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By Karen Schiltz, Ph.D.

“My child could be the next mass murderer. Alex has bipolar disorder. Last year, he pulled a phone off of the wall in the classroom and threw it at the teacher. They evacuated the whole class and my son was suspended for one day. He was suspended five times in nursery school for hitting children. Alex screams at home, swears, throws his toys against the wall, has hit his sister more times that I can tell, and can’t pay attention for the life of him now. He does not like the word ‘no.’ Alex is eight and in second grade. I’m afraid and something has to be done. I’m glad we are dealing with this now. I have to face this.”

I saw the parents of Alex Monday morning.

Like many of you, I was in shock and horrified about the slaughtering of 20 little children and 6 adults. I wondered: why did Adam Lanza not receive help for his condition or, if he did, was he misdiagnosed? Did his parents not follow through with providers? Did providers fail to address his problems? Were the parents in denial? Were teachers in denial?

“I’m scared. I see things at night like shadows and I hear soldiers that are coming to get me at night. I ran into daddy and mommy’s room. I saw something black when I was running to my mommy’s room. Someone is whispering to me too. I hear whispers and voices. I don’t understand what they are saying.”

Alex was eager to tell me about the voices and sounds he heard. He also told me that his parents were oftentimes angry at home and he was always scared of what could happen next.

His parents told me about several warning signs that increased in severity, intensity, and frequency as Alex aged. They were:

• Fears of attending school
• Hearing sounds such as whispers and soldiers conversing with each other
• Nightmares
• Poor frustration tolerance
• Problems managing his anger
• Real shifts in mood ranging from deep sadness to silliness
• Trouble concentrating
• Trouble sleeping
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Wringing of hands and complaints of stomachaches

Do these parents need counseling? Does Alex need help as well? Will the parents accept my feedback after I assessed their child, interviewed Alex’s teachers and them, and conducted the testing?

Monday had a happy ending. These parents were not in denial nor did they deny Alex had a problem. They realized early intervention was crucial to helping their child. Alex’s parents were aware that their son’s marked troubles with managing his anger, low frustration tolerance, problems with focusing, and his ability to “go from 0 to 100” in a split second of rage were not normal. They deeply wanted a typical eight-year-old boy before it was too late.

It is not too late for lots of children. All of us, including teachers, physicians, and other care-taking and healthcare professionals need to listen to and observe children when something is not quite right. Taking the time to talk with children and educate parents about the warning signs of mental illness is critical.

Assessment and early intervention are the keys to unlocking the cause of a child’s pain and other problems such as a reading disorder. We can help children if we intervene at an early age and recognize the signs of mental illness such as mood instability, sadness, irritability, and anxiety. Many children need help and aren’t getting it. Recognizing a child’s struggles as early as possible is key to optimizing their success in life and overall mental health. The tragedy can be when it is not addressed in time to help either the victim or aggressor.

The bottom line is: we need to review the big picture of what is happening with our children and help parents advocate for their child when something is a little off. It was not too late for Alex and it shouldn’t be for your child either.

Karen Schiltz is the co-author of Beyond The Label: A Guide to Unlocking a Child’s Educational Potential and Associate Clinical Professor (volunteer) at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Behavior at the University of California, Los Angeles. She has over 26 years of experience assessing children and young adults with developmental, medical, and emotional disorders including the autistic spectrum and maintains a private practice specializing in neuropsychology in Calabasas, California. Dr. Schiltz blogs for Psychology Today at Beyond the Label.

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The post Could my child be responsible for the next tragedy? appeared first on OUPblog.

by Josh Schnieder   Clarion Books 2011   Five short tales for beginning readers utilizing reverse psychology. This might backfire for some kids. Like me.   Know a picky eater? Sure you do. And when it comes to getting them to eat the things we want them to sometimes a little creativity is called for. When James decides that broccoli is disgusting (without even trying it?) he asks for

By Katherine van Wormer

She had no children, but for those of us who are social workers, she was the mother of us all. The social action focus, empathy with people in poverty, campaigning for human rights—these priorities of social work had their origins in the work and teachings of Jane Addams. Unlike the “friendly visitors” before her, Addams came to realize, in her work with immigrants and the poor, that poverty stems not from character defects but from social conditions that need to be changed. From the vantage point of the Chicago Hull House, the most famous settlement house of her day, Addams addressed such issues as political corruption, child labor, urban sanitation, women’s suffrage, and race relations. “We don’t expect to change human nature,” she said, “we people of peace, but we do expect to change human behavior.”

