Jodie Maddox
Volume 10 October 28, 2023
Jodie Maddox Parent Coach and Education Consultant
I PARTNER with parents and schools.
I EMPOWER them to make decisions within their sphere of influence.
I PROVIDE reliable support, with effective strategies, to gain desired results.
Contact Me Today!!!!
Email jodiemaddoxicoach@gmail.com
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Unlocking the Possibilities!!!
Dear Friends,
In this issue, we will focus on the big topic of anxiety. How to support, love, and guide children if their feelings or emotions ever begin to consume their lives, or maybe even the lives of the entire family.
According to the American Psychological Association, about 11% of children had anxiety in 2012; but during the pandemic starting in 2019, those numbers nearly doubled. Currently, about 20% of our youth worldwide struggle with anxiety symptoms. Why are our children so anxious? Of course, increased technology use and COVID-related stressors top the list. During the pandemic, our children experienced social isolation, increased dependence on technology, and missed milestones. There are other new stressors placed on families that may be contributing to a tense family life. A lack of affordable childcare or trying to navigate new employer expectations for parents working from home are some of the primary reasons. Other influences could include a rise in school shootings, national political unrest, or the war in Ukraine and Israel. All of these items can easily contribute to feelings of instability.
However, there is some good news to share. There are some very effective treatments for children dealing with anxiety. In a major controlled study by John T. Walkup, MD and his colleagues, 60% of young people who received cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) improved significantly (New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 359, No. 26, 2008) (apa.org). Research and data tell us that when parents seek professional interventions for their children they see a huge difference in their symptoms, behaviors, and overall physical health.
There are several signs and symptoms to look out for. If your child is having trouble sleeping, has a major shift in their mood or demeanor, is consistently irritable, throws tantrums, is overly clingy, avoids certain situations, or presents as overly sensitive you may want to seek outside help and guidance.
There is hope and there are many avenues of support. If you have questions or have any concerns please reach out to your physician as soon as possible. So many people care and are here to support you, you are not alone!
With A Grateful Heart,
Jodie Maddox
Parent Coach and Education Consultant
Skills for Success!
Helping Children Manage Anxiety
The word anxiety is sometimes overused to describe normal feelings of stress or extreme worry. All children and adults go through times in their lives when they become overwhelmed or stressed about a situation. This is typical and should be considered normal as children grow and develop. However, when a child feels anxiety that lasts a long time and those feelings or emotions begin to disrupt their daily routine, preventing them from going to school or seeing friends; this is when we as adults should seek outside help and guidance. Prolonged anxious feelings may be a red flag for deeper concerns or perhaps even an anxiety disorder. Types of anxiety disorders children can experience include Social Anxiety Disorder, Separation Anxiety, Selective Mutism, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Specific Panic Disorder. Click here to learn 8 simple things to know and try when helping children manage stress and anxiety.
Health and Wellness Corner - Dr. Ross
What’s the link between anxiety and gut health?
The microbes in your child’s gut directly communicate with their brain. This happens via something called the gut-brain axis. This means that an unhealthy digestive system can actually make your child’s anxiety (or depression) worse. This explains why when your child is feeling particularly stressed or anxious, they are more likely to experience digestive issues.
So how do you know if your child’s gut is not functioning optimally? Here are a few things to look out for: constipation or diarrhea, food sensitivities, bloating/abdominal discomfort, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel conditions (like Crohs disease or colitis), and chronic stress.
How can you help your child’s gut to help their anxiety? Here are a few tips!
Identify underlying causes of gut issues (parasites, dysbiosis of the gut which is imbalance of good bacteria and bad bacteria, and review prescription medications)
Heal the lining of the gut with an anti-inflammatory, nutrient dense diet and using nutraceuticals/supplements as appropriate.
Repopulate the digestive system with beneficial bacteria, diet, probiotics, prebiotics, and polyphenols.
To sum up, if your child is experiencing anxiety, depression, or significant mood swings, I would recommend diving deeper into your child’s gut health because there is a good chance it is contributing to your child’s symptoms! Food, nutrients, and gut microbes are simply a piece of the puzzle. It is also important to address all aspects of your child’s health including the mind/body connection, sleep, community, and support when thinking about your child’s mental health.
Facebook Live Event!!!!
A Professional Perspective
An Open Conversation with A Child Psychologist and Parent Coach
We are so excited about the response to our Facebook events! Thank you for your support, we are so pleased the topics are connecting with each of you! Here is a list of upcoming topics and dates.
November 2nd - Understanding the different types & symptoms of ADHD.
November 16th - 4 Skills that Help Build Healthy Coping Skills
November 30th - How do I know when to have my child screened for dyslexia?
Join Dr. Tish Taylor - Licensed Child Psychologist and Education Consultant, along with Mrs. Jodie Maddox - Special Educator, School Administrator, Parent Coach, and Education Consultant, Live on Facebook starting in September.
Live broadcast begins at 7:45 pm.
Discussions are recorded and can be viewed on Facebook if you miss the live event.
Join my Facebook group for more information about topics and to register for the event!
School Corner
I have loved providing professional development for so many schools in the Kansas City area. This month I will be traveling to Western Kansas and Central Missouri to work with teachers on differentiated instruction specifically designed to support children diagnosed with ADHD, Dyslexia, and anxiety. I'd love to come to work with your school! My background, passion, and focus have always been to help empower teachers and parents who work with children with special considerations. I offer a wide range of professional development to help foster a culture of inclusion and acceptance for all learners. I am also proud to support education professionals with a full range of instructional and leadership coaching. Contact me today, I can't wait to partner with you and your school!
Let's work together to make a difference for families with love and support in mind. For a description and full list of topics I am currently offering click here.
Parent Corner
So excited about my growing coaching business. In just 10 short weeks I can help change the dynamic of your family! Focused together on your needs, we can drastically minimize stress and help bring peace and stability to your home. I love working with families as they navigate the process of strategic improvement and growth. I especially like working with families with teenagers, children with ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia, or other neurodivergent abilities. Helping parents rediscover the joy and unique gifts of their family is a true privilege.
If you are interested in a free consultation, to gain more insight into the coaching process, contact me today. jodiemaddoxicoach@gmail.com
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Jodie Maddox Coaching and Consulting
Email: jodiemaddoxicoach@gmail.com
Website: jodiemaddoxicoach.com
Phone: (913)908-8220
Facebook: facebook.com/Jodiemaddox-ParentCoach&consultant