The two most recent issues of SchwabLearning's newsletter carry some useful words from Dr. Jodie Dawson, a clinical psychologist who specializes in helping young people with Learning Disabilities. Her remarks seem equally applicable to nondisabled youth.

She's reminding us, as parents and as teachers, that pretty soon we'll be letting go of whatever we've been doing to support the best interests of any teenager. She's asking how skilled the teenager is right now in setting her own boundaries, in putting her best foot forward, and in acting in her own best interests.

Not easy questions.

Also, probably, not questions the teenager herself is asking.

What makes it possible for us to stick up for ourselves? Here are some tips Dr. Dawson offers:

• Understanding how we learn Young people often need help in understanding how they learn, what are the strengths, and what are some strategies for bypassing weaknesses.

• Practicing communication Young people need the capacity to be clear in making requests. Practice with role-playing can help raise confidence.

• Identifying supporters Young people need to take note of the people who are most helpful when they're trying to figure something out. Once they leave home, the people they look to as mentors can be critical.

• Meeting with teachers School is a great place to practice getting along with teachers: at best, this is scary sometimes. Sometimes it works well and sometimes it doesn't. Young people need to know where to turn when it doesn't.

• Participating actively Young people need to participate actively in planning for themselves.

• Preparing for the future Whether it's a formal Transition Plan or not, the teenager needs to take time regularly to reflect on what's going well and what needs improvement.

She also lists people with learning disabilities who have done pretty well at bypassing their weaknesses. How about these: Erin Brockovich, Whoopi Goldberg, Harry Belafonte, Nelson Rockefeller, Magic Johnson, Greg Louganis, Bill Hewlett, Tommy Hilfiger, and, of course, Charles Schwab.

For the full text, see the Schwab Learning site.

Other Resources Because teens listen to each other much better than they listen to older people, I'd strongly recommend being in contact continually with other teens, in safe ways, outside of school. Here are some I like.

Teen Central. Sponsored by Kids Peace, a nonprofit founded in 1882 and accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Teen Central is a safe way for kids to communicate (it's professionally monitored). Parents should check it out. See the Site Preview for how it works. I also like "Note to Parents: "One of the hardest parts of parenting is knowing you can help, and yet your child may not take your advice."

Teens Take Action. Sponsored by Jewish Family and Childrens' Service (founded in 1850 to serve all families). This program involves teens working individually or together, in one-time or ongoing projects of community service. Call coordinator Sue Blankman at 449-3928 and design your own way of connecting.

Once school starts again don't overlook the benefits of social interaction and homework help at the Aptos Teen Center. It's free. Call Julie Humphrey at 242-7130.

Please keep StudyBuddy up-to-date: let us in on any other resources that are useful.