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| Learn all you can about children's mood disorders | |
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Tuesday, March 30, 1999 Q Two years ago, I sent my 14-year-old daughter to a wilderness program. After numerous attempts at counseling, we felt this intervention was necessary. She did well for eight months. She was diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). At first she did well after leaving the program, but now she has relapsed and is in trouble with the police. She is looking at one year on probation, which includes mandatory counseling. I have wondered if she had ADD, but after reading one of your columns, I'm beginning to suspect an inherited mood disorder. K.B.
A Gather as much information as you can about your daughter's
disorder and the options available for effective treatment. Counseling
alone may not be effective. Study the family history and note problem behaviors, including alcohol or drug abuse, rage disorders, obsessive-compulsive behavior, depression and mood swings. Individuals often inherit a vulnerability to a disorder from the gene pool. Contact a physician or psychiatrist who is knowledgeable about treatment options. Ask your county mental health association for referrals. In the past, faulty parenting was thought to be the cause of schizophrenia, autism, panic attacks, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and many other conditions. We were wrong about this. Parents don't create these problems, but they do have to recognize them and seek effective treatment. Q My 9-year-old son was suspended March 5 (pending an administrative hearig scheduled for April 15) from the San Jose Unified School District for violating California Education Code section 48900, which states no student shall possess a knife or other dangerous object. The knife in question is around two inches long, to my son nothing more than a toy. The knife fell out of his pocket when he was in the library. This extended suspension seems too severe for a 9-year-old who meant no harm. My son is not malicious and does not pose a danger to others. I believe what my son did was wrong and there should be consequences. However, I feel there should be more flexibility for individual cases. Can you offer any advice?
No name A Dr. Jack Smith, a former school administrator and current
school board member, states that a principal has the authority
to determine if an administrative hearing is warranted when a
zero-tolerance policy has been violated. A violation of a ``no
knives'' policy brings automatic suspension, which stays in force
until a parent conference is held. The principal has the authority
to determine if the violation involved danger to others, or intent
to harm or threaten. Suspending a child for five weeks before any determination is made regarding the seriousness of the offense seems unreasonable. If your son's district does not allow the principal to determine the seriousness of the offense, use his situation to work for an application of the policy that would require an immediate review of a ``weapon at school'' case.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- San Jose Mercury News |
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