RESOURCES AND SERVICES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY
A new project has been developed to help teenagers with ADHD become safer drivers. This is a good thing, considering the following sobering statistics: Teen drivers with ADHD are three times more likely to suffer a significant injury, four times more likely to crash a car and are eight times more likely to lose their license. At the University at Buffalo North Campus in Amherst, New York, researchers have developed a high-tech driving simulator where young drivers play a video-like game, in which they drive through a virtual landscape filled with computerized driving hazards. Both parent and teen sit in the simulator which is in the front half of an actual car, which sits on a platform. The car tilts, vibrates, makes car noises and essentially mimics the driving experience for both driver and passenger. The car drives through a virtual environment, with the scenes projected on a screen in front of the individuals, while a computer simulates various dangerous scenarios, including a deer crossing the road and other similar real life situations.
CONTACT:
Charles Anzalone
UB North Campus
(716) 645-5000 x1412
CONTACT:
Charles Anzalone
UB North Campus
(716) 645-5000 x1412
The Cradle Beach Teen Leadership Program (Pioneer Camper program) is open to individuals ages 14-16 who are seeking a life-changing experience. During the summer, PCs play an important role in camp life by working during meals (either serving food to campers or helping in the dishroom). They also perform community service projects that make Cradle Beach a better place, by helping with fundraising events or evening activities and serving as role models for younger campers. Many Pioneer Campers can earn community service hours for taking part in this very special program while attending any of the five sessions during summer camp. While PCs contribute much to camp life, they receive many benefits in return. PCs have their own specialized camp program every day (designed specifically for teenagers), whether it's on the ropes course, in the swimming pool, or making life-long friends. PCs also participate in fun programs like PC Survivor, Cradle Beach Idol, and more!
CONTACT:
Admissions Office at Cradle Beach
(716) 549-6307 x 205
CONTACT:
Admissions Office at Cradle Beach
(716) 549-6307 x 205
The High Hurdles therapeutic riding program offers cognitively, emotionally and physically challenged individuals a unique opportunity for growth and development. Instructors, students, horses and volunteers work together to achieve challenging yet attainable horsemanship goals. Learning to care for and about horses while mastering riding skills is what High Hurdles is all about.
Through learning to care for horses, mastering riding skills, and other horse related activities, therapeutic horsemanship enables individuals to improve skills or areas such as posture, balance and stamina, increase body and environmental awareness, improve concentration and problem solving skills, improve speech and enhance self-esteem and social confidence.
CONTACT:
HIGH HURDLES
13339 Rte. 39
Sardinia NY 14134
(716) 496-5551
Through learning to care for horses, mastering riding skills, and other horse related activities, therapeutic horsemanship enables individuals to improve skills or areas such as posture, balance and stamina, increase body and environmental awareness, improve concentration and problem solving skills, improve speech and enhance self-esteem and social confidence.
CONTACT:
HIGH HURDLES
13339 Rte. 39
Sardinia NY 14134
(716) 496-5551
Meditation provides an outlet for stress and increases overall wellness. Common elements of most types of meditation include: a space with minimal distractions, a specific comfortable position, a particular focus of attention, and an open attitude. Studies have been done examining the effects of meditation on adolescents with ADHD, and shows that it often decreases stress, anger, and hostility. Meditation can also increase your teenagers coping abilities. Even brief training in meditation can affect the processing of affective stimuli so that emotions are no longer overwhelming. Even brief meditation training (3 sessions of 20 minutes per day) was noticeably effective in reducing pain and anxiety. (Horowitz, S. 2010).
CONTACT:
Therapeutic Massage & Bodyworks of WNY
4917 William Street
Lancaster, NY 14086
(716) 706-0005
CONTACT:
Therapeutic Massage & Bodyworks of WNY
4917 William Street
Lancaster, NY 14086
(716) 706-0005
Danceability, Inc. is a program for children and adults with special needs utilizing dance and movement to enable and empower students while promoting physical, social, and emotional wellness in a family-focused, peaceful environment. Not only could your adolescent be involved in a dance program of their own, they may also volunteer to help others with special needs.
