Children who experience social rejection often lack three skills -- the ability to pick up on nonverbal and social cues, the ability to recognize what those cues mean, and the ability to respond to cues appropriately, according to new research published in the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology.

• Dr. Clark McKown and his colleagues at Rush University Medical Center studied 126 children referred by a psychological clinic and compared them to 158 children who had been chosen randomly from the Chicago school system.
• Many children in the study had difficulty picking up on other children's body language and social cues. For example, they simply did not notice indicators like slumped shoulders and angry faces.
  
• Among those who recognize the cues, many did not know how to respond to these cues or attach meaning to them.

"The number of children who cannot negotiate the steps and who are at risk for social rejection is startling," said Dr. McKown.

Labels: social_skills

Talisman Camps and Programs, which has been offering accredited summer camp opportunities for special-needs children for more than 25 years, is currently accepting applications from families of children who have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or other types of learning differences.

Talisman offers three camps for children with ADHD, other learning differences, and related conditions:

Discovery is a two-week program for children between the ages of 8 and 11 who have ADHD or learning disabilities or who may be experiencing social anxiety. Discovery's activity-packed schedule and 1:2.5 staff-camper ratio allows campers to have a positive experience in a safe and supportive camping environment. Activities include rock climbing, rafting, visiting the nature center, and several other memorable experiences.

Foundations is a coeducational summer program for children ages 9 to 13 who have been diagnosed with learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and mild behavior issues. Activities during the Foundations camp include backpacking, rock and tree climbing, whitewater rafting, high ropes course, swimming, nature studies, and arts and crafts. Full-camp special events include 50's, 60's, and 70's dances, a carnival, Olympics, Backwards Day, Grand Council campfires, and a final banquet.

Explorers offers younger teens (ages 12 to 14) the opportunity to complete seven days of hiking on the Blue Ridge Mountains during a unique Pioneer immersion experience. Throughout the trip, instructors guide campers in improving social interaction skills and behavior management. Wilderness skills learned during the Explorers camp include flint and bow-drill fire-starting; making cordage, spoons, and bowls; storing water in gourds; and tracking.

For more information about these and other educational opportunities for exceptional students, visit www.talismancamps.com or call 888.458.8226.

Labels: anxiety, Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, learning_disabilites, social_skills, summer_camp

A Seattle program for children in high crime districts seems to produce long-lasting benefits, according to a new study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

Dr. David Hawkins of the University of Washington compared 400 children who participated in the Seattle Social Development Project during elementary school to 298 who did not. The project provided parents with educational materials and tutored children in social skills and self-control.

By age 27, those who took part in the project were more likely to have earned an associate's degree and less likely to suffer from a mental disorder. However, participating in the project did not affect the incidence of substance abuse.

Labels: mental_health, self-control, social_skills

Social interactions are often hard for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, as many ADHD kids are either too shy or too aggressive. But there are some simple steps parents can take to help their ADHD child learn certain skills that will make developing friendships much easier.

"Teach your child how to make friends by making and keeping friends yourself.... have a friendly home and invite people over often. Be hospitable to other children, especially children with interests similar to your child's...."

Teach your child how to recognize and respond to non-verbal communication, and how to engage in small talk. Though these skills don't come naturally to children with ADHD, they can be learned - and your child's social experiences will be much more rewarding as a result. Source: LifeWithADHD website

If your daughter could benefit from improved social skill, a private boarding school for girls with ADHD might help. Visit www.newleafacademy.com to learn more.

Labels: shy, social_skills

A diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is often accompanied by the stigma that the ADHD child will struggle both academically and socially, and will be relegated to remedial classes in school. But Kathrin MacFarlane has proved that this ADHD stigma is not a foregone conclusion.

"Kathrin is a contradiction of sorts. She's been diagnosed with a learning disability that makes it harder for her to understand and express herself in writing. But she's also been labeled as academically gifted... ADHD typically means a lack of social skills... But Kathrin has been in numerous activities such as Girl Scouts, soccer, Beta Club, Bible Club and more."

Kathrin is planning to attend the University of Alabama in the fall. where she'll major in mechanical engineering. She plans to "go for at least my master's [degree]." Source: Gaston Gazette - Gastonia, North Carolina

Labels: benefits, diagnosis, social_skills

A new study from researchers in Great Britain found that children with specific language impairment (SLI) are more likely to be bullied.

SLI is a developmental disability affecting about 4-7% of all children. SLI children are of normal intelligence but have a hard time understanding language and communicating their feelings to others. It is more common than autism and typically affects more boys than girls.

Professors Gina Conti-Ramsden and Emma Knox interviewed 139 16-year-olds with SLI and 124 who are considered normal.

"Our investigation showed that young people who experience bullying can often become anxious and depressed in adolescence," Dr. Knox said. "Young people with SLI may lack the necessary communication skills to enable them to report bullying and talk about their experiences, leaving them to suffer in silence."

This study appears in Educational and Child Psychology.

Cedars Academy, a private ADHD boarding school for learning disability, is specifically designed to help children with ADHD, Asperger's, and Non Verbal Learning Disabilities.

Labels: bullies, communication, social_skills

Children under age 17 years who have severe social phobias benefit more from behavioral therapy than drug treatments, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Social phobia is not just shyness. It is an extreme fear of social situations that can make children avoid playing with their peers, reading aloud in class, or relating to adults.

Dr. Deborah Beidel took 139 children ages 3 to 17 years who suffer from social phobia and divided them into three groups. Group 1 got behavioral therapy; Group 2 took antidepressants; and Group 3 took placebos (sugar pills). After three months, about 80% of those in Group 1 improved, compared to 30% in Group 2 and only 6% in Group 3. By the end of the study, 53% of those in Group 1 were considered cured.

Talisman Camps offer summer camp programs and year round academic semesters for children with ADHD, Autism, and Asperger's.

Labels: phobias, social_skills, therapy

Children under age 17 years who have severe social phobias benefit more from behavioral therapy than drug treatments, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Social phobia is not just shyness. It is an extreme fear of social situations that can make children avoid playing with their peers, reading aloud in class, or relating to adults.

Dr. Deborah Beidel took 139 children ages 3 to 17 years who suffer from social phobia and divided them into three groups. Group 1 got behavioral therapy; Group 2 took antidepressants; and Group 3 took placebos (sugar pills). After three months, about 80% of those in Group 1 improved, compared to 30% in Group 2 and only 6% in Group 3. By the end of the study, 53% of those in Group 1 were considered cured.

Talisman Camps offer summer camp programs and year round academic semesters for children with ADHD, Autism, and Asperger's.

Labels: phobias, social_skills, therapy