Francisco Said:

Chance me for Columbia, Yale, Stanford, Amherst, Dartmouth, MIT...? Senior graduating in 2011?

We Answered:

You're a shoe in! Keep up the good work once you're in and enjoy your college years.

Wallace Said:

My Teenage Daughter Seems to be a Slow Learner. Any Ideas?

We Answered:

She exhibits a lot of traits that are typical of ADD. I've shown severe signs of ADD since first grade, but didn't know i had it until recently (I'm 21). I've never touched any medication for it.
I agree that medication should be avoided at all costs. Medications for ADD are almost all versions of speed, and have many dangerous side effects. Suicidal thoughts, depression, nausea, eating disorders, etc. But those aren't the worst parts. In my opinion, and a lot of people won't like this, the worst effect of Ritalin is that it decreases the symptoms of ADD. I don't believe that ADD is a disability, I believe that it is just one of many many personality types. Every one has different strengths and weaknesses. At some point in history some doctors noticed that some people had a bunch of strengths and weaknesses that seem to go hand in hand; Inability to focus on things for more than a short time coupled with occasional ability for an unusual hyper-focus when finding something one loves, above average creativity, and ability to grasp abstract ideas that others cannot, strong intuition, dynamic and charismatic personalities, high intelligence, bad test scores, a rebellious streak, problems with authority, slow reading, bad handwriting, a willingness to speak ones mind even when not encouraged to, tendency to start arguments for the fun of it, messy desks, being well liked by many people, open mindedness, willingness to try new things, a love for thrills like bungee jumping or skydiving, strong intuition, impulsiveness and being five minutes late for everything. These are all characteristics that often belong to the same people.
People could have seen this and chosen to label it as a personality type, or a brand of genius, or the planet Jupiter, or being born in the year of the hamster or whatever the hell it is people use to identify other types of characters. But, sadly it is labeled as a disorder.
The only advice I can give concerning ADD, is to embrace it.
People with ADD are known to excel as inventors, entrepreneurs, artists, counselors, youth pastors, and entertainers, just to name a few.
People like Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, and Beethoven are believed by most psychologists to be CLASSICAL cases of ADD/ADHD.
My ADD intuition tells me that maybe these people were like i was.
I had poor grades because I couldn't focus. But I do well as an entrepreneur and as a youth pastor because I am very creative and insightful. My spaciness is do to the fact that my mind is flying everywhere all the time. I am creative, insightful and intuitive for the exact same reason. I think that any kind of treatment would have poisoned that.
If it turns out that Karen has ADD, maybe its a good thing.

"More and more, the concept of ADD as a disorder is being qualified by inclusion of a string of positive qualities" - Susan Burgess

"These children are not disordered. They may have a different style of thinking, attending, and behaving, but it's the broader social and educational influences that create the disorder, not the children." - Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdwjUwnBb6c

Doris Said:

How can I overcome my sexual insecurities?

We Answered:

This whole situation seems to be sex centred!!!

You broke up with gfA because you were jealous of her past sexual experience, why were you jealous?! was it because you didn't have a past experience with sex. what she did before she met you has nothing to do with you!

in my opinion i dont think u should get back with gfA. You mentioned that she had two flings with other guys...she doesn't seem to be a committed person, she seems like someone who will easily have sex with any guy...and you mentioned that gfB had a nicer personality.

Also the way you treated these girls was not very gentlemanly...how about you get to know a girl, her personality before you start having a serious relationship. learn to communicate. Sex isnt something you go into straightaway, its not something you play around with, its very serious.

Katrina Said:

Gluten free recipes?

We Answered:

There are lots of gluten free recipes which are easy to make with kid participation.

One major issue to remember is cross-contamination issues -- especially with children 'helping'. Anyone with a special dietary need has to avoid that food product in all forms. Watch for using the same bow, spoon, cutting board, etc. with gluten containing products and for gluten free products.

Here is one great recipe you could make with the children:
Popcorn Balls

2 1/2 quarts popped popcorn (or 1/2 cup unpopped with 2 T oil and popped in popcorn popper or stove top)
6 tablespoons butter
5 cups miniature marshmallows

Pop popcorn if not using pre-popped popcorn

Melt butter and marshmallows in the microwave (or on the stove top) stirring constantly. Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn and mix with spoon to coat evenly.

Cool until cool enough to touch. Smear butter on your hands or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Mix and form into balls.


Another recipe:
Ambrosia

2 cups fresh ripe but firm peach slices
4 medium banana, sliced
2 cups red seedless grapes, optional
4 tablespoon lemon juice
8 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 cups flaked coconut

Combine peaches, banana, grapes, lemon juice, and sugar. Chill for about 1 hour. Eat! Serves 12

Annie Said:

Autism Educational Methods. Why do we not have choices?

We Answered:

I have four sons, three have autism.

My eight year old was started at four on MAKATON, he progressed so well that he was then put onto TEACH which for him was excellent. At five he started a special needs school, as his needs were sever and we knew he'd find it hard to adjust to mainstream teaching. Within a year he was starting to talk with mini sentences and he stopped using TEACH.

Last year we moved and due to the remoteness of the area we had no option but to put him into mainstream. This was a HUGE concern for us, although he has developed well, he still has sever autism and ADHD and for a while I was really concerned in how he would adapt. When he started we had a meeting with the teachers his LSA, a child psychologist and other professionals, there we all sat and worked out an IEP to suit his needs.

I have always been very outspoken regarding my children, sadly it seems that this is the only way to get the support and education your child deserves and needs. I remember VERY well being told by some men in suits that My son would be better in mainstream rather than special needs...HOW DARE THEY, to them he was nothing but another statement and money for their council. After telling them i'd take him and his statement out of the borough if I had too they backed down and gave him the place he needed.

As a parent of special needs children I find it bloody annoying that we are constantly faced with an up hill struggle to get what WE want for our children. There are so many of these SO CALLED professionals that THINK they know what is best, THEY DON'T!!!
No one knows your child better than YOU, no one knows his need better than YOU!!

TEACH is not just about support and skills at school it is also about your relationship at home. This needs to be pointed out, they should be working along side YOU not the other way around, they should be listening to you and taking on board all your concerns and worries. TEACH if best suited for your son should be used for him, if they have to send member of staff on training then that is their concern not yours. The funding they get for your son will pay for all of these programmes and you should push as hard as you can to get the programme you are happy with.


Good luck hun, it may well be a battle but never give in!!!!!