Warning signs that your teen may be in trouble:

1. Your teen isolates himself from the rest of the family.
   You, as a parent, should be aware if your once more social child is spending more and more time alone in his room.

   2.Your teen has unusual extreme shifts in mood.
   Is your teen talkative and friendly one moment that angry and introverted the next?  Don't just contribute it to growing pains.
   Find out who your teen is hanging out with, and if he is experiencing hormonal, neurological, or social changes.  Continue to
   find ways to connect with your teen even if he rebels and tries to prevent you from being in his life.

   3.Your teen starts abusing drugs or alcohol.
   Check your teen's room for either of these, notice any unusual behavior he may be exhibiting, and be aware of who his friends are.

   4.Your teen is taking wrong and unnecessary risks.
   If your teen is skipping school, vandalizing, or being involved in petty thefts, do not contribute it to simply "a teen just being a
   teen."  Your teen seemingly throwing caution to the wind and not caring about the consequences may be indicative of many
   things, including that he may not have the ability to connect his choices with their consequences.

OTHER WARNING SIGNS TO WATCH FOR:

1. Declining grades
2. Using street or drug language
3. A diminished interest in hobbies
4. A lack of appreciation for family values

Don’t live in denial about what is happening to teenagers today. Don’t let yourself be deceived into thinking that these things only happen to other people’s children. Know what is going on in your teen’s life. Ensure that they understand the consequences of their actions. Don’t
make the excuse that your teen is acting the way he is because of things you went through in your life. Doing this doesn’t help your child at all. Always being honest with your teen and yourself will have the most benefit. Make sure that your teen is living his life consistently with the values that you consider so important. It’s important that you clarify to your teen what your values are. If they are not clear to him, society will play a crucial role in establishing their values in your teen’s life.

TEENS CAUGHT IN HIGH CONFLICT DIVORCE

 Warning Signs to Watch for When Your Child Goes Through the Conflict of the Parents' Divorce:

1. Teens can become angry and hostile.
2. Depression is often common when the family splits.
3. Drug abuse can occur.
4. Pregnancy rate are high at this time.
5. Teens often become insecure.
6. Teens can develop relationship problems.

 WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:

1. Develop an understanding of what your teen is facing with the divorce.
2. Try to understand and look for the typical emotional and behavioral reactions that your teen demonstrates because of the divorce.
3. Find ways to help them go through the trauma of the divorce.
4. Get teens involved in support groups or youth groups in your church.

There are many changes that adolescents will go through: physical (puberty), emotional (social), and cognitive (academic). The key is to help your child navigate through the journey of life.

FIVE COGNITIVE SKILLS THAT TEENS NEED IN COMPLIANCE INTERVENTION:

1. Problem solving
2. Cognitive flexibility
3. Language processing skills
4. Emotional regulation
5. Social skills

LONELINESS:

Loneliness is an issue of the heart for most teens.  In fact, it is a sickness of the soul.  It can lead to depression, drug abuse, sexual immorality, and perversion; it also leads to alcoholism and other desperate behaviors.  Of course, this type of behavior in our youth does not solve the problem of loneliness but over a period of time makes it worse.  Parents need to be part of the solution by being available for teens and teaching them how to open their hearts.  Parents should transition from being parents to being friends as the teens grow older and, by doing so, will help the teens develop trusting relationships.

Signs That Your Teen May Be at Risk Online:

1. Your child spends large amounts of time online, especially at night.
2. You have found pornography on your child’s computer.
3. Your child is quick to turn off the computer monitor when you enter the room.
4. Your child is using an online account that belongs to someone else.
5. Your child receives phone calls from people you don’t know.
6. Your child is becoming withdrawn from the family.

TEENS WITH ADHD

Please visit our Resource page for materials on teens with ADHD.