What is PTSD?

Although most people reading this blog post will be more than aware of PTSD for the sake of clarity let’s briefly visit and explain what PTSD is and its various symptoms. According to WebMD PTSD is a serious mental condition that some people develop after a shocking, terrifying or dangerous event.

The fact that it is a mental condition means that it may well be suited to treatment using Neurofeedback. Neurofeedback is a way of retraining the brain to cope with certain conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and depression better. This is done by attaching sensors to the scalp which can read the brain’s activity, and “feed it back” to the patient getting a reward as they learn to control their brain. The reward could be something as simple as getting a movie to start playing, or maybe listening to their favorite music. If they start to become stressed, show signs of anxiety, or exhibit any symptoms that they have previously complained about, then the rewards slow down or are turned off. The concept of Neurofeedback is to educate the brain by rewarding the desired behavior. As the brain learns to behave in the desired way, it associates pleasure or rewards with that type of behavior. Once that type of behavior has become a habit, then it quickly becomes the default behavior in times of stress and effectively changes how a patient reacts to stressful situations or triggers.

In Japan in 2016, a scientific study was designed to put this theory to the test. A total of 52 sufferers of PTSD were put into the study, with a control group, who were given no access to Neurofeedback, and the experimental group who were given treatment. The results of the trial were spectacular, with the group of patients who were treated with Neurofeedback, demonstrating significant improvement in PTSD symptoms, compared to the control group who demonstrated no improvement whatsoever. Due to the small number of participants in the trial, it may be too early to claim that this is a significant breakthrough for scientific research.

However, what it does provide is significant hope and the foundation for future research into the benefits of neurofeedback for sufferers of PTSD.

For anyone who is reading this post, and is actively trying to find hope or a treatment option for a loved one who is going through the trials and tribulations of PTSD, then there is no reason not to give neurofeedback a try. After all this type of treatment is drug free, non-invasive and very simple to partake in. The best way to find a clinic that offers the service is to search for neurofeedback clinics on Google. In our area the most prominent results will refer you to the Reynolds Clinic, so even if you do not live in the local area, give them a call, as they may be able to direct you to a local provider in your area.

PTSD is a horrible illness that can and does destroy many sufferers’ lives, and those of their families. Do not let this terrible illness win. If neurofeedback is able to offer even the slightest hope, then surely it has to be worth a little bit of research, speaking to an expert who offers this service.

We’ve previosly written an article to compare EMDR and Neurofeedback in dealing with trauma or other brain issues.

The post Sufferers of PTSD – Neurofeedback Shows Significant Promise appeared first on The Reynolds Clinic LLC.

ADHD is a highly misunderstood neurological disorder that makes it difficult for people to concentrate. Because not a lot is understood about the condition, it is often difficult to diagnose, and there are dozens of misconceptions about the condition floating around in both medical circles and the general public. One of the biggest misconceptions of all is that ADHD is not even a real disorder—that it is just an “excuse” for people to act erratically and for children to “misbehave.” That misconception is quite possibly one of the most hurtful.

Fortunately, there are few people out there who took it upon themselves to make videos that help people without ADHD finally understand what it is like to have Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. In addition to showing people what it’s like to live with ADHD, they also serve as a way of helping medical professionals, students, parents and patients alike learn about what it takes to manage symptoms and live a semi-normal existence. So, without further ado, here are 11 of the best ADHD videos of 2017:

The Unofficial ADHD Test for Adults

Whether you have always wondered about ADHD and want to know more about it or already know you have ADHD and just want to mess with your mind, TotallyADD.com’s “unofficial ADHD quiz” is a fun way to brush up on the disorder. Designed to inform you and make you laugh at the same time, this video is hosted by a straight-faced gentleman who asks a series of questions that will seriously make your reconsider whether or not you do actually have ADHD (even though you may have lived your whole life without a diagnosis). For every question you answer “yes” to—which, let us warn you, there may be a lot—you give yourself a point. At times, you even get to give yourself 3-48 points. Don’t be too hasty to rack up points though, as the more you have the more likely it is you have the disorder.

