Young people who are depressed or hostile, or who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or social phobia, are more likely to become addicted to the Internet, according to an article that appeared in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

Between 1.4 and 17.9 percent of all adolescents are addicted to the Internet. Boys are more likely to have such addictions than girls, and the addictions are more prevalent in Eastern countries.

The latest research involved 2,293 seventh grade students from Taiwan, who were followed for more than two years by researchers from Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital.

"The study's indication that children who were hyperactive and diagnosed with ADHD are finding an outlet on the Web makes perfect sense," said Michael Gilbert, a senior fellow at the Center for the Digital Future at the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication. These children crave the constant stimulation of fast-paced video games and interactive social networks, he said.

Likewise, children with depression, anger issues or social problems also turn to the Internet for an outlet.

"They can take on an avatar or a different identity," Gilbert said, "and contact other kids with the same problems and social inadequacies. They don't have to function in conventional social ways."

Labels: addictions, Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, internet, phobias

On his blog, Hunter in a Farmer's World, Chris G. writes about life as the father of two children with ADHD (one of whom has also been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome). On June 2, Chris G. -- who suffers from ADHD himself -- wrote about an activity that he and his family have been enjoying together, and which he believes may be particularly suited to other families who have been affected by ADHD: geocaching.

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt in which the participants use a GPS, or a global positioning system receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers called geocaches or caches, anywhere in the world. Typically, the cache is a small waterproof container holding a logbook and some small trinkets as the treasure.

This game became popular after the GPS satellite systems were upgraded to become more accurate, around 10 years ago. Currently, there are over 814,000 active caches hidden around the world.

So why do these games seem well suited for the ADHDr's of the world? It is suitable for the young to the old. Some caches are considered "park and grabs," meaning that you can practically pull your car right up to the site. Others are more challenging, requiring a hike into deep woods or mountains. They often get us out into the therapeutic, green outdoors.

And lastly, the novelty of each adventure seems to keep the attention of the ADHDr's, with our curiosity getting the best of us.

For more information about this intriguing and innovative activity, check out one of the many websites that are dedicated to geocaching.

Labels: activities, Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, families

In a culture that thrives on defining and categorizing people, education experts warn that labeling students can do more harm than good. Malcolm Gauld, President of Hyde Schools (prep schools in Maine and Connecticut and public schools in Washington D.C. and New York), said he encourages creating a character culture, rather than a performance-based one.

"In a character culture, achievement is valued, but principles are valued more," Gauld said in an article on the website of Minnesota's Review Messenger. "That is, what you stand for is more important than merely how you stack up against the others."

"Labels and categories register deeply in our children, and they can be difficult to overcome," Gauld said. "And it doesn't end in early childhood. Later, children will likely face additional labeling due to the peer pressure of cliques, and perhaps the name-calling of bullies. And then there is the educational system itself."

Parents of children with ADHD have personal experience with both the benefits and dangers of labeling students whose issues can significantly impact their educational progress.

The good news is that programs such as Stone Mountain School (a residential school for boys with behavior problems) provide highly effective educational experiences for children with ADHD, learning disabilities, and other disorders.

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, schools

A research team from the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London has found that children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder may not accurately perceive the passing of time. This may explain some of the inattention and lack of patience exhibited by kids with ADHD.

[Lead researcher Katya Rubia] revealed that her team used MRI scans to show that 12 boys with ADHD had less activity than usual in the frontal lobe, the basal ganglia and cerebellum, all areas of the brain known to be crucial for time perception. (Source: New Kerala)

Kids with ADHD also have a shortage of dopamine, which is another factor in time perception. The study found that dopamine-enhancing drugs increased to near-normal levels activity in areas of the brain that are involved in time perception.

