You are on page 1of 5

Juvenile-HD

Alcohol-Parent's Guide
HOME INDEX Page
INDEX Page www.KidsHealth.org
Tools For Viewing
10 The Most Commonly Asked
Questions "Not my kid. He'd never drink." If that's what you're thinking, you might be in for a
Clinical Trials & Research surprise. Children see drinking around them all the time, and it's not unusual for them to
experiment with alcohol themselves. The question is, what can parents do about it?
Huntington's Disease~WeMove Info
Advocacy/Donations/Press Info "It's very commonplace for kids to have a drink," says Mandell Much, PhD. "Experimental
Clinical Definition & Search use is very popular, especially with adolescents."
Facing HD~Family Handbook
JHD Handbook-Chapter 1 Although experimentation with alcohol may be common among kids, it's not safe or legal.
JHD Info-Stanford Univ. Read on to find out how to tell if your child is drinking and what you can do about it.
Physician's Guide To HD
Kids and Alcohol Don't Mix
Caring for People with HD Alcohol interferes with our perception of reality and our ability to make good decisions.
Physical & Occupational Therapy In This is problematic for adults, and even worse for adolescents and children who have less
HD problem-solving and decision-making experience.
Understanding Behaviour in HD-Dr.
Jane Paulsen According to the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, the short-term
Understanding Behavioral-Dr. effects of drinking include:
Edmond Chiu
Advanced Stages Caregivers distorted vision, hearing, and coordination
Handbook altered perceptions and emotions
First Shift-Certified Nursing impaired judgment
Assistants bad breath
Activities of Daily Living-HD hangovers
Unified HD Rating Scale (UHDRS)
Motor Section The long-term effects include:
Westphal Variant
SECTION 1 - AT RISK cirrhosis and cancer of the liver
loss of appetite
Age & Probability Chart
serious vitamin deficiencies
At Risk For HD-What Next?
stomach ailments
At-Risk Checklist
heart and central nervous system damage
Best Interest of Child?
memory loss
Crystal Ball?
an increased risk of impotence
Food For Thought
Parent Hasn't Tested? The possibility of overdosing on alcohol is significant, says Paco Cummings, MHS, CCDC,
Q&A On Risk of Inheriting JHD CCS, an addictions specialist. Alcohol first sedates the mind, he explains, and then
Testing Children attacks the vital functions. Even withdrawing from alcohol use can be deadly. "The actual
withdrawal from alcohol is more dangerous than the withdrawal from heroin," Cummings
SECTION 2 - GENETIC TESTING
says.
Genetic Disorders & Birth Defects
Genetic Testing for HD The short-term effects of alcohol abuse can also lead to homicides, suicides, and serious
Genetic Counseling-In General injuries. Over 38% of drownings, for example, are alcohol-related. Drinking also lowers
Psychological Impact inhibitions, which can lead teens to practice risky behaviors. Some risky behaviors, such
Intro: Genetics/Genetic Testing as practicing unsafe sex, increase the chance of contracting sexually transmitted
diseases. Other risky behaviors practiced while drinking, such as drunk driving or drug
Prenatal & Preimplanation
use, put teens at risk for immediate and possibly deadly consequences.
Prenatal Testing-In General
o Genetic Testing Resources
o Personal Stories Recognizing the Signs
SECTION 3 - JHD Despite your efforts, your child may still use - and abuse - alcohol. How can you tell? The
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) offers these warning signs:
Coping With The Early Years
Age of HD Appearance the odor of alcohol
Age of Onset-Historical sudden change in mood or attitude
Family-HD Underestimated change in attendance or performance at school
loss of interest in school, sports, or other activities
Children of Parents With HD
discipline problems at school
Child~Parent Ill withdrawal from family and friends
Clinical Description JHD secrecy
HD - What Kids Are Saying association with a new group of friends and reluctance to introduce them to you
HD & Me
Any of the above signs could indicate a problem with alcohol.