ADHD Sucks, But Not Really

Salif Mahamane, a doctoral student at Utah State University, opens up his presentation by shouting commands and asking questions that most individuals with ADHD have heard once or twice or a thousand times in their lifetime. “Pay attention!” “What are you thinking?!” “Do you even think?” He shouts at the crowd. He instantly captures the attention of his audience with these cutting remarks, and then proceeds to mix his personal anecdotes about living with the disorder with scientific evidence to both inform his audience members and get them to see that people with the disorder are not dumb—in fact, they are extremely intelligent beings, and how their “involuntary attention actually makes you a “hunter-gatherer badass.”

10 Things Only People With Attention Problems Understand

Sure, everyone has walked into a room and forgotten what they were doing there, and everyone has felt disorganized at one point in their life, but for people with ADHD, these sensations are ongoing. People with ADHD feel like their very life is walking into a room and forgetting why they’re there, and that they are constantly trying to remember things: where they put their keys or those important work documents, what time that important meeting was, what the professor said about Friday’s test (or was the test on Thursday?…). This video is a humorous compilation of what it’s like to live with ADHD, no filter.

What ADHD Feels Like

Being diagnosed with ADHD is both a blessing and a curse: a blessing because it means that teachers and school staff members will finally start to make some sort of attempt at helping you succeed, and a curse because it also gives them a reason to write you off. This video shares a compilation of interviews with young adults who were diagnosed at a young age. In their commentary, they share what it was like to be a kid with the disorder, and answer questions like, ““How did you behave at school?” and “How do you treat your ADHD?”—all via colorful construction paper animations.

Jack and Jill Have ADHD

TeenMentalHealth.org illustrates what it’s like to have ADHD via a fairy tale we all know too well. In this video, Jack and Jill go to fetch their pail of water, as they were told to, but along the way, they get sidetracked…several times. The two must work together, and with their symptoms, to fetch the famous pail of water. When they succeed, you can’t help but cheer! It’s a wonderful take on an old classic that teaches children to believe in themselves and adults that teamwork and understanding are keys in helping their children succeed despite their diagnosis.

ADHD: Setting the Record Straight

DNews anchor Trace Dominguez, who was diagnosed with ADD back in the 80s, when ADHD had yet to exist. In three short minutes, he debunks popular myths about the disorder (such as that it’s the result of TV and video games and cellphones) by tracing evidence of instances all the way back to 1798. It was then that Scottish physician and author, Alexander Crichton, described a “pervasive mental restlessness” in his book An Inquiry Into the Nature and Origin of Mental Derangement—proof that ADHD cannot be caused by cellphones and video games and electronics. He then goes on to cover the different types of the disorder, differences in diagnoses and the success and failure rates of medications in both girls and boys. If you’re curious about the history of ADHD and what medication actually does to people who have been diagnosed, this video will make an interesting watch.

Undiagnosed in Millions, Do You Have it? – Cause/Action

Because ADHD is so misunderstood, its rate of un-diagnosis is higher than almost any other mental disorder, which Alan Brown focuses on in his TEDx talk. Additionally, he goes on to cover the consequences of the high rate of undiagnosed adults, including criminal behavior, drug abuse and depression, to name just a few.

What It’s Like Living With ADHD

“I tend to be distracted by my thoughts during a conversation, and sometimes I can appear disinterested,” admits Katie Couric guest, Jennifer. In this segment, Couric interviews two guests who were diagnosed with ADHD in their adulthood and how their disorder has affected their relationships with their families. At the end, she chats with Dr. Edward M. Hallowell about the realities of life with ADHD.

What is ADHD? | Child Psychology

If you’re a parent who is curious about whether or not your child has ADHD, this straightforward primer on the subject is perfect for you. Hosted by Dr. Kimberly Williams, this video briefly explains the symptoms to look out for, subtypes of the disorder and occurrence and diagnosis rates. Of course, you should never rely on a video for diagnosis, and if you believe your child has the condition, you should bring them into a mental health professional.

How Do the Symptoms of ADHD Change as Children Get Older?

ADHD is a chronic condition, meaning that once diagnosed always diagnosed. However, like with all disorders, symptoms of the condition change over time, and as one gets older, they may find that their symptoms are either worse or better. While it can be difficult to tell what type of symptoms one may exhibit when they’re older, this clip from the Child Mind Institute does a thorough job of showing how symptoms evolve, including waning hyperactivity in teens but heightening impulsivity, and increased inattention and disorganization in adults.

