The key behavioral signs of ADHD in children are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Adults with ADHD often exhibit signs of depression, mood swings, anger and relationship issues, poor time management skills, and procrastination. Research indicates that it is caused by a genetic chemical imbalance in the brain and therefore can be inherited although there are some who believe that factors like food additives contribute to the disorder. Most do agree though that triggers…
Different Options for Coping with ADHD
Making the Grade for life
Now that children are back in the classroom, are they really learning the lessons that will help them succeed? Many child development experts worry that the answer may be no. They say the ever-growing emphasis on academic performance and test scores means many children aren’t developing life skills like self-control, motivation, focus and resilience, which are far better predictors of long-term success than high grades.…
Ten Practices of Effective Discipline with Your Adolescent
The ultimate goal of parental discipline is to help adolescents develop sufficient self-discipline to manage themselves and their lives independently and well. 1. Clear rules are consistently supported. The teenager knows where parents stand because they keep standing in the same place. 2. Patient insistence is relentlessly applied. The teenager knows that if it’s important enough for parents to ask for, it’s important enough to…
Message Blockers: Why Your Children Don’t Get Your Messages
Have you noticed that sometimes your children just need to hear a message once and they get it? And, frustratingly, you can send a message dozens upon dozens of times and it is as if they had never sent the message at all? Every time you send a message to your children, it will likely have to navigate its way through a maze of “message blockers”…
Top 5 Back to School Tips for Parents of Students with Special Education Needs
Some tips for parents of students with special education needs to help them prepare for the upcoming school year: Spend time to review last year’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) and in particular review your child’s statement of needs. Start talking with your child about returning to school in a positive way. This will help prepare them mentally for going back to school. Identify any new…
Link between ADHD-like behaviour and sleep habits
A new study finds that children’s bedtime habits can lead to a misdiagnosis of ADHD, according to the New England Center for Pediatric Psychology. “ADHD is a difficult diagnosis because its based on symptoms,” Dr. Mary Graber said. “We require that kids have symptoms in more than one situation.” The study by the New England Center for Pediatric Psychology found that children who do not…