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, brain_chemistry

Switching from daytime activities to nighttime quiet and sleep is difficult for any child. But for children with ADHD it is especially challenging. According to an article by Erika Lyn Smith of the website BellaOnline, parents can take certain steps to make this transition easier, and to help ensure that their child gets a better night's sleep:

Children need a quiet place to snuggle in and settle down after a nice warm shower or bath. A winding down period before lights out can be the key to a restful night's sleep. During the winding down time, encourage children to read quietly. It is not a good idea to allow video games, action movies or television.

Routine is also essential for children with ADHD, Smith noted. Even in the summer, a regular bedtime schedule will be helpful. Establish rules for the morning, too -- such as no video games, television, or computer activity.

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, parenting, sleep

A Norwegian study of 24 boys (ages 8 to 12) has led researchers to conclude that a single dose of the popular ADHD medication Ritalin can lead to short-term improvements in muscle control and movement among children with a specific type of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Amy Norton of the Reuters News Service reported on the study in a June 4 article:

The study, reported in the online journal Behavioral and Brain Functions, focused on 24 boys newly diagnosed with hyperkinetic disorder (HKD), a diagnosis nearly identical to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder-combined type (ADHD-C).

Children with ADHD-C commonly have increased muscle tension, which can hinder normal movement. This, in turn, may manifest as problems such as stiffness, restlessness as a child repeatedly shifts to get comfortable, and even poor handwriting, explained Liv Larsen Stray of the University of Stavanger, the lead researcher on the study.

"Our study shows that a single dose of methylphenidate typically led to improvement of the muscular tone and to a more fluent movement in children with ADHD-C/HKD," Stray told Reuters Health.

Stray's report was first published May 13 on the website of the journal Behavioral and Brain Functions.

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, medications, motor_skills, ritalin

In response to a parent's question about the wisdom of allowing her 16-year-old daughter to stop taking medication for her Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder during summer vacation, educational psychologist Brent Cooper cited concerns about safety and socializations. The exchange was published in the June 6 edition of the Palm Springs, Calif., newspaper The Desert Sun:

In the summer, even if things seem OK at home, an ADHD symptom like impulsivity could cause your teenage daughter more difficulties with her peers, social situations and safety than you realize.

Dr. Daniel J. Fitzgerald III, a Palm Desert psychiatrist, said, "It's proven that teenagers with ADHD who take their meds have a much lower rate of car accidents than their peers with ADHD who don't take their medication. During the summer when your child is biking, skateboarding, and around pools and boats, safety is a big concern. It's only logical that a child or teen who's not distracted and is paying good attention to what they're doing will have fewer accidents."

"No matter what you decide," Cooper wrote to the parent, "you must talk to your youngster's pediatrician or psychiatrist before stopping any medication that's been prescribed."

Echoing Cooper's advice, Molly Shannon-Blake, MSW, of Talisman Camps in North Carolina, cautions parents against allowing their children to take an ADHD medication vacation if the children will be attending summer camp or a similar program.

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, medications, summer_camp

Canadian researcher Matthew Smith says we've got the wrong perspective when it comes to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Many doctors, authors and educators say that hyperactivity has always existed. But Smith believes that this perspective is incorrect. The truth, he argues, is that prior to the 1950s, hyperactivity was "clinically and culturally insignificant."

Smith made this argument during the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences in Ottawa, Canada:

Smith says that whether you consider hyperactivity a disease worth treating often depends on context – and the context changed in the 1950s when the U.S. refocused its education system in response to the space race ...

"We need to refocus the history of hyperactivity on the period starting from the late 1950s and 60s," he said. "By doing so, we start to understand why people started to think there was a problem with children, why they thought that problem needed to be fixed, and why it became acceptable to fix that problem with drugs." (Source: Canadian Federation of Humanities and Social Sciences)

By understanding the short history of ADHD, Smith contends, parents and children are better equipped to ask questions and ensure proper treatment, if any is needed.

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, history, research

Danielle Herb is 15 years old. She's also a business owner and CEO. Her company, Drop Your Reins, teaches self-calming techniques to children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, as well as young people with certain types of autism.

