ADHD Classroom Strategies

This Grade 5 teacher has some good suggestions in this video. I also like his approach to discussing what works and what doesn't work. What do you think?

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

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 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

Tips for dealing with output and ADHD or problems commencing work

One of the big challenges for children with Written Output issues (and/or attention deficit) is beginning their work. It can take a long time to settle down and get started and they can tend to procrastinate with small distractions, but in reality their head may be hopping with ideas and the thought of not being able to output them at the desired rate is a very good explanation of why it's so difficult to start.

It can really help such children if from the outset they have some sense of a time expectation. This can be especially pertinent to children with attention issues for whom the concept of time can feel overwhelming. Therefore I recommend you equip the child with a palm sized kitchen timer and suggest to them you're going to spend 5 mins or 10 mins on x task. You may find the child settles down and begins much swifter because suddenly time has a manageable box around it and the ding or beep of the timer gives them comfort and the confidence to commence. It's important to let the child set and control the timer.

It's especially challenging for children who brains are abuzz with ideas that when they consider it's going to be very difficult to physically get them down on the page, they tend to become discouraged. This will give rise to an unwillingness to commence or a suggestion they don't have any ideas or they can't do it.

I think it can help to have realistic expectations so therefore if the child has a very significant idea they are trying to nail it's better to offer to scribe for them or let them dictate it while you touch type. It's critical to address this sense of ideas being stalled because if you don't, the child can perceive they have no hope of realizing a whole idea on paper. Gradually though with less extensive projects you can negotiate more writing on their end (or typing if they are willing.)

The only way to crack the resistance to writing is to give the child the experience of seeing their ideas materialize. It might help to imagine that for a child with written output troubles it's the equiv of running a long race when you're exhausted having taken two strides.

Ideas can be documented in many, many ways aside from neat paragraphs. If the child is showing acute frustration introduce an alternative such as "a picture with words." On a large sheet of paper they draw a picture and then using single words they can tell the story in the picture. You can then take these single words and build them into sentences and gradually the child can see the idea emerging.

Grab a tape recorder and have the child speak into it. Then the child can in their own time slowly transcribe their idea or story onto the page. This will help relieve some of the pressure and frustration.

Inspiration software is a really great investment. If you cannot afford it, which many families can't, do the same thing with a pencil and paper. Brainstorm words, link ideas and show the child how to form something from nothing. Use devices like multi coloured pens with different ideas. It can help the child to physically switch material. It's makes the consistent act of writing seem less daunting because there's some associated action and decisions to make.

Remember if the child is having a difficult time, get creative rather than insistent.

Dept of Health and Human Science overview on ADHD

Here's a link to US Dept of Health and Human Sciences (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) overview on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Lots of resources and links, including symptoms overview, which may be useful to parents tackling or wondering about such issues.

Latest on ADHD: Studies Track Treatment Outcomes for Kids With ADHD

Studies Track Treatment Outcomes for Kids With ADHD
Meds plus behavior therapy work best, but symptoms can return
(HealthDay News) -- Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) showed sustained improvement but were still at increased risk of behavioral problems in the years after treatment, say researchers.
Four studies appearing in the August 2007 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry evaluated the outcomes of children who participated in the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (MTA), the first major randomized trial comparing different treatments of ADHD. The initial results of MTA were published in 1999.

Full story here

Pediatric Ritalin may affect young brains

NEW YORK -- (Press Release) -- U.S. medical researchers have discovered use of the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drug Ritalin by young children might affect their brains.
The Weill Cornell Medical College animal study is among the first to investigate the effects of Ritalin (methylphenidate) on the neurochemistry of the developing brain.
Between 2 percent and 18 percent of U.S. children are thought to be affected by ADHD and Ritalin -- a stimulant similar to amphetamine and cocaine -- remains one of the most prescribed drugs for the behavioral disorder.
"The changes we saw in the brains of treated rats occurred in areas strongly linked to higher executive functioning, addiction and appetite, social relationships and stress, said Professor Teresa Milner, the study's lead author. "These alterations gradually disappeared over time once the rats no longer received the drug."
The scientists said their findings suggest physicians should be careful in their diagnosis of ADHD before prescribing Ritalin. That's because Ritalin might be helpful in battling the disorder but harmful if given to youngsters with healthy brain chemistry.

The research appears in the Journal of Neuroscience.

ADHD program analysis information

I post this here as a point of information only. It caught my eye and maybe of interest to some readers, but should not be seen as an endorsement as I have not actively researched it myself. It appears to be some kind of cognitive therapy program. If anyone has any feedback or knowledge on it, as to whether it is effective in what it purports to offer please post a comment.

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Dr. Patricia O. Quinn, MD, Director of the National Center for Girls and Women with ADHD has issued a Critical Analysis of Legacy Parenting's 'Total Transformation Program.' Developed by behavioral therapist James Lehman, The Total Transformation is a step-by-step system for parents and caregivers to assist them in changing defiant or out-of-control behavior in children who may have ADHD and are "acting out."

The Total Transformation Program is available through Legacy Parenting Company

Behaviour drugs for children 'ubiquitous'

Canadian children are being widely prescribed antipsychotic drugs for behaviour and mood problems, with a significant proportion of the powerful drugs going to children under the age of nine, new research shows.

Ninety-four per cent of 176 child psychiatrists in Canada surveyed are prescribing drugs known as atypical antipsychotics for a variety of disorders and symptoms, including anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and "poor frustration tolerance

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=f4592da4-a0a8-4e97-9963-84c02462c4f5&k=86830

Study shows omega-3 helps ADHD sufferers

Study shows omega-3 helps ADHD sufferers


Omega-3 fish oil can help children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a new study suggests.

