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Monthly NewsletterApril 2011

Right Turn
 is post adoption and guardianship program for families who are providing permanency for children previously in Nebraska foster care.  Check out our website for program updates, overview of services, and to view our  training and support calendar. Our calendar is updated daily and has events, conferences, family fun activities, and youth enrichment activities that can also be a planned respite option!

  

Right Turn is a Collaboration between Nebraska Children's Home Society and Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska
 
Visit Nebraska Children's Home Society Website  
Visit Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska Website

Right Turn Update

 

 

Right Turn has served over 310 families, involving over 900 children. A family who has an eligible child (child under the age of 19 years, receives a valid adoption/guardianship subsidy, and was in Nebraska foster care), can count on Right Turn working with the entire family. 79% of families being served by Right Turn are adoptive families. 63% of Right Turn families are two-parent families and 29% of Right Turn families are single parents. 50% of Right Turn parents fall between the ages of 46-64 years and 7% of Right Turn parents are over the age of 65 years.
 

If you know a family who would benefit from Right Turn services, please have them call today!

 

1-888-667-2399

 

 

 

   

BIPOLAR DISORDER IN CHILDREN AND TEENS

 

Children and teenagers diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder have manic and/or depressive symptoms.  Some may have mostly depression and others a combination of manic and depressive symptoms. Highs may alternate with lows.

 

Manic symptoms include:

  • severe changes in mood-either unusually happy or silly, or very irritable, angry,
  • agitated or aggressive
  • unrealistic highs in self-esteem - for example, a teenager who feels all powerful or
  • like a superhero with special powers
  • great increase in energy and the ability to go with little or no sleep for days
  • without feeling tired
  • increase in talking - the adolescent talks too much, too fast, changes topics too
  • quickly, and cannot be interrupted
  • distractibility - the teen's attention moves constantly from one thing to the next
  • repeated high risk-taking behavior; such as, abusing alcohol and drugs, reckless
  • driving, or sexual promiscuity

 

Depressive symptoms include:

  • irritability, depressed mood, persistent sadness, frequent crying
  • thoughts of death or suicide
  • loss of enjoyment in favorite activities
  • frequent complaints of physical illnesses such as headaches or stomach aches
  • low energy level, fatigue, poor concentration, complaints of boredom
  • major change in eating or sleeping patterns, such as oversleeping or overeating

 

Some of the signs are similar to those that occur in teenagers with other problems such as drug abuse, delinquency, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or even schizophrenia.

 

Bipolar Disorder can begin in childhood or during the teenage years and can affect anyone.  However, if one or both parents have Bipolar Disorder, the chances are greater that their children may develop the disorder. Family history of drug or alcohol abuse also may be associated with greater risk for Bipolar Disorder. The diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder in children and teens is complex and should involve a thorough evaluation.

 

Treatment

Treatment for Bipolar Disorder usually includes education of the patient and the family about the illness, mood stabilizing medications, and psychotherapy. Mood stabilizing medications often reduce the number and severity of manic episodes, and also help to prevent depression. Psychotherapy helps the child understand himself or herself, adapt to stresses, rebuild self-esteem and improve relationships.

 

Source:  Facts for Families� information sheets are developed, owned and distributed by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

  

 What is Autism?

 

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the brain, it is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls and knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries. It is part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined.

 

Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. It affects communication, social skills, pattern and range of interests, and sensory responsiveness. Autism is a spectrum disorder meaning the symptoms and characteristics of autism can be present any combination of the behaviors and symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe.

There is help for families who are parenting a child who has been diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum.  

 

NEBRASKA CHAPTER of the AUTISM SOCIETY OF AMERICA

 

The mission of the Nebraska Chapter of the Autism Society of America is to support and advocate for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families.

 

ASN members will receive periodic Newsgrams via email, be eligible for scholarships for needed services or resources, have access to local events and support groups as well as be able to participate in the ASN Yahoo Listserv.  ASN will be a catalyst for you to get involved in various advocacy efforts to help improve Nebraska's autism services. 

ASN has been a part of the Nebraska landscape since 1975.  We are committed to helping the families and individuals living with autism spectrum disorders by supporting the local legislation, publishing a parents resource book, fundraising, and helping plan the annual statewide Autism Conference.

 

Autism Society of Nebraska, PO Box 83599, Lincoln, NE 68501-3559

1-800-580-9279

 

 www.autismnebraska.org

Just the Facts
 

 

Information from Kids Count in Nebraska, 2010 report

A publication of Voices for Children in Nebraska

In This Issue
What's new in Right Turn
* Mental Health Info
* Guest Contributor -Nebraska Chapter of Autism Society of America
* Just the facts
* Right Turn Partner's Corner
Message
Please remember to check our website often at: 
  www.RightTurnNE.org        Newinformation and resources are added daily!
 
To contribute to the Right Turn Newsletter, please contact Lorilee Couture at [email protected]
 
Have a topic idea? Let us know and we will respond to requests for information!!
 
Your ideas and feedback are appreciated
[email protected]
 
Upcoming Events 
 
Support Group - Lincoln 
 for teens and parents
April 28th
 6pm-7:30pm
4700 Valley Road
RSVP to 402-483-7879
    
We know of over 20 support groups each month throughout the State!! Check out our website calendar for details.
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Partners Department of Health and Human Services

Department of Developmental Disabilities

 

Health and Human Services Department of Developmental Disabilities offers four main types of supports.  A Service Coordinator will support access to all approved DD services, Respite can be used to give the primary care-giver a break, Vocational services are used to provide job oriented services like job coaching or employment at workshop settings, and Residential services can be used to provide greater independence in daily living skills. The residential supports can be within a person's current home or in the community(alone or with peers).  New Medicaid waivers are making it possible for people to make more individualized choices about how and who provides these services for them.  To make a referral please call 402-595-2700.

 

Amy Lutt

Intake/Eligibility Service Coordinator

Thank you for reading
We value, and appreciate suggestions.  If there is anything you would like to see addressed in an upcoming newsletter, please email us.
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NCHS

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  Funding for this program is provided by Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services