Tag Archives: behavior

Georgetown Pediatrics has a new counselor!

In keeping with our commitment to serving the whole child (physical, mental, and behavioral) we recently hired Staci Case (CRC, LPCC) to join our staff.

Staci is both professional and personable, the perfect combination for her work. Her education is all from Kentucky: an undergraduate degree (BA in Social Work) from the University of the Cumberlands, and a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from UK. In addition, she holds two specialty certificates in Developmental Disability and Applied Behavior Analysis.

Staci works with each patient to make the counseling process individualized, because each child or teen is different, with unique needs.

As a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Staci has worked with and advocated for disabilities and issues of all kinds. Included in those issues are

Autism,
Learning Disorders,
Behavior,
Brain Injury,
and others.

When asked about her work, Staci says, “I love working with kids using their strengths and interests to develop needed skills for daily life, school, and relationships. I like to help kids take ownership of their treatment goals by finding the right tools to succeed and build confidence.”

She will use Assessment, Behavior Modification, & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in sessions; however, she makes sure therapy time is unique to each patient and their family, giving them appropriate space to explore and process. She offers academic testing, when needed, as a tool to identify possible learning limitations and to problem-solve solutions.

As a mom of 3 girls—Aubrey, Taylor, and Berkley—Staci can relate to the joys and issues of parenting. Together the family enjoys camping, fishing, softball, ballet, and helping others at every opportunity.

Are you interested in making an appointment with Staci Case? Call our office at (502) 863-6426. We are happy she’s a member of our staff, and look forward to serving your particular counseling needs.

Bullying is a serious matter

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October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. That means now is a good time for us to talk about this important subject.

Bullying can occur at school or on the bus, in the neighborhood, on the playground— anywhere. Cyber bullying is also on the rise, where people use the internet or phone apps to harm others.

At the very least, bullying lowers self-esteem. But as we know, continual bullying can cause children and teens to withdraw socially, may create depression or other mental health issues, and can even result in physical harm.

Parental awareness is essential. It’s almost certain that your child will, at some point, either be on the receiving end of bullying behavior, or will bully someone else, or both. An article on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) website references a study from 1999, in which four out of five teens admitted to participating in bullying behavior at least once a month. Those who have been bullied often go on to mistreat others.

Conversations about appropriate behavior and language need to begin early between parent and child. Don’t hesitate to correct your child or teen when you hear name-calling or witness unkind behavior, even between siblings. They can learn early the boundaries between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Teach them how to express themselves, especially when hurt or angry, by using language that doesn’t cross the line into disrespect. Don’t tolerate violent acts against people or animals.

Of course, your kids are not always near you, and you won’t be aware of everything that happens to them or everything they do. Continue the conversation about bullying; remind them to walk away from confrontations and to inform a responsible adult if they experience or witness bullying. Talk about kindness; role-play sticky situations. Monitor their internet and cell phone activity and discuss what you find there.

Teach your kids some nonviolent and non-confrontational ways to handle conflict. There are excellent resources for this in the article mentioned above, also here and here.

Remember that school counselors and other therapists can be really helpful if your child or teen is a victim or perpetrator of bullying, and our office can always make a referral.

As children get older, remind them that they help create a safe environment for others. They can be a positive force by refusing to contribute to an atmosphere of hatred.

As the school year continues, things can get very hectic. Don’t forget to pay attention to what’s going on with your youngsters. Ask questions, be supportive, get help when needed. Let’s keep our schools and community safe for everyone’s children.

Artwork by Shawna

Manners? Yes, please.

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Summertime is easy—so they say. It can also be an easier time to remind children and teens about good manners. Hopefully, you will have more times of relaxed conversation when you aren’t trying to juggle homework, school and extracurricular schedules all at once.

Manners are important because they remind us of the value of every human being. Saying please and thank you is respectful, whether those words are spoken to someone in the family, a teacher or coach, or a complete stranger. Being helpful ingrains kindness in the helper and encourages it in the recipient and observer.

What are age appropriate manners?

Ages 2—5. Teach children to say please and thank you at the right times. Children at this age usually love to help people, so encourage that tendency. At the playground, they can help a younger child, with supervision. At home, they can learn to pass the potatoes. When meeting someone, they can shake hands and learn to answer questions that are asked.
Ages 5—7. As the child develops physically and emotionally, so should their moral growth be progressing. Teach good phone manners by practicing in a game. Have a “manners night” once a week at the supper table, where everyone has to speak politely and initiate good conversation. Give a small reward at the end of the meal for the person who showed the best manners.
Older children. Learning to smile and maintain eye contact during a conversation is important as children grow. They can learn to ask people about themselves, and to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate questions. Your suppertime conversations can engage their imaginations and teach them how to talk to other people.
Teens. When our children mature into teens, they often become less receptive to their parents’ helpful instructions on manners, but that doesn’t mean you can let them off the hook. By now they should know your standards, and you should be able to witness them using their manners at home and elsewhere. Teens who are mannerly, you may tell them, will likely advance at school and work because others respond positively to our good behavior.

Perhaps the main thing to remember about teaching manners to your children is this: be an example. Use please and thank you when you remind them about their chores. Treat your spouse and other adults and youngsters with respect.

If you are often cross with them, they will reflect that attitude back to you and to others. But if you treat them and others kindly, they will learn to mimic that behavior, both consciously and unconsciously.

Expect good manners from your children and that is likely what you will get.

ADHD—diagnosis, treatment and your concerns

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You hear so much about ADHD these days. It’s in the news. You likely know children, teens or adults who’ve been diagnosed with it. Debates continue about under- and over-diagnosing, and about medicating.

First, just what is ADHD?

ADHD is Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Of course, nearly all children will sometimes be hyperactive and lack focus. How do you know when it’s a problem worth taking to your pediatrician?

The American Academy of Pediatrics has a great article covering the basics of ADHD in which they say, “Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have behavior problems that are so frequent and severe that they interfere with their ability to live normal lives.” We might add that family life is also greatly affected by a child with ADHD. This same article deals with concerns about medications and why more children are now being diagnosed with ADHD than, say, 10 or 20 years ago.

Another fascinating article about the trend is here, from MacClean’s.

The bottom line is this: yes, it’s a real problem. And yes, it may also be over-diagnosed.

Families of children and teens who have ADHD find that the right medication in the right amount can profoundly help. Specific testing is needed up front, then some time is often required to pinpoint and adjust the proper medication. In addition, coping mechanisms for studying, chores and social skills can assist parents in dealing with ADHD.

At Georgetown Pediatrics, we are conscientious in making the right diagnosis for your child. Four of our physicians (Dr. Hambrick, Dr. Hoddy, Dr. Sweigart and Dr. Forster) are specially trained to diagnose and design a treatment plan specific to your child. With compassion we can help you find your way to a less stressful future with your family.

If you have concerns that your child may have ADHD, contact our office for an appointment.