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 »

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 »

Ty Pennington - Life With ADHD

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

What if Einstein had taken Ritalin?

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

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 bad, for the essence of the divine nature. Without their impulsive behavior, there is no natural intuition. Without their daydreams, there is no imagination or creativity. And without their obstinacy there is no perseverance.”

Written as only a parent of an ADD/ADHD child could write.

Higher Risk of Mental Illness for Teen Girls with ADHD

Girls with ADHD appear to have a higher risk of developing mental illness by the time they turn 17. This was the finding of a recent study conducted by Harvard Medical School researcher, Joseph Biederman. This study tracked 140 girls with ADHD from ages 12 to 17 and compared them with 122 girls without ADHD. By the time they reached 17, the girls with ADHD were far more likely to be clinically depressed, to have anxiety disorders and to have conduct disorder. 90% of the girls with ADHD in this study had received treatment for their disorder.

Here are the specific findings of the study:

- More than 20% were disruptive vs. 3% of those without ADHD.
- More than one in three suffered major depression, compared with three in 100 of those without ADHD.
- 56% suffered anxiety vs. 19% of those without ADHD.
- 4% drank alcohol vs. 1% of those without ADHD.
- 12% used drugs compared with 4% of those without ADHD.
- Anorexia and bulimia each claimed about 5% of ADHD sufferers.
- 28% smoked vs. 13% of those withour ADHD.