Attention Deficit Disorder Treatments & Information

Handling the Hard-To-Handle ADD / ADHD Child.

noreply@blogger.com (Maximindpower) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 09:55:00 +0000

%%FNAMEFriend%% Is the Dream of parenting your child quickly turning into a nightmare?

Is your ADD Child more difficult to handle than your other kids?

Is every day a struggle?

Parenting and disciplining a child are tough to begin with, but disciplining and parenting the ADD/HD child is even more difficult. Their extra energy, coupled with their impulsiveness and distractability all combine to create a recipe for TOTAL CHAOS & ANARCHY.

Discipline techniques that work for normal kids fail dismally with the ADD child.

(In a hurry - click this link http://maximindpower.com/x.php/4983)

This point was brought home to me when an old friend popped in for a visit and brought her 5 year-old son, Micheal, along.

Her son happily joined my kids in the den whilst my friend Suzie and I settled down to a cup of coffee and a good old fashioned heart to heart.

The peace lasted no more than 2 minutes, when our peace was shattered by the sound of anguished meows and screaming....followed by my son rushing in breathlessly to tell us that Micheal was trying to take the cat for a walk...by pulling it's tail.

Once we had loosened Micheal's vice-like grip on the poor kitty's tail, we settled down to chat again. Our peace was interrupted once again by my son telling us that Micheal was jumping on the sofa (An activity strictly forbidden in my home)

We went down to the den, and my friend Suzie attempted to get Micheal to stop jumping. After several failed attempts, a few of which included dire bodily harm, she eventually had to pick him up kicking and screaming and put him into the car. As she backed out of the driveway, Micheal's tantrum in full swing in the back seat, my mind went back to when my son was 3 years old and the discipline problems I had with him.

I knew what it was like to feel like a failure as a parent, to be humiliated in public by your child's unruly out-of-control behavior.

I thought of how most parenting books offered little practical help in dealing with a child with ADHD. The same techniques that had worked so well for my daughter were totally ineffective with my son.

I also remembered all the trail and error that I had to go through, in order to find parenting and discipline techniques that worked for his unique ADHD temperament.

That night, when my kids were in bed I called Suzie and shared with her some of what I learned. Two weeks later, Suzie called me up.

She sounded so different from the frazzled, overwhelmed mom I had spoken to before. A new sense of calm and confidence was in her voice when she told me "I can't believe it. Micheal is a different kid. I;m amazed that the few simple suggestions that you gave me worked so well. I must admit that at first I was skeptical, I doubted that something so simple could work. But I figured that I had nothing to loose so I tried your suggestions. And I'm amazed. Micheal is calmer, he actually listens and obeys me the very fist time."

I've shared some of the "secrets" in the first and only ADD PARENTING E-COURSE ever.

http://maximindpower.com/x.php/4983

Learn parenting and discipline techniques to make your child the winner he was destined to be...to transform him from a problem child into a confident, happy and successful child.

And I'm offering you a two week free trail to this e-course, but only if you act right now.

http://maximindpower.com/x.php/4983

How Your Parenting Style Affects Your Child.

noreply@blogger.com (Maximindpower) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 03:00:00 +0000

Parenting a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has more pitfalls than
parenting the average child.

You'll need to experiment to find out what works best for
your child. Also, because a child with ADHD is unpredictable,
what works one day might need a different approach the next.

Your style of parenting affects your child's behavior. Just
as good habits can be learned, there are things that can increase
the likelihood of misbehavior.

They include:
1. Your experience as a child. If you were told off all the
time as a child, you might do the same with your own
children - or go the opposite way and never tell them off.

2. Parents disagreeing on rules. This confuses your child,
who won't know what he's supposed to be doing so his
behavior will deteriorate. You're also setting yourself up
for 'divide and rule', where if one parent says no, he'll ask
the other and act on a 'yes'.

3. Lack of energy. If you've had a hard day at work, you're
feeling low, you're not getting enough help or you're
coming down with a bug, it's easy to let discipline slip.
One-off occasions won't hurt, but if it continues for a long
time, your child may start behaving badly to get some
attention from you.

