Parents and family members are usually the first to notice if a child has problems with emotions or behavior. Your observations, along with those of teachers and other caregivers, may lead you to seek help for your child. If you suspect a problem or have questions, consult your pediatrician or contact a mental health professional.

Fear & Anxiety

Signs of Fear

Where to Seek Help

*Karoly, L.A., Kilburn, M.R., and Cannon, J.S. (2005). Early childhood interventions: Proven results, future promise. Arlington, VA: RAND Corporation.

As the parent of a child with serious emotional issues, I feel like I am forever seeking out different resources to try to help him and our family through our daily struggles.  The idea of a system of care where all groups work together would be so beneficial.  As I explained to the commissioners, my hopes and dreams for my son are very basic. In fact, I spend many sleepless nights wondering, “Who will take care of my son? Who will make sure he is okay as an adult? How will he support himself? Who will be his friend? Where will he live, who will protect him?,” etc., etc.  If all agencies involved could come together, brainstorm, and circle our family with support, it seems we could cover more areas that are possibly being missed by jumping from agency to agency, etc.  I’m sure we could address more issues and find more resources.

The Crawford County Commissioners were very interested in the system of care as well as the struggles families have that are parents of children with disabilities. They were supportive of CMH, and wanted to help move forward to find as many resources as possible.  By attending this meeting with my son, I feel it gave the commissioners a sample of an actual family that desperately needs the support CMH gives and I feel they also realized that there is always more that can be done to help families.  CMH explained they are constantly trying to find ways to do more for families and I think it was an eye opener for the commissioners.  I appreciate the opportunity to attend this meeting, and I appreciate the support I receive from CMH.

When Mary Hubbard asked me if I would like to speak as a parent representative at the County Commissioners’ meeting, concerning Children’s System of Care, I felt honored. I feel with all my heart that the System of Care will help so many families on such a new level. Families will no longer feel they need to defend their child’s behavior but be empowered by such a huge network of help right at their fingertips. They will have the help of so many other parents and members of the community to enable them to cope with the daily rigors of raising a child with a severe emotional disability. I wanted the Commissioners to understand how important this program is, but I also wanted to let them know how much NLCMH and the people that work there have changed my children’s lives for the better. I wanted them to understand how dedicated NLCMH already is to improving lives.

My daughter works with Maria Kaniszewski (Home Based Therapist), and my daughter said to me that because Maria and I keep working with her and keep trying new things with her to help her, she feels loved. Maria taught her to rub her hands together whenever she felt like peeling her skin. Now my daughter’s face, arms and legs are healed and she looks as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside. I cannot even begin to express my gratitude at all the times Christine Lee (Case Manager) and Maria have come to my home at all hours of the day and evening to help me with a crisis with one of the children during one of their meltdowns. They helped everyone in the household, including the teens, and made us all better able to cope and gave us lifelong skills to handle crisis situations. I feel with System of Care, families get this help even faster and work as an active participant and partner in their child’s care.

I do not believe there can be anything more empowering than that.

Time seems to creep by, and now adulthood is just around the corner……

Recently, I was lucky enough to attend the “Successful School Transition” training in Lake City. This training focused on the very fulfilling and successful lives of some young adults/teens with developmental disabilities.

With the help of Community Living Supports and the focus on self-determination, these young adults have very rewarding and exciting lives!!  I had not even heard of self-determination. I honestly believed my son would spend his life working in a sheltered workshop or something similar.

Instead, self-determination helps us to “think outside the box” when it comes to making $. The “jobs” these people had ranged from shredding paper to talk show host. I was thrilled!  My son is an avid fisherman and absolutely loves to collect worms. I immediately envisioned him with his own “worm business.” Granted, these incomes are not making these people millionaires; however, they are helping them to create a supplemental income and promoting self-confidence, etc.

I walked away from that conference without so much concern/dread/hopelessness over my son’s future.  I have learned that he may live a very fulfilling life doing what he likes to do with support.

It has changed my way of thinking and I am so glad I attended.

Signed,
A parent of 15-year-old son with serious emotional problems and disabilities