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

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 a Read More

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 Read More

Ty Pennington to Man the ADHD Hotline

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, familie Read More

Born to Be Wild: Freeing the Spirit of the Hyperactive Child

I was at the library today and stopped to check out the new book section, when I spotted a new book on the subject of ADHD, I pulled it off the shelf to take a closer look at it. The title of the book is Born to be Wild: Freeing the Spirit of the Hyperactive Child and it’s written by the mother of a hyperactive son, or as she prefers, a highly active son. I’m only half way throught the book, but wanted to share this gem from page 92. On the subject of embracing ALL of our children’s traits. “I believe what we really need to do is learn how to integrate the shadows with the light, the bad with the good, and the negative with the positive behavior. We must embrace all of our child’s traits, not just the ones that we perceive to be of value. For all characteristics, both good and Read More

Problem Solver Guide for Students with ADHD

“Problem Solver Guide for Students with ADHD” is written by Harvey C. Parker, Ph.D. Dr. Parker is a clinical psychologist, author, and consultant to schools and educational agencies. He is also co-founder and former Executive Director of CHADD, Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. The book covers a variety of topics, but for the most part focuses on steps that parents and teachers can take to insure academic success for the child with ADHD. Being only 163 pages in length, this small trade paperback format book covers all this material with a good overview. The chapters have plenty of bullet points that make it an easy read, but at times it left me with a desire for more information. For instance chapter 11 explains the process of creating an Individualized Education Program ( Read More

ADHD Diet

Last week, The Patriot Ledger newspaper ran an article titled, “HEALTHY EATING: Nutrition intervention: Treating attention-deficit kids with food, vitamins – not drugs” by Joan Endyke. The focus of the article was treating children’s ADD/ADHD with a change in their diet rather than relying on ADHD medication. The author, a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition and food science, had specific strategies for an ADHD Diet. Here are a few mentioned in this article, I encourage you to read the complete article to see more suggestions: - Add omega-3 fatty acids - Provide extra dietary protein - Limit sugar, soda, juice, candy and refined starches like white bagels and rice The author mentioned that, “Preliminary – but promising – new research testi Read More

Focalin XR Approved by FDA for Treatment of ADHD

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Focalin XR(TM) (dexmethylphenidate HCl) extended-release capsules for the treatment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults, adolescents and children. “Focalin XR provides a new treatment option for adults, adolescents and children to address the many difficult symptoms of ADHD,” said Thomas Spencer,M.D., Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Assistant Director of the Pediatric Psychopharmacology Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital. “Focalin XR provides patients with a treatment that starts working quickly to alleviate symptoms with the advantage of a once-daily dose.” “We are pleased to introduce Focalin XR as Read More

Danielle Fisher Sets Mountain Climbing Record

Danielle Fisher recently climbed to the top of Mt. Everest, an accomplishment that made her the youngest person to scale the highest mountains on each of the seven continents. At 20 years of age she took the record from Britton Keeshan (age 22) who climbed the Seven Summits last year. The youngest woman to complete all seven climbs before Danielle was 33 years old. Quite a feat for a young woman with all the distractions of a young college student. Even more inspirational is the fact that Danielle was diagnosed with Attention Defict Disorder when she was in 6th grade. Focusing on her goal and reaching it proves that children with ADD get do great things! Here’s a quote from her website: “Before being diagnosed with ADD in the sixth grade, Danielle recalls that “I was never really great at scho Read More