By the turn of the last century Jane Addams was the most famous woman in America. By the culmination of her career in 1931, she was awarded the Nobel Prize for her efforts for her international work following the destruction of World War I. But during a major part of her life, she was neither honored nor beloved.

Because of her staunch pacifism during World War I—a position which branded her a subversive and radical for the rest of her life—Addams rapidly fell out of favor. Just as she had been universally acclaimed prior to the war, Addams experienced a fall from grace unparalleled among public figures in U.S. history. She was hounded by the FBI. She was even given the dubious honor of having been given a life membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution and then subsequently to be expelled.

“If you are different from others, you need to act on that difference, if society is to advance.” This statement by Jane Addams succinctly sums up her life. Her award of the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 71 was a proud moment for social workers, Quakers, and women the world over. The story of Jane Addams is one that can inspire us all.

Katherine van Wormer is Professor of Social Work at the University of Northern Iowa. She is also the author of Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Individuals and Families and co-author Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Groups, Communities, and Organizations.

For further reading:
Encyclopedia of Social Work
American National Biography Online
Chicago Tribune

Hattie the Bad by Jane Devlin, illustrations by Joe Berger

Hattie was a very good little girl until she realized how dull it was.  Then she became Hattie the Bad, doing naughty but very fun things.  The other children loved her, but their parents stopped letting them play with Hattie.  So Hattie decided to be good again, perfect even.  The parents started pushing their children to be more like Hattie, but then the children stopped playing with her because she was so perfect.  Hattie was so very good that she even got an award for being the Best-Behaved Child Ever!  When in front of the cameras and asked to speak, Hattie stopped being good for good.

This book is all about being true to yourself and not trying to be what others expect you to be.  Hattie strikes a nice balance at the end of the book, being quite naughty, with “just a teensy bit of good.”  Devlin’s writing is over the top, adding to the fun and zinging energy of the book.  Berger matches that with his great illustrations.  Though the cover has a limited orangey palette, the book uses a more full spectrum of color.  Nicely, the illustrations have a bit of seventies vibe in them.  Readers should have fun watching for the frogs to appear and reappear throughout the book as well as laughing in glee when Hattie turns back into herself.

A naughty girl, perhaps, but a very nice read.  Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from copy received from Dial.

Also reviewed by:

• The Bookbag
• Nicholas Basbanes
• Novel Reviews
• Pink Me

Arthur B. Markman is the Annabel Irion Worsham Centennial Professor of Psychology and Marketing at the University of Texas at Austin. His new book, with Kristin L. Wood, is Tools For Innovation which looks at the practical methods that support innovation and creative design, from different ways of thinking and conceptualizing to computer-based tools. In the post below, which originally appeared on Markman’s Psychology Today blog, we learn about how goals drive behavior.

Business magazines like Forbes, newspapers like the Wall Street Journal, and economic forecasters are united in their belief that economic growth in the US will be driven by innovation. That is, the US and other major economic players will not grow by developing new products and key refinements of existing products that will drive new consumption. This is not news, really. Bringing new ideas to market has long been a centerpiece of economic growth. And that means that Psychology is crucial to the economy.

That’s right. Psychology.

Innovation is driven by new ideas. That means that creativity is at the heart of innovation, and so creativity will drive the economy.

Creativity seems mysterious. We love stories about mad geniuses striving alone in dark labs. We create myths about flashes of superhuman insight that lead to the solutions to difficult problems. We give credit for inventions to single individuals like Edison, Bell, and Marconi.

If creativity is mysterious, then we should be worried about the state of the economy. How can we count on creativity to create growth if it is mysterious and requires heroic figures to occur?

Happily, creativity is not a mystery. The creation of new ideas results from basic psychological mechanisms. Because those mechanisms are well-studied by psychologists, there is much that we can do to teach others how to become more creative. In addition, this knowledge provides us with ways to create tools to support that creativity.

In July of 2009, the book Tools for Innovation came out. I edited this book with my colleague Kris Wood, who is a mechanical engineer. We brought together psychologists, engineers, computer scientists, and people in business to write chapters about basic research that helps us to understand creativity and the tools that can be developed based on that research. In the next few posts, I’ll describe a few of the lessons from this book.

The first lesson comes from a chapter by Robert Weisberg from Temple University. He analyzes a number of examples of creativity, such as Edison’s creation of the kinetoscope (a precursor to the movie projector), Picasso’s creation of the painting Guernica, and the Wright brother’s development of the airplane. He uses these examples to break down a number of myths about innovation.
For example, we tend to give credit to a single individual for an invention. We all know, for example, that the Wright brothers invented the airplane. However, they were working within a larger world community of people who were all working on flying machines. They took note of other people’s failures, such as the death of inventor Otto Lilienthal, who was killed when his flying machine was caught in a gust of wind. This failure led the Wrights to assume that the pilot needed to be able to control the flight of the airplane.

