Table of Contents

Meet Dr. Mac     vii
Introduction: How This Book Can Help You                      1
How to Use This Book                                                                   3
Write to Dr. Mac                                                                             5

The Six Great Gripes of Kids with BD                                   6
 

Chapter 1: What Is BD?                                                               7
What Does BD Mean?                                                                                7
What BD Does NOT Mean                                                                         10
It's Tough to Be a Kid with BD                                                                  11

Chapter 2: Different Kids, Different Causes for BD        14
1. Kids Who Need to Learn How to Make Good Choices                             15
2. Kids Whose Brain Chemicals Are Mixed Up                                            16
3. Kids Who Learn in a Different Way                                                        17
4. Kids Who Want Attention                                                                       18
5. Kids Who Feel Angry and Want to Get Back at Someone                          19
6. Kids Who Feel Bad About Themselves                                                    19

Chapter 3: Why Am I in a Program for Kids with BD? 22
How Did the School Decide That I Have BD?                                              23
What Is in My IEP?                                                                                   24
Why Aren't I in the Regular Education Class?                                               26
What If I Don¹t Want to Go Back to Regular Classes?                                  29

Chapter 4: Four Smart Choices for Dealing with Feelings  33
How Can I Tell the Difference Between a Bad Choice and a Smart One?              34
Smart Choice #1: Build Your Self-Esteem                                                           38
Smart Choice #2: Talk with Someone You Trust                                                 44
Smart Choice #3: Write or Draw                                                                         46
Smart Choice #4: Chill Out or Get Moving!                                                         47

Chapter 5: Another Smart Choice for Dealing with Feelings   49
Smart Choice #5: Stop, Think, Choose, and Think Again                                            50

Chapter 6: Three Survival Skills for Dealing with Difficult People  62
1. Ignore Mean Words and Actions                                                                     63
2. Be Assertive                                                                                                  66
3. Say "I" Instead of "You"                                                                                 69

Chapter 7: Ways to Help Yourself
Make Good Choices in School                                                                             73
Be Prepared                                                                                                       74
Ask for Help from Others                                                                                    75
Five "Tricks" to Help You Track Your Progress                                                    76

Chapter 8: Ways to Get Along Better with Teachers     88
Say Nice Things to Teachers                                                                     88
Let Teachers Teach                                                                                  90
Make Suggestions with Questions                                                               91
Make a "Sandwich"                                                                                   93
Use "Behavior Mod"                                                                                 97
Use Your Skills Together                                                                         100

Chapter 9: Ways to Make and Keep Friends                 103
Say Nice Things to Others                                                                     104
Ask People About Themselves                                                               105
Give a Helping Hand                                                                             106
Take Part in Activities                                                                           108
Choose Friends Carefully                                                                       111

Chapter 10: Ways to Help the Adults at Home Help YOU     113
Use Talking and Listening Skills                                                             115
Ask for Help with Your Goal                                                                 117
Take a Time-Out                                                                                  121
Set Up a Point Sheet Together                                                               123

Chapter 11: More Ideas for Feeling Good at Home   126
Tell Family Adults About Your Good Choices                                         127
Be Sure Your Teachers Share Good News                                             127
Make a Plan to Solve Problems                                                             128
Do Kind Things for No Reason                                                             131
Say "Thanks"                                                                                       132
Take Care of Yourself                                                                          132

Chapter 12: Seven Winning Ways
to Work Toward Positive Change                                                         135
1. Remember the Golden Rule                                                              136
2. Take Responsibility for Your Actions                                                 137
3. Don¹t Use BD As an Excuse                                                             138
4. Be Patient and Persistent                                                                  140
5. Learn from Experience                                                                     140
6. Think About Your Future                                                                 141
7. Know That You CAN Beat BD                                                         142

Glossary                                                                                         148
Solutions to Some of the Challenges and Questions                                  154
Resources for You                                                                                158
what about resources for grown-ups?                                                     162
Index                                                                                                   163

Forms to Copy and Use
Ready Replies                                                                                     60­61
Goal Record                                                                                        84
Beat Your Previous Best                                                                      85
Shaping Plan                                                                                       86
Contract                                                                                             87
Score Points at Home                                                                        125
Taking Responsibility for Choices                                                         146­147