http://danceabilityinc.com/default.aspx
CONTACT:
George Urban Plaza
3859 Union Rd
Cheektowaga, NY 14226
(716) 651-0094
http://danceabilityinc.com/default.aspx
CONTACT:
George Urban Plaza
3859 Union Rd
Cheektowaga, NY 14226
(716) 651-0094
ZOO CREW is a group of volunteers who help with promotions, special events, and fundraisers (age 14 and over). Helping others will increase your childs self esteem in a structured environment while enabling them to be a positive part of our community. If your adolescent loves animals this may be a wonderful learning experience for them, and will help to social network with other adolescents doing positive activities.
http://www.buffalozoo.org/index.html
CONTACT:
The Buffalo Zoo
300 Parkside Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14214
(716)837-3900
The Aspire Center for Learning offers a Summer Work Program for adolescents who are 14-21 years old. This program gives the opportunity to strengthen skills and confidence, while providing experiences in the world of employment. This program provides an alternative to summer school for adolescents who require more support than a traditional summer youth work program. Aspire works in partnership with local businesses to provide students the support they need while participating in interesting and valuable employment opportunities. Increasing your childs social network will also help there interpersonal skills.
For more information on what Aspire has to offer follow this link: www.aspirewny.org
CONTACT:
Cherie Lesinski
Aspire Center for Learning
Cheektowaga, NY 14225
(716) 505-5700
More Community Resources:
A good online source of information that I found is "Western New York Family" magazine. This site is a full of valuable information and resources, all found locally in our community. It can be sent to you in-print or may be accessed online by following this link: http://www.wnyfamilymagazine.com/index.aspx
Following is a list of resources that I found to be very helpful as a parent with an adolescent with ADHD. They can all be reached by exploring this link: http://www.parentnetworkwny.org/Resources/LocalWebLinks
Sensory Processing Disorder Support Group - Created for parents to provide information, resources and understanding to parents, friends, teachers, relatives, community members, professionals and any one touched by the impact of Sensory Processing Disorder. Meetings feature group discussions, education and guest speakers.
Families’ Child Advocacy Network (CAN) Monthly Roundtable Discussion Group - is family run and family driven for all parents, grandparents, foster parents and caregivers raising a child with social, emotional and/or behavioral disabilities.
GLOW Family Support Program - offers support, respite, advocacy, information and referral, newsletters, a library, etc. for families of children (birth to age 21) with an emotional and/or behavioral challenge.
Teen Pals Program - Open to teenagers 13-18 who need help with social skills.
Child & Family Support Programs - Offering support for families raising a child with emotional and/or behavioral problems. Meetings present an opportunity to talk, listen and learn about issues and feelings involved.
Peer Youth Support Group - Youth 12-17 years old can plan monthly activities, share peer support and snack.
Parent Support Group will take place at the same time in another room.
Socialization & Recreation Group Program - Teenagers aged 12-15 or 16-19 who have a developmental or medical disability may be eligible.
Following is a list of resources that I found to be very helpful as a parent with an adolescent with ADHD. They can all be reached by exploring this link: http://www.parentnetworkwny.org/Resources/LocalWebLinks
Sensory Processing Disorder Support Group - Created for parents to provide information, resources and understanding to parents, friends, teachers, relatives, community members, professionals and any one touched by the impact of Sensory Processing Disorder. Meetings feature group discussions, education and guest speakers.
Families’ Child Advocacy Network (CAN) Monthly Roundtable Discussion Group - is family run and family driven for all parents, grandparents, foster parents and caregivers raising a child with social, emotional and/or behavioral disabilities.
GLOW Family Support Program - offers support, respite, advocacy, information and referral, newsletters, a library, etc. for families of children (birth to age 21) with an emotional and/or behavioral challenge.
Teen Pals Program - Open to teenagers 13-18 who need help with social skills.
Child & Family Support Programs - Offering support for families raising a child with emotional and/or behavioral problems. Meetings present an opportunity to talk, listen and learn about issues and feelings involved.
Peer Youth Support Group - Youth 12-17 years old can plan monthly activities, share peer support and snack.
Parent Support Group will take place at the same time in another room.
Socialization & Recreation Group Program - Teenagers aged 12-15 or 16-19 who have a developmental or medical disability may be eligible.
Current Research:
I was happy to find that there is so much research going on right here in WNY that is aimed directly at helping our children with ADHD. The more we know as a community, the better the world will be.
By following this link you can find all sorts of local research information and become more involved if you find it helpful.
http://ccf.buffalo.edu/research.php
By following this link you can find all sorts of local research information and become more involved if you find it helpful.
http://ccf.buffalo.edu/research.php
