Does Your Son Have JAB Syndrome?

http://my.voyager.net/~tutor/jab.htm ^

[Brookhaven]

Just A Boy (JAB) Syndrome is characterized by a person's inattention, distractibility, impulsivity, and in some cases, hyper or hypo activity. It is a naturally occurring phenomenon usually found in children ages 4-20, but may continue into adulthood.  It interferes with a person's ability to function successfully in environments that require a great deal of organization, such as work, school, and home.  Symptoms usually become more noticeable around the middle school age of 12-14, when students are expected to become more responsible and independent.  It is often misidentified as a Learning Disability and misdiagnosed ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder) in boys. It seems their natural reaction to strains in their social and educational environment makes them prime candidates for inappropriate drug treatment.

The information here should act as a guide to help parents better understand the symptoms, causes, and treatments for JAB.  This informational resource can help you better understand these problems and give you more confidence when instituting an appropriate treatment.

Please note, an actual diagnosis of JAB can only be made by loving parents after experienced professionals have ruled out other possible problems.  This should include a full physical, including hearing and vision, and an assessment of academic skills.  Boys' inattentive behavior is often linked to learning difficulties or social environment, rather than biological factors.  Struggles with literacy, inappropriate teaching (fast, long explanations), irrelevant curriculum, (writing about feelings, opinions, etc.), stress or instability in the home or school, social change (divorce, long stay childcare, rushing or time pressure), all make boys vulnerable to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of JAB

• Mind wanders from tasks that are uninteresting or difficult, easily distractible
• Finds it difficult to read material unless it is very easy or very, very interesting
• Finds it hard to stay focused on what is being said in conversations, answers questions before they're fully asked, talks before thinking
• Quick tempered, easily upset, irritated by minor annoyances, high and low moods
• Makes quick decisions without thinking about the consequences
• Has difficulty planning in what order to do activities, fails to finish projects, seems to have a cluttered mind or unorganized brain
• Moves hands and feet a lot, makes weird noises, feels more comfortable moving around than sitting still
• Daydreams often, forgetful about homework, materials & chores,
• Becomes extremely engrossed in some activities
• Selective hearing loss, poor listening skills
• Has difficulty following explanations and expressing himself in a logically organized, sequential manner
• Loses homework or turns in work late, frequently misplaces things
• Uses time inefficiently and is always running late

Causes of JAB

• Didn't eat breakfast
• Boredom
• Fluctuating hormones
• Messy bedroom, desk/locker, folders & materials
• More "important" things to do
• No consequences for behavior
• Not getting enough rest or nutritious food
• Long periods of sedentary activity - sitting at desk, watching T. V., etc.
• Poor, ineffective, meaningless and boring instruction

Treatment for JAB

• Rule 1: A place for everything and everything in its place - Always. No exceptions. Parent and child thoroughly clean and organize child's bedroom and bathroom before plan begins.
• Purchase a trapper keeper and large assignment notebook (one with all the days of the week on one page and enough room for each subject/class &; a daily chore list.)  Color-code the subjects in the trapper keeper with the assignment notebook.
• Parent must meet in person with every teacher in contact with the child to explain the situation and to insure whole-hearted cooperation.  This plan will not work if the parent does not have the support of the school.  Assignment notebook must be checked and signed by the teachers every day, for every class/subject period.
• Organization of self - Create a written schedule to be displayed in a prominent place in the child's bedroom or bathroom.  (brush teeth, comb hair, shirt tucked, clothes in hamper, eat breakfast, homework in backpack, "lights out," etc.)  Parent and child check together to make sure everything is completed.
• Organization of stuff - Create a written schedule to be displayed in a prominent place in the kitchen. (homework, chores, clean-up, etc.)  Parent and child check together to make sure everything is completed.
• Rule 2: The child is responsible for the assignment notebook
• Assignment notebook must be looked over daily with child, ideally as soon as s/he arrives home from school.  Teacher signatures must be complete and all materials needed to finish homework assignments must be with the child.  If not, parent must drive the child back to school to pick up necessary material.
• Homework must be neat and complete and placed in back pack as soon as it's finished.  Back pack should be kept by the door the child leaves from to go to school.
• Set up a mutually agreed upon point reward/consequence system.  The reward must be something the child really wants, but within reason and family budget.   It does not have to be monetary.  At first, the reward will need to be frequent enough for the child to feel the immediate benefit.  Rewards should gradually be given further and further apart.
• The consequences of not following the plan must be something the child really doesn't want; no extracurricular sports or activities, no TV. or Nintendo, no going out with friends, no allowance, etc.  (no physical punishment or verbal abuse allowed, including yelling)
• Keep points fair and consistent.
• The parent must not give in or let anything slide.  Be strict!  This will be extremely difficult and tiresome at first.  Behavior might even get worse before it gets better.
• Remember, you are teaching your child priceless skills and good habits that will last long after s/he finishes school.
• Within two months, the parent and child should notice a considerable level of relief from Just A Boy Syndrome.

[Poohbah]

I had a friend whose daughter was being diagnosed by her teacher (NOT a doctor) as ADHD. As a favor to my friend, I sat in on class and observed things.

