Zoloft plus therapy effectively reduced anxiety in children, according to a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.  Zoloft is a brand name for the anti-depressant drug sertraline.

The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.  It found that either the medication or therapy had benefits when used in isolation.  Still, the best results were obtained by combining the drug with therapy.

Setraline has been linked with suicidal thoughts and behavior in children with depression.  Advice must be sought from a qualified physician before attempting this treatment.

In my law practice, I see the results of untreated anxiety in children and teens.  The untreated disorder may lead to juvenile delinquency,  failure at school and stress on parents.

I’m planning a car trip with two of my teens from our home near Kansas City to Des Moines. After visiting a college campus for my high school senior I will cheer at a soccer tournament for my high school freshman.

So I’m encouraged by a poll on what makes teens happy. Their top answer was spending time with their family. Three quarters of the teens said that their relationship with their parents makes them happy.

The Associated Press and MTV polled 1,280 people aged 13 to 24 to find out what makes young people happy.

Religion also helps teens find happiness. Eighty percent of those who call religion or spirituality the most important thing in their lives say they’re happy, while only 60 percent of those who say faith isn’t important to them consider themselves happy.

Forty-four percent say religion and spirituality is at least very important to them, 21 percent responded it is somewhat important, 20 percent say it plays a small part in their lives and 14 percent say it doesn’t play any role.

These teens combine their spirituality with tolerance. Sixty-eight percent agree with the statement, “I follow my own religious and spiritual beliefs, but I think that other religious beliefs could be true as well.” Thirty-one percent choose, “I strongly believe that my religious beliefs are true and universal, and that other religious beliefs are not right.”

I was already looking forward to a weekend car trip with my kids. Now this poll supports my choice of how I spend my time.

I found this one and a half minute video by NAPCAN, Australia’s National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. Let your influence on children be positive.

In my law practice I see the delayed results of problems which could have been prevented by early intervention in a child’s first years. Early childhood intervention could prevent later issues involving special education, school discipline, and juvenile delinquency.

A Kansas audit released yesterday found that state agencies could better coordinate programs for such young children. The study found multiple agencies offered similar programs for the same population. However, the auditors found no indications of wasted tax dollars or failed programs.

The programs serve 40 percent of Kansas children under the age of 5. The 23 programs provide immunizations, therapy for special-needs toddlers, abuse prevention efforts, parenting training and assistance to poor mothers. The services cost $310 million last year.

Legislation passed in Kansas this year will create an Office of Early Childhood Education by 2009. The new agency could have a role in coordinating services; however, the specific authority of that agency has not yet been clarified.

I support any effort to ensure services reach the children who need them. At the same time, Kansans should feel assured from this audit that these essential services already work mostly as intended.

Reading and talking every day with young children helps them develop socially, emotionally and intellectually. British Columbia Interior Health offers these suggestions:

• Book time each day to read and talk, and sing songs with your child.

• Talk about what you and your child are doing during everyday activities.

• Talk slowly, clearly, and with both facial and verbal expression.

• With young children, use single words, phrases, or simple sentences.

• Once your child starts to copy you, try saying things like “Look what I found!” – and then pause – to encourage your child to respond and be a conversation partner.

Early detection of communication difficulties is key. Parents and caregivers are often the first to note signs such as:

• your child is not talking at the level you expect for his/her age; or,

• you need to routinely interpret to others what your child has said.

If you suspect that your child has difficulty communicating, contact your nearest school. Your child might be eligible for educational services even before kindergarten.