JHD-Duration of Illness Girl drinking
Obviously, being caught possessing alcohol or being under the
JHD-Clinical and Research influence of alcohol is a "glaring red flags," Dr. Much says. Further,
JHD Symptoms alcohol disappearing from your home may indicate that your child is
Parenting With HD involved with drinking. Some warning signs may indicate problems
Patients/Families Coping other than drinking, such as depression, developmental difficulties,
eating disorders, or adolescent adjustment problems. It is important
Talking With Children About HD
not to jump to conclusions based on only one or two signs.
Girl drinking

not to jump to conclusions based on only one or two signs.


5 Stages of HD
JHD Resources Adolescence is a time of change - physically, socially, emotionally,
SECTION 4 - SYMPTOM and intellectually. This can lead to erratic behavior and mood
RECOGNITION changes as children try to cope with the changes of adolescence.
Parent Resources "The rule of thumb," Cummings says, "is whether there's a 'cluster
8 Fears of A Chronic Illness of behavior' - changes in friends, behavior, dress, attitude, mood,
Anxiety/Apathy/Irritability~HD sleep patterns, grades, interests, and so on. If you see a number of changes, certainly
Anxiety, Fears & Phobias look for all explanations by talking to and questioning your kids, but don't overlook
Apathy-Physician's Guide substance abuse as a possibility."
Ataxia
Attention-Perceptual/Unawareness
Physician's Guide What if I Think My Child Is Drinking?
Bed/Pressure Sores According to Dr. Much, by the time your child is 12 years old, he should be aware of
issues such as why people drink, the risks of alcohol use (especially for children and
Bed/Pressure Ulcer Guideline
teens), and how to handle situations where his friends or classmates may pressure him to
Behavior Management drink. It's essential that parents begin communicating with children about alcohol at an
Bi-Polar Disorders early age and continue this dialogue throughout adolescence.
Botulinum toxin therapy
"Even if alcohol use is not part of your family's life," Dr. Much says, "somewhere in your
Bradykinesia
child's circle he is going to have the opportunity to drink. You should work with him to
Caring Tips provide strategies on how to avoid these situations or extricate himself from them once
Child Abuse-Reconizing Signs he's already in them."
Chorea-Physician's Guide
Chorea For children between the ages of 4 and 7, Cummings recommends calmly explaining the
reasons why it's dangerous to drink. "Be well-versed in the kinds of pressure that kids are
Cognitive/Decision Making/Impulsivity
faced with today so that you can counter that with real information."
Cognitive-Short Tips
Contractures~Joints Locking For children between the ages of 8 and 11, continue to explain the risks of alcohol use,
Dehydration-Physician's Guide but also tie your discussions to real events discussed in newspaper articles or television
shows. "If you see a story about someone suffering the consequences of drinking, use
Dehydration
that as an opportunity to talk about the dangers," Cummings suggests.
Delirium
Denial of HD For adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17, Cummings advocates a zero tolerance
Depression~Physician's Guide approach. In fact, parents may want to stop drinking until the kids are grown and out of
the house. Children need positive role models more than ever in this tumultuous period of
Depression-Understanding It
development.
Depression-How To Help
Depression - Treatment Resistant Dr. Much adds that no matter how old your child, if you suspect that he's drinking, it's
Patient time to sit down and talk. "Try to get some honest information from your child," he says.
Depression-Other Resources "Was it just one incident or is it frequent?" This may lead to a frank discussion between
-Read If Your Child Is On you and your child where you have the opportunity to set ground rules concerning alcohol
Antidepressant use in your family. If you're not comfortable discussing the subject, there are a number of
resources available that can help get you started. You may also want to consult an
Disgust - Impaired Recognition in HD
addictions counselor, Dr. Much says, even if only for advice or guidance.
Dissociative disorders
Driving - Physician's Guide Tips for Parents
Dyslexia Some parents may have a tendency to think that once their children reach adolescence,
Dyslexia Resources parenting is no longer needed. "Not true," Dr. Much asserts. "The world is more complex
today. There are more challenges, more vulnerabilities, and more predatory behaviors
Dystonia
toward children." Much emphasizes the importance of conveying to your children that you
Dystonia/Rigidity & Spasticity are there to support and protect them through adolescence into adulthood.
Physician's Guide
Dystonia-Predominant Adult-Onset Here are some other tips you may want to try:
HD
Epileptic Seizures and Epilepsy Keep tabs on where your child goes.
