Quick Tips About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Anyone that deals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) it is essential to understand this frustrating disability. It could be you, a loved one, a friend or even a co-worker that is suffering. Knowledge will help you understand what is happening.

Everyone that has ADHD display the symptoms of ADHD in their own way. Mostly this disorder means the person has difficulty with being impulsive, hyperactive and lack concentration. This is a condition that affects children as well as adults. Many are diagnosed or at least notice problems while in school. They are inattentive, restless and have difficulty when it comes to following directions. They can have trouble controlling their behavior too.

However, there is half baked information on ADHD that is available which makes it difficult to really understand the gravity of the situation. Learning about ADHD means understanding ADHD. It is often considered that a person with ADHD is just a "bad child" or undisciplined. They will yell out answers and run around the class room. They are also known to have conduct problems too. They are considered to be lazy and not being diagnosed or being ignored means they don't get the treatment they need. When they are treated they can learn to cope with their condition and function in a way that will help them in life. This will help them learn and become a success. The sooner a person is diagnosed the faster they will be able to start their life without the problems of ADHD.

If parents and teachers find there could be an ADHD issue then the child can be tested. The child's pediatrician is not able to do a test that diagnoses ADHD, but when teachers and parents discuss various issues with the pediatrician they will be able to determine if they actually have ADHD or not. Some of the signs of this disorder include- squirming or restless behavior when asked to sit properly, tearing around aimlessly in the room, inability to concentrate on instructions, rudeness, get distracted quickly, poor performance at school and behavioral issues that increase over time.

Usually the milder forms of the disorder go unnoticed for a long time as the child is often labeled lively and active, but when the behavior deteriorates over time or the child lags behind the rest when it comes to schoolwork, parents take notice.

This is actually an illness that can last throughout their life. This brain condition makes it difficult to concentrate, but has nothing to do with poor parenting or the child being a bad person.

There are ways to treat ADHD. Helping organize the child or adult with ADHD can help. They can use management techniques and day planners as a way to learn to cope personally. They can find a way that works for them to end struggles that they suffer with ADHD. Support groups are another way to be helpful. This can help the person with ADHD as well as the family, friends and even coworkers. It could even bring training classes along with educational resources.

For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula please visit http://www.childdevelopmentmedia.com/.

View the original article here

How to Choose Your Child's Therapist

After learning that a child has special needs, the next big step for parents is finding a therapy team that can help their child meet their goals. It sounds easy, but it can be more challenging than most parents think. Here are ten things to keep in mind:

1. Review family goals: The first thing a family needs to do is review their own approach to their child and what their ultimate goal will be. If the family wants the child to have a nice therapy experience, the therapist they choose will be different than one who wants strong results. Families want to find a therapist who will meet their ultimate goals and work well within their long-term plan.

2. Develop realistic goals: Going into a therapy experience expecting miracles will only set a family up for disappointment. Be realistic in what therapy goals you have when shopping for a therapist. Otherwise, you'll be disappointed every time.

3. Be honest: Before hiring a therapist you'll want to interview them. You want them to be honest with you so you need to be honest with them. If you are not dedicated to working with your child at home or can not commit to a set weekly schedule, say so. A therapist will appreciate your honesty up front and a good therapist will tailor your treatment plan to work within your limitations.

4. Talk to them: Take some time to really chat with the therapist before committing to an ongoing relationship. It's kind of like dating. If this relationship works for you and your child you are going to be spending a lot of time together. Do they listen to you? Do they hear what you are saying? Will they brainstorm solutions with you or do they just tell you what to do?

5. Ask questions: If you have questions or concerns; ask. Therapists appreciate a family who is invested in their child's future. Those who hire a therapist willy-nilly can come across as a family who just want someone to fix the problem or does not take the process seriously.

6. Do some research: There are a lot of options in the world of therapy. Doing a little research about your therapist can really pay off in the end. Do they have a website? Do they have published articles or blogs? Many times, these documents will tell what is really important to a therapist