April 2015 - COMING SOON:

April 11, 2015May 2, 2018

Domestic Violence: You Can Help

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I would like to share with you a little about domestic violence and where you can help or get help. You are in one or the other of these positions. Domestic violence affects everybody in any race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and socioeconomic class. You may not know you are being groomed to slowly accept what will eventually result in full blown domestic violence. Do you think these could possibly be signs of domestic violence: When you see a boyfriend starting to dislike your friends, maybe even suggesting you should not hang around them, monitoring your access to the Internet, checking your phone, threatening your pet, using your name for credit and not caring how it affects your credit, refusing to work or contribute financially. These are just a small sample of a very long list of the patterns and manipulations used by abusers.

Education is important. If you can see the train coming and know what will happen when it gets to you, then you will step off the track. Domestic violence is the same circumstance. Let us educate ourselves so that we will be better able to educate our children, relatives and anybody. There is mistakenly a lot of shame that comes with domestic violence. It is one of many reasons that victims do not ask for help. I hope that we can be there and helpful if the time ever comes to need this information. You can go to http://www.dvnconnect.org to obtain information about domestic violence. You can also obtain materials such as posters or brochures and even business cards containing numbers to call and action steps to help yourself. You can call 211 twenty-four hours a day for domestic violence help. You can make a difference.

April 11, 2015May 2, 2018

Whose Teaching Who

I have had a different life compared to most people.I have grown up with a twin sister who has fairly severe Cerebral Palsy.On top of that, I have worked and volunteered for several years with people who have special needs.These opportunities have given me a unique insight into living with people who have a multitude of physical and mental disabilities.People often ask me how do I approach them or how do I talk to them without offending them.These people are often well intended and have hopes of being friendly or nice to this group of people.I often just smile back and say treat them like you would want to be treated.People who are deemed “normal” by societal standards struggle with the fear of upsetting these people, hurting their feelings, not getting a response, etc.Everyone I know has dealt with this fear at some point or another.This fear in turn translates into the way that we treat this people group.I have learned from my experience that maybe us “normal” people could stand to learn a thing or two from the so-called “disabled” of society.

First off I am going to give you my observational view point from watching the “normal” people in society towards the “disabled”.One day I was in Wal-Mart with my sister shopping and several different times people I knew and who knew my sister or at least knew of her came up and only spoke to me and didn’t even acknowledge my sister.Again, I don’t think it was the people’s intentions but it still happened nonetheless.In that same trip two people came up to my sister with developmental disabilities and the second question they asked after seeing how my sister was doing was directed towards me.It was what’s your name and how are you doing?The manner in which they treat and view people is completely different.There are a multitude of times that I have seen this play out.I think that many “normal” people are just ignorant to the fact that they are even doing it.I don’t think they are intentionally blowing these people off or wanting to pretend they don’t exist but that again doesn’t negate the fact that IT DOES happen.Now if we flip the perspective and look at how people with “disabilities” view others you don’t see this happening.They have the greatest natural ability to see people for exactly what they are, people.

In conclusion, the point of this blog was not to condemn people for this but merely give them an opportunity to learn from fellow human beings.This people group has an amazing ability to treat everyone with equality.I have learned so much from them and I will continue to be learning things from them.I know a majority of people will still have a fear of these people but don’t let this fear cripple you from learning and walking life with this extraordinary group of people.

April 11, 2015May 2, 2018

Clinical examples of child abuse and neglect

I am a pediatrician on the northwest side of Indy. I have just joined MCCOY’s Early Intervention and Prevention Task Force. One of the things MCCOY is working on is bringing together needed services in one location that is accessible to people near their homes. As a private pediatrician with an interest in psychosocial issues, I have encountered many, many patients over the years who have taught me about the high costs of early childhood trauma, neglect and abuse. When I was invited to be a guest blogger, I decided to share some of the encounters, although for the sake of honoring patient confidentiality, I have changed names and specifics. For today’s post, I will just share one.

Ralph is 15 years old. He was my patient when he was in preschool but didn’t come in for visits for 10 years. He returned because of school failure, conduct disorder, juvenile delinquency and anger issues. He had been diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) as a young child but never followed up and never received treatment. He had a terrible relationship with his grandmother, who lived with Ralph and his mother. Ralph’s grandmother was harsh and emotionally abusive.

Ralph discovered at the age of 15 years that his biological father was a rapist and was being released from prison. His mother finally disclosed to him, once he found this out, that his grandmother hated him because of who and what his father was.

Some of the services which could have helped this situation:
Mental health services available to mother and grandmother after the rape that resulted in his birth
Care coordination and health care services available near his home to ensure ongoing treatment for ADHD
Mental health services available to Ralph when he found out about his father

Some of the costs of this psychosocial train wreck now include:
Cost of neuropsychiatric testing to sort out Ralph’s current diagnoses
Cost of counseling and medications to treat current symptoms
Cost of using the juvenile justice system
Emotional cost to Ralph of his grandmother’s hatred of him
Waste of educational resources since his ADHD, anger and juvenile delinquency have prevented him from taking advantage of the education available to him
Increased likelihood of depression, repeat juvenile offenses and later adult criminal activity because of the extreme damage done to his self-esteem over the years

I am sure there are many other resources which could have helped this situation. I am sure there are many more costs I haven’t mentioned. Ralph is just one example of the many, many children and teens who struggle because of violence, abuse and neglect.

April 11, 2015May 2, 2018

MCCOY’s Learning Network Presents: Youth Worker Summit

Active Learning – Do you know the difference between active learning and “hands‐on” learning? Giving youth materials is just the beginning. This developmental workshop brings to light the “ingredients” of active learning going beyond the ‘hand on activities’ and explains the role that active learning plays in the experiential learning cycle. It will also help participants create more powerful learning opportunities.
Ask-Listen-Encourage – Do you communicate with youth in a way that makes them feel supported and heard? This interactive workshop introduces various communication techniques that help you build more supportive, youth‐centered relationships. Participants will learn how to ask more effective questions, to use active listening with youth, and offer youth encouragement rather than praise.
Building Community – Do you know what it takes to build an emotionally and physically safe space for youth? Building an emotionally safe community of peers and adults is essential for youth to learn and develop as individuals. This interactive workshop will introduce participants to a variety of activities designed to support this community building process.
Cooperative Learning –Cooperative learning is an excellent way to nurture youth leadership, build community, and keep things fun. Do the youth in your program have opportunities to work together in groups, teaching and learning from each other? This workshop will equip participants with grouping strategies and ways to think about building cooperative learning into any program offering..
Scaffolding for Success – How do you set the bar high for youth without setting them up for failure? This informative workshop introduces participants to the concept of “scaffolding” – working closely and attentively with youth to identify their learning edge, and providing the right amount of support and challenge. Participants will learn the four strategies for effective scaffolding for the youth in their programs and how it affects youth retention and desire to learn.
Voice & Choice– Are you providing young people with authentic, meaningful choices throughout your program? Does your program reflect the input of the youth involved? Research shows that quality programs incorporate youth input at both activity and organizational levels. This workshop emphasizes the importance of offering real choices and meaningful participation to youth, as well as nurturing youth leadership. Discussions will also be held on how to provide meaningful choice within activities and opportunities for youth input within the program itself.