The University of Virginia has been studying the driving habits of teenagers with ADHD. In an effort to find ways of making driving safer, they tested the performance of teenage boys when driving both manual and automatic transmission cars.

"The results show that the teens drove twice as better on a manual car than an automatic one. 'When I'm driving my manual I have to pay attention to the road more...' said Cory Cox, a teen driver."

Teens with ADHD are at risk of becoming inattentive while driving, increasing the danger to both themselves and others.

Read more at CharlottesvilleNewsPlex.tv.

Labels: attention, driving, teens

Many parents and doctors have long worried about the effects ADHD medication may have adolescents. The fear is that ADHD medication may cause teens to be predisposed to future drug abuse.

"The answer may depend on the age at which ADHD treatment is started and how long it lasts, say the authors of a new brain-imaging and behavioral study conducted in animals..."

One of the stimulants used in ADHD medication, methylphenidate, influences the brain's reward pathways and was the focus of the study. The study used rats, which were given doses of methylphenidate once a month for eight months. At the end of eight months, brain scans revealed an increase in the number of dopamine receptors, which are associated with pleasure and with drug abuse. Read more at EmaxHealth.com.

If your ADHD teen is also struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, visit DrugRehabTreatment.com to find how you can help. Find residential treatment programs that can help diagnosis your child, like The Aspen Institute for Behavioral Assessment.

Labels: brain_chemistry, medications, substance_abuse

A group of researchers from Australia have conducted a breakthrough study that may help explain what causes things like ADHD and schizophrenia. The study was published today in Science and shows that there are complex interactions taking place between two areas of the brain when an object catches the eye.

"It seems that a high part of the brain... stimulates activity in a lower area responsible for processing visual information... This interaction between the two areas helps to select those signals from the visual world which should be processed further..."

The research team hope this is a first step toward better understanding how different parts of the brain work together to influence attention. Read more at News.com.au.

Outdoor programs and outdoor therapy can help kids struggling with behavioral problems. Learn more about ways you can help your child have a productive summer at Wilderness-Programs-Info.com.

Labels: brain_chemistry, research, stimulants

The medical community's understanding of mental disorders has advanced significantly in the last several years. This Q & A article from PsychCentral addresses some of the more common concerns that parents have about getting their children diagnosed.

"Talk to your child's doctor. Ask questions and find out everything you can about the behavior or symptoms that worry you. Every child is different and even normal development varies from child to child."

The article goes on to suggest that parents may want to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist if the child's doctor believes he or she may have a mental disorder. Read more at PsychCentral.com.

Labels: diagnosis, mental_health, treatment

A recent study in Canada found that Ritalin use among children of divorced parents is double that of children whose parents stay married. The study offers more questions than answers though, as the reason for the increase is uncertain.

"'It could be that divorce is a really stressful event, the tipping point where some kids develop ADHD and are appropriately prescribed Ritalin,' Ms. Strohschein said... Ms. Strohschein said her study may also support the argument that ADHD is a genetic problem that can be passed down from parent to child."

Lisa Strohschein and her team from the University of Alberta intend to do further study on both the possible genetic and environmental factors of ADHD. Read more at Canada.com.

Residential schools for children with non-verbal learning disorders offer help in ways that public schools can't. Cedars Academy is a private Aspergers school in Delaware.

Labels: medications, parents, single parenting ADHD kids

Ten years ago, Johnston County, North Carolina was the subject of a study on teens and ADHD. Now, researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University have returned to do a follow-up study.

"Most of what is known about ADHD stems from smaller clinical studies, predominantly of Caucasian boys with the hyperactive form of the disorder. Much less is known about ADHD in young adults, especially females, African-Americans and children with the inattentive type of ADHD."

The original study revealed that about 10% of first- through fifth-graders in Johnston County had been diagnosed with ADHD; a far cry from the 3-5% cited in other studies. The follow-up study is focused on determining long-term effects of ADHD medication, and some of the potential myths surrounding ADHD – like the belief that it leads to riskier behavior (drinking, substance abuse, etc...). Read more at NewsObserver.com.

Labels: follow-up, mental_health, studies

Wake Forest University School of Medicine recently conducted a follow-up study on the ways pediatricians handle behavioral health problems in their patients. The first study was conducted in 2002-03 and focused on "recognition, treatment and referral of children with behavioral health problems."

"ADHD remained the behavioral problem most often diagnosed by the pediatricians, who continued to have a high degree of confidence in treating ADHD with stimulants."

Of the pediatricians surveyed, 83% said they consulted with a mental health colleague concerning patients with mental health issues. Read more at News-Medical.net.

