A new study from the University of California, Berkeley, appears to confirm previous research that found a connection between pesticides and ADHD. Brenda Eskenazi, a UC Berkeley epidemiologist, studied over 300 Mexican Americans for several years.

Eskenazi and her team tested for levels of pesticide metabolites in urine in the [pregnant] mothers twice during their pregnancies and several times in the children after birth.

They then tested the children at ages 3 ½ years and 5 years for attention disorders and ADHD… they found that each tenfold increase in pesticide levels in the mothers’ urine was associated with a fivefold increase in attention problems. [Source: San Francisco Chronicle]

Just three months ago, a Harvard study found similar results, even with lower pesticides levels. In a statement accompanying the study results, Eskenazi recommended that parents buy organic foods when possible, and wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before they’re eaten.

Labels: causes, research

Posted By: CRC Health Group 0 Comments

Two new studies have found that students who are the youngest in their classes are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) than are the oldest kids in the class. One of the studies, out of North Carolina State University, raises concerns about misdiagnosis.

North Carolina State University researchers found that children born just after the kindergarten eligibility cutoff date were 25 percent less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than children born just before the cutoff date.

For example, in schools where the cutoff date is Sept. 1, children born on Aug. 31 make the cutoff and are the youngest in their class; children born on Sept. 2 will wait an additional year to enter school and will be among the oldest in their class. [Source: NC State University]

Though these kids are just a few days apart in age, there is a significant statistical difference in the number of kids born just before the cutoff date (consequently, the youngest in their class) who are diagnosed with ADHD. Researchers are concerned that kids are being misdiagnosed when, in fact, they’re just less mature than their older classmates.

Labels: schools, diagnosis

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 0 Comments

Alex Regenold was handling school pretty well until he entered fifth grade. Then, the increased homework and papers became too much for him to keep track of, and his ADD made matters worse. His parents tried a handful of organizational programs but nothing worked, so they made one of their own.

The system they invented (patent pending) is smart in its simplicity. Pockets labeled ‘Turn In’ and ‘To Do’ sandwich a color-coded assignment notebook.

A student assigns sticker labels with a class name, in chronological order of their classes, to each of the colors. Handouts (but not homework) from the classes go into corresponding file folders of that color.

Everything fits neatly in a briefcase-shaped bag that’s big enough to tote a few books, but that doesn’t become a bottomless pit of forgotten stuff. [Source: Des Moines Register]

The first semester he used the system, Alex’s grades went from Ds to Bs and As, and his parents were getting requests for their organizational system from parents and teachers. His parents started mass producing the system, tentatively called School PLANit, in 2009.

Labels: students, schools, organization

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When Amy’s son was a toddler, workers at his daycare suggested he might have ADHD. He was kicked out of the daycare because the workers couldn’t handle him. His impulsive, unruly behavior is what led workers to suspect ADHD. But should they be making such suggestions?

“Many parents begin their struggles with treating their children’s ADHD the way that [Amy] did: with a suggested diagnosis from a school or day care setting. That’s a problem, doctors say, when there could be many other factors contributing to a child’s behavior.” [Source: CNN]

Child psychiatrist Dr. Elizabeth Ross says it’s “inappropriate and dangerous” for teachers to suggest a child might have ADHD. Abuse, depression and anxiety can cause the same symptoms, as can visual impairments and learning disabilities. Parents are encouraged to consult with their children’s pediatricians if teachers or other caregivers begin handing out diagnoses of any kind.

Labels: diagnosis

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 0 Comments

Some educators and parents in the U.S. express concern over the number of gifted kids who are misdiagnosed with ADHD or other behavioral disorders. Some South African educators are beginning to express similar concerns.

Aconcerned group of Western Cape educators, with the help of the National Association for Gifted and Talented Children in South Africa (NAGTCSA), is planning to conduct a forum for school principals later this year. It is aimed at opening discussion on ways to nurture and meet the needs of gifted children in schools.[Source: Times Live (South Africa)]

A gifted child who is bored in class may exhibit some of the same “symptoms” as a child who has ADHD. A Johannesburg school for gifted students says that over half its students were initially misdiagnosed with ADHD.