What Having ADD/ADHD Feels Like: Expectations Vs. Reality

As mentioned at the very beginning of this post, ADHD is a highly misunderstood disorder. YouTuber Ally Hardesty shares about her experience with the disorder and what it’s been like to manage it throughout her school years. In this humorous tell-all, she covers her anxiety in high-school and coping with people thinking that she’s stupid, and what going off of your medication feels like, and how learning to drive with the disorder is something else entirely.

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD or simply want to learn more about it, check out these 11 amazing videos on the subject. You’ll learn a lot and gain a deeper understanding of a subject you weren’t aware you wanted to understand in the first place. We have also prepared a list of best apps for people with ADHD!

The post 11 Videos That Best Explain What It’s Like to Have ADHD appeared first on The Reynolds Clinic LLC.

One group of people who have proved particularly helpful in the management of ADHD symptoms are the tech gurus. More recently, new technologies and apps have been released that facilitate organization, routine and positive encouragement. If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD and you are looking for ways to help them stay focused and remain positive, consider downloading any one of the following apps to a phone, tablet or other device in your home:

Due

Due is an app strictly for iPhone users and is an asset for anyone who is prone to distractions. The interface is clean and easy to use and allows you to set alarms for anything that is “due.” These alarms will repeat until a task is complete.

Website: https://www.rememberthemilk.com/

Download in App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/due-reminders-timers/id390017969

Remember the Milk

Aptly named, this app was designed to help its users organize their tasks so that they complete them on time and share them with the right people. Users can build their own to-do lists, organize them in order of importance and then set alarms to make sure that everything gets done on time. The app alerts users of an impending due date via text, email and even social media. If you use more than one app to organize your life such as Evernote or Gmail, you can sync the to-dos from this app with those. With the ability to share lists, parents can help their children stay on top of their homework, chores and other responsibilities.

Website: https://www.rememberthemilk.com/

Download in App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/remember-the-milk/id293561396

Download in Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rememberthemilk.MobileRTM&hl=en

Asana

While this app was designed for business use, it has proven to be especially helpful for children with ADHD. If your child has trouble staying on top of their homework assignments, create a to-do list in Asana and assign tasks as others are completed. Set due dates for each one and notifications that alert you and your child when a deadline is approaching. Asana also allows you and other users to communicate via the app, making it easy for you to stay involved in your child’s school work.

children stay on top of their homework, chores and other responsibilities.

Website: https://app.asana.com/

Download in App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/asana-organize-tasks-work/id489969512

Download in Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.asana.app&hl=en

Evernote

Evernote is like a digital filing cabinet in that it allows you to store digital documents, videos, images and audio in one convenient location. Sync as many programs as you like from all of your devices so that everything is accessible via Evernote when you need it. You can also create to-do lists and set reminders to help your child stay organized and on track.

Website: https://evernote.com/

Download in App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/evernote/id281796108

Download in Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.evernote&hl=en

EpicWin

EpicWin is a child-friendly app that makes chores, homework and other “boring” tasks seem like a fun adventure. The app turns everyday tasks into “quests,” which a child must complete in order to win points. For children, this app truly is an epic win!

Website: https://www.epicwinapp.com/

Download in App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/epicwin/id372927221

Download in Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.supermono.epicwin&hl=en

MindNode

MindNode is ideal for people with ADHD who cannot keep track of their thoughts. The app is designed to help individuals visualize and organize their thoughts by making connections between seemingly unrelated thoughts. Once a person enters their thoughts, the app will rearrange them and organize them in order of importance. A person can highlight “nodes” they believe to be important and share their maps with friends, family members, teachers and therapists. They can even turn nodes into tasks and set reminders and deadlines for completion.

Website: https://mindnode.com/

Download in App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mindnode-mind-map/id1218718027

Dropbox

Dropbox, like Evernote, allows you to sync files from just about anywhere and access them on any device with an internet connection. For a person who has difficulty keeping track of the various files they have across a multitude of programs, Dropbox is an essential organization tool. Dropbox allows people to share files from one box to another, which is ideal for the parent who needs to be able to keep an eye on their child’s progress and track school work.