Drop Your Reins is a revolutionary company geared toward helping parents to transition their ADD/ADHD and autistic kids off prescription medication. Danielle Herb, a 15-year-old entrepreneur, developed the program with the help of her mom, Marianne St. Clair. (Source: Huliq News)

Danielle and Marianne co-teach the program, working not only with the kids, but with their parents. The mother/daughter teaching team also helps students understand the importance of diet and nutrition and the role allergies can play in ADHD and autism.

Drop Your Reins is one of many programs that employs equine-assisted education to help young people with a wide range of physical, emotional, and developmental conditions.

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, autism, equine-therapy

If you're the parent of a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, you've likely made countless requests for your child to "just sit still!" But according to a new study from the University of Central Florida learning to sit still may not help your child:

Fidgeting, as it turns out, helps kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder focus. So just like grown-ups need a cup of coffee before tackling a problem, kids with ADHD may tap their feet, swivel in their chairs or bounce in their seats while their brains are busily figuring out that math test. (Source: The Orlando Sentinel)

The UCF researchers studied differences in activity levels between boys with and without ADHD. When given math problems to solve, the ADHD boys were much more fidgety, but still worked on -- and solved -- the math problems.

Elementary school teacher Darcey Eckers said she wasn’t surprised by the study’s results, telling the Sentinel that ADHD kids are "some of the smartest in the class" and that she doesn't mind if they need to move around a bit in order to get their work done.

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, fidgeting, research

The University of Central Florida's Children's Learning Clinic is looking for parents who are willing to have their children evaluated as part of a research effort into Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The program's website provides the following details:

The Children's Learning Clinic-IV (CLC) offers free comprehensive assessments for children ages 8-12. Parents with children who may be experiencing difficulties with attention, learning, memory, and concentration are encouraged to contact us (including those previously diagnosed with or suspected of having ADHD).

The CLC-IV also provides free evaluations for typically developing children. Evaluations consist of a thorough historical information, diagnostic interview, parent and teacher ratings, full scale intelligence testing, academic achievement testing, objective measurement of activity level, as well as measures of learning and memory.

Parents who are interested in obtaining a free comprehensive assessment and evaluation for their child are encouraged to contact us at (407) 823-5773.

The Children's Learning Clinic is led by Dr. Mark Rapport, a professor and researcher who, the CLC website reports, "is particularly interested in children with [ADHD], developing conceptual models related to long-term outcome (e.g., scholastic success), and understanding the primary deficits associated with ADHD."

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, research

A new study has found that attention problems which begin in kindergarten can cause academic struggles through high school. The study is based on behavioral and academic information collected on nearly 700 children.

Compared with other childhood psychiatric problems, including depression, anxiety, and disruptive behavior ... attention problems -- including symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) -- had the strongest impact on a child's future academic success. -- Source: WAVE 3 News (Louisville, KY)

Researchers are hoping the study's results will compel school administrators and parents to be more proactive in identifying attention issues in younger students, and developing programs to meet their specific learning needs.

Students whose attention problems and learning disabilities are not properly addressed in their younger years may benefit from enrolling in a private boarding school such as Cedars Academy, where they will receive comprehensive academic support and behavioral guidance, as well as the structure and supervision they need to achieve success in school and prepare for a more fulfilling future.

Labels: academics, Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder

An eight-year study of children with Attention Deficit Disorder Hyperactivity Disorder found that children do not outgrow their symptoms even after receiving treatment.

The authors of the study, which was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (and which appeared in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry), concluded that this may mean that people who have ADHD during childhood should continue to take medication for the disorder even as adults.

The study's 579 subjects were between the ages of 7 and 9 years old at the beginning of the study. For a 14-month period, the children underwent one of four treatment types (medication alone, behavioral therapy alone, or combinations of the two). The combination treatment worked the best to mitigate symptoms.

The researchers checked the children two, three, six, and eight years later. By the time they were in late adolescence, many of them had stopped taking medications for their ADHD symptoms, and these symptoms had returned.

