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

ADHD Child Bill of Rights

I was cleaning up the hard drive on my laptop and I found the following text. I can’t remember where I found it and the author is listed as “unknown”, but there is a lot of good stuff here. It might be a good document to pass on to your child’s teacher to help them to understand how to teach and communicate with the ADHD child.

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-ADHD Dad

ADHD Kids Find Relief in Video Games Study Claims

A first-of-its-kind survey is bringing great news to parents and children alike indicating that certain types of video games appear to have a therapeutic effect on ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

According to the survey conducted by Information Solutions Group on behalf of PopCap Games, “casual” video games appear to lessen symptoms of ADHD by increasing attention span, providing stress relief, and improving memory strength and focus. Moreover, because of the increased sense of accomplishment experienced in playing the games, survey respondents reported enjoying this form of therapy.

Dr. Carl Arinoldo, a Stony Brook, New York-based psychologist of 25 years’ experience comments, “It seems that children with AD/HD often lack that sense of control that comes much more easily to their non-AD/HD peers. Playing casual games such as Peggle and Bejeweled, among others, is one area in their lives in which these children can experience some sense of control with the added benefit of achieving success in something. Both of these aspects, taken together, can serve to enhance the child’s self-concept and self-esteem.” Read more »

7 Steps Toward Creating the Best Learning Environment for Your ADD/ ADHD Child

Your child can’t finish homework, he’s always moving, and he gets distracted easily… are these behaviors recognizable in your home? Students with Attention Deficit Disorder are easily distracted and they also can be a distraction to others. Attention Deficit Disorder is a syndrome characterized by serious and persistent difficulties in the following three specific areas:

* Attention span

* Impulse control

* Hyperactivity (sometimes)

ADD/ ADHD is a chronic disorder that can begin in infancy and extend through adulthood, having negative effects on a child’s life at home, school, and within the community. It is conservatively estimated that 5-10% of our school-age population is affected by ADD ADHD. Establishing the proper learning environment at home can make all the difference for both you and your child.

Try these great ways to help enhance your child’s learning journey. They work!

Read more »

Teaching Social Skills to the ADHD Child

One major problem with Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder kids is their difficulty in getting along with others - either because they are too shy or too aggressive. If your child is in this painful situation, here are a few things you can start doing in your family to help her get along better with others.1. Have a friendly home

Teach your child how to make friends by making and keeping friends yourself. Besides, the children of their parents’ friends are often natural choices for friends for children.

So have a friendly home and invite people over often. Be hospitable to other children, especially children with interests similar to your child’s - turn-taking, tracking conversations, and cooperating come more easily when children are involved in something interesting.

2. Teach small talk

Give your ADD/ADHD child specific instructions on how to make good conversation: don’t give one-word answers to questions (always answer plus something relevant), ask others about their interests, listen when they talk, if that is not possible pick up another thread from the same conversation, be positive (talk about happy things and don’t complain too much).

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Managing the ADD/ADHD Child in Public

It’s easy to just take your child to school and leave her home every time you want to do something useful or relax. But spending time with your ADD/ADHD child is an investment, and if you know or care to pick up something about ADD/ADHD behavior management, you might even end up having a good time with her. Here are some tips from a parent who has been there…1. Go to Green Areas

You don’t need to be a scientist to know that areas with lots of greenery seem to calm ADHD children down, though scientific studies have shown this to be true. If you have a proper park or zoo nearby - not just a few square meters of grass surrounded by concrete - go there everyday with your kids (but even the patch of grass is better than nothing). If the park or zoo or picnic area is more than an hour’s drive away, go at least once a week.

These places are probably the only areas ADHD children can be their natural selves without having others get irritated with them. Some ADHD adults remember times trekking or fishing with their parents as the only time they got to bond with them.

Read more »