Website: https://www.dropbox.com/

Download in App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dropbox/id327630330

Download in Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dropbox.android&hl=en

Trello

Trello is simple, easy to use and great for organizing and prioritizing tasks. You can create as many lists as they like, each that serve a different purpose. For instance, one list may be for school work, another for chores and another for finished assignments. You can then create “to-dos” in the form of cards, which you can place on a particular list. For instance, you may create the card, “Book Report” and house it under “School Work.” You can set milestones, such as “read book,” “create an outline” and “write first draft,” which your child can check off as they complete them. Once an assignment is completely finished, you or your child can move the card to the “Finished Assignments” list, giving your child a visual reminder of their accomplishments.

Website: https://trello.com/en

Download in App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/trello-organize-anything/id461504587

Download in Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.trello&hl=en

123TokenMe

Update: this app is no longer available, its website was taken by another company.

If your child is younger, this app may be just what you need to help motivate your child to get stuff done. With a colorful and interactive interface, 123TokenMe is fun and effective! The app rewards children with tokens as they complete tasks or at set intervals (set by you), making homework and schoolwork more exciting. It also sends feedback on a child’s performance to parents, teachers and therapists alike, that way the right people know how a student is progressing and what more needs to be done to help them.

Website: not available, the app is not working any longer.

There are dozens of task-management apps available for you to choose from. Give each a try until you find one that works for you, your child and, if necessary, their teachers and therapists. Most are free, but each will go a long ways toward helping your child stay focused, organized and motivated.

The post Best ADHD Apps appeared first on The Reynolds Clinic LLC.

A lot of people have heard of ADHD and are familiar with the more common symptoms of the disorder, including hyperactivity and the inability to concentrate for long periods of time, but most people are not really aware of what being ADHD means, or how difficult the condition makes everyday life—not just for the person diagnosed, but for their family members as well. The thing about ADHD is that you never know what to expect. Every person with ADHD is different, and every day for every person is different, which can get exhausting. For many people, not knowing what the next day will bring is a scary thought—most people have a daily routine that they stray very little from—but for people with ADHD, the unknown is a part of life. Not only do diagnosed individuals not have a routine, but also, their emotions, thoughts and feelings are always in a scramble, with happiness, sadness, anger, depression, anxiety and calm always vying for attention.

That said, some things that an individual with the disorder can count on are the following:

• A rollercoaster of successes and failures;
• Feelings of ineptitude as their good intentions go awry yet again;
• Moments of feeling like a genius, and others of feeling as if they are not smarter than a 5^th grader;
• Moments of distractibility followed by moments of hyperfocus, sometimes within minutes of each other;
• Feelings of self-consciousness and of not belonging; and
• A desire to be understood and accepted for who they are.

If you don’t have ADHD but want to know what, exactly, it feels like, consider these ___ analogies shared by people who live everyday with ADHD.

What It Can Feel Like

1. An Outdated Operating System

One anonymous Quora user described having ADHD as being similar to an outdated computer operating system. “For me, it’s like my brain is a computer with really low RAM,” they started. They then continued to describe the instance in which too many programs are opened, which causes the computer to freeze. In order to unfreeze the computer, it has to be restarted (go to sleep). However, because the person cannot sleep during the day (due to work, school and other obligations), they go about their rest of the day with their brain in “shut down mode” and able to perform only the simplest of tasks.

2. Too Many Tabs Open

In sticking with the computer theme, one user described their brain as an internet browser with too many tabs open. Even the best systems can only handle so many tabs open at once, and once you start to get into the 20s, 30s or even 40s, the computer starts to slow down and is unable to process information as quickly as it’s being input.

3. The Steam Roller Effects

One person described her symptoms as being similar to that scene in Austin Powers when a steam roller is coming his way. He sees it and comprehends that if he doesn’t move, he’ll get rolled over, but despite that knowledge, he can’t seem to get out of the way.

4. Paying Attention to the Wrong Things

For one diagnosed individual, ADHD isn’t so much about the inability to focus—it’s the inability to focus on the right things. This person says that he can keep up with four or five conversations at once, that he can tell you exactly where his coworkers will park each day and that he can explain the details of his meals in such exquisite detail people think that he’s a gourmet chef. However, when it comes to keeping track of the important details—where he placed his keys last or where he put that assignment for work—he cannot for the life of him remember a thing.

5. Noise

One person described her life as being a TV show with very bad signal. She’s trying to watch this show despite the poor signal, but in the background, there are a bunch of children screaming and throwing things.

6. Forgetting Why You Entered a Room

“You know when you go into a room and completely for get why you went in there?” one person asks. For him ADHD is like that, except all day, every day.

