Simulation Helps Parents Better Understand ADHD

In an effort to help parents, teachers, and other professionals better understand what it's like to live with ADHD, the Stowell Learning Center in Diamond Bar, Calif., will offer a two-hour simulation experience.

"Developed by Drs. Joe and Carol Utay from Pittsburg, the simulation will place participants in a classroom setting and it will have them focus through a series of distractions. Throughout the simulation, participants can ask questions and discuss their experience."

One participant called the experience "very valuable," saying it helped her realize how difficult it would be to live with ADHD every day. Though a reservation is required, the experience is free. Read more at www.pr.com.

Getting Down to Basics

Dr. Martin Kutscher recommended a lot of books to parents of children with ADHD, but few parents had time to read 300-page books. So Dr. Kutscher read several of them himself and boiled them down to a simple, easy-to-ready book titled ADHD - Living Without Brakes.

"In ADHD - Living Without Brakes, Dr. Kutscher gives four basic rules: #1 Keep it Positive, #2 Keep it Calm, #3 Keep it Organized, #4 Keep it Going. These four rules will help both parents and professionals negotiate many of the difficulties associated with ADHD."

Called "realistic and optimistic," Dr. Kutscher's book draws on his 20 years of experience with neuropsychiatric disorders and helping both parents and patients understand the complexities of ADHD. Read more at HealthNewsDigest.com.

The Pocket Parent Coach

Nationally-noted parent coach Tina Feigal, M.S., Ed., wanted to offer parents something more than theoretical information about parenting kids with ADHD. She wanted to offer something practical, so she put together a "pocket guide", with step-by-step instructions for improving the behavior of what she calls "intense" children.

"By learning specific methods for turning child behaviors around, parents gain new skills, new self-esteem and often-unimagined success. Feigal, founder of The Center for the Challenging Child, taps her experience as a school psychologist, a parent of three sons and a parent coach to bring a wealth of knowledge and intuition to her work."

The book is unique in that it enables parents to bring out the best in their kids, without having to rely on the "professionals" to do it for them.

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Maintaining Eye Contact Improves Compliance

A study published in a recent issue of the Journal of Attention Disorders determined that children with ADHD are more likely to respond positively to a parent's request if the parent maintains eye contact for an extended period of time. Seventy-six families participated in the study and were divided into three groups: one that used behavioral techniques without extended eye contact, one that included eye contact, and one control group. The control group was the only one that didn’t receive standard behavioral treatment instructions.

"For parents receiving the standard instructions, children's non-compliance ratings declined by 32%. Among parents who received standard instructions + the stare technique, children's non-compliance scores declined even more substantially, by a full 44%, which was significantly greater than the reduction reported by parents receiving standard instructions alone."

The study shows that parents who maintain eye contact when giving their children instructions, then maintain eye contact for 20-30 seconds afterwards obtain a more agreeable response from their children. Read more at HelpforADD.com.

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Free ADHD Seminar in New Jersey

Cape May County Department of Human Services is holding a free seminar on July 18th for parents and caregivers of children with ADHD and ADD.

"All parents of children with ADHD, ADD and similar learning disabilities are encouraged to attend this free workshop, which will take place at the Cape May Court House Campus of the Atlantic-Cape Community College, according to Freeholder Gerald Thornton, liaison for human services."

The workshop will run from 6 to 8:30pm and is sponsored by the Atlantic Cape Family Support Organization and Cape Assist, among others.

Read more at CapeMayCountyHerald.com.

CHADD Offers Family Training Course

Parents of children with ADHD know they need support and guidance, but don't always know where it can be found. CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder) has developed a class called Parent to Parent, to help equip parents and other family members.

"Parent to Parent provides educational information and support for individuals and families dealing with AD/HD... The entire course includes 14 hours of time and is usually offered as a seven week class, meeting for two hours once a week."

The curriculum covers parenting strategies, ADHD assessment, educational strategies and more. Courses are offered in local communities across the country. Read more at CHADD.org.

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The Respect Effect®

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.

The Dangers of Excessive TV Watching

A doctor in Britain has identified fifteen different health risks associated with excessive television watching. Among them is ADHD. In light of this, Dr. Aric Sigman, an associate fellow of the British Psychological Society, has developed guidelines for how much television children should be allowed to watch.

"'Many believe that we shouldn't make parents feel guilty about the amount of time children spend in front of a screen and the early age at which they start', Dr. Sigman said. 'But we must now make a clear judgment that child health is more important than parental guilt.'"

Dr. Sigman recommends no television at all for children under three and no more than two hours a day for anyone 16 and over. Read more online.

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Parent-to-Parent Enrolls its 1000th

In 2005, CHADD - the nation's leading organization for people affected by attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, established a program called Parent-to-Parent. The purpose was to connect parents of children with ADHD, giving them a forum in which to share not only their challenges, but successful parenting practices.

"Parent-to-Parent is a unique educational program for parents and individuals who are dealing with ADHD; many participants, or their family members, have recently received a diagnosis of AD/HD and are searching for reliable, evidence-based information on the disorder. Courses are offered in 38 states and online by certified Parent to Parent teachers who have received training through CHADD."

A typical course is seven weeks long, meeting once a week for two hours. Topics include diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, behavioral/parenting strategies, and school issues. Read more online.

Book Strikes Blow for Imperfect Kids

You might expect a book called "Shut Up About... Your Perfect Kid" to be a confrontational attack on parents who say their kids are perfect. In reality though, the book was written to encourage parents whose kids struggle with everything from Asperger's to ADHD.

"The book approaches with honest and humor the dashed expectations and Herculean challenges that can come with have a child with disabilities Among other things, the sisters write about the dreaded calls from schools, visits to the hospitals and the yin and yang of medication and therapists."

The sisters are Gina Gallagher and Patty Konjoian, whose daughters have been diagnosed with Asperger's and bipolar disorder respectively. Though much of the book contains their personal stories, they also talked to over 50 other families while conducting research for the book. The over-arching message of the book is that "while my daughter may be imperfect, she is wonderful..." Read more at Telegram.com.

Principles for Parenting Adolescents with ADHD

Teenagers are challenging. Teenagers with ADHD can be especially challenging. Not because they determine to be unusually difficult, but simply because of the nature of ADHD. Arthur, L. Robin, PhD offers some suggestions for effectively guiding your teen through these difficult years.

"The principles outlined... are meant to be general guidelines, not rigid rules. They will work some of the time but certainly not all the time. I would urge you to consider them especially when you are stumped by your adolescent's actions, and derive your actions from one of these principles rather than reacting impulsively."

Some of the suggestions include ways to maintain adequate structure, facilitate independence, and use consequences wisely. Read more at ADD.org.

Psychiatric Meds Eyed After Girl's Death

A 4-year-old diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity and bipolar disorder died Dec. 13 of an overdose of prescribed drugs. Her parents have been arrested on murder charges, accused of intentionally overmedicating their daughter to keep her quiet and out of their hair. Read more online.

Become the Parent Your ADD/ADHD Child Needs

A new year often means New Years Resolutions. As a parent with and ADHD child, one of your resolutions could be to keep finding new ways to help your child manage and cope with her ADHD.

"This new year, take stock of your child's life at home and at school - and how you think you are doing as her parent. How can you create an environment that helps your special, wonderful child overcome the obstacles in her path?"

Helping create strong family connections and leaving time for unstructured play are just two of the suggestions offered in this article. Read more at iVillage.com.

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