NPR Book Story: 'Paying Attention' With An ADHD Mother And Son

Investigative reporter Katherine Ellison's son, Buzz, was charming and bright. But he was also driving her crazy. Both mother and son were constantly at odds, and Buzz was anxious, angry and lonely.

When Buzz was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Ellison was already familiar with its symptoms — she soon learned that she had ADHD as well.

Struggling with her own diagnosis while trying to be an effective parent was proving an uphill battle. As Ellison's and Buzz's mutual frustration mounted, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist decided to spend a year doing what came most naturally to her: investigating.

Ellison's memoir, Buzz: A Year of Paying Attention, chronicles the year she spent studying the disorder, its causes, and what worked and what didn't when it came to treating her son.



Listen to NPR story here http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130404201&ft=1&f=1032

Summer reflections

Summer is here and it's a great time for parents to have some space to think about the school year that just passed and the one that's ahead. Unfortunately it's also the time when all the school work comes home and she find yourself incidentally leaving through reams of it and taken out of context it can sometimes create alarm.

Summer is a good time to try to tackle things at a gentle pace therefore:

* schedule some daily typing practice.
* if necessary try to find games that insist on words being entered as commands.
* obtain a never ending stream of books that interest your child, so they lounge about reading rather than over doing it on the Wii.
* Try to revise areas of maths from last year and look at next years curriculum to prep for what will be coming.
* Have fun and play chase!
*Talk to other parents who have children with written output problems and get some inspiration.

Major discovery: Twist n write pencil

This is the twist n write pencil that an OT gave my child to help avoid what she termed the "death grip" when he's writing. It's a real boon and will help your child. They are widely available in the US at stationary shops it appears, in Canada I am less clear how they are obtained, but will post any links I find. Ditto UK.


Please post your experiences using it in the comments section and other shops you've found to buy it.

Former Google Executive On Getting Organized

In this era of information overload, the experience of being stressed, forgetful and overwhelmed means your mind is perfectly normal. Douglas Merrill, author of the new book Getting Organized in the Google Era, writes about his own struggle with dyslexia, and how that forced him to develop techniques for remembering information.

Listen to NPR interview here

Former Olympian used ADHD to his advantage

With the spotlight on Canadian Olympians on the podium, one former gold medallist is using the attention to highlight the upside of a stigmatized disorder — ADHD.

“I found that the disorder isn’t negative infliction but it gives positive energy as well,” said Adam Kreek, who reached his pinnacle in men's eight rowing at the Beijing Games in 2008.

Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder when he was six — he is only now speaking out about the condition for the first time.

Kreek said he learned to channel his energy through the rowing when he was teenager.

“Anyone with ADHD can train their mind to control the incredible energy people with ADHD have,” said Kreek, who describes himself as a high energy child who had trouble concentrating. “I found rowing to be an outlet to control my ADHD."


http://www.torontosun.com/life/healthandfitness/2010/02/19/12948646.html