Labels: schools, gifted children, diagnosis

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 0 Comments

Children with autism disorders have unusual eye movements, but so do some of their parents, according to a new study from the University of Illinois in Chicago.

Professor Matthew Mosconi and his colleagues tested 57 parents or siblings of people with autism syndrome and 40 people unrelated to anyone with autism.

"Family members reported more communication abnormalities and obsessive-compulsive behaviors than the control group," Dr. Mosconi said. "The differences we found were very subtle. These are not the kinds of differences in eye movements that you would ever detect during a conversation with someone."

He said the tests may someday be a factor in identifying the brain systems at work in autism.

This study appears in the Archives of General Psychiatry.
 

Labels: autism, parenting, communication

Posted By: 4ADHD.com 0 Comments

Eli Lilly & Co. has lost a lawsuit aimed at protecting its patent for the ADHD drug Strattera. As a result, it has lowered its earnings expectations for the year.

“The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey ruled against the company, saying its method-of-use patent for the drug is invalid. The patent had been set to expire in May 2017. The drugmaker said it plans to appeal the ruling, but noted that it now faces the prospects of potentially having to compete with a generic version of the drug.” [Source: Associated Press]

The ruling opens the door for Eli Lilly competitors to develop and market generic versions of Strattera. In addition to reducing its revenue outlook, the company also announced its intent to cut at least $1 billion of operating costs, including laying off some full-time employees.

Labels: medications, drugs

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Bipolar disorder and ADHD have several characteristics in common. High energy, difficulty focusing, and fidgeting are just some of the similarities. Because of this, bi-polar disorder is sometimes misdiagnosed.

The biggest issue with misdiagnosis is mistreatment for the actual problem. If you are bi-polar, it could get much worse over time if it is left untreated. ADHD often settles down as the person ages and can be treated very easily with certain medications and/or diet changes. Bi-polar patients need much different treatments with much stronger medications. [Source: Helium]

A child who exhibits some of the common symptoms should be carefully diagnosed by a medical professional who’s experienced in diagnosing and treating both conditions.

Labels: misdiagnosis, bipolar_disorder

Posted By: 4ADHD.com 1 Comment

For many students with ADHD, one of the biggest challenges in school is the struggle to stay focused. Their minds wander, they get anxious, and they have a hard time paying attention. Many of them fidget, which is seen as a symptom of the ADHD. But fidgeting and doodling may actually help some kids focus.

The theory is that nobody can focus 100% of their working memory and attention to a single task, there is always a little bit of floating attention keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings. …

Researchers have found that one way that ADHD children cope with these distractions is to unconsciously give their floating attention a nice mindless task, like fidgeting, swinging and fiddling. [Source: LifeHacker]

So, rather than insisting that your child sit still and “stay focused,” take time to observe his behavior. You might find that his idle doodling is actually beneficial.

Labels: students, focus, attention

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 0 Comments

A study being reported in the American Journal of Psychiatry has found that girls with ADHD are more likely to develop other mental health issues than their non-ADHD counterparts. The study tracked 187 girls (96 with ADHD, 91 without) for 11 years, having them answer standard psychiatric diagnostic questions.

“The researchers found that by the age of 30, more than three-quarters of the ADHD group had suffered depression at some point in their lives, versus less than one-quarter of the comparison group. Similar differences emerged for other types of disorders.” [Source: Reuters]

Dr. Daniel Carlat, a psychiatrist not involved in the study, urged parents and other caregivers not to be overly-alarmed or assume that medication is the solution. The connection between ADHD and other mental disorders is still unknown, and the causes may be treatable via non-medication methods such as getting a tutor to help with school work or having the child participate in behavioral therapy.

Labels: mental_health, girls

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 1 Comment