I diagnosed the problem as BTS.

Boring Teacher Syndrome.

[aruanan]

Great! But if we take this approach, what will happen to drug sales? Ha ha ha.

[aruanan]

BUMP!

[stanz]

What about JAG?

[maxwell]

I keep tellin' the Luscious One about that being strict stuff... Ya gots to cuff me down and smack me 'round, babe! Lil' ceiling fan action never hurt either.

[dpa5923]

For causes you forgot:

Sitting next to an open window on a warm spring day but forced to listen to a boring teacher talk about a boring subject.

That use to trigger it in me all the time!

[surrey]

Describes my 29 year old son to a tee until he went off to college. He was a disinterested student;very easily distracted. Most of his teachers,usually female, would say he was just a typical boy. Oh, how we worried about his future. He went 2500 miles away to college and after that first semester a new young man came home. When he found what he was good at and what he enjoyed, he excelled. Since graduation he has amazed us with his success and maturity. His Dad and I are beyond proud of the man he has become.

[BikerNYC]

no physical punishment or verbal abuse allowed, including yelling

Why not? It worked great on me.

That's what you think.

[jellybean]

Sounds like you have a recipe for success!!

[TwoStep]

Come on--post a "weenie" recipe!

[RnMomof7]

no my 60 something husband still has it

[101viking]

"Is 41 too old for JAB?"

You read my mind!

[carlo3b]

I have 3 beautiful daughters, ...all now grown and with children of their own. I talk to at least one of them, usually more than once, each and every day. With minor exceptions, I did the very same things for both, I only hope the boys turn out as well as my girls.JAG is incurableMIX

• a dad, *
• a mom, *
• unwavering love,
• patience,
• understanding,
• sense of humor,
• time,
• monitored education,
• constant one on one communications,
• sensitivity,
• historically accurate documentaries, chic flicks, and stupid movies,
• sports, or music lessons, (don't hesitate to do both)
• fair rules, and guidelines,
• balanced diet, **
• well maintained sleep habits,
• regular and inventive practical jokes,
• principled parental lifestyle example,
• constant scrutiny, especially boyfriends, girlfriends, and telephone habits,
• open house, to sleepovers, parties,
• Clean and well maintained home environment,
• continuous and deep religious values!

Turn off all distracting noises. Serve with healthy home cooked meals* daily, at a family dinner table, with true appreciation of each member of the family's contribution, and playful conversation. 
* Dads and Moms are essential, and should be present in all children's lives, whether under the same or different roof!
** (Clinton Legacy Cookbook ....shameful commercial)
NOTE, Read often....All parents should put this on the refrigerator, bathroom mirror, and sun visor.

[savedbygrace]

Five flat years later I had a doctors degree

Man, I bet he was mad when he found out.

[Nora]

Works for me - has produced one 23 year old boy who was just accepted to the Army on a Ranger's contract (even though he is 5 years too old - I objected under the former commander in chief) and one 5 year old girl who is currently tearing through 3rd grade curriculum materials and insists on grading Mom's pistol practice proficiency.

[paul51]

I don't know if it is hereditary or just coincidence, but both my daughters had it. Didn't require the extensive rules in the article to cure though. Grounded for one week without allowance and they were cured.

[MasonGal]

I am the only female in a house full of men - 3 sons -- 18, 15, and 10 (well - the 18 year old son is away at college now) - and then, of course, my husband.

I have 2 younger brothers-no sisters - my husband, has 2 older brothers - no sisters - and, plus I have 5 nephews!!!!

CALGON - take me AWAY..........

You don't have to tell ME about JAB!! :))

[carlo3b]

I have Weanie puppy. Trust me raising and training kids is a whole lot easier!!!!  LOLOLOLJAW is incurableMIX

• a good ole dad and/or mom, *
• at least one crazy kid, *
• unwavering and BLIND love,
• patience, oh so much patience
• understanding, oh so much understanding
• sense of humor, it really comes so easy with a hot dog pup, hehhehheehhe
• time, lots of free time
• monitored education, yours and his,
• constant one on one communications,
• sensitivity, plead for it, they really do listen, while tilting their head,
• Animal planet, action adventure, shoot 'em ups, and stupid movies,
• sports, or music lessons, (remember stupid pet tricks)
• fair rules, and moving guidelines,
• balanced diet, with good home cooked scraps, when they get a bit older**
• well maintained sleep habits, Bwhahhahahhahhah
• regular and inventive practical jokes, using various articles of clothing,
• principled parental lifestyle example,
• constant scrutiny, especially girlfriends, and toilet habits,
• open house, to sleepovers, parties,
• Clean and well maintained home environment, if possible
• continuous and deep religious values, it really helps to pray a lot!

Turn off all distracting noises. Serve with healthy home cooked meals* daily, under the family dinner table, with true appreciation of each member of the family's shoes, and playful toe games.
* Dads or Moms are essential, but a goofy teenager is mandatory and should be present in all puppy's lives!
** (Clinton Legacy Cookbook ....shameful commercial)
NOTE, Read often....All parents should put this on the refrigerator, bathroom mirror, and sun visor.