We all know that exercise is good for our bodies. It keeps our hearts and lungs strong, improves circulation, and keeps us healthy. For people with ADD/ADHD, exercise can have an additional benefit: research has shown that it reduces symptoms associated with these disorders.

“According to Dr. [John] Ratey, ‘Exercise is the single most popular tool we have to optimize our brain function… exercise not only makes us smarter; it also makes us less stressed, depressed and anxious.’… When we exercise, the chemicals dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain are increased.” (Source: HealthCentral)

Those three chemicals are the ones most closely associated with ADD/ADHD symptoms, and medications like Adderall and Ritalin are designed to increase those levels. Though there is no definitive evidence, it is possible that regular exercise could reduce the need for ADD/ADHD medication.

Labels: symptoms, exercise

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 3 Comments

Unfortunately, an ADHD diagnosis is often accompanied by an unfortunate stigma. Most people are familiar with the behavioral issues associated with ADHD, especially inattention and impulsiveness. But Dr. Lara Honos-Webb wants to help people, especially parents, “re-frame” their understanding of ADHD.

Children with ADHD exhibit exceptional strengths that Honos-Webb sees as opportunities. These gifts include emotional sensitivity towards others, passion and exuberance, unusual problem-solving skills and a love of nature. Honos-Webb’s goal is to bring these traits to light and help parents transform "symptoms into talents – or at the least, lovable eccentricities." (Source: Publisher's Weekly)

Dr. Honos-Webb's book includes interactive exercises based on field research, case studies, and the author's own experiences with her ADHD-diagnosed brother.

Labels: awareness

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 1 Comment

New information released in Great Britain reveals that over $45 million taxpayer dollars have been invested in drugs to treat ADHD. The amount, which has increased by two-thirds in just four years, has some worried that today’s generation of young people are at risk of growing up addicted to medication.

Figures obtained by the Guardian show that the amount of money spent on drugs to treat ADHD has increased by 65 percent in four years. Researchers say the vast majority of these users are likely to be young people.

Tim Brown, assistant head teacher of Queens Park Community School, north west London, said: "Ideally, schools would prefer to offer intensive one-to-one support, but if the resources are limited, which they usually are, then we’re pushed into a choice between medication or exclusion.” (Source: The Telegraph)

The use of behavior-altering drugs, including those prescribed for ADHD, has increased 10-fold in the last ten years for kids 16 and younger and nearly 20-fold for those 16 to 18-years old.

Labels: medications

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 1 Comment

A British doctor who was the first to say autism was caused by vaccinations has lost his license to practice medicine in Great Britain.

• In 1998 Dr. Andrew Wakefield published an article in the prestigious British journal Lancet, in which he described his study that linked a vaccination for measles, mumps, and rubella to autism.
• Ever since then, many parents in Great Britain have refused to have their children vaccinated
• As a consequence, there are outbreaks of measles in that country every year.
• Dr. Wakefield's original study had now been discredited.

Dr. Wakefield was found guilty of serious professional misconduct by Britain's General Medical Council.
 

Labels: vaccines, autism

Posted By: Jane St. Clair 1 Comment

Drug manufacturer Shire has released the results of a study aimed at tracking the effectiveness of its drug Vyvanse on adolescents diagnosed with ADHD. Currently, the drug is only approved for treatment of children and adults.

"In this study, Vyvanse improved ADHD symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity in adolescents compared to a placebo," said Ann C. Childress, MD, president of the Center for Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Inc. in Las Vega, Nevada and lead investigator for this study. "These results are important as we look for additional ways to effectively manage ADHD symptoms in adolescent patients." [Source: Shire press release]

As a result of the study, Shire plc has submitted a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the FDA, requesting that Vyvanse be approved for treatment of ADHD in teenagers. There’s no indication as to when, or if, the application will be approved.

Labels: medications, vyvanse, drugs

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 0 Comments

Starting in 2011, toxic pesticides will be prohibited in playing fields and other green spaces used by children in New York State. The Child Safe Playing Fields Act received bipartisan support in both the State House and Senate, and will soon be signed into law by Governor Paterson.

“According to a study by the US Environmental Protection Agency, long-term exposure to pesticides may be linked to increased incidences of seizures, asthma, and some cancers. A recent study also suggests a link between pesticides and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).” [Source: Walk 97.5 Radio (Long Island)]

Assemblyman Steven Englebright said he and fellow lawmakers worked for nine years to get the measure passed, and that it was worth the effort. More than 18,000 signatures were collected to show support for the legislation.

Labels: safety, health, playtime

Posted By: 4ADHD.com 1 Comment

A new analysis of U.S. health data has found a possible link between pesticides and ADHD. The study’s findings are preliminary, and researchers admit that more information is needed.

“Children may be especially prone to the health risks of pesticides because they’re still growing and they may consume more pesticide residue than adults relative to their body weight. In the body, pesticides break down into compounds that can be measured in urine. Almost universally, the study found detectable levels… The kids with higher levels had increased chances of having ADHD…” [Source: Associated Press]

A 2008 study out of Emory University found that kids who ate organic fruits and vegetables had almost undetectable levels of pesticides, prompting researchers to suggest parents switch to organic foods.

