Parenting a teenager can be overwhelming when dealing with different behavioral disorders. As teenagers begin to find their identity they are looking for ways to express themselves and at times this can cause major stress on parents. These stress can come from decisions made from teenagers because of behavior disorders.

Creating and establishing structure for your teenagers will provide them with the guidance and positive atmosphere needed to help them overcome their challenges.

For Teens With Behavioral Disorders

Why is it important to create structure for your teens?

Schedule:

Behavioral Disorders in AmericaMillions of American teenagers live with a variety of behavioral disorders such as ODD, RAD, CD, ADHD, depression, anxiety and a host of other behavioral disorders.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

It is estimated that:

of children and teens have ODD2% - 16%

Approximately 11%Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

Around 8 10of every

children raised in an environment with trauma in their early years could be affected by attachment disorder

Conduct Disorder (CD)

of children 4-17 years of age (About 6.4 million) have been diagnosed with ADHD as of 2O11

6%-16%2%-9%

for boys

for GIRLS

Conduct disorder is more common among boys than girls, with studies indicating that the rate among boys in the general population ranges from:

ADHD was the most prevalent current

behavioral disorder among children aged

3–17 years.

Only 20 percent of children with mental

disorders are identified and receive mental

health services

Only about 4 percent of the total healthcare

budget is spent on our mental health.

How Parents Can Create Structure with Their Teens

Each behavioral disorder requires a different approach to creating the structure needed to succeed. While parents can begin this process through developing a relationship of love and trust, below are a few recommendations for each specific behavioral disorder:

Get involved in cognitive problem solving training

Develop relationship, building socialskills training

Recognize and praise positive behavior on a daily basis

Agree on an action plan and make sure your teen knows specific consequences for negative behavior

Set up a routine that will help your teen stay organized

Follow a routine that your teen can rely on

Use clocks and timers to set specific timed goals

Connect with your teen through family activities and conversation

Be willing to make some compromises when necessary

Identify the primary complaint for your teen. Know their triggers

Get involved in behavioral therapy to help your teen express themselves more clearly

Develop beneficial habit changes within the home such as having enough sleep

Make lifestyle changes such as eating and exercising properly

ADD/ADHD - Attention Deficit(Hyperactive) Disorder

Listen, talk and connect with your teen. Show that you care through actions

Set limits and boundaries so that your teen is aware of your expectations

Try to maintain predictable routinesand schedules

Help your teen express his or her needs and emotions.

Be open and honest whencommunicating

Take charge but remain calm. Show that you can control your emotions

RAD - Reactive Attachment Disorder

Establish clear rules. Rules should be few, fair, clear, displayed, taught, and consistently enforced.

Have your teen participate in the establishment of rules, routines, schedules, and expectations.

Structure family activities so the teen is not always left out

Stay away from direct demands or statements such as: “You need to..." or ”you must...”

Consider the use of technology. Teens with conduct disorder tend to work well on computers with active program

CD - Conduct Disorder

Always remember to address the need for medication by seeing your doctor

Additional Tips for ParentsEstablish rules and consequences - when both you and your teen are calm, explain what is expected from your teen and how you are there to help them.

1

Be aware of triggers and anger warning signs - when you and your teen know what triggers them, they can work on changing the situation.

2

Help your teen find ways to relieve stress - leisure activities and exercise are a great way to relieve stress.

3

Connect with your teen - be there for your teen and listen to them but expect rejection in some cases. Focus on the positive and move forward.

4

Take care of yourself - take breaks and seek support.5

SOURCES:http://help4adhd.org/en/living/parenting/WWK20B http://parentingteens.about.com/od/disciplin1/tp/BehaviorProblemsInTeens.htm http://www.webmd.com/parenting/guide/teenbehavioranddiscipline?page=2 http://www.empoweringparents.com/parentingoddchildrenandteenshowtomakeconsequ enceswork.php# http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addadhd/attentiondeficitdisorderadhdparentingtips.htm http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html http://healthresearchfunding.org/reactiveattachmentdisorderstatistics/ http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/conductdisorder http://www.helpguide.org/articles/teenissues/helpingtroubledteens.htm http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addadhd/attentiondeficitdisorderadhdinchildren.htmhttp://www.childmind.org/en/posts/articles/2014121behavioraltreatmentkidsadhd

ODD - Oppositional defiant disorder