As the summer months approach, experts advise parents not to make changes to their children's ADHD meds, or to allow their children to take a "medication vacation," especially if the children will be attending an ADHD summer camp or other organized seasonal activity.

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, medications, symptoms

A small study that was published in the March 2009 issue of the Journal of Dietary Supplements indicates that Panax ginseng may be able to alleviate some symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

"Although the sample size is very small [three youth between the ages of 14 and 17] and generalization is very difficult, this observation indicates that Panax ginseng may be a slightly effective treatment for ADHD," the study's author, H. Niederhofer, reported in the abstract of the study. Niederhofer is affiliated with Regional Hospital Bozen in Bolzano, Italy

In a May 19 article on the about.com Alternative Medicine Blog, Cathy Wong reported that previous studies into Panax ginseng indicate that the herb may help boost immunity, improve mood, and control diabetes. "Another form of the herb (American ginseng) has been found to benefit children with ADHD when combined with ginkgo biloba," Wong wrote.

With summer approaching, most ADHD experts advise parents not to change their child's meds or allow them to take a "medication vacation," especially if the child will be attending a summer camp for kids with ADHD or other type of seasonal program.

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, herbs, medications

Yale researchers have found that having a high IQ doesn't diminish the effects of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder:

"About three of four ADHD individuals with an IQ of more than 120 -- a score that ranks them in the top nine percent of the U.S. population -- showed significant impairments in memory and cognitive tests when compared to people with similar IQs who do not suffer from the disorder, according to the researchers." (Source: Health News Digest)

The high-IQ ADHD group that was studied lack similar self-management skills and had the same tendency to procrastinate. For many students who exhibit these challenges, enrolling in a private boarding school for ADHD students provides them with the support and guidance they need to achieve academic success and experience enhanced social and developmental progress.

The full report from the Yale study will appear in the September print edition of the Journal of Attention Disorders.

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, IQ, studies

Nathan Herring is an adult who was diagnosed with ADHD when he was in third grade. He was put on Ritalin, and says it helped him focus and behave better at home. Even with positive stories like this, though, some parents are hesitant about putting their children on ADHD medication. Jean Enerson of King 5 News in Seattle, Washington, addressed this topic in a May 10 segment:

[Dr. Chris Varley] says a child on ADHD medication should stick with it for a year to see if it helps. Be sure your child's doctor tells you about side effects ...

"You should be measuring on a regular basis their height and weight, and you also should be measuring, probably as importantly, their pulse and blood pressure," said Dr. Varley.

Dr. Varley offered these cautions in response to studies that have found long-term use of ADHD medication can affect height and weight, and may exacerbate heart conditions.

There are no clear "one-size-fits-all" answers about whether or not a child should use prescription medication, and parents are encouraged to consult with a variety of experts to ensure that they have all necessary information to make informed decisions about their children's use of ADHD medications.

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, long_term_effects, medications

They don’t mean to be, but children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can be trouble in the classroom. Their disorder causes them to be occasionally disruptive and often forgetful -- but there are ways to help:

If possible, seat the child with ADHD in the front of the classroom to minimize distractions. Consider playing soothing music during test or classwork time. It can sometimes help a child to tune out distractions if there is some type of music. (Source: ADHD Central)

Keeping class time structured will help as well, along with clear and concise classroom rules. Simple instructions will be easier for ADHD students to follow, and clear expectations will help them understand how to behave.

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, classrooms, students

Many families endure years of struggles and setbacks before finally finding the right levels of support, guidance, and medications that allow children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to achieve academic success. But, as an April 14 article by New York Times columnist Tara Parker-Pope indicates, when those children head off to college, that track record of success will likely be put to the test:

For a teenager struggling to stay organized, the unusual class schedules, hourlong lectures, late-night study sessions and disrupted sleep routines of college can be a nightmare. Studies suggest that college students with A.D.H.D. are at greater risk for academic and psychological difficulties, and have lower grade-point averages, than peers without the problem. ...

