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Hearing Impaired? We've all done it - clapped our hands to see if our baby recognized the sound. In most cases, baby responds. However, 1-in-22 infants do not, the result of some degree of hearing loss, according to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. Half of those with impaired hearing aren't even diagnosed by age 18 months and the problem remains undetected in as many as 25% of 36-month-olds. Some 1-in-10 children have diminished hearing that has been termed "educationally significant." How do you know if your child is affected? Here are symptoms that hearing-impaired children exhibit: • Speech is not progressing. • Failure to startle or wake to loud sounds. • Does not freely imitate sounds. • Does not turn her head toward sounds, such as clapping hands. • Daydreaming or withdrawal from social interaction. • Delayed speech recognition. In older children, the symptoms may include: • Turning up the volume on the TV or computer. • Misinterpreting what others are saying. • Mistaking simulated sounds (i.e. on the TV) for real-life sounds. • Frequent complaints of a hissing or ringing sound in one or both ears. • Frequently asking, "What?" In half of all hearing-impaired children, the hearing loss is the result of after-birth occurrences, such as contracting bacterial meningitis, a severe case of the measles or mumps or following chronic ear infections. In all cases, early detection of hearing deficiencies is critical because young children are rapidly developing speech and listening skills. Failure to remedy auditory dysfunction can lead to problems in communicating and learning. - Source: Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc. Drink Milk Experts alarmed at broken-bone incidents A new study indicates that 40% of doctors polled have noticed an increase in bone fractures among children under age 18. And 2 other medical studies indicate that the rate of broken arms has climbed by more than 50% in girls and 30% in boys since 1970. "Kids just aren't developing adequate bone mass," says Dr. Celia Brown. The family doctor teaches on the UCLA clinical faculty and is author of "Doctor's Little Book of Answers." Reason? Nearly half of those doctors surveyed (46%) believe that substituting soft drinks for milk is an important cause. They cited low milk consumption, which leads to inadequate calcium intake, for the increase in fractures. Also, the popularity of some sports - skateboarding and soccer are noted - plays a role. "One or 2 milk servings every day isn't enough," Dr. Brown stresses. "Parents must be willing to fight the soda and junk food battle and really insist children get enough milk and eat right." One group notes that today's teens consume twice as much soda as milk. Twenty years ago, the trend was the opposite, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The nonprofit estimates that the 12- to 19-year-old American male consumes 868 cans of soda a year; a girl in the same age bracket drinks on average 628 cans a year. The survey was conducted with 150 California physicians in January on behalf of the California Milk Processor Board. To Mars Would teens be interested in space travel? In January, shortly after 2 unmanned rovers began transmitting photographs to Earth from the surface of Mars, President George W. Bush announced his administration's intention to rejuvenate the nation's space program. Bush's plan is to return American astronauts to the moon between 2015 and 2020, and to eventually send a manned space mission to Mars. (A 15-year-old today would be approaching 30 years of age in that time period, old enough to be an astronaut; Neil Armstrong was 38 on July 20, 1969, when he walked on the moon.) If the United States succeeds in sending a manned mission to the moon, or even to Mars, in the next 2 decades, today's generation of teenagers will be part of those missions. Are American teens up to the challenge? The most recent Gallup Youth Survey asked U.S. teens if, given the chance, they would like to visit the moon and/or Mars. Teens seem slightly more enthusiastic about the prospect of going to the moon than going to Mars. A majority of teens (59%) either "strongly agree" or "somewhat agree" with the statement, "If given the chance, I would like to go to the moon someday." Forty percent of teens "strongly" or "somewhat" disagree. But when presented with a more lofty ambition - "If given the chance, I would like to be the first person to go to Mars" - teens are a bit more likely to be apprehensive. Only 48% agree, while 50% disagree. Since Sally Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983, more women have taken part in space missions, and one has even commanded a space shuttle. However, the fact remains that most astronauts are men. This may explain why boys seem to be more eager than girls to go to the moon and Mars. Seventy-four percent of boys told Gallup they want to go to the moon someday, compared with 43% of girls. About two-thirds (64%) of boys would like to be the first person on Mars, as would less than a third (31%) of girls. The Gallup Youth Survey is conducted via an Internet methodology provided by Knowledge Networks, using an online research panel that is designed to be representative of the entire U.S. population. The current questionnaire was completed by 785 respondents, ages 13 to 17, between Jan. 22 and March 9, 2004. Margin of sampling error is ±4 percentage points. Family Finance By Tucker Watkins family timing When financial goals collide Managing multiple goals is a major challenge for most investors. Saving for your child’s college tuition can derail you from your own retirement plans or your ability to help care for an aging parent. To get what you want most, first decide which goals will take priority and work toward the lesser goals only after you have provided for the really important ones. Depending on your stage of life, there are many things you can do to manage multiple goals. 