7. Chasing Balloons

Several users described their days as chasing balloons. They have one balloon in their hands and are happy—until they see another balloon floating away. They race to catch that balloon but accidentally drop the first one. They catch the first and have the two balloons in their hands when a third pops up. Balloons keep popping up, and no matter how hard they try, they can’t catch and keep them all at once. Every time they grab one, another flies away. These balloons are tasks, such as “turn off the over,” “get work done,” “clean the fridge,” “pick up the dry cleaning” and a bunch of other important and not-so-important chores.

8. A Thousand Reminders

On patient describes her life as a constant struggle to remember what needs to be done next, what needs to be done first, what papers she needs to bring to an appointment, what appointments are on the schedule and so on and so on. Her life is full of reminders in the form of sticky pads and phone alarms, but as soon as she turns her back on those reminders, she forgets again.

9. The Hamster Wheel

Many people with ADHD have described their brains as being like a hamster wheel, except the hamster is running very, very fast and they cannot keep up.

People with ADHD have it rough, and not just because they can’t focus or because they focus too hard on the wrong things, but because from the outside they appear to be perfectly normal. It’s only when they start talking, or take a test, or lose something or appear confused that people start to pass judgement. People who don’t have ADHD cannot understand why it is so hard for those with the disorder to just pay attention, and they make assumptions about the person that are completely unfair and wrong. If you don’t have ADHD but want to understand it better, just check out the hundreds of forums for people with the condition and you’ll find dozens more analogies that will put things into perspective for you.

If your son or daughter has ADHD and if you want to help them control that hamster wheel or close a few tabs, reach out to the doctors at The Reynolds Clinic today.

The post A Day in the Life of ADHD appeared first on The Reynolds Clinic LLC.

What is Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback is a subcategory of Biofeedback, which is a method of gaining information by monitoring everything from blood pressure to heart rates and body temperature to brain waves. The purpose of Biofeedback is to help promote the control over bodily processes and responses that would otherwise be involuntary through conditioning and relaxation. The process utilizes some type of computer monitoring device, along with electronic sensors, to transmit information about what is going on inside of the body.

Neurofeedback—also referred to as neurotherapy, neurobiofeedback and EEG—is designed to transmit information specifically about brainwaves; the percentage amount of each particular brainwave in certain areas of the brain; and whether or not the brainwaves are working in harmony together—or, as it relates to ADHD, when brainwaves are out of sync. When brainwaves are out of sync, they transmit a lot of unpleasant noise, much like when a car is out of alignment. Moreover, and also like when a car is out of alignment, a brain whose waves are out of harmony doesn’t operate as effectively as it could.

How Neurofeedback Can Help Harmonize Brainwaves

If your child has ADHD and you’re desperate for a solution that actually works, Neurofeedback may be just what you’ve been waiting for. Neurofeedback has been proven to help a number of neurological issues including but not limited to:

• PTSD
• Sleep Disorders
• Concussion
• Brain Surgery
• Stroke/Aneurysm
• Parkinson Disease
• Anxiety
• Movement Disorders

Neurofeedback does this by assessing the brain’s functions and pinpointing where, exactly, the brain is not functioning optimally. The process has proven to be so successful because it is one of the first to acknowledge that brain disorders—including ADHD—are symptoms of something amiss, and not the causes. Because EEG measures waves in precise areas of the brain, it can locate neural dysregulation—more specifically, it can pinpoint which pathways are dysregulated and/or over or under activated—and help doctors and scientists come up with effective treatment solutions.

Neurofeedback Training

Once the results from EEG feedback are in, a doctor trained in neurological disorders can put together a treatment program that is specially designed to help your child learn how to regulate their brain activity and therefore, improve their ability to concentrate.

For most people, concentrating on a task helps to speed up brain activity. The opposite is true for children with ADHD. The neurological dysregulation that causes ADHD makes the act of concentrating nearly impossible as it actually leaves the person with the disorder vulnerable to distractions. Neurofeedback can be used to see how an affected person’s brain functions when they’re focusing on particular tasks. This knowledge can then be used to train the child (or adult) to regulate their brain activity.

We know what you may be thinking… this all sounds great in theory, but isn’t teaching a child with ADHD to control their brain activity just as difficult—if not more so—as teaching a child with ADHD to do anything? Yes and no.