“When [students with ADHD] come to college without the external supports of parents and teachers to keep them organized and on task, oftentimes they struggle mightily to get everything done that they need to get done,” [Dr. Mark H. Thomas of the University of Alabama student health center] says. “Even those kids who have done relatively well in high school still struggle.”

To help prepare for the challenges that ADHD students will face in college, Parker-Pope's article advised parents to evaluate the level of services that are offered at the university and consult with a physician to determine if medication changes are called for.

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, college, support

A Taiwanese study that appears in the May 1 issue of the journal Sleep has established an association between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and sleep disorders. According to a May 1 article on the HealthDay News website, the researchers found the sleep disorder-ADHD connection even in children whose attention problems were relatively moderate:

The study of 281 children, aged 10 to 17, who had been diagnosed with ADHD, found that regardless of the severity of that condition, they were two to three times more likely to have short-term or lifetime issues with insomnia or nightmares than peers without ADHD. They were also more likely to experience night terrors, teeth grinding and snoring.

Treating the sleep disorder may help ease ADHD, as the conditions tend to share symptoms, say the investigators. ... In fact, lack of sleep can cause problems with attention span, behavior and performance -- hallmarks of ADHD.

A press release from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine reported that sleep disorders in children with ADHD could be the result of several factors, including Internet addiction, stimulant abuse, hyperactivity, or the presence of co-occurring psychiatric disorders.

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, sleep

Recent studies have found that mom was right to send the kids outside to play. In turns out that outdoor activity helps young people who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

"In fact," says University of Illinois Professor Frances Kuo, "being in relatively natural outdoor places, like a neighbourhood [sic] park, or a grassy field, or a tree-lined park is especially good for symptoms. ... It’s a great way to spend time together, teaching kids about the beauty of the natural environment ..." Source: Nanton News (Alberta, Canada)

Parents who are looking for creative ways to get their children outside may consider having a picnic in a local park, plant a tree together in the backyard, cultivating a family vegetable garden, taking regular after-dinner walks, or even picking up litter in a nearby park (which can also instill an appreciation for the value of community service).

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, exercise

Researchers from the University of California at Berkeley have found that students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder fared better on math and reading tests if they were taking medication. The study followed 600 kids with ADHD from kindergarten through fifth grade.

Children's scores on several standardized math and reading tests taken during those years were examined. Compared with unmedicated kids, average scores for medicated children were almost three points higher in math and more than five points higher in reading. The difference amounts to about three months ahead in reading and two months in math, the researchers said. (Source: The Associated Press)

The researchers were quick to note that medication is not the only effective treatment for ADHD, and the study simply indicates that kids who are treated fare better than those who are not.

Even though they are capable of achieving significant results, many students with ADHD have histories of academic frustration and other school-related problems. For many of these students, private boarding schools have been able to provide the intensive support and structured guidance that can lead to considerable improvements in both performance and behavior.

Labels: academics, Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, boarding_school, schools

The Substance Abuse Minister of the South Australian government has announced that her department will develop a national paper outlining the misuse of medications designed to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

[Jane] Lomax-Smith says about 5,000 young people in South Australia are taking stimulant medications for ADHD. "While in South Australia we’re not aware of any illicit use of this type ... certainly there’s anecdotal information from around the world," she said. (Source: ABC News)

Ms. Lomax-Smith said that she is "fairly sure" that ADHD medication is being misused by young people in South Australia, and her office intends to find out for sure. The misuse of ADHD medications has been identified in many other nations as contributing to the troubling rise in teen abuse of prescription medications.

Labels: abuse, Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, prescription_drugs, teens

Cameron Carter is an 11-year-old British boy who has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and dyslexia. Both conditions cause him trouble in class; he gets frustrated and acts out, behavior which led to seven expulsions during elementary school. Now that he's in secondary school, the problems are continuing -- and his mother is less than pleased with the school's response

Cameron Carter has been excluded from Forest Town's Garibaldi School five times since September. ...