Special programs for non-verbal learning disorder and Aspergers schools are geared to help children get the best education and learn how to deal with their behaviors. Cedars Academy and Talisman Camps offer short and long term schools for children with Asperger's, NLD, and ADHD.

Labels: behavior, diagnosis, health

Sheila Eyberg is a researcher at the University of Florida who is co-authoring a study about a behavioral treatment for children with ADHD. Her team has been awarded a $2.9 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Now they just need families to participate.

"The UF treatment program will use Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, a step-by-step, live-coached behavioral parent training model developed by Eyberg and used in clinics across the country. Along with co-investigators Stephen Boggs and Dr. Regina Bussing, Eyberg and the UF team will offer the therapy to more than 120 families with children with ADHD in the Gainesville area."

Families interested in participating should have at least one child between the ages of 4 and 6 that is diagnosed with ADHD or suspected of having ADHD. An assessment will be conducted by the studies investigators to determine which families are eligible to participate. Read more at Gainesville.com.

Worried about the public school your child attends and if it's set up for your child who has a non verbal learning disorder? Cedars Academy and New Leaf Academy are geared for boys and girls with non verbal learning disorders. Both schools can also cater to children with Asperger’s Syndrome and ADHD.

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, students, studies

An increasing number of doctors, counselors, and even scientist are expressing concern about the prescribing of ADHD related medications to young people. Some are concerned about misdiagnosis, while others wonder about the long term effects medications will have on still-developing bodies and their biological systems. Now, a new psychological treatment offers a unique alternative for some families.

"Child Development Institute, LLC now offers an easier way to obtain this much needed resource through Total Focus, a multimedia program for use at home by parents and kids working together as a team. The format allows busy mom & dads to receive parent education by listening to CDs on the way to work. The activities for the kids are fun can be fit into their free time."

The Total Focus program includes a variety of methods and treatment than can help with everything from self-esteem to motivation and problem-solving. Read more online.

Private schools for children with non verbal learning disorder can help in ways that public schools just can't. Cedars Academy accepts children with non verbal learning disorders as well as Asperger's Syndrome. New Leaf Academy helps girls with non verbal learning disorders and behavioral problems because of their LD.

Labels: medications, psychology, treatment

A recent study conducted by members of the Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, and St. Louis, Missouri finds that a woman who smokes during pregnancy increases her child's risk of ADHD.

"When genetic factors are combined with prenatal cigarette smoke exposure, the ADHD risk... increased 3 to 9 fold."

The study was conducted using both male and female twin pairs, aged 7-19 years, to determine if there was in fact a relationship between genetic variations, prenatal smoke exposure, and ADHD.Read more at Elsevier.com.

Help for parents of troubled teens can be found at ByParents-ForParents. Parents of troubled teens can get help in the form of online resources and articles to help parents of troubled teens.

Labels: risks, smoking, studies

A joint study between the Universities of Pittsburgh and California-Berkley has found that children with ADHD are more likely to develop problems with alcohol abuse and addiction. Reasons for the increased risk include a higher tendency towards impulsive behavior, school failure, and family history.

"One of the reasons that children with ADHD might be at risk for alcohol problems is that alcoholism and ADHD tend to run together in families,' said [Brooke] Molina. 'We found that parental alcoholism predicted heavy problem drinking among the teenagers, that the association was partly explained by higher rates of stress in these families, and these connections were stronger when the adolescent had ADHD in childhood."

The study found that 15-to17-year olds with ADHD reported being drunk 14 times in the previous year, while a group who was the same age but didn't have ADHD only reported being drunk 1.8 times in the previous year. Read more at About.com.

Outdoor education programs, outdoor therapy, and brat camps can help kids with substance abuse problems and other behavioral issues. Learn more about outdoor therapy programs at Wilderness-Programs-Info.com.

Sage Walk, featured on ABC’s Brat Camp, helps teens with behavior and emotional issues. Visit sagewalk.com to learn more about their brat camp program.

Labels: alcohol, alcoholism, substance_abuse

On Thursday, May 10th, Debra Sale conducted a 30-minute presentation about an ADHD behavioral method called The Respect Effect®. The method helped her improve her son's "at risk" behavior by 70% in just three weeks.

"Wendler's presentation covers groundbreaking information about ADHD. Why there's a disconnect between your loving intentions and your child's cooperation. How to prevent your child's embarrassing behavior meltdowns. How to steer clear of the 15 words that cause kids to rebel. And what causes ODD (oppositional defiant disorder) and how to prevent it."

Wendler's presentation took place at the Business and Learning Work at Home Expo in Austin, Texas. Read more online.

Labels: behavior, parenting, relationships