During a neurofeedback session, the doctor will ask your child to perform a number of tasks with monitors hooked up to their head. The doctor will monitor your child’s brainwaves as they attempt to complete the task to see where the dysfunction is occurring. The doctor will then alter the strategies and watch how each new strategy either helps or further disintegrates your child’s focus. Once they pinpoint a strategy that seems to be effective, they can train your child to practice said strategy on their own, whether they’re in the classroom or at home doing homework.

Neurofeedback Isn’t Widely Accepted Yet

Unfortunately, EEG is not a widely accepted as a stand-alone treatment just yet. Though several journals have published findings regarding how neurotherapy has helped individuals with a variety of neurological disorders such as anxiety, PTSD and ADHD, most doctors won’t recommend the treatment without also prescribing medication and other forms of prevention.

Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind that every child is different and their experiences with ADHD are unique. That said, what may work for one child won’t necessarily work for anther. If you are interested in neurofeedback training for your child, be prepared for a possibly extensive journey. Though there is a way to help your child control their brain processes and improve focus, there is no telling just how long it may take for a doctor to identify those strategies. To ensure that your child gets the help they need, be patient and know that a solution is waiting to be found.

Are There Other Treatment Options?

Of course, there are other treatment options for ADHD, namely stimulant medications. While stimulants have been used for decades to treat the disorder, they tend to do more harm than good. Some proven side effects of the more common stimulants such as Adderall, Methylphenidate or other medications include:

• Decreased Appetite
• Stunted or Delayed Growth
• Difficulty Gaining and Retaining Weight
• Sleep Problems

In some instances, these medications lead to abnormal heartbeats. Before allowing your child to take a stimulant, weight the pros against the risks of doing so.

Some children simply learn to cope with their symptoms by adopting behavioral changes that make life easier. For many, simply coping is much better than risking the adverse effects of stimulants. However, if your child doesn’t have to cope with ADHD, why make them?

Reach Out to the Team at The Reynolds Clinic

The doctors and staff at The Reynolds Clinic are trained and educated in neurobiology and have dedicated their lives to helping individuals with ADHD, autism, sensory processing disorders and other neurological dysfunctions overcome their symptoms and go on to lead a normal and fulfilling life. If you’re interested in what our team has to offer for your child, reach out to us at 860.343.0227 or online today.

The post Neurofeedback is a Viable Treatment for ADHD appeared first on The Reynolds Clinic LLC.

Getting any child to do their homework can be a challenge, but getting a child who has ADHD to do their homework is a near impossibility. Homework requires a great deal of concentration from the moment it is assigned until the moment it is turned in. In order for a student to know what is expected of them, they have to copy assignments into a notebook or calendar. They must bring home the right books, keep track of due dates and then muster the patience and concentration to get the work done—all tasks for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

If you struggle with helping your student get their homework done, there are some things that you can do to help. From creating consistent routines at home to asking the teachers for help in the classroom, there are ways that you can help your child complete his or her responsibilities without afterschool tears or tantrums.

At-School Solutions

Helping your child succeed in academics starts with helping him succeed in an academic environment, away from you, your watchful eye and your helping hand. Every teacher should be willing to allow accommodations if doing so means helping a child succeed. If you feel that your child isn’t receiving the proper help or attention at school, here are some points to bring up with their teacher:

• Ask for More Time to Write Down Homework Assignments: Every teacher should post the homework assignment on the whiteboard or a projector in addition to reciting the assignment guidelines out loud. However, for children with ADHD, even doing this much may not be enough. If a teacher is aware of a child’s attention or language deficits, they should give everyone a typed assignment sheet to take home to Mom, Dad or guardians. If your child’s teacher isn’t already doing this, ask them to start.
• Request “Study Buddies”: If a teacher doesn’t want to waste paper on printing assignment sheets (which is understandable considering the tight budgets many have to work with), ask that they partner students so that they can double check each other’s assignment books and make sure that each has the books they’ll need at home.
• Create a “Completed” Folder”: This is something that you can do at home to help your child even if the teacher doesn’t necessarily participate. Use the complete folder as a reminder to your child of what needs to go back to school and of what still needs to be done.
• Ask For a Lighter Workload: Though you don’t want your child to be treated differently in anyway, there will come times when being “equal” isn’t what is best for your child. Children with ADHD tend to work slower and more diligently on an assignment. They also become frustrated more easily, which results in their refusal to do an assignment at all. To ensure that your child still gets the practice they need without the frustration, ask his teacher to cut back on their work load by assigning just the odd-numbered math problems or requiring a few summarizing sentences instead of a whole journal entry.