Results from "the largest, clinical-based omega-3 and omega-6 trial of its kind" bolstered views that fatty acids relieved aspects of ADHD.

The tests were undertaken by the University of South Australia and an Australian government research body. They involved 132 children aged between seven and 12 with ADHD symptoms and the active fatty acid used was Equazen's eye q supplement.

To read full article click here

Batch of news links

Quick round up of some recent articles that may interest parents/readers with children who have ADHD or symptoms related to it.

New Guidelines For GP's Revolutionise Treatment For Hyperactivity Disorders

Australian story:
Poor city boys top ADHD medication
CITY dwellers are five times more likely to be prescribed hyperactivity stimulants than people living in remote areas, research shows.


British news story:
'They're calling my son ineducable'


Nearly 3,000 of the 20,000 adult students with learning difficulties have lost their college places. Polly Curtis reports on a war of words over what such students need

Also check out comments on post dysgraphia vs written output disorder with some first hand tips for tackling ADHD from Brent..

Batch of news links

Quick round up of some recent articles that may interest parents/readers with children who have ADHD or symptoms related to it.

New Guidelines For GP's Revolutionise Treatment For Hyperactivity Disorders

Australian story:
Poor city boys top ADHD medication
CITY dwellers are five times more likely to be prescribed hyperactivity stimulants than people living in remote areas, research shows.


British news story:
'They're calling my son ineducable'


Nearly 3,000 of the 20,000 adult students with learning difficulties have lost their college places. Polly Curtis reports on a war of words over what such students need

ADHD in youth may be misdiagnosed for sleep disorders

BALTIMORE - Frenzied and restless behavior in a teenage son or daughter may signal they need more pillow time.


Teens do not exhibit the same signs of sleepiness as adults, and therefore distracted or overexcited behavior caused by fragmented sleep may masquerade as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, said Dr. Robert Meny, a sleep specialist at the Sleep Center at Franklin Square in Baltimore City.

“A tired child is an irritable, hyper child,” he said, whereas adults tend to be more subdued when they are sleepy.

more here

Adult ADHD: 'All over the map'

Link to story about adult ADHD

At 30, he's all over the map because he has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD. Growing up, he was labeled a problem child. He struggled with classes in high school and admits to behavioral troubles.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/01/19/HM.adult.add/

Dr. Gabor Maté: Scattered Minds

Here's a book many parents may find interesting and helpful: Scattered Minds by Dr. Gabor Maté


Scattered, written from the inside by a doctor who himself has Attention Deficit Disorder, offers a completely new perspective on ADD and a new approach to helping children and adults living with the problems Attention Deficit Disorder presents.

Several chapters are available at no charge to peruse on the above website.

Attention issues, not necessarily fully blown ADHD, can manifest with children who have written output struggles. It's not surprising that it may be tough for children to maintain concentration when struggling to get ideas onto the page, as fast as they are formulating in the mind and at the same speed as the child's peers who do not have this challenge. Therefore it is useful to read up on attention issues as a means to helping your child and understanding how you can facilitate them to have a more productive and joyful educational experience.

Updated links to BBC Woman's Hour Radio discussions

Finally here are the direct links to the radio items I previously mentioned.

ADHD in adults

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/02/2006_51_tue.shtml

Dyslexia: a discussion about the Dore method

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/01/2006_49_thu.shtml

Do schools discriminate against boys?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/01/2006_48_thu.shtml

Empowering women through educating girls.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/02/2006_50_mon.shtml

ADHD: US and Australian news stories

This is an extract from this Australian news story:

A DRUG used to treat children for attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, has had some serious psychiatric side-effects,
a study shows.
The Federal Government's Therapeutic Goods Administration
(TGA) has been assessing the drug Strattera, which will be available widely
under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, Fairfax reports.
Strattera was the
probable cause of one child's explosive mood swings and erratic behaviour,
including an attempt to open the door of a moving car, according to the
TGA.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,,20892564-5001028,00.html

You should easily be able to track down the actual study via the government department
mentioned.

Mother Says School Wants Her Son On ADD Meds

MANTECA, Calif. Sabrina Nichols says they've tried half a dozen medications
for her 9-year-old son Jacob's attention deficit disorder. Meds, she says, have
turned him into a zombie. His eyes are barely open in this years' school photo
all because she says his Manteca school has strongly recommended it.

Full story is here: http://cbs13.com/local/local_story_347231902.html

More attention on ADHD

This is a link to a Prime Time programme, that looks at the woeful state of psychiatric care for children in Ireland and the epic length of the waiting lists. There’s one particularly moving segment with a mother and her son where he describes how he stayes on the streets, rather than return to the town he’s from.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1205/primetime.html

I'm going to continue uploading these kinds of resources, in an effort to have a variety of informative links about attention issues.

ADHD: PBS programme Medicating Children

Here is a link to a PBS special. It’s interesting, mostly profiles of children and their families response to ADHD and whether to medicate their children. Interesing stuff.
The programme is divided into 5 sections which are easily viewable with a broadband connection.
It was somewhat alarming to see the pressure being exerted by the school/teachers for the child to be medicated. One can understand the desire to run a functional classroom, but shouldn’t this be a decision driven by the child and parents rather than the distraught atmosphere created in the classroom.
It’s also remarkable how sedentary the classrooms feel when you’re watching this piece. No wonder children want to leap up and down. ADHD or otherwise the facility to move should be a much more integral aspect of any classroom. Compulsory skipping ropes and yoga mats in the corner would be a good start.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/medicating/watch/