Middle School Today

a psychotherapist who treats adolescents who are in high school, I often hear parents concerns about what teens face in high school.  For example, many parents worry about drugs and alcohol.  There are numerous other issues too.  The parents do need to be concerned because these are issues in high school.  If they have a child in middle school too and I mention they need to address theses issues with their child in middle school, many parents look surprised.

I hear parents say every day that they don’t need to worry about drugs or alcohol with their child in middle school because their child is too young for that right now. Well the reality is that Middle School Students are drinking, using drugs and having sex.  Many parents are unaware of what is happening in Middle Schools these days. Drugs and alcohol are just the tip of the iceberg. Children that are in the age group of middle school are now involved numerous dangerous activities such as selling drugs.

To begin with, most campuses are better pharmacies than your pharmacy. I have had middle school kids say they can get Vicodin, Concerta, Ecstasy and of course weed and alcohol on their school campus. Some kids use at school and some use after school and on the weekends.  More and more middle school kids are deciding to experiment with drugs and alcohol due to the pressure to feel successful as a teenager and so they fit in with friends.

Also many middle school kids are sexually active, but they don’t think they are sexually active. They think because they are not engaging in intercourse and they are engaging in oral sex that it doesn't count. The kids say they are just “messing around” with each other and do not consider this sex. They also have no idea about sexually transmitted diseases or how to protect themselves for STDs or getting pregnant.  However, the number of middle school kids engaging in oral sex and intercourse has increased significantly over the last few years.  The rate is now high enough that some middle schools, such as the San Francisco School District, are providing condoms to middle school kids.  Yes, Middle Schools are giving condoms to children in the sixth grade.  These kids are only 11 years old.

Another common issue in middle school is bullying. However, we are not just talking about one kid teasing another kid at school anymore. Today there is for a group of kids teasing one kid and it is not just at school.  Now kids are using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and texting by cellphone to tease and harass other kids.  And as many of you may recall there have been a number of kids who have committed suicide due to the teasing at school.  I recently wrote an article about a middle school girl who committed suicide and in her obituary she left a note to the other students just asking them to be nice to each other.  Another issue with teasing, is that a number of middle school students have been arrested for photos they text and for harassment. Besides teasing, texting a nude photo of a student in middle school means the middle school child violated child pornography laws.  Something many parents and students are not aware of is that when a child texts a nude photo of a middle school student, who is under 18 years old, it violates child pornography laws and the child who texts it and received it can both be arrested. 

Also many kids in middle school, especially boys, don’t feel safe and are afraid of someone trying to beat them up before or afraid school. They say they have to fight because other kids are recording it and posting it on YouTube.  Boys are bragging about their fights on YouTube and comparing how many people have watched their fight with their friend’s fight.  Therefore, boys feel they must fight, otherwise if they don’t fight the other kids will think they are a “whimp” so they have

Autism is not a dirty word

Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with many children and teenagers who happen to be autistic.  Often their parents are very worried.  They worry about their child’s future and how people will treat their child.  They have this concern because society tends to treat autism like some terrible disease.  Someone with Autism will never have a future or decent life.

This has not been my experience.  The children and teens I have had the pleasure to work with who have autism are caring, smart, decent people.  When they are given a chance, they can achieve a great deal.  Many teenagers on the autistic spectrum are able to go to college, get a job, have a family and be productive members of society.  However, for this to occur we need to eliminate the negative stigma associated with autism and mental health.  We also need to provide them with the mental health services so they can succeed.  They should be able to access these services without being judged.

I saw a video of a teenager talking to a judge.  This teen with autism shows why we need to eliminate the negative stigma associated with mental health and provide access to services without judgement.  Also he shows why we should not judge people or label people. Watch how impressed the judge is by this young man.  He is very mature, acts appropriately, has a plan for himself and not ashamed about being autistic. People can surprise you when you don’t judge them https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:ugcPost:6507566653688160256.

If we provide other teens who are on the autistic spectrum or are depressed with the appropriate services, you would be amazed at what they can do.  I have never met and worked with a child or teen on the autistic spectrum who has not impressed me with what they can do once they are given a chance.

Dr. Michael Rubino is a psychotherapist with over 20 years experience treating children and teenagers many have been on the autistic spectrum.  For more information regarding his work or private practice practice visit his website www.RubinoCounseling.com, his Facebook page www.Facebook.com/drrubino3 or follow him on Twitter @RubinoTherapy.