At-Home Solutions

Asking a teacher to do any of the above will be futile if you yourself don’t do your part to help your child succeed. Some things you can do to make sure that homework gets done (and that your child doesn’t get frustrated doing it) are as follows:

• Set the Stage: Everything from the time your child does his homework to where he does it and in what clothes he does it in can affect how your child responds to his assignments. If your child needs a break after school, schedule homework time for after an hour of play and snacking. If, however, he needs to be in “school mode” to successfully complete an assignment, make homework time directly after school so that he doesn’t lose his focus.

Designate a “homework center” in your home as well. If you allow your child to do his homework in the playroom, he is rightfully going to be distracted. Create a space that is clean and free of distractions to better help him concentrate.

• Be Available: Sit down with your child when it’s time for them to do their homework and walk them through what needs to be done. Once you’ve gone through the directions and made sure that they understand the assignment, leave them be but never go too far. Make it a point to do something else but also to ensure them that you’re available to answer questions if they have any.
• Encourage Movement: Oftentimes, physical activity is the best thing for a child with ADHD, as movement increases mental alertness and gets rid of all the jitters. If an assignment doesn’t require pen and paper, such as reading, let them walk around the house while they read aloud. Even if an assignment does require your child to be sedentary, let them run around a bit to get their energy out before settling down to do homework.
• Spice It Up: Let’s be honest: most homework assignments are boring for most children. If an assignment proves to be especially tedious, such as memorizing vocabulary words, let him jump around on the trampoline while he recites the meaning of “absolutely,” “atrocious” and “fundamental.” Post cards around the house with the words and definitions and then ask him to find the matches. Homework doesn’t have to be boring, and by making it interactive, you can not only help your child learn, but you can also help them associate “learning” with “fun.”
• Negate the Quality Check: For children with ADHD, success isn’t necessarily doing an assignment right the first time around—it’s simply doing the assignment at all. Check to make sure that your student completed the assignment in question and praise them if they did. Leave the quality check to the teacher.
• Know How To Help: If your child gets stuck on a problem—as they are likely to do from time to time—don’t give them the answer. This won’t help with your child just like it wouldn’t help with any other child. Ask them if they have a similar problem in their notes or if there’s an example in his text book. Encouraging him to figure out the answer on his own promotes problem-solving and self-reliance, two things he will need throughout life.
• Hire a Tutor: If you find it difficult to help your child study, find someone who can help them. This in no way shows a weakness on your part; rather, it shows a willingness to do whatever it takes to help your child succeed.
• Use Medication: If absolutely necessary, ask your doctor about a short-acting medication for after school. When the medication is working, your child will be able to stay focused for longer and complete their homework more quickly. Better yet, they will better be able to remember the material they studied.

Get the Help You Need to Better Help Your Child

If your child has ADHD and you find it difficult to help them with their school work, don’t take that difficulty as a reflection on your parenting. It can be difficult to help any child with their homework, but because of your child’s disorder, it is especially trying to get them to sit still for long enough to comprehend the assignment and then to complete it. Fortunately, there are resources available to help you and your child overcome the homework obstacle and completely nightly assignments without tears or frustration. For more information on what you can do to help your child be successful in school, reach out to the Reynolds Clinic at 860.343.0227 or online today.

The post How to Help Your ADHD Child With Homework appeared first on The Reynolds Clinic LLC.

Then, more studies were done, and it was discovered that the prevalence of smartness was high amongst children with ADHD. For this reason, many people started to assume that the condition and intelligence went hand in hand.

Today’s studies disprove much of what we thought we knew about the condition—both about what ADHD actually is and what “type” of people have it (smart or not smart). ADHD is a very unique condition, presenting itself in different ways in each individual person. In order to understand how the disorder may affect your child, and in order to know what to expect from your child with the condition, you need to first understand what it actually is, how symptoms are affected by intelligence and what issues you can possibly expect to arise when raising an intelligent child ADHD.

What Does It Mean to be “ADHD”?

