Ideas: Autism
Aired November 10, 2005 on WVIZ/PBS
Also featured on a special Children's Health compilation episode of Ideas, aired June 15, 2006 on WVIZ/PBS
Nearly 1 in every 166 babies born in the United States will be diagnoised with autism. This mysterious developmental disorder is increasing so rapidly that some experts predict by the end of the next decade there will be 4 million utistic Americans. In a piece that orginally aired on the WVIZ/PBS television program Ideas, ideastream reporter Elaine Falk introduces us to two local families touched by autism, taking us into the lives of two very different young men struggling with the same disorder. Seth, a 22-year-old artist, was diagnosed in a time when autism was uncommon and misunderstood. Despite his quick mind, he struggled to be accepted and encouraged in school. But 11-year-old Derek was diagnosed nine years ago, just as treatment of autism was changing. His family says he is blossoming because of early intervention and breakthrough therapies.
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90.3 at 9: Mental Health & the Juvenile Justice System
Aired March 23, 2006 on 90.3 WCPN
It's probably not news to you that men and women with mental illness frequently wind up behind bars - or that the same is true for kids. What you may not be aware of is what's required to help these kids, and to reduce the chances they'll re-offend - intense and ongoing coordination among mental health agencies, child welfare, courts, schools, families. How well are we managing it? We'll talk about it Thursday morning on 90.3 at 9.
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  • On today's show, we looked at what happens when kids with mental health problems and/or drug addictions wind up in the juvenile justice system. Akron's juvenile court has a program called Crossroads, which kids can choose to go through after admitting to the charges against them. If they succeed, their record can be wiped clean. One of our guests, Judge Linda Teodosio, developed and runs the program. Professor Chris Mallett, of the Cleveland State School of Social Work, was also on the show, as was Gabriella Celeste, director of the Alliance of Child Caring Service Providers. Among the resources mentioned on the show was the National Mental Health Association's website, which has a section on juvenile justice. Also: the Ohio Department of Mental Health's program on identifying warning signs of depression in kids.

If you need help with a child whose behavior you feel is spinning out of control, you may find assistance here:

  • In Summit County:
    • Summit County ADM, the Alcohol, Drug, Mental Health Board. The ADM also runs a crisis line at (330) 996-7730
  • For additional mental health resources, click here.