The Wrights were bicycle makers before they started to make airplanes. So they had extensive experience with complicated mechanical devices. This expertise was important as they began to put together an actual device for flying.

Finally, the Wrights looked to the world around them for help in developing the control system for the airplane. Many groups focused on using what was known about steering boats to help steer a plane (that is why the fin on the back of a plane is called a ‘rudder’), but the Wrights read extensively about what was known about bird flight. They decided to have the control system of the plane warp the wings by analogy to what was known about the way that birds fly.

So, the Wright brothers were smart, and persistent, and diligent. They tested their designs carefully. Their invention helped pave the way toward a multibillion dollar industry. But this innovation did not come about because they did things that were beyond the grasp of mere mortals…

The Overzealous Drinker

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Even at parties, the overzealous drinker would route the glass and never stops until he falls flat all over. One glass does not suffice. He protests against a strict ration. Usually, this kind is never satisfied until he has his fill. Even after having enjoyed a movie, he passes by a bar to drink. Oftentimes his friends would bring him home dead to the world.

The Overzealous Host

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He feeds the guests to the point of satiety. If he finds that one is on a diet, he makes fun of the guest and heaps food even against the guest’s will. This host tries to appear kind and concerned by giving more than what is asked for, thus it makes him an ill-bred person.

There is the host who gives one kind instead of the type the guest likes. When one asks for a drink of water, he gives cola, or if the request is a glass of juice, he gives beer.

Another kind of overzealous host is the one who never stops talking or peering into your faces. He does not allow the guests to enjoy themselves. Instead, he monopolizes the conversation and he will not wonder if he finds some already snoring on the chair or others leaving early instead of enjoying a longer stay.

The Fashionable Pest

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This other kind of social pest can get on your nerves by trying to show off the latest signature clothes, watches, acccessories, or gadgets. The style pest would always be wearing the latest fashion trend even if it does not complement his or her physique. They don’t want to be outdressed or outmoded and they would be the ones reeking of the latest perfume brand.

The Whiner

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They always have something to complain about. They are not satisfied with the weather. If it rains, they want sunshine. If it’s sunny, they wish for rain. They start the conversation with a complaint about the traffic, the government, the economy, the employment, the spouse, etc. Their list of complaints is endless.

The Debater

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These people will never let you win an argument. You’d see them everywhere, even in banks, grocery cashiers, and most of all in social gatherings. They love to start a topic and look for people who will disagree or argue with their beliefs, and will never stop until the other concedes.

These are only a few examples among the many kinds of social pests. The bottom-line is, we must be sensitive to the needs of other people. Let us not be too self-serving to the point of disregarding or disrespecting others. We are humans, and as social beings, we must live harmoniously with others.

This newly published series from Sourcebooks has been a publishing sensation in the U.K. for some time with almost 12 million copies sold to date. Each of the first four chapter books features four self-contained stories about the same group of characters.

Horrid Henry lives up to his name. He is a most unpleasant child. However, as an anti-hero, he provides outrageous fun for children and a continuing object lesson for parents as he is everything you would hate your own child to be.

As he plans and schemes to make fools of his family and friends, Horrid Henry gets into a series of scrapes that seven- and eight-year old boys (in particular) will revel in.

Most of the character development of the supporting cast is telegraphed in the character's name. Perfect Peter is Henry's do-good brother. Moody Margaret is the bothersome girl next store. Bossy Bill, Clever Clare, Rude Ralph, and Greedy Graham are his fellow students in Miss Battle Axe's classroom. All of these children play signature roles in Henry's adventures.


Horrid Henry is Dennis the Menace 40 years later and on steroids. His behavior is so bad that even though children enjoy his mischief, they know it's fiction and not real. However, knowing that no child could ever really be this bad, doesn't detract from their fun one bit.

The award-winning author, Francesca Simon, is a transplanted American living in London where these books first found an audience. There are additional adventures to come and there is even an official UK Horrid Henry website which may spawn an American version at some point. Both of these websites offer insights into Henry and his creator.

It's difficult to imagine the books without the clever drawings of illustrator Tony Ross. He has done a marvelous job of capturing the personalities of the characters in simple pen and ink renderings.

If you think I might be exaggerating Henry's unpleasant personality, let me just say that there is a reason Horrid Henry is billed as the "world's most mischievous child"!

