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Home Archives for Behavioral Problems

WCBS NY Radio, Allison Spitzer of Spitzer Health Comments on Greenwich School Debate 6/14/1

Posted on June 16, 2016 Written by Allison Spitzer Leave a Comment

http://www.spitzerhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/FED2F715-60A4-4F51-84F9-AA72EE173F04.mp3

Do teens really need to “sleep in?” Though the Greenwich , CT Public Schools think so, the issue should be much more than the daily school starting time.

What has wreaked havoc on our teenagers’  bodies and emotional well being creating stress, anxiety and depression is the overloading of extracurriculars, academic study, volunteer, fitness, and social demands placed on our kids by both parents and educators. Some want their numbers to look good (How many graduates went on to college? How many Ivies?) and parents who want their children to succeed beyond everyone’s comfort level.

images

I say ENOUGH. Starting later is great but won’t have any effect unless we examine  the demands we make on teens to perform and produce like superstars.

In Fairfield County, CT, we’ve created the emotional and physical exhaustion high school students feel. If the evening’s pressures, and the endless texting and FB postings aren’t under control at midnight, it really doesn’t matter what time school starts in the morning. Everyone’s in trouble. We need to manage our  expectations of what we see as  reasonable for our children to accomplish and engage in. It may be less than we hope, less than what we believe they are capable of, or less than needed for the colleges families aspire to have their child attend.

images-2The good news, though, is our kids may be happier, have good memories of this time in their lives, and less conflict at home. They’ll also have to learn to self regulate their impulses, set better boundaries on what they take on and hence be better prepared for the independence of adulthood which lies just ahead. Just talk to the families of kids with serious emotional issues–stress, depression, anxiety, panic, self harm, or addiction. They’d give anything just to see their kid smile. The pressure just isn’t worth it. Sleep’s only a part of the picture.

Filed Under: ADD/ADHD, Adolescent Issues, Anxiety, Anxiety Treatment, Behavioral Problems, Coping Skills, Crying Spells, Depression, Depression Management, Depression Therapist, Exhaustion, Family Conflicts, Family Therapy, Frustration, Hopelessness, Kids & School, Life Skills, Moodiness, Motivation Problems, Parenting Problems, Relationship Problems, School Advocacy, Self Help, Stress, Stress Management, Teen Anxiety, Teen counseling, Teen Troubles, Therapeutic Coaching, Troubled Teens

Teen Girls Support Group – Expressive Arts Therapy

Posted on January 1, 2016 Written by Allison Spitzer Leave a Comment

Support Group for High School Girls

She’ll  express, examine, and learn to  transform those issues, behaviors or social patterns which have not served her well through relaxing and engaging art, crafts, drama, games and coaching. This is a safe, supportive forum for girls to process,  reflect, share experiences and gain wisdom and coping skills  while enjoying the creative process.

Saturdays mornings beginning mid January! Limited space available. For specific info on location, times, fees, please contact me, Allison Spitzer, M.A. at 203-218-2200

Filed Under: ADD/ADHD, Adolescent Issues, Alternative Therapies, Anxiety, Anxiety Treatment, ART Therapy, Attention Deficit Disorder, Behavioral Problems, Communication Breakdowns, Depression Therapist, depression treatment, Family Conflicts, Fears, Hopelessness, Immaturity, Introversion, Kids & School, Peer Problems, Social Media Anxiety, Social Problems, Stress Management, Teen Anxiety, Teen counseling, Teen Troubles

Channel Surfing, Red Ferraris, And A Tea Party

Posted on June 7, 2013 Written by Allison Spitzer Leave a Comment

What have they got to do with you?  The metaphor I use to describe the proud ownership of an ADD/ADHD brain takes the remote in hand. It’s as though our mind is channel surfing when we’d just rather be following one show. We push fast forward before we’ve had a chance to get the story. And we can’t help it. Recently, I heard another great metaphor–it’s as though our mind is a Ferrari…a great, loaded and powerful machine , but one that’s sold with only bicycle brakes. Yikes! All that speed and potential but, without the right controls? Disaster or an upgrade?

Upon receiving a new diagnosis of ADD, we rush to znom8j-e1370636015172navigate the the maze of options, providers and literature. While we naturally worry about the pitfalls, let’s also remember that the ADD brain is a gift! Supercharged! Pow! Able to see things holistically! A natural ability to synthesize information easily!  A talent for hyper focusing when it may truly be necessary!

There are clearly some challenges that accompany this particular brain wiring–BUT, there is also a powerful race car ready to roll. With the right brakes, imagine what it will do.

Keep the gifts in mind.

This recent article elaborates on it.

http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/9338.html

And the Tea Party? Amidst the therapeutic coaching, expressive arts activities and more, tomorrows’s opening session of the 4 part “Tween Time” (a social skills group for girls ages 10-12) series will include boy talk and a sterling silver tea party. There are only two spaces still open, so call ASAP to grab one.

tea set

 

 

Filed Under: ADD/ADHD, Adolescent Issues, Attention Deficit Disorder, Behavioral Problems, Lack of Confidence, Relationship Problems, Self Esteem, Teen Troubles, Therapeutic Coaching

ADDitude Article – Art Therapy and ADD

Posted on June 4, 2013 Written by Allison Spitzer Leave a Comment

Been working with the Expressive arts Therapy since 1974. 

Check out the article that appeared in today’s ADDitude Magazine.

http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/10114.html

I worked with Connecticut schools, creating artist in residence programs for 33 school districts over a twenty year period. As an administrator,  teacher trainer, and as a visiting artist myself, I repeatedly heard classroom teachers say, “Wow, that one (student) usually doesn’t (participate, cooperate, show leadership, succeed, follow directions) etc. etc. This is the first time I’ve seen it!”

ADDitude Magazine  isn’t just for kids!  Expressive arts can get  to the heart of things in a less analytic or sequential way. Resolutions pop up. Awareness blossoms. Feelings are released. Though many of us are “talkers,”  the expressive arts offers an alternative. For those of us that are, it stills our minds, quiets our tongues, and lets our deeper intuitions surface.

Some of the most common attributes of ADD–difficulty with focus, poor self esteem, and managing tasks –all seem to flow more easily during arts experiences. And, for folks that don’t need therapy per se, participatory arts experiences help the soul sing, the mind de-clutter, and recharge the spirit.

In fact, I just took up beading. Why not?   Oohh la la!……….

 

Filed Under: ADD/ADHD, Attention Deficit Disorder, Behavioral Problems, Coping Skills, Kids & School, Lack of Confidence, Learning Disabilities, Low Self Esteem, Therapeutic Coaching

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