For more parenting tips for your ADD Child take a look at The Calm Kids Program

Is Behavior Modification A Viable Treatment Option?

noreply@blogger.com (Maximindpower) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:33:00 +0000

Yes, it is.
What behavior modification principles can you use to minimize the symptoms of ADHD?
The answer is – SO MUCH!

The basic principles of treatment – for adults and children
both – are:

structure,

lifestyle changes and

finding and developing talent.

Unfortunately most professionals put a lot of focus on the medication, but these skills are an essential part of the treatment process that is often overlooked.

Are you aware of these physical side effects of Ritalin?

noreply@blogger.com (Maximindpower) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 09:55:00 +0000

Are you aware of these physical side effects of Ritalin?

The Physical Side Effects Of Ritalin That You Need To Be Aware Of.

Has your child just been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD? Are you considering placing your child on some sort of medication?

When my son was diagnosed with ADHD, the doctor immediately prescribed Ritalin, without telling me about any of the other treatment options that are available. I was lead to believe that medication was my only answer....and that Ritalin was the drug of choice. But I didn't start him on Ritalin, because of some negative publicity concerning this potent drug. I was determined to find out more....and I was horrified at what I uncovered.

The side effects of Ritalin are often more devastating than parents are led to believe. In many cases when the child begins to suffer from the side-effects of Ritalin, other drugs are prescribed to counteract those symptoms. Before long, a whole host of devastating and sometimes irreversible side effects have occurred.

Before you begin medicating your child you need to be aware of some of these
physical side effects:

Nervousness and Insomnia

Hypersensitivity

Nausea

Dizziness

Palpitations

Headaches

Dyskinesia (involuntary movements similar to a tic)

Drowsiness

Blood pressure and pulse changes

Angina

Cardiac Arrhythmia (The heart may beat too fast or too slow and this is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the heart)- In most cases this isn’t a cause for concern in itself, but there are times when a cardiac arrhythmia can lead to a cardiac arrest and death.

Abdominal Pain

Weight loss during prolonged therapy caused in part by a loss of appetite that the drug creates. In some cases it has even lead to the development of Anorexia.

Tachycardia- a form of cardiac arrhythmia in which the heart beats rapidly.

Slowed growth and development

These side effects are not pulled out of a hat, they are right there in plain black and white on the Ritalin insert that comes with every box.

There are so many other safer and more effective treatment options available today, that Ritalin should be used as a last resort. If you do decide to medicate your child, do so in strict accordance with your physician's guidelines and monitor all physical changes that occur and report them to the physician if necessary.

For me, I just wasn't prepared to take the chance. I looked into other forms of alternative treatment such as , many of which are now part of The Calm Kids Program
This is a holistic program that focuses on brainwave entrainment, Behavior Modification, Supplementation as well as teaching the child positive coping strategies to help him to increase his attention span and to calm him down.

For a free report “The Dark and Deadly Side Effects Of Ritalin & Other Drugs” please go to http://www.maximindpower.com

If you would like to know more about the side effects of Ritalin, as well as take a look at some fantastic related resources, please go to http://www.squidoo.com/side-effects-of-ritalin

A very Contoversial post. What do you think?

noreply@blogger.com (Maximindpower) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 09:10:00 +0000

The Present & the future: The Dangers of Ritalin

After reading the post that I've linked to above, I'm left with very mixed feelings. Part of what was written resonated with me and I found myself almost shouting out loud "That's not true" to other parts of the post.

I do agree that Ritalin is overprescribed and as Dr. Peter Breggin -who is quoted in the post- says that sometimes doctors seek easy solutions to behavioral problems which may have more complex causes.
I also agree that Ritalin is not a magic bullet to the proble with ADD.

But where I start to differ is when the very existence of Attention Deficit Disorder is questioned. The reason for the questioning of wheteher ADD exists or not is based on the fact that there are no measurable, scientific tests that can prove conclusively the existence of ADD.

