DSM V: Informational Guide

May 2013 is the anticipated release date of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual V. Landmark College has issued a simple and straightforward training, highlighting the changes. This is a great read for parents and professionals.
Landmark College: Training on DSM V

Mindful Leadership

This is a great article written by Bill George for the Harvard Business Review. The article is about how being mindful will help you become a better leader.

"The practice of mindful leadership gives you tools to measure and manage your life as you're living it. It teaches you to pay attention to the present moment, recognizing your feelings and emotions and keeping them under control, especially when faced with highly stressful situations. When you are mindful, you're aware of your presence and the ways you impact other people. You're able to both observe and participate in each moment, while recognizing the implications of your actions for the longer term. And that prevents you from slipping into a life that pulls you away from your values."

http://blogs.hbr.org/hbsfaculty/2012/10/mindfulness-helps-you-become-a.html

Strategies for Managing Anger, Anxiety, and Sadness in those on the Autism Spectrum

In the aftermath of the tragedy and with all of the discussions revolving around mental health, I remembered reading this journal article written by Tony Attwood. The article included Dr. Attwood's strategy for managing anger specifically for the Autism Spectrum population. By utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dr. Attwood is able to assist those on the spectrum to become,  "more consciously aware of one’s emotional state, knowing how to respond to the emotion, and becoming more sensitive to how others are feeling." He writes about the "Emotional Toolbox". The tools include physical, relaxation, social, thinking, special interest, and inappropriate. I have included some excerpts from the article and a link for future reference. http://www.cmcgc.com/Media/HANDOUTS/081022/260.pdf

"The Emotional Toolbox: Strategies for Managing Anger,

Anxiety and Sadness" by Tony Attwood Ph.D.

An Emotional Toolbox

From an early age, children will know a toolbox contains a variety of different tools to repair

a machine or fix a household problem. The concept of an Emotional Toolbox, has proved an

extremely successful strategy in the treatment of anxiety and anger in children with

Asperger’s syndrome (Sofronoff et al 2005; Sofronoff et al. 2007). The idea is to identify

different types of ‘tools’ to fix the problems associated with negative emotions, especially

anxiety, anger and sadness. The range of tools can be divided into those that quickly and

constructively release or slowly reduce emotional energy, and those that improve thinking.

The cognitive behaviour therapist works with the child or adult with Asperger’s syndrome,

and the family, to identify different tools that help fix the feeling, as well as some tools that

can make the emotions or consequences worse. Together they use paper and pens during a

brainstorming session in which they draw a toolbox, and depict and write descriptions of

different types of tools and activities that can encourage constructive emotion repair.

In Crisis: Our Mental Health System

This is an article written by a mother in response to the massacre that occurred in Connecticut. I have worked with so many of these kids and often times we run into the same issue, funding. We need to come together as a society and talk more about the crisis in the mental health system. Tragedies such as the one that occurred in Connecticut will continue until something is done. I applaud this mother's courage for speaking out!

Some excepts from the article:

"I pulled up in front of the hospital, frantically waving for one of the clinicians who happened to be standing outside. "Call the police," I said. "Hurry."

Michael was in a full-blown fit by then, screaming and hitting. I hugged him close so he couldn't escape from the car. He bit me several times and repeatedly jabbed his elbows into my rib cage. I'm still stronger than he is, but I won't be for much longer."

----

"No one wants to send a 13-year-old genius who loves Harry Potter and his snuggle animal collection to jail. But our society, with its stigma on mental illness and its broken healthcare system, does not provide us with other options. Then another tortured soul shoots up a fast food restaurant. A mall. A kindergarten classroom. And we wring our hands and say, "Something must be done."

http://gawker.com/5968818/i-am-adam-lanzas-mother

Struggling Teens: New Perspective

This was recently published on the "Struggling Teens" website. Thank you to Lon Woodbury and Woodbury Reports! DR. JESSICA ROMEYN, PSYD New Perspectives

Posted: Dec 10, 2012, 09:31

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Clinical and Educational Consultant
Los Angeles, California
323-362-2934
drjromeyn@gmail.com
www.drjromeyn.com

Dr. Jessica Romeyn is a Clinical and Educational Consultant who specializes in working with adolescents and young adults with emotional and developmental special needs. She works with families and individuals in identifying the correct placements for students in educational settings, residential treatment centers, therapeutic boarding schools, colleges and gap year programs. By visiting the placement beforehand, Dr. Romeyn can ascertain whether the program will meet the needs of the student. Dr. Romeyn's services also include assistance with admission into the program, monitoring progress while enrolled and work with the family for aftercare transition and services.

Dr. Jessica Romeyn attended the University of Southern California and is a member of the Independent Educational Consultant Association (IECA), the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Autism Society of America, the California Psychological Association and the Council of Parent Attorney's and Advocates. Before opening her own practice, Dr. Romeyn was the Director of Residential care at The Help Group.

[This information came from Dr. Jessica Romeyn's website.]

Information and Resource Guide for Transitioning into Adulthood

This is a great resource for families preparing to transition their adolescents into young adults.
http://www.calstat.org/publications/pdfs/Transition_final_08.pdf