Talk to the parents of your child's friends.
Epilepsy-Seizures~PG
Always make sure you have a phone number where you can reach your child.
-Seizures ~Special Populations Have your child check in regularly when he's away from home.
Falling~Safety Don't allow your child to spend an extended length of time away from you without a
Falling - Subdural Hematoma Risk phone call or stopping at home.
Fevers - Unexplained
For teens, especially those old enough to drive, David Ebaugh, MA, CPC, CCDC, a
Fevers, sweating & menstural cycles substance abuse counselor, suggests negotiating and signing a behavioral contract with
in HD your child. This contract should spell out expected behaviors and state the consequences if
GERD (Stomach) your teen drives under the influence. "Follow through and take the keys away, if
HD Principle Treatments necessary," Ebaugh says. "Negotiating a behavioral agreement is one of the best options
Hallucinations/Psychosis~PGHD parents have to counteract negative peer pressure."
Hand muscle reflexes in HD
Ebaugh recommends always being a good role model. Make a deal with your teen that
Hypothalamus - A Personal Theory says that you and the rest of your family also agree never to drink and drive. You should
Insomia ~Physician's Guide also encourage responsible behaviors, Ebaugh says, such as planning for a designated
Irritability~Temper Outburst driver, or calling an adult for help rather than driving under the influence.
Physician's Guide
Even if your child isn't driving yet, Cummings also advocates the use of behavioral
Learning Disability
contracts. Keep the dialogue open and keep the expectations reasonable. Tying
Mania/OCD~Physician's Guide responsible actions to freedoms such as a later curfew or a driver's license acts as a
Mood Disorder Rate In HD powerful motivator. Teach your child that freedom only comes with responsibility - a
Myoclonus (Movements) lesson that should last a lifetime.
Nails-What To Look For
Nails-What To Look For
Updated and reviewed by: Kim Rutherford, MD
Night Terrors
Date reviewed: September 2001
Obsessive Compulsive OCD Originally reviewed by: Steve Dowshen, MD, and Mandell Much, PhD
Panic Disorder
Personality disorders
Source: KidsHealth www.KidsHealth.com is a project of The Nemours Foundation which is dedicated to improving
Pneumonia the health and spirit of children. Today, as part of its continuing mission, the Foundation supports the operation of a
number of renowned children's health facilities throughout the nation, including the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for
Pneumonia-Advanced Stages Children in Wilmington, Delaware, and the Nemours Children's Clinics throughout Florida. Visit The Nemours
Pneumonia - Aspirated (Inhaled) Foundation to find out more about them and its health facilities for children http://www.nemours.org/no/
Prosody - Social Impairment
Sexuality~Physician's Guide ====================================================
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help,
Skins Sensitivity
support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with
Sleep Disorders severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder,
Smoking-Physician's Guide obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorders.
Spasticity URL: http://www.nami.org/illness/
Stress
Dual Diagnosis in Adolescence - Reference guide to adolescents with both l mental illness
Tremors
and substance abuse.
Why Certain Symptoms Occur
Symptom & Treatment Resources
SECTION 5 - COMMUNICATION
Communication Resources
Communication Problems
Communication Strategies For
HD~Jeff Searle
SECTION 6 -
EATING/SWALLOWING/NUITRITION
Hints For Weight Loss in HD
HD & Diet~HSA Fact Sheet 7
Nutrients: Some Possible Deficiency
Symptoms
Nutrition and HD~Anna Gaba
(Recipes)
Nutrition Information In HD~Naomi
Lundeen
Speech & Swallowing~Lynn Rhodes
Swallowing & Nutrition Physician's
Guide To HD
Swallowing & Nuitrition Resources
Swallowing Warning Signs
5 Swallowing Problems
Taste changes in HD
Weight Gain
Resources-Drinks/Shakes
-Feeding Tubes~Advanced Stages of
HD
-Feeding Tube~Jean Miller
-Feeding Tubes: One More Word
~Jean Miller
-Feeding Tubes & Baby Foods
-Feeding Tube~Dental Care
-Feeding Tube Instructions~Jean
Miller
-Feeding Tube Resources
SECTION 7 - THERAPIES
Finding a Therapist - Behavoir
What Is A Physiotherapist?