Angela [Cameron's mother] claims [his current school] does not have the resources to deal with Cameron, but a request to move him has been knocked back by the Nottinghamshire Local Education Authority. Now Angela says action needs to be taken quickly -- before her son gets in more serious trouble ...

A Nottinghamshire County Council spokesman said the cost of sending Cameron to the school in Cumbria would be over 100,000 [British pound sterling] every year. "There is no professional evidence to suggest that Cameron needs an independent special school or a residential setting," he said. [Source: Mansfield Chad]

School officials have said the cost of sending Cameron to a special school are too high, and they believe his current school is equipped to help him. Angela disagrees, and has taken legal action to challenge the district's decision.

Because some local public schools are unprepared to educate students with ADHD, many parents have enrolled their children in a private boarding school that specializes in providing comprehensive educational services, behavioral guidance, and emotional support to students with ADHD.

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, education, schools

Talisman Camps and Programs, which has been offering accredited summer camp opportunities for special-needs children for more than 25 years, is currently accepting applications from families of children who have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or other types of learning differences.

Talisman offers three camps for children with ADHD, other learning differences, and related conditions:

Discovery is a two-week program for children between the ages of 8 and 11 who have ADHD or learning disabilities or who may be experiencing social anxiety. Discovery's activity-packed schedule and 1:2.5 staff-camper ratio allows campers to have a positive experience in a safe and supportive camping environment. Activities include rock climbing, rafting, visiting the nature center, and several other memorable experiences.

Foundations is a coeducational summer program for children ages 9 to 13 who have been diagnosed with learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and mild behavior issues. Activities during the Foundations camp include backpacking, rock and tree climbing, whitewater rafting, high ropes course, swimming, nature studies, and arts and crafts. Full-camp special events include 50's, 60's, and 70's dances, a carnival, Olympics, Backwards Day, Grand Council campfires, and a final banquet.

Explorers offers younger teens (ages 12 to 14) the opportunity to complete seven days of hiking on the Blue Ridge Mountains during a unique Pioneer immersion experience. Throughout the trip, instructors guide campers in improving social interaction skills and behavior management. Wilderness skills learned during the Explorers camp include flint and bow-drill fire-starting; making cordage, spoons, and bowls; storing water in gourds; and tracking.

For more information about these and other educational opportunities for exceptional students, visit www.talismancamps.com or call 888.458.8226.

Labels: anxiety, Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, learning_disabilites, social_skills, summer_camp

Long hailed as the best treatment for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, medication is coming up against some sharp criticism. The critics are the authors, and some readers, of a recent study that found that the effects of ADHD meds diminish over time.

[The] Multimodal Treatment Study that helped popularize ADHD drugs when it found in 1999 that they were more effective than behavioral therapy in the first 14 months ... now reports the advantage is gone by the three-year mark. By the six- and eight-year marks, across 30 measures of behavior and academics, the children still being given medication by their parents 'fared no better than their non-medicated counterparts...' (Source: USA TODAY)

In light of this new information, and because of the risks that are associated with medication, some parents are opting for behavioral therapy and other forms of treatment for their children. The results of the study don't mean that medication is useless, experts advise, but simply that it should be part of a multi-faceted approach.

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, medications, studies, therapy

Lisa Christian, a lecturer at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry, wants parents to do one thing before treating their kids for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Get their eyes examined.

"An estimated five percent of school-age children suffer from an eye disorder called convergence insufficiency, or CI," Christian said. "People with the disorder, which is treatable, have difficulty seeing things at close range."

People who have CI will avoid reading, because it gives them a headache. They also have poor reading comprehension. Because their vision is hampered, school kids find it hard to concentrate in class, and are likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD or ADHD.

Source: The Calgary Herald

Labels: Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, parenting

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