Instead the diagnosis of ADD relies on a series of diagnostic questions that are answered by the child's parent, the medical practitioner and perhaps the teacher. And these can be highly subjective. But that does not mean that ADD / ADHD doesn't exist.

I also feel that the diagnostic criteria listed in the post are inaccurate. Where is any mention of a limited attention span. Or any mention of a child who is hypepractive? The post focuses on the behavioural aspect of ADD, which may or may not be present in someone who has ADD / ADHD.

The premise of the post is that doctors and parents are using medication to control their out-of-control kids That may be true in some cases, but I certainly wouldn't label all parents who choose to medicate their child with such a heartless label. To Dr. Breggin and "The Doctor" who made the post ADD is simply a child with lots of anger.

I know from personal experiance that ADD & ADHD exist. And reading any forum on attention deficit disorder will put you in contact with hundreds of caring parents who want what is best for their kids, not lazy parents who want to drug their kids into behaving better. And you'll see the pain, anguish and suffering that ADD causes is real.

He also points out some pretty scary side effects of Ritalin, including stunted growth, shrinkage of the brain, possible addiction and so on.

I have chosen not to medicate my children (I have 2 boys with ADHD), NOR to take medication myself (I have ADD) because I feel the side-effects are too high a price to pay.

Instead I have chosen to use a combination of beahvior modification, brainwave entrainment and a healthy, wholesome diet to treat the ADD & ADHD, and I must say that I'm pleased with the results.

Parents need to be made more aware of alternative treatments once their kids are diagnosed so that they can make an informed decision, and I think all parties concerned (parents, teachers, doctors and other health care providers) should fully educate themselves on all avaliable options. I would also urge parents to consider medication as a final resort and not a quick-fix. You'll be surprised at what a positive difference some small simple changes to a child's diet or daily routine can make.

That's why I've put together a free report entitled "10 Ways to Increase Your Child's Attention Span & Improve His Behavior Without Drugs" and "The Dark & Deadly Truth Behind Ritalin & Other Drugs." to make parents aware of the side-effects and dangers of Ritalin that your doctor may be unaware of.

What do you think? What has your experiance been? Have you ever used Ritalin? Or is your child on Ritalin? Or are you against Ritalin? What do you think of Dr. Peter Beggin's claims? Share your opinion by posting a comment and let's get a discussion going about this very controversial opinion.

My Child Has Been Diagnosed With ADD, Now What? - The first steps after diagnosis

noreply@blogger.com (Maximindpower) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:18:00 +0000

When my son was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, I felt a plethora of mixed emotions:

relief, remorse, fear,disappointment or frustration.

You may feel the same way. But whatever you feel, do not forget that your child's situation is not out of control.

There are a number of ways in which you can help your child use his talents, and deal with ADD.

The first and most important step is to learn all you can about ADD/ADHD and to educate yourself about all the treatment options.In this way you can make an educated decision and will not fall prey to the myths and misinformation that is so rife.

You would also become more aware of the popular treatments, and be more prepared to face what might come next. It should also be helpful in preparing you to work with the doctor for managing the disorder successfully. This blog as well as the links on the right hand side of the blog are a great way to start. You can also get the 2 free reports about ADD here.

Deciding to medicate your child or not is an entirely personal one. According to some parents, being able to provide their children with means to lead a normal life is the best opportunity that they can give.

But, for others,as was the was for me (and thousands of others) medication is not a good choice. However, no matter what you decide, you should be sure of it and well informed about your choice.

You need to be aware of the variety of treatment options available, and even if your child is taking medication, some behavior modification techniques, properly and consistently implemented will make a positive difference in your child's behavior and academic performance.

These prepare your child with lasting skills to provide them with help in becoming efficient and productive. The strategies for your child's actions and the consequences should be set by you.

My son with ADHD responded best to well defined limits set on his actions and consistent discipline. This wasn't (and isn't ) always easy, but it's well worth the additional effort it takes.

Remember, that as the parent, you are your child's best supporter, and must encourage him every step of the way.

Work as a team with your child's doctor and teachers to ensure steady progress in all the key areas of your child's life.

