St. Francis de Sales celebrated Red Ribbon Week with a series of events that reminded students about substance-free lifestyles. Pledge Day began the week by encouraging students to make a pledge about their commitment to healthy living. Students pledged to stay drug, alcohol and tobacco free, or had the option to discuss improvements they could make throughout the school year. Each student wrote their pledge on a “brick” and attached it to the wall outside the school cafeteria as a reminder of their commitment to their personal goal. Other days celebrated during the week were Positive Choice Day, Red Fever Day, and the week ended with Sea of Red Day. Posters hung throughout the St. Francis campus with information about the negative effects of substance abuse. Students were also allowed to dress down for the event. St. Francis de Sales High School, 2323 W. Bancroft. 419-531-1618. www.sfstoledo.org.
A sea of red at St. Francis de Sales
A different look at a key nutrient
Vitamin D deficiency has long been linked to illnesses like rickets and other bone deficiencies. A new study from the University of Michigan also suggests a link between insufficient vitamin D and increased risk of childhood obesity. The new study, by epidemiologist Eduardo Villamor of U of M’s School of Public Health, measured vitamin D levels in children from ages five to 12. Villamor then tracked the links between lowered levels of vitamin D and common indicators of body fat. Low vitamin D was associated with increased abdominal fat, which in turn is associated with increased risk of type two diabetes and heart disease. Most people get adequate vitamin D from direct sunlight, or from artificially fortified foods. But this new science shows one more reason to be vigilant.
Not so thick-headed
As football season draws to a close and hockey skates begin to hit the ice, safety begins from inside the helmet. According to the The University of Michigan Health Systems, sports injuries can be prevented, even predicted. “The use of helmets is essential even for recreational skating,” said Nick Vitucci, head coach of the Toledo Walleye. Youth hockey teams aren’t permitted to hit one another until 12 years of age. “Teams and hockey associations go to great lengths to educate players on head safety,” said Vitucci. Youth hockey teams are not allowed to hit from behind and jerseys often have STOP signs on the back as a reminder of the off-limits position. Players of any age are most vulnerable when hitting the sideboards. Coaches and trainers teach players to brace themselves to absorb a hit. Also, swiveling the head so players can see what’s coming is recommended. Protecting the top of the head is most important. Several college and professional teams have turned to accelerometers inside players’ helmets, which measure force and locate every impact to the skull. Accelerometers are also used to pinpoint players whose brains absorb more impact than normal and to identify dangerous hitting techniques. While some players have been dismissive of the equipment that records the moves that make them stand out, every chance to discuss and protect heads from trauma and concussions is essential.
Raising spirits
Parenting is never easy, but there are some children who require additional attention, supervision and love. These “spirited children” are a challenge for any parent, but counselor Layla Kurt is here to help.
Kurt, who has lived in the area since 1991, worked as a counselor for Washington Local Schools and as a teacher in Wauseon before beginning her private practice. She offers private counseling for both children and adults, but also gives workshops on the art of “Parenting the Spirited Child.”
Spirited children are the ones who require what Kurt calls “get-off-the-couch parenting.” Simply issuing passive instructions to them doesn’t get results—they require a more direct, hands-on approach. “You can’t just give a bunch of directions,” Kurt says. “Sometimes they need us to walk side-by-side with them.”
Kurt’s mantra for parents is “firm, fair, consistent, and loving.” Spirited children need lots of positive encouragement, but, Kurt says, also “some firm and consistent limitations.”
If parents aren’t firm and consistent, Kurt says, “we end up in negotiations…which sound great in theory, and are okay with some kids.” But with spirited children, “negotiating gets us deeper into trouble.” However, firmness can only be effective if it’s combined with the “loving” part of the motto.
“It’s really important to remember that we need to use kind and loving words,” Kurt says, “as opposed to angry and frustrated words.” Even if these children require more careful attention than some others, only supervision that comes from a place of love can be truly effective.
For parents seeking help, Kurt recommends a number of commonsense parenting books, like Dr. Thomas Phelan’s 1-2-3 Magic, as well as books about the culture of childhood, like the classic Reviving Ophelia and Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys. She also suggests talking to your child’s teachers, who inevitably will have “an abundance of creative strategies for redirecting children’s behavior.”
What draws Kurt to working with children like this? “I have one,” she says. And she maintains that these children tend to be creative and intelligent. “Some are more labor-intensive than others,” she says. But for parents who can raise a healthy, happy child, it’s all worth it.” To make an appointment, call 419-283-6050, or see toledocounseling.com.
Advances in autism
Views of developmental disorders are always changing, as are their treatments. The Autism Society of Northwest Ohio presents a workshop, Recent Advances in Understanding and Treating Autisms: Research That Matters for Caregivers and Affected Individuals, this December. The workshop, presented by Thomas Frazier Ph.D in Clinical Psychology, will benefit caregivers, parents, educators, therapists and others working with autism. The presentation will review the research findings from the last three years and discuss new models of autism, focusing on genetic and biochemical factors, brain structure and function, as well as cognitive findings in autism. The workshop will draw out the implications of these findings regarding treatment and educational planning. The discussion takes place on both Wednesday, December 1, from 6:30pm to 9pm and on Thursday, December 2 from 9:30am until noon. The presentations are conducted at the Toledo Hospital Education Center Auditorium, Jobst Tower, 2142 N. Cove in Toledo. To register, contact The Autism Society of Northwest Ohio. 419-578-2766.
www.autism-society.org/chapter416.
Keeping their world the same
Keeping their world the same
Richard Solomon, MD and Medical Director for Mercy Autism Services offers advice for families with children that have autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) that will have your holiday celebrations running smoothly. For those of us without ASD the holidays are a time to celebrate, but for many children with ASD whose theme song is “keep the world the same,” holidays are full of change and anxiety. The noise, changing schedules and the chaos of family gatherings can be a source of stress. Here are some suggestions to help children with ASD join in the holiday fun.
â–ª First, make things predictable. If possible, talk to your child the day before to let them know what’s going to happen. No surprises!
â–ª Secondly, help children cope with noisy, chaotic events by introducing them gradually to family gatherings and making sure there is a safe place with familiar toys where they can go to get away from the chaos.
â–ª Finally, let relatives know what the child likes and doesn’t like in terms of sensory overload, touching, kissing, eating, etc. And always have a happy holiday!
—RS