WHAT CAN I BUY TO HELP MY TEENAGER?
EXERCISE or THERAPY BALL
If your adolescent has trouble sitting still in a classroom due to hyperactivity, a large therapy ball may help. A study done evaluated the effects of therapy balls on students with ADHD. Results revealed increased levels of attention, decreased levels of hyperactivity, and increased time on task when students sat on the therapy ball. Findings also demonstrated that teachers preferred the therapy balls over chairs! (AJOT 2011 Jul-Aug;65(4):393-9). If you think that this may be helpful, talk to your teenagers’ guidance counselor or other contact person. Not only can the therapy ball be used in school, but also at home. Your teenager can sit on it while studying, doing homework, or even perform various exercise routines which strengthen posture. A durable "Golds’ Gym" therapy ball can be purchased online for $8.77 at http://walmart.com
"AIRZONE" TRAMPOLINE
If your teenager just can’t seem to sit still at home or get focused when trying to complete homework, maybe they need to release some of their extra physical energy first. By using a trampoline your teenager can take a break and jump as much as they need, allowing a physical release. By enabling them to get their hyperactivity out, they will find it easier to engage in tasks that require them to focus and to exert mental energy. A small 38” trampoline may be purchased for $29.50 online at http://www.walmart.com
NOISE REDUCTION HEADPHONES
If your teenager is hypersensitive to sensations, that means they are easily distracted by anything (and everything) in their environment. The key to helping your teenager to focus is easy- minimize the distractions! Headphones are designed to block out exterior noises. Sometimes the headphones that come attached to your teenagers MP3 player or IPOD will do the trick. If these do not block out enough of the distracting environmental noises for your child, consider purchasing “noise reduction headphones”. These premium earmuffs have the highest noise reduction rating on the market, but the wearer is still able to hear people speaking directly to them, fire drills or other loud emergency sirens. I have found that the more expensive the headphone, the more noise you can block. A good quality set can be purchased for $34.95 online at http://www.therapyshoppe.com
"EVERLAST" HEAVY WEIGHT KIT
If your teenager has difficulty expressing their emotions in an appropriate way, maybe they need to exert their emotions physically. Instead of screaming, yelling, or possibly striking out at you or your family, give your child a more therapeutic way to vent their frustrations. By being able to physically “punch out” a problem or aggression on an inanimate object, they will be able to refocus and communicate more appropriately. Using a heavy weight bag also has the obvious benefit of physical exercise. A 70 pound heavy weight punching bag with gloves (and hanging brackets) can be purchased for $59.00 online at http://www.walmart.com
COLOR CHANGING SQUEEZE BALLS
Sometimes teenagers do not require the use of their whole body to let out their stress. Maybe just a small stress ball for your teenager to squeeze can help them regain control of their emotions. By squeezing or fidgeting with a small ball or toy, your teenager can stop for a minute and focus on the physical sensation, rather than their intense and possibly disruptive thoughts. By doing this when they are upset about something, it may also help to reduce impulsive verbal outbursts. A hand held stress ball can be found just about anywhere, but I think these “color changing” ones are extra cool. One can be purchased for only $2.95 online at http://www.therapyshoppe.com
5 POUND SCENTED MINI QUILT
If your teenager has a hard time calming down, becoming focused on a task, or having trouble regulating their emotions a weighted blanket or special quilt may help. The feeling of being wrapped up or “snuggled’ is proven to decrease stress and help any individual feel more “grounded”. This quilt weighs 5 pounds and is made of an ultra soft material which is flannel on one side and soft and bumpy on the other. It is surface washable and scented with a blend of "self-regulating" herbs and spices. The “Aromatherapy” of lavender, peppermint, cinnamon, and cloves are well known to calm even the most restless teenager. This quality blue “20 x 40” quilt can be purchased for $45.99 at http://www.therapyshoppe.com
BLUE READING TRAKKER
If your teenager is easily distracted when reading, a “reading tracker” may help. This reading guide has a narrow cut-out window near the top, and lies directly on the page that your teenager is reading. Your child will only be able to read what is inside the cut-out window, minimizing the visual distractions on the page. The guide will also help your teenager keep their place by showing only one line at a time. This guide helps readers focus on a single question, specific paragraph, or portion of the page. Each one measures 7” x 3 ¾” and can be purchased for only $1.99 online at http://www.therapyshoppe.com
"EXPO" CALENDAR DRY ERASE BOARD
If your teenager is having difficulty organizing, scheduling, prioritizing, or planning this item may be a huge help. This large white board/planner/calendar can be utilized by your teenager in so many ways. By having your adolescent write out what and when to do things, this will help them to stay on the right track. By organizing the calendar in their own personal way, they may enjoy scheduling activities and tasks, while practicing the skills of planning and prioritizing. By allowing your teenager to schedule their own events, it will increase their independence in decision making. As you know, all of these skills will benefit your teenager as they transition into adulthood. A large dry erase board like this one will also allow you the opportunity to watch what they are doing and help you to guide them in the right direction. A nice quality design of this board can be purchased online for $27.88 at http://www.walmart.com
NOTEBOOKS AND JOURNALS
If your adolescent is having trouble communicating appropriately, writing down their thoughts may be helpful. Sometimes visualizing what you want to say will bring clarity. By writing down thoughts, ideas, or plans, your teenager will be able to use cognitive skills to analyze the data before they speak or act impulsively. Your teenager may also find communication easier if they can write letters instead of verbalizing. Teenagers can use a notebook or journal to express creative writing such as poems, stories, or drawings, which are all relaxing if that is what your child enjoys. The IPAD, IPOD, and NOOK all have downloadable apps which include journal entry pages for your teenager to use. Encourage your teenager to carry a small notebook with them so they can jot down thoughts and ideas during the day, or remind themselves of things they need to do (so they don’t forget). Small notebooks can be purchased anywhere starting about $1, and a nice selection of more expensive journals can be found at http://www.barnesandnoble.com