     I created this little doogie quite a while back, but I still love him and hope to use him some day. His name is Teacup - for obvious reasons, he's just a teensy thing.
     Today Teacup issues in those funny days of transition. The days you walk outside and feel something different in the air, a few more birds singing, a few more bugs buzzing.
     It's rainy and cold today, but yesterday, I spoke at the Savannah College of Art and Design (Atlanta campus), and when I walked outside, there was that hint in the air . . . the promise of Spring!
     Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version (less than 1mb) to [email protected] and I'll post it to my blog!
     For more coloring pages, go here.

     Today is just pure silliness. I did the opening skit for the SCBWI Southern Breeze Springmingle Conference this past weekend and I included a demonstration drawing to accompany a new story I'm working on, "Penny Had to Pee!"
     I had everybody strike a pose to help me figure out the drawing . . . a room full of adults. Like I said, pure silliness.
     So, have fun coloring Penny. Meanwhile . . . I gotta . . . .
     Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version (less than 1mb) to [email protected] and I'll post it to my blog!
     For more coloring pages, go here.

Too funny - I love it when adults get involved! This rendering is by Frank Zieglar II who just bought a new Wacom tablet and was trying it out. Looks great Frank - thanks for playing!

     I'm clinging to this idea of winter even though the daffodils are already blooming here in the south - doesn't it seem too early?
     Anyhow, I always loved that moment just before you dove over that lip to fly down a hill on skis!
     Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version (less than 1mb) to [email protected] and I'll post it to my blog!
     For more coloring pages, go here.

     and a good book. Isn't this what winter makes you want to do? I just want to curl up with a good book, a cozy blanket and some hot chocolate . . . ahhhhh.
     Um. I'll be back later...
     Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version (less than 1mb) to [email protected] and I'll post it to my blog!
     For more coloring pages, go here.

     For many states, it's Super Tuesday!
     I just voted - how about you? Next to our presidential election, this is the biggest impact you can have on who will be our next President. It's a big deal - and one you can explain to the kids as they color my Voting Bear.
    Thanks to Deborah Wiles at One Pomegranate for reminding me of this great quote by Robert F. Kennedy:
     "Few will have the greatness to bend history; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation ... It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is thus shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance." - Robert F. Kennedy
     Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version (less than 1mb) to [email protected] and I'll post it to my blog!
     For more coloring pages, go here.

     In celebration of my recent snow angel - you can make one too!
     Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version (less than 1mb) to [email protected] and I'll post it to my blog!
     For more coloring pages, go here.

     Beware what you wish for - did I say I wouldn't mind some white stuff? Well we got it! It is COLD in the south right now, and we actually have snow on the ground! If I dare to venture outside, I feel like this guy.
     Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version (less than 1mb) to [email protected] and I'll post it to my blog!
     For more coloring pages, go here.

     Do you have snow or ice where you are? Winter mostly brings rain here in the south. I sure wouldn't minda a bit of the white stuff!
     Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version (less than 1mb) to [email protected] and I'll post it to my blog!
     For more coloring pages, go here.

     We've made it through the holidays and we're now in that quiet, creative time of year I love so much. It's time to hunker down by a warm fire with a mug of hot chocolate and make stuff! (After you go freeze your nose off building a snowman of course.)
     Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version (less than 1mb) to [email protected] and I'll post it to my blog!
     For more coloring pages, go here.

     I couldn't leave you high and dry on Christmas day! So here's a quickie of Santa trying to handle too many presents!
     How about you? Did you get too many gifts? Is that possible?
     Well, if you somehow find yourself with nothing to do on Christmas day (ha!) give this old guy some color.
     Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version (less than 1mb) to [email protected] and I'll post it to my blog!
     For more coloring pages, go here.

     I imagine Santa gets awfully tired about this time of year - all that work figuring out who's been naughty and who's been nice!
     Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version (less than 1mb) to [email protected] and I'll post it to my blog!
     For more coloring pages, go here.

     I receive such nice emails from people who are using my coloring pages (and my stats go nuts every Tuesday when I load a new one), but so few of you are sending me back your colored art. Don't be shy! I'd love to see what your stocking looks like. Does it have stripes, dots, stars?
     Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send me your colored version of my stocking, or send a picture of your favorite stocking! (Low resolution .jpg, smaller than 300 pixels please.) I'll post it here and share it with the world!
     For more coloring pages, go here.

Update: To make it easier for you to send your images, I'm simplifying the requirements. Please make sure your image is less than 1mb and email it to [email protected]!

     Badabing, badaboom. We're on to the next holiday of the season - Christmas! Expect theme-related coloring pages the next few weeks. We'll start with a pretty angel.
     Click the image to open a .jpg to print and color. Send it back (small and low res) and I'll post it.
     For more coloring pages, go here