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 »
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!
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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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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.
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I noticed the other day that a stock analyst had upgraded the stock of Famous Dave’s restaurants (Stock Symbol: DAVE) and that reminded me of an article I had read about the founder of this company. Dave Anderson wasn’t always famous. A decade ago Anderson overcame his addictions and went onto build a barbecue restaurants chain with 87 locations in 23 states and $90.8 million last year.
The article didn’t mention his Attention Deficit Disorder until the very end of the article. Here’s a quote from the article:
“Anderson, who also has been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, made light of the negative messages he heard as he grew up.
For example, the teachers used to tell him that he was always daydreaming.
“Today it’s called visioning,” he said.
Growing up, he wasn’t able to focus on any one project at a time.
“Today it’s called multi-tasking,” Anderson said. ”
Article: ‘Famous Dave’ Didn’t Start That Way
Ty Pennington, the host of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will be answering calls along with some of the nation’s top ADHD authorities at the toll-free telephone hotline, 1-888-ASK-ADHD on August 9th, 2004. Shire US Inc. will host the sixth annual ADHD Experts on Call Monday,from 8 A.M. to midnight EDT.
http://www.adhdexpertsoncall.com/
Here’s a little Ty trivia. Did you know Ty’s mom is a licensed psychologist?
A quote from her site, http://www.psychology.am/:
“Dr. Yvonne V. Pennington is a licensed psychologist, ADHD and Depression Therapy Specialist, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed professional counselor, registered play therapist / supervisor, and certified sandplay therapist. With 30 years experience she is able to assist couples, families and individuals to effectively change behavior. Particularly skilled with ADD / ADHD (attention deficit disorder / attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) children and adults, she works with both kids groups and ADHD adult individuals to facilitate behavior management changes and positive role modeling.”
Oregonian newspaper reporter Kristi Turnquist wrote a great article the other day that can be viewed online. The Title of the article is, Building awareness of ADHD and it features Ty Pennington of “Trading Spaces” and “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition“.
Ty recently appeared in a classroom of Sherwood Middle School for a question and answer session. An unusual spot to find such a busy TV star, even more unusual was how he ended up there in this town of less than 10,000 people.
Cathy Jensen, school psychologist sent an e-mail to Ty back in September was hoping he would at least send an e-mail back to her. Cathy was shocked at Ty’s response, he wanted to visit the school and meet with the students enrolled in the school’s Bridge Program, a classroom of students with mental and behavioral issues such as ADHD.
Ty shared about growing up with ADHD and how his life changed when he found the right treatment that worked for him, in this case Adderall XR.
Here’s a quote from the article:
Standing before the Sherwood Middle School class, Pennington looks much as he does on TV, tall and lean, wearing casual jeans and an outdoorsy jacket. He’s cheerful, even when talking about serious topics. The students listen attentively as Pennington tells them what an out-of-control kid he was. “One day my mom sat down in the hallway and just broke down crying,” he says, “because I was such a handful and a nightmare.”
You can read the complete article at: http://www.oregonlive.com/living/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/living/1100696131146760.xml
A recent article published by the American Psychological Association asks the question “What if Einstein had taken Ritalin?”. More specifically, the article speculates how Einstein and Edison would have been affected if they had been taken Ritalin for their learning disabilities. If they had been on Ritalin, would they still have made the historical discoveries they are credited for?
This is the first time I’ve read that Chicago DJ, Erich “Mancow” Mueller had ADHD and his parents refused to give him Ritalin. He struggled through school, but now excels as a fast talking, wise guy radio personality.
Bottom line of the article: Ritalin or other drugs to treat ADHD will dull inspiration and creativity.
You can read it at: What if Einstein had taken Ritalin? ADHD’s impact on creativity
Image by Getty Images via DaylifeThe following article appeared in an issue of the Baltimore Sun. It mentions the fact that as a child, Michael Phelps was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. He managed to use his high energy level to become an Olympic Champion, winning 6 gold and 2 bronze medals during the 2004 Summer Olympics.
A reluctant prodigy
Michael Phelps had to be dragged onto the road to swimming greatness.
By Paul McMullen
Sun Staff
August 8, 2004
On the second Wednesday of 2004, Michael Phelps took his first solo business trip. Taking direction from a crew filming a commercial in Malibu, he splashed in the Pacific. Then Phelps hustled back across the country for a brief stop at his Rodgers Forge home before returning to Baltimore-Washington International Airport.
After two days of low-key competition at Auburn University, he unwound on Sunday night. Powerful enough to schmooze with CEOs but too young to experience Happy Hour, Phelps headed to his hotel bar, not to imbibe but to play arcade games.
With his mother as chaperone, Phelps set his jaw, worked a joystick and tried to crush a handful of teammates, one a 13-year-old girl.
“I can change from being a kid,” he said, “to being a professional. That’s something I’ve learned to do over the past few years.”
Phelps is among a tiny group of teens who became world-class athletes before they had a chance to grow up. His was a case of the stereotypical boy who couldn’t draw within the lines finding a niche in a sport defined by its lanes. Read more »
We recently attended an open house at my daughter’s school and I could see why she has been having problems concentrating. All four walls were covered with posters, student artwork, numbers, letters, and a calendar. There was even stuff hanging from the ceiling! I took a picture of a wall to post here, but I must have accidently deleted it.
One of the pictures I took of my daughter that night captured what she must be like in class. I squatted down in front of her desk and had her hold up her name card and smile. She held up the card and looked my way, but was having a tough time keeping herself focused on me. I clicked the shutter and that very instant her eyes glanced away. Looking at the photograph now, I can see what it’s like to be a child with ADHD. Her body is facing the camera, but her eyes and attention are somewhere else. She occupies a seat in the class, but she struggles to keep her attention in the classroom.
ADHD Dad July 16, 2008
