Lack of leisure?

Engel-Yeger and company performed an experiment in 2011 to examine the relationship between sensory processing difficulties and the child's preference for leisurely activities. They examined the children's activities based on the type of ADHD the child was diagnosed with (Inattentive, Hyperactive, Combination). So for all you parents out there, could certain characteristics caused by ADHD symptoms influence your child's interest for activity?



Well, although there are similar characteristics of ADHD prevailing in most diagnosed individuals, different children process symptoms in regards to the type of ADHD they have. In particular, the study focussed primarily on the sensory processing inabilities which is quite customary of diagnosed individuals but differs amongst the type of ADHD. What was found was that regardless of the type of ADHD the children had, they showed significantly lower preference to participate in leisurely activities compared to their 'normally developing' controls.

This came as a surprise to me, I would assume that due to the hyperactive nature that comes along with certain types of ADHD (combined and primarily hyperactive) activity would be increased. Well, the study focussed mainly on leisurely activity in those with sensory processing deficits. So, parents, no need to worry that your child simply does not want to participate in specific activities, its more about getting them to enjoy activities that pertain to their unique style.

Could chaos at home influence ADHD?

Could maternal and paternal parenting practices inhibit certain symptoms of ADHD in their children? There was a study performed by Mokrova in 2010 to see whether or not an individuals home environment influences ADHD behaviors.Well, what was found was that there is a positive correlation between the higher levels of home chaos and a diagnosed child's actions in the classroom. What this means is that more chaos in the home environment inhibits more actions associated with the symptoms of ADHD in their children. Such parenting practices that could lead to home chaos include:

• Inhibition of impulse
• Sustained attention
• Inconsistent discipline
• Type of supportive responses to children's actions

This is one way to look at how an environment can either heed or cause certain symptoms to be more extreme than normal. We can then make the assumption that a positive home environment may help children cope better with the ADHD, specifically when in the educational setting. The negative features associated  with ADHD, the inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity could lead to impaired functioning in school and any social environment. So if your child is having trouble in school or you have teachers claiming your child's behaviors have for some reason spiked, it could be due to stressful actions at home.

Here are some things to look for:

• Recent behavioral changes or outcries
• Recent drops in grades
• Isolation or new change in the social scene
• Signs of substance abuse
• Extreme stress

As you can see, most of these signs are recent changes in behaviors. However some signs can be gradual. It may be hard to recognize if your child has a recent change in friends, especially during adolescence when they tend to keep to themselves. Try and recognize, if you yourself are stressed out or having difficulties at home, imagine the impact it has on your child who exhibits the signs and symptoms of ADHD.

New Video Series: Possibly a new outlook?

At 3:50 the doctor begins to discuss parents tendencies to be hesitant towards having their child evaluated. If your child is showing signs of possible ADHD characteristics, it is ok to be scared or nervous. However, you must realize the potential psychological, behavioral and physical side effects that come along with being undiagnosed. Undiagnosed ultimately means untreated. The negative side effects that come along with not being recognized and treated are far worse than that shameful feeling of having your child being ostracized at school for his disorder. Certain side effects of living with the symptoms of ADHD undiagnosed could be:

• Self Esteem Issues ( not being able to justify your actions, feeling you have no control)
• Poor grades
• Difficulty maintaining relationships
• Rebelling actions and behaviors
• Substance abuse

Think of the over all well being for not only you, but your child. Ultimately getting your child evaluated is not to embarrass or feel that they are not 'normal'. You are here to help them live the healthiest, happiest lifestyle you know you can provide. A doctor evaluation is only one step in the process for diagnosing and individual with ADHD so do not feel that this analysis is the only judgement. There are also teacher/parent evaluations and behavioral checklists.

One of the best ADHD parenting websites!

http://www.adhdchildparenting.com

I can't say that I am the best when it comes to parenting tips, as I have no kids of my own. I do still like to explore and see some of the resources out there for parents.

I love this website! Here there is plenty of easy to read information and facts about ADD and ADHD individuals.  It also has sidebars filled with possible treatments, activities, teaching techniques, healthful nutrition and much more.

The information seems to be presented in a professional manner. It may be the knowledge from either a clinical or developmental psychologist. I particularly liked the section on natural and healthy treatments for easing the symptoms of ADHD. Here they talk about natural remedies that claim to be effective. Instead of using prescription medications, this could be a more natural alternative. Depending on the extremity of symptoms, medicinal treatments may work better however.

Early Identification

 I had always learned that there are several steps in diagnosing an individual with ADHD, and that the earlier the better. However, I was looking at a certain study and read several claims about these steps that may influence the accuracy of ones diagnosis.

Tracy Packiam performed a study in 2009 examining the effectiveness and accuracy of the most common types of behavior checklists. Here she looks at how these checklists discriminate the methods used in labeling "typically developing" children, those with working memory impairments, and those with ADHD.

Let me remind you that teacher evaluations and behavior checklists are only one aspect in diagnosing a child! Here are several complications I had found with the studies outcome:

1.) The characteristics measured and exhibited by those with working memory deficits are near similar to those of individuals with ADHD.
2.) The similarities can lead to the misinterpretation of ones behavior to be something that its not.
3.) This diagnostic can act as a bias for the later evaluations, for example, like parent evaluations.

Take home message: Behavior profiling in the classroom may seem like the most accurate means of evaluating a students behavior, however often times it is difficult to discriminate behaviors associated with ADHD individuals and those with other impairments of a similar matter.

There is hope! Now-a-days certain districts require their general educators to have at least some certification or knowledge of special education and exceptional learners in order to become one of their employees.

My goals for the blog!

Hi everyone!

I wish to provide a simple, colorful, online resource open for parents, teachers and caregivers alike. There will be plenty of tips and resources to help those who are living with those or coping with Attention Defecit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD. Sometimes it may be hard to interpret what today's most popular studies are claiming and if anything, if these types of studies are done in an ethical and meaningful manner to be deemed important for readers. I will take a look at some of today's most compelling articles, videos or studies and provide a help-line for those who may just need another perspective under their belt. Combining my knowledge of Psychology and Special Education I look to provide a unique standpoint that is not only supportive but relevant to you.