20s30s: Time’s on your side Twenty- and 30-year-olds are typically concerned with the balancing act of paying off debt from school loans and investing in their future. Whether you are paying for a wedding, saving for a down payment on a first home, planning a family or starting a retirement fund, the good news is that time is on your side. Do not underestimate the power of compounding. Even a small amount of money can earn interest, and each year that interest is applied to a growing sum of money. For example, let’s say you start saving for retirement at age 20. For the next 10 years, you put $2,000 a year in an IRA, earning 8% annually, and then you stop. Your savings will be $428,000 at age 65. If you don’t start saving until age 30, however, and put $2,000 away per year for the next 35 years, earning 8% annually, you would have only $345,000 at age 65. Clearly, the best thing you can do in your 20s and 30s is to get rid of your debt as quickly as possible and start saving early. 40s50s: The Sandwich Generation The Sandwich Generation is that group of Baby Boomers struggling to simultaneously pay for their children’s education, support their aging parents and save for their own retirement. Here are some tips for balancing those goals: • Determine your short- and long-term financial objectives. • Develop a realistic plan for accomplishing your goals. • Explore different investment products or vehicles for different goals, considering your timeframe and cash flow requirements. • Put your plan on autopilot by using direct deposit and automatic withdrawals to minimize your risk of derailment. • Update your financial goals regularly. Get help No matter what stage of life you’re in, a qualified financial adviser can offer advice on balancing multiple objectives and help chart the path to meeting your goals. Tucker Watkins is a senior financial adviser specializing in comprehensive financial planning including retirement, estate planning, risk protection, small business and asset allocation. Watkins is a certified financial planner (CFP) and certified fund specialist (CFS) with American Express Financial Advisors, Inc., member NASD/SIPC, located in Irvine, CA. Information: 800.55Retire or www.tuckerwatkins.com. Helping Hand By Sandy Bennett motel kids Local club offers outlet for disadvantaged youth With the increasing number of 2-income families and single-parent households, more and more children are left to find their own recreation and companionship in the streets. This holds particularly true for approximately 2,000 school-age children who live in temporary motel housing in Anaheim. Money is scarce, quarters are cramped and kids are often left alone as their parents try to make ends meet. Such an environment often leads to social and educational challenges, as well as juvenile delinquency. One local organization, though, is working to provide a safe and positive place for these kids, as well as other youth in the area: the Boys & Girls Clubs of Anaheim. Established in 1989, there are currently 5 club locations in Anaheim, with an average of 400 youth who benefit daily from the club’s programs and services. The nonprofit agency promotes and enhances the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. In September 2001, the Anaheim club launched a “motel kids” outreach program. The service provides free club membership and free daily transportation to and from 43 identified low-income motels. More than 500 “motel kids” were served during calendar years 2002 and 2003. Through the program, these disadvantaged youth find mentors and role models as they participate in an array of activities. Among the offerings are organized athletics and games; Power Hours, a homework assistance program; and Kid’s Cafe, a nutrition program. Other youth can benefit from a varitey of programming as well. The Boys and Girls Club of America, the nation’s fastest-growing youth organization, serves millions of young people ages 6-18. In addition to the Anaheim locations, several other chapters are offered in Orange County, including ones in San Juan Capistrano, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Brea, Costa Mesa and Fullerton. In all, more than 3,000 clubs are offered worldwide. To find out about membership or volunteer opportunities at the club nearest you, call 800.854.CLUB. Or visit the Boys & Girls Club of America’s website at www.bgca.org. For more information on the “Motel Kids” outreach program at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Anaheim, call 714.491.3617. Sandy Bennett is associate editor. |
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