Labels: environment

Posted By: 4ADHD.com 1 Comment

A new study out of Michigan State University found that a wide range of barriers are preventing minority children with ADHD from getting adequate treatment. The study’s researchers believe schools and health professionals in areas with higher concentrations of minorities need to do a better job raising awareness.

“The barriers preventing minorities from seeking and using these treatments include a lack of culturally competent health-care providers, financial hurdles and little dissemination of information about treatments that work.” [Source: PsychCentral]

Treatment programs that combine medication and behavior therapy have been shown to dramatically improve attention and overall behavior in kids with ADHD. MSU researchers hope their study will compel people in minority-dense areas to act.

Labels: research, treatment

Posted By: 4ADHD.com 1 Comment

The National Hsinchu University of Education in Taiwan recently conducted a survey to see if ADHD students were getting the help they needed. As it turns out, they’re not.

There were 510 suspected cases or confirmed ADHD cases among 25,180 students in 40 elementary schools around the country, and fewer than half of the confirmed ADHD cases were provided with special education. ...

The low ratio of students receiving special education is mostly caused by the limited number of special education classes being provided. [Source: Central News Agency]

While the laws in Taiwan may be different, in the United States, a child who’s diagnosed with ADHD has the legal right to a specialized education plan. Teachers and school administrators are required to help develop a plan that will take the student’s ADHD into consideration, and provide the best possible learning environment.

Labels: students, assets

Posted By: 4ADHD.com 1 Comment

You think your child is a normal kid. Sure, he’s excitable, has a hard time sitting still, and is a little aggressive when he plays. But boys will be boys. Then you start hearing complaints his babysitter, and his teacher asks if your son could have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Could he -- and if he did, could you tell?

“Don’t assume ADHD just because your child is having difficulty with grades, or seems excitable and hyper. There are indicators, however, which may merit further investigation. For instance, if you’re receiving multiple complaints from teachers, babysitters, their friends’ parents and others, about your child’s inattention or behavior; or if your child’s hyper activity is leading to injuries to themselves or others.” [Source: Canada.com'

If you suspect ADHD, your child needs to undergo a thorough assessment from a healthcare provider who is trained in diagnosing attention disorders. Don’t rush to find a diagnosis. Take enough time to compile definitive results. The better you understand what’s really happening with your child, the better you’ll be able to help him.

Labels: diagnosis

Posted By: 4ADHD.com 1 Comment

Every year, thousand of yong people get strep infections -- which, when treated with antibiotics, poses little danger to the child. But the antibiotics can, in rare cases can cause the immune system to attack the part of the brain associated with emotion.

“Some doctors suspect that some children who are diagnosed with ADHD or OCD might have PANDAS. Many pediatricians do not know about the disorder.” [Source: KHOU-TV (Houston, TX)]

PANDAS stands for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders, and symptoms can include OCD-like behavior, motor or verbal tics, separation anxiety and ADHD-like symptoms. Parents of children who have been diagnosed with ADHD are encouraged to have their children tested for PANDAS, just to be sure.

Labels: medications, health, symptoms

Posted By: 4ADHD.com 0 Comments

A study out of the Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics division of Cincinnati Children’s hospital has found that a certain type of dopamine receptor affects a child’s respond to ADHD medication. The important finding could help end some of guesswork associated with treating ADHD.

"We don’t have a good way of predicting who will experience great improvement in ADHD symptoms with a particular medication, so we use a trial-and-error approach. Unfortunately, as a result finding an effective treatment can take a long time," [lead researcher Tanya] Froehlich said.

"With more information about genes that may be involved in ADHD medication response, we might be able to predict treatment course” [Source: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center]

Researchers tested 89 children who had been diagnosed with ADHD but hadn’t yet begun taking medication. They were tested for the presence of a DNA gene that has been linked to ADHD. Children who had the gene and were given MPH-based medication showed better improvement than children who didn’t have it. Dr. Froehlich says the next step is to test other gene variants.

Labels: medications

Posted By: 4ADHD.com 0 Comments

Erin Kenny loves kids, and she loves being outdoors. So she combined her two loves into one, unique, school: Cedarsong. Cedarsong is a preschool that’s conducted almost entirely outdoors, on a five-acre forest in a Seattle suburb.

“Kenny… was inspired to start her school after reading Richard Louv’s book ‘Last Child in the Woods.’ In the book, Louv coined the phrase ‘nature-deficit disorder’ to explain a lack of connection between the country’s children and nature. He argues that the decrease in nature dwelling leads to a rise in childhood obesity, attention disorders and depression.”[Source: Statesman Journal (OR)]

Kenny believes that preschool is a time for exploration, not mathematical equations. Kids are naturally curious, and it’s their curiosity that guides each day’s teaching topics. Kenny has found that, by using this unique setting and teaching style, kids actually retain more information that they would if they were sitting behind desks. She believes that, as time goes on, more evidence will emerge that Cedarsong-style classrooms the most effective for young children.

Young children aren't the only ones to benefit from the wonders of the outdoors, of course. For older children with ADHD and other emotional or behavioral challenges, a number of innovative summer programs provide a wide range of enjoyable and productive vacation opportunities.

Posted By: 4ADHD.com 0 Comments