And most importantly accept, love and cherish this unique human being.

Build his self-esteem and focus on the positive things he does.

Join a good support group and reach out to other parents who have been through what you are now experiencing.There are many excellent forums and discussion groups on the internet and you are sure to learn a lot from the experiences of others.

And don't loose heart. Having ADD or ADHD, whilst certainly a challenge , is not the end of the world.

In fact, it's the beginning of a new and exciting future for your child. One where he can become the unique, talented and wonderful human being he was born to be.

10 Ways To Increase Your Child's Attention Span - Part 5

noreply@blogger.com (Maximindpower) — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 09:36:00 +0000

10 Ways To Increase Your Child's Attention Span - Part 5

Tip # 5

Use brainwave entrainment to focus and calm the child down. This is a powerful way to calm down an entire class at once and is a very useful tool for teachers.

Parents can use it at home as well, to help a hyperactive child to calm down and focus on tasks like homework or studying.

Brainwave Entrainment is almost like rewiring the brain to function at it's peak capacity. An ADD Child's brain is very low in Beta Brainwaves - This is the brainwave pattern in which we are alert and can concentrate and focus easily. It is almost as if they are in a sort of 'mental-fog'

Listening to a brainwave entrainment CD helps to increase the Beta Brainwave Pattern and makes the child more alert, increases their attention span and allows them to remain focused on the tasks at hand.

Best of all, brainwave entrainment is simple and easy to use. No specialized knowledge or fancy equipment needed. All the child has to do is listen to a special audio soundtrack once or twice a day.

To find out more click the blue link below:
attention deficit disorder treatment

10 Ways To Improve Your Child's Attention Span - Part 4

noreply@blogger.com (Maximindpower) — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 09:32:00 +0000

10 Ways To Improve Your Child's Attention Span - Part 4

Tip #4

Discover Your Child’s Learning Style.

The are 3 types of learning styles – visual, auditory and kinesthetic.

Visual learners absorb information best through the sense of vision and do best learning through books, videos etc. They need to see something in order to fully and easily understand it.

Auditory learners learn best by hearing the information. Oral instructions, lectures, audio books etc. are all good choices with

this type of learner.

Kinesthetic Learners learn best through movement and doing. Most (but not all) ADD/ADHD children fall into this category.

Movement and ‘doing’ need to be incorporated

Into their learning if they are to reach their full potential.

Traditional Schools cater mainly to visual and auditory learners. Kinesthetic learning requires much more time and e

effort on the part of the teacher and many of these types of learners are deemed slow or learning disabled, when the only thing ‘wrong’ with them is their learning style.

Finding out and understanding your child’s learning style will go a long way to helping him to unlock the dormant potential within.

10 Ways To Improve Your ADD Child's Attention Span -Part 3

noreply@blogger.com (Maximindpower) — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:11:00 +0000

10 Ways To Improve Your ADD Child's Attention Span -Part 3

Tip #3

Enroll your Child in a martial Arts Class. Learning Martial has a number of benefits for the child:

· It increases a child’s self-esteem by empowering them to defend themselves if the need arises,

· It is a skill that is highly regarded amongst the child’s peers

· It improves physical co-ordination

· It teaches respect for others

· And it burns off some of the excess physical energy that the child has.

10 Ways To Improve Your ADD Child's Attention Span - Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Maximindpower) — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 16:28:00 +0000

10 Ways To Improve Your ADD Child's Attention Span - Part 2

Limit TV & Video Games to no more than an hour a day on weekdays and 2 hours a day on weekends. Eliminate any violent programming or games as far as possible, as these encourage the development of violent tendencies.

10 Ways To Improve Your ADD Child's Attention Span - Part 1.

noreply@blogger.com (Maximindpower) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 08:54:00 +0000

10 Ways To Improve Your ADD Child's Attention Span - Part 1.

Lack of focus, poor concentration and short attention spans are core symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder. 'He doesn't listen' or 'He doesn't pay attention' are common complaints voiced about the ADD child.