Physical Therapy In HD
Speech-Language Therapy
Therapy Descriptions
Therapy Resources- Easter Seal
Therapy Resources
SECTION 8 - MEDICATIONS
HD Treatments
Medications-Movement Disorders
Medication/Emergency Info Forms
Cutting Prescriptions
Drugs-Look 'Em Up
-Adolescents Under 25
-Antidepressant Adverse Effects
-Anti-psychotic
-Anxiety-Antidepressant
A-Z Mental Health Drugs
-Creatine
-EPA~Fish Oil
-Haldol/Haloperidol - Clinical Sheet
-Haldol~Clinician Description
-Haldol & HD
-Haldol/HD Patient Experiences
-Haldol~ Patient Handout
-Mood Stabilizers: ASK 3 Questions
-Neuroleptic Malignant Synd
WARNING
-Olanzipine-Risperidone/blood tests
-Celexa/Luvox/Paxil/Prozac/Zoloft
-Psychiatric Drugs & Children
Sertraline ~Zoloft
-Spasticity Meds/Treatments
-SSRI Medications
-Tardive Dyskinesia WARNING
-Weight Gain Medications
-Sites/Help the Medicine Go Down
-Vitamin & Mineral Deficiencies
SECTION 9 - SURGERIES
Surgery-Movement Disorders
o Surgery Resources
SECTION 10 - PROCEDURES
Clinic Visits-How To Prepare
CT Scans, MRI's etc.
Swallowing Tests
Tests Commonly Used
o Procedures Resources
SECTION 11- ALCOHOL/DRUGS
Alcohol-Parent's Guide
Alcohol-Talking To Your Child
Drugs-What To Do?
Drugs-Talking To Your Child
Disciplining-Ages 0-13 & Up
SECTION 12- SUICIDE
Straight Talk On Suicide
Teen Suicide-You Need To Know
o Suicide Resources
SECTION 13 - DIVORCE
Divorce & Child Stress
Tips For Divorcing Parents
SECTION 14 - DISABILITY ISSUES
Guides To Disability Issues
Caring-Child & Medical Technology
Caring for a Seriously Ill Child
Child Long Term Illness
Disability-Special Education Plan
IFSP Early Intervention Process
Disability Resources
Financial Planning
Wishes Can Come True-Children's
Wish Foundations
Special Needs Resources
Special Needs Camp - About
Special Needs Camp - Finding One
SECTION 15 - ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY
Child Assistive Technology
Adaptive Equipment Resources
Products
SECTION 16 - EMOTIONAL ISSUES
Signs of Unhealthy Self-Esteem
Emotional Behavior Links
o Emotional Support Resources
SECTION 17 - GRIEF
Helping Child Deal With Death
o Grief Addtional Resources
SECTION 18 - ADD/ADHD
ADD & Teens
Conduct Disorders
FAQS & Related Info
Understanding AD/HD
What Is AD/HD?
Research Articles
Resources
SECTION 19 - HD SUPPORT
GROUPS
HD Support Groups
National Youth Association
SECTION 20 - HD LINKS
HD Links
Related Resources
Tips For Friends
SECTION 21 -
BENEFITS/INSURNACE
HD Disability
Benefits Check UP - See What You
Can Get
Medical Insurance Bureau's Facts On
You!
Medicare-Medicaid
Medicare Rights-Home Health &
Hospice
Medicare Rights Center Resources
No Insurance? Try This!
Prescription Drug Cards Part I
Prescription Drug Cards Part II
Social Security-Children With
Disabilities
SECTION 22 - ARTICLES/JHD
JHD and ADD
SECTION 23 - CAREGIVING
Articles-Resources
Caregiver Self-Assessment
Caregiver's Handbook
"First Shift With A Person With HD"
Getting Respite Care/Help At Home
Helpful Forms-Info
Home Emergency Preparations
Symptom Management
Ten Tips
Useful Tools
SECTION 24 - BIO
Our Personal Experience
Coping At The End
Kelly E. Miller
Song & Verse
Letter From My Heart
GUESTBOOK

You might also like