Father of a child with ADHD writes about ADHD news, information, and current ADD/ADHD research.

The ADHD Patient Challenges And Solutions To Raise A Great Kid

Let us have a look at what is going on inside the brain of the typical ADHD patient. According to the research done by the NIMH, there is a time lag in the brain which deals with executive functioning. That means that paying attention, staying focused and actually getting things done are all compromised. The results are that the ADHD patient just has a connectivity problem and will multi task, forget things and have problems staying on task. That is one of his or her main challenges. The second challenge is that in deciding whether to medicate or not. There are the short term benefits which mean that the ADHD patient can get things done so that classroom performance and grades will all improve. The downside of all this is that these meds like Ritalin, Vyvanse or Adderall all have significant sid Read More

The Perfect Time To Try A Summer Vacation Without Adhd Meds

So all through the school year you have used the prescription drugs your doctor and the school said your child needed in order to conform in the classroom, to fit in, to be able to function, etc. etc.  You have seen the side effects of increased blood pressure and heart rate, sleep problems and loss of appetite and you would love to have a summer vacation without ADHD meds running your life!  You don’t want to continue using the stimulants because you know they can lead to mental disorders like hostility and paranoia.  Withdrawal symptoms of most ADHD medications include fatigue, depression, and disturbed sleep.  If you child has been taking prescription meds for ADHD for a long time you should wean them off gradually so the withdrawal symptoms are not severe.  It is best to ask your Read More

ADHD tests and ADHD testing

Any form of ADHD testing is going to involve symptom sorting? Does your child easily lose concentration? Do they have problems finishing their tasks? Do they constantly fidget? Are they constantly on the go? Do they forget things? Are they disorganised and easily lose things? Do they tend to interrupt when you are speaking and not hear what is said to them? Do they have a poor academic record? These are the kind of questions that form the basis of ADHD testing. The main approach is a system known as Connors scale and if your child has consistently shown these kind of symptoms over a six month periods they will probably be diagnosed as having ADHD. Many parents are desperate for help by the time their child is being tested. It may also be the case that the school are%26 pushing for the child to be tested a Read More

Looking Into The Mind Of A Child With ADHD

A child with ADHD has certain behavioral characteristics that set them apart from their peers. Almost every classroom has one or more of these unique children. Sometimes their presence is obvious such as in instances where hyperactivity and impulsivity are seen. Other times they simply sit in the back row almost appearing to be invisible, both to their teacher and fellow students. This is often the case with inattentive passive children. The inattentive passive type of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is often seen in girls while the hyperactive and impulsive types are common in boys. Nevertheless, it is difficult to place ADHD symptoms  in a neat little one fits all box. The medical definition of a child with ADHD according to the AMA is that of a mental illness characterized by difficulty paying Read More

Detecting ADHD Early – 7 Simple Questions Parents Should Ask

Billy and Johnny are both about 4 years old and live on the same block. Their parents are friends and encourage the two boys to interact with one another and have done so since they were just toddlers. Both boys get bored with stuff easily, don’t pay attention very well, are impulsive, and have lots of energy to burn, much to the chagrin of their baggy eyed parents. According to their pediatrician they are just boys being boys and will gradually begin to grow out of many of their problematic behaviors over time. This was indeed the case with Billy whose behavior blossomed as he entered elementary school but not so much with little Johnny. Johnny’s parents were beginning to wonder whether he could be the one out of every ten children who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD for Read More

3 Different Types Of Adhd And Their Symptoms

In this article, we are going to discuss the many different symptoms of ADHD. There are many symptoms because there are 3 different types of ADHD. The most common type of ADHD is combined ADHD which involves all symptoms. The second type is hyperactive-impulsive ADHD which involves hyperactivity without inattentiveness. The final type is inattentive ADHD which is also known as ADD. It involves impaired attention and concentration. The Main Symptoms The main symptoms of ADHD fall into three categories: hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Hyperactivity Symptoms Such symptoms may start to appear in kids as early as preschool age. These symptoms include: Talking excessively Fidgeting in their seats Always seemingly on the go Getting up to walk or run around constantly Having a hard time playing o Read More

Diagnosing ADHD – 17 Clues For Identifying Childhood ADHD

Does your child have trouble keeping up in school? Are they just barely able to graduate from grade to grade or maybe even have been held back? As your child grew into a teen did they struggle with their college entrance exam forcing a change in career path? These are just of few of the clues that could be a sign your child is struggling with a common mental health disorder known as ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. ADHD is biological imbalance of chemical neurotransmitters with a genetic component that affects roughly 10 percent of school aged children and 5 percent of adults. It always occurs before the age of 7 and about half the time follows the young child into adulthood. Eight out of every ten children with this condition underachieve in school and for this reason recognizing red fla Read More

NonStimulant Therapy and Drugs For ADHD

There are certain drugs that can control the symptoms of the ADHD. But some stimulants such as Cylert, Ritalin and Adderall may not be effective to some people. The alternative is the non-stimulant drugs. Non stimulants are prescribed if the patients do not respond to stimulants, the effects of the stimulant are too high, and the patient has a history of drug abuse or a heart condition. There is also a non-stimulant medication and drugs for ADHD. The non-stimulant therapy is Atomoxetine. It is an approved non-stimulant for ADHD. It works on the neurotransmitter called norepinephrine. It is a treatment that is effective to control the ADHD symptoms but people may become dependent on it because it is not a controlled substance. It has minimal side effects. This actually works because it increases the amount Read More

ADHD and Distractibility – A Long Term Positive or Negative

Little Johnny is paying close attention to his teachers lecture when all of the sudden a butterfly passes by just outside his classroom window. His thoughts now turn to what is that butterfly going to do today or where is my butterfly net when I need it the most, when inexplicably his teacher calls on him to recite some of what she last said. He can’t give a good answer and is told that not paying attention in class in unacceptable. But is it possible that little Johnny might grow up to be someone who we look up to and someday may play an intricate role in saving our very lives? A thought provoking observation indeed and perhaps one that could be true. There is no doubt that ADHD driven distractibility is not an asset in the ADHD individuals developmental years, either in school or a social setting. Read More

Could My Child Have ADD or ADHD

Imagine a child who can play legos for hours.  He loves to build the most intricate fantasy lands with castles, bridges and towns.  He is also a fantastic artist.  He pencils very creative cartoons. When he is doing either of those two activities, he is able to direct his concentration for long periods of time.  He couldn’t have ADD or ADHD, right?  Wrong. Many parents witness their children concentrating on interesting hobbies or events and become confused as to why their children cannot maintain that same level of focus in the classroom or while cleaning their rooms.  Why Does This Happen? The paradox of being able to focus for long periods of time on something interesting, but not being able to pay attention to something boring is a common symptom of ADD and ADHD. The ability to pay attentio Read More