What can you as a parent or teacher do to help the ADD Child focus and pay attention. In this 10 part series I will be discussing 10 simple ways to Increase an ADD Child's Attention Span.

Tip #1
Start each day with a healthy breakfast that is high in protein and low in refined carbohydrates.
That means that sugar coated breakfast cereals and donuts are out!!
Smoothies made with low fat milk/yogurt and fruit, cheese on wholewheat toast, eggs etc are better alternatives. These foods provide the brain with what it needs to function at it's peak.
Studies have shown that kids who ate breakfast regularly demonstrated significantly higher reading and math scores, lower levels of hyperactivity, better school attendance, had longer attention spans and fewer behavioral problems than those who didn't eat breakfast.

Attention Deficit Disorder Symptoms - The major ADD symptoms you need to look out for -Part 3 & 4

noreply@blogger.com (Maximindpower) — Thu, 17 May 2007 02:24:00 +0000

Attention Deficit Disorder Symptoms - The major ADD symptoms you need to look out for -Part 3 & 4

The third major symptom of Attention-Deficit-Disorder or Attention-Deficit-Hyperactive-Disorder is Impulsiveness.

The ADD/ADHD child or adult is very impulsive, often acting without thinking. This frequently lands them into all sorts of trouble. They have no regard for the consequences of their misbehavior, making this type of child especially difficult to discipline. They forget repeated warnings and even punishments for certain behavior and repeat them again.

A child with ADD requires special discipline, because conventional methods don't work for them. In later blog posts I will be sharing some effective parenting strategies.

The last Tell-tale clue is lack of follow through. People with ADD/ADHD are famous for leaving a string of uncompleted tasks in their wake. They may start dozens of projects and tasks but rarely complete any of them. The reason for this is that their brain cannot stay focused on one task for long and as their thoughts flit from one thing to the next, they follow.

This lack of follow through can prove to be a great handicap in adult life and needs to be remedied as soon as possible.

One of the best solutions to this is to increase the brain' s ability to focus and to increase the impulse control. One of the best & easiest ways to do this is brainwave entrainment.
Brainwave Entrainment literally re-programs the brain to function in a more effective and efficient manner and regular use can dramatically reduce ADD symptoms.

For more information go to The Calm Kids Program

Attention Deficit Disorder Symptoms - The major ADD symptoms you need to look out for -Part 2.

noreply@blogger.com (Maximindpower) — Thu, 17 May 2007 02:11:00 +0000

Attention Deficit Disorder Symptoms - The major ADD symptoms you need to look out for -Part 2.

The second major symptom of Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder that you need to look out for is hyperactivity. Hyperactivity is an inability to sit still for any length of time. All children find it hard to sit still for long periods of time. ADD kids, however, cannot sit still for even a few minutes.

This child is always on the go, running, climbing, jumping. Even when they are confined to a small space or forced to remain seated they fidget and squirm. Foot tapping, scratching, shifting to and fro in the chair etc are common behaviors.

If your child is always on the go like an Energizer Bunny it's highly likely that he may have ADD or ADHD.

ADD symptoms.

Attention Deficit Disorder Symptoms - The major ADD symptoms you need to look out for -Part 1.

noreply@blogger.com (Maximindpower) — Tue, 15 May 2007 05:31:00 +0000

Attention Deficit Disorder Symptoms - The major ADD symptoms you need to look out for -Part 1.

Perhaps you're not quite sure if your child really has Attention deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. You strongly suspect that they do, but you're not quite sure. Unfortunately there isn't a blood test or some other physical test that can conclusively prove that your child has Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.

But there are some major symptoms of ADD that will be present in children with all types of ADD. In this blog post we will discuss the first one - Inattention.

The problem with the Attention Deficit Disorder Child is not that he can't pay attention, but that he pays attention to too many things at once. He has trouble blocking out external stimuli and focusing on the task at hand.

The Attention Deficit Disorder Child is distracted by the TV, noise outside the window, the telephone ringing or someone walking past.

Attention Deficit Disorder Symptoms.

Parenting the Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Child.

noreply@blogger.com (Maximindpower) — Tue, 15 May 2007 05:10:00 +0000

Parenting the Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Child.

