There is an interesting article located here > http://www.dana.org/news/cerebrum/detail.aspx?id=13800 on the alarming rise of mental health diagnoses given to children. As a licensed child therapist I wholeheartedly agree with the articles premise that it is the change in mental health disorder definitions and not an increase in pathological genes that has contributed to this.

There is also the practical reality that children who do not get a diagnosis, in American society, cannot get services and this leads to an increase in diagnosing conditions that are largely a product of society and culture. Much of what our children struggle with is due to expectations and values of our society and not simply because children are getting more pathological. For example, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, seems to spring up more and more in children. This is due, the article proposes and I agree, to the fact that children years ago did not have to sit for 5 plus hours and focus on paper and pencil tasks and where considered deviant if not compliant with this regime. Our change from agricultural to industrial to a "wired" society is the biggest cause of "mental disorders" in children.

Although the article doesn't directly state that prevention efforts and mandatory parenting education classes would go a long way to managing parents issues with children, I think this would be great starting point. I am sure I am not the first to suggest this...If anyone knows of something organized like this online, please let me know!

The author does suggest that children be given specific tests, particularly neurological exams, that will pinpoint if a real mental health disorder is present in a child or if a more universal intervention is needed. I like this idea but I don't think our tools and techniques are quite up to speed. We have made great strides in neurological research, identifying specific brain activity that corresponds to mental health disorders. My own understanding of brain sciences has turned my family therapy techniques upside down. Unfortunately, the costs for much of this is still too high for practitioner daily use.

The article closes with a disclaimer that the author does not believe that all mental health disoders are socially mediated. I concur as many disorders have very real biological bases. I think the effort to separate out from what is socially mediated and what is not, is a worthwhile one. It may not be as simple as we think unfortunately.

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and I have a poem that relates to parenting...actually, it relates to a child who is hyperactive. Hope you like it:

wiggle and squiggle

you wiggle and squiggle
and squirm in your seat
if you don't sit still
you wont get a treat

you squeak and squak
and talk all the time
if you cant be quiet
you wont get a dime

you tease and squeeze
and bother your neighbor
if you don't mind your business
you'll have to do labor

you try to please
and play so nice
you want to be good
but cant do it twice

you talk to doctors
and talk to dad
even the dog doesnt
know why your so bad

some say its a problem
in your brain
like having no conductor
driving a train

others say its normal
and not to worry
just be a kid
dont try to hurry

it is so confusing
but one thing is clear
my family loves me
from here to here