Not too long ago, parents, teachers and doctors alike would diagnose hyperactive children with ADHD. This was because it was believed that the disorder presented itself in hyperactivity, which includes the inability to sit still for long periods of time, the inability to follow directions, constant talking, impatience, boredom and spontaneity. However, though these are common symptoms of ADHD, researchers today have dramatically changed our understanding of the condition by showing that those who fully meet the diagnostic criteria for ADD do not actually present any behavioral challenges. Instead, researchers have found, ADD presents itself in the form of developmental delays in executive functions, which are a cluster of cognitive abilities that regulate other functions of the mind.

Though most people have trouble with their executive functions from time to time, individuals with ADHD have difficulty with the following functions almost all of the time:

• Attention
• Focus
• Effort
• Emotion
• Memory
• Action

It is because of this inability to regulate these specific functions of the mind that individuals with the condition often exhibit the following symptoms:

• Constant motion/difficulty sitting still
• Impatience
• Constant chatter
• Difficulty completing tasks
• Inability to listen or follow directions
• Boredom unless constantly entertained
• Impulsive behaviors
• Routinely interrupts others when they’re speaking
• Difficulty learning concepts and materials in a classroom setting

In order to help parents, doctors and teachers more easily diagnose the condition, the NIMH has classified symptoms in three ways:

• Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive
• Predominantly inattentive (more symptoms of inattentiveness exist than those of hyperactivity)
• Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive (this is the most common form of ADHD)

In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, an individual must be exhibit at least six of the symptoms.

How ADHD Affects IQ and Vice Versa

ADHD has nothing to do with how a smart a person is or is not. Some people that demonstrate six or more symptoms of ADD are extremely intelligent and talented, while others demonstrate a more or even below average intelligence. This is normal of all focus, whether participants have the disorder or not.

That said, an intelligent person with the condition can be negatively impacted by it. Because the condition makes it difficult for individuals to control their executive functions, even the most intelligent of pupils may find it difficult to sit still long enough to complete a homework assignment, or to fill in all the blanks on a 20-question test. Individuals with the condition are not impaired by a lack of smarts, but rather, a chronic disability to deploy their smarts in an effective manner.

The inability to employ executive functions does not stop at school work. People who have ADD find it difficult to complete even the most mundane, everyday tasks. From completing work assignments on time to sending out emails, and from doing household chores to paying the utility bill on time, many sufferers of the conditions often get distracted before they can complete a full task. This inability to focus gives the impression that these individuals have a low IQ, but oftentimes this is far from the case.

That said, individuals with ADHD tend to focus their attention on activities or subjects that they enjoy. This translates well in the classroom and the workforce for individuals who recognize that they have the disorder and who are prepared to work past their disability to hone their talents.

Issues Parents & Individuals With ADHD Must Overcome

Unfortunately, the condition makes it difficult for parents, teachers and affected individuals to determine whether or not a child is “smart.” There is no one test that can accurately diagnoses ADHD, and because the disorder makes it difficult for even the most intelligent individuals to sit still long enough to complete an IQ test, an IQ test is virtually useless. The only way to really tell if someone has the condition is to observe them long term for six of the nine main symptoms.

A diagnosis of the condition poses a whole other set of issues, namely the “should we medicate or not” conundrum. Stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall have proven to be the most effective drugs to treat the condition but in this case, effective doesn’t always mean better. For some children, these medications are extremely effective and can reduce episodes of hyperactivity, decrease impulsivity and increase ability to focus. For others, however—especially those that don’t show symptoms of hyperactivity—these drugs can make the person lethargic and without personality. To prevent this from happening to your child, it is imperative to know how the condition affects your loved one and how the condition typically presents itself.

The Bottom Line

ADHD is still not wholly understood, so it makes sense that the condition and how it affects IQ (or vice versa) is most definitely not understood. Until recently, the correlations between the disorder and IQ were based on stereotypes and misconceptions. This resulted in mismanagement of the symptoms, failure to diagnose and even improper treatment. Today, however, as more and more data comes out regarding ADHD and how it affects other aspects of a person’s life, researchers, doctors, parents and patients alike are able to diagnose all cases and not just those that are more obvious, thereby ensuring that all patients receive the proper treatment they need to live a whole, healthy and productive life.

The post ADHD & IQ: Clarifying Assumptions Regarding the Two appeared first on The Reynolds Clinic LLC.