School counselor and child and mental health advocate Ruth Oelrich theorizes that just as a child develops from a young child to an adolescent, the way the parent communicates with the child must change over time. Creating a parental mindset shift from one of guiding the child to collaborating with the teen increases the ability to connect with the adolescent and guide them as they transition into young adults. Ms. Oelrich shares ideas and strategies for parents to better understand what it is an adolescent needs and how to unlock the lines of communication to better foster understanding and connection with your teen. Ruth Oelrich, a native of Davenport, IA, has spent the last 20 years working in the field of education as both an educator and school counselor. She received her MSE degree from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville in 2002. She has worked with youth in inner-city and rural communities, in public, private, and charter school systems. She specializes in Attachment Theory, Suicide Prevention, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Adolescent Mental Health. She has volunteered her time as a Crisis Response Counselor for both the YWCA Domestic Violence Program and the American Red Cross. She believes in leading a life of simplicity, calmness, and passion and strives to instill the belief in her students. Ruth is currently a Middle School Counselor in Milan, TN. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx