing on routines, interests, simple rewards, and exercise; -- you will be able to see the sunshine in the midst of so many dark clouds. So, let’s break down what it means to RISE to the occasion:

Routine: It is important for children with ADHD to have a routine. Not only does a routine help keep you sane as a parent;, iIt helps children with ADHD learn to regulate. If they have a regimented schedule and know what to expect, it is easier for them to complete tasks and fulfill obligations. Sit down and create a routine or schedule with your child. Allowing them to get involved in the process is great and gives them a sense of control and ownership. Review expectations and remain consistent. Consistency is key when parenting a child with ADHD.

Interests: Know what your children are interested in and get interested in it too! I think it’s funny how people claim children with ADHD can’t sit still for long periods of time but they can sit in one spot and play a video game for hours! Children can focus when they are truly interested. Find out what positive and productive activities your children are interested in and encourage them to focus their attention on those interests. 

Simple rewards: Parents of children with ADHD often focus on the negative. Start finding the exceptions in your children’s behaviors and reward them when they do well! It doesn’t have to be an extravagant reward either. Maybe if they're able to complete their homework without getting distracted then they get an extra 10 minutes of television before bed. Small, simple rewards show children that you recognize that they are trying. It also makes them more aware and purposeful with their actions. Sounds like a win-win to me!

Exercise: Children with ADHD have tons of energy! Parents often report that they feel like their children are “bouncing off the walls.” What better way to channel this energy than through exercise? Encourage your children to put down the video games, cell phones, and toys and get moving. Working out can be fun! Play a game outside with your children (like basketball or jumping rope), ride bikes after dinner as a family, or just let them run around until they just can’t run any more. Not only is daily exercise healthy for you and your children, it helps release a lot of energy and can have a calming effect. 

If you can remember to implement these simple steps, you can RISE to the occasion every time! Not only will you feel more capable and in control as a parent, you will also find opportunities to bond with your children and help them channel their excess energy in a more positive manner. And, to all the parents of children without ADHD, you can use these simple steps too! Change the way you view and interact with your children. I challenge you to RISE to the occasion today!