Parenting the ADD child is quite a challenge. Not only do you have to cope with the challenges that come with parenting an ADD child you have to deal with the opinions of those around you as well. Grandparents may feel that there's nothing wrong with the child, he just needs stronger discipline. After all ADD didn't exist when Granny was a little girl. The Next Door Neighbor may feel that you are using ADD as an excuse for your child's bad behavior.

What you need to remember is that your child is suffering from a recognized medical condition and it requires special care.

Your best line of defence is a good education. Learn all that you can about ADD/ADHD. This blog is a good place to start. Read as many books as you can. To help you select books most suitable to the needs of your ADD child, take a look at
http://attention-deficit-disorder-books.blogspot.com

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) & Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) -Cont ributing/ worsening of symptom

noreply@blogger.com (Maximindpower) — Fri, 11 May 2007 07:54:00 +0000

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) &
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) -
Other Contributing Factors to the development or worsening of symptoms -Part 2

Lack of exercise: Exercise increase the blood flow to the brain. Kids who lack the exercise they need are more likely to develop ADHD like symptoms. Our bodies are built to move, not to sit still everyday.

Psychological Factors: This is one factor that is grossly underestimated as a contributing factor to the development and worsening of ADD & ADHD. Physical and emotional abuse, lack of affection, touch, nuturing & stimulation (especially as a child) cause a rush of stress hormones to be released. These act as chemicals that poison the child's brain.

THE TRUTH ABOUT ADD - The Core Symptoms you need to know about to prevent misdiagnosis

noreply@blogger.com (Maximindpower) — Thu, 10 May 2007 16:38:00 +0000

THE TRUTH ABOUT ADD - The Core Symptoms you need to know about to prevent misdiagnosis -

This is the first in a series of posts that will discuss the core symptoms of all types of ADD/ADHD. If you've ever wondered if you or a loved one has ADD/ADHD this is one series of blog posts you have to read.

There are six different types of ADD according to Daniel G. Amen author of Healing ADD. However there are a few core symptoms that are common to all types of ADD:

1. A short attention span for routine tasks. ADD or ADHD sufferers can pay attention to things that interest them personally, but boring, routine tasks such as schoolwork, homework and chores won't hold their attention for very long.

2. They are Disorganized - Taking a peek at the closet, closet and possessions of a child and you'll get a good clue as to whether the child suffers from ADD or not. Their closets are like a jumble sale and their rooms look like an explosion took place.

3. ADD/ADHD children have a hard time following through and completing the tasks that they have begun.

4. ADD or ADHD children have poor impulse control. A child with ADD will leap now and look later. They live in the moment with no thought for the future.

All of these symptoms exist over a prolonged period of time and often show from an early age, although in some cases the symptoms don't show until the child starts school.

Despite the type of ADD or ADHD your child has these core symptoms will be present. If your child displays any of these core symptoms there is a strong likelihood that your child has ADD or ADHD. If this is the case it is advisable to have your child evaluated by a competent professional.

Another important thing to do is to educate yourself about ADD and the best way to do that is by reading. Amazon has literally hundreds of books on ADD/ADHD. Choose a few that appeal to you and start reading. In later blog posts I will be reviewing some excellent books on ADD.

If your child has the core symptoms of ADD or ADHD and you would like to know exactly what type of ADD or ADHD your child has, go to http://www.maximindpower.com/add/optin.html

and get the pencil and paper diagnostic test that professionals use for FREE.

ADD : Attention Deficit Disorder Treatment & Information.

noreply@blogger.com (Maximindpower) — Thu, 10 May 2007 16:22:00 +0000

ADD : Attention Deficit Disorder Treatment & Information.

My son was diagnosed with ADD a few years ago and my husband also has ADD. When I found out that my son was ADD I began to search the web for information on ADD. Much of the advice I read was conflicting and confusing and the statistics alarming.

And so I began on a quest to learn all I could about ADD - to demistify it and uncover the truth.

So in this blog you will find good, solid advice from one parent to the next.