From the view of a concerned professional
Introduction
Many professionals have daily contact with students and teens. Examples might include clergy, coaches, dance instructors and tutors. While these professionals might be experts in their own domain, those skills may not necessarily translate into the same skills needed to cope with a troubled teen. It is important to recognize the signs of a teen in distress:
Signs and Symptoms of a troubled teen:
- Anxiety over school, friends or body image
- Substance abuse – drugs, alcohol and over – the counter medicine abuse
- Promiscuity
- Self-Mutilation – Cutting
- Suicide Ideation
- Defiance – problems with authority
- Truancy – Poor attendance at school, failing grades
- Dropping out of sports or other activities
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Depression
- Legal problems – Run away – Adoption Issues
- Internet Addiction
It is at this time when it is best to seek out the services of a professional educational consulting firm.
I really enjoy my job and all the students that I work with. Sometimes I notice a student who has gone through a major change in attitude. This transformation literally turned them into a different person. They became disconnected from their friends and the parents really became concerned. I heard their friends talking about how they are skipping classes and have starting partying with a bunch of older guys.
Last week I spoke with the parents and they were completely lost on what to do. Their child was defiant and there was a lot of yelling and screaming and door slamming. Now communication has completely shut down. The parents have come to me – but I really have no solutions for them.
After a phone call to Skelton Thomason, I sensed immediately the spirit of collaboration that would come with working with an Educational Consulting Firm. I still felt very concerned and responsible for the student but I now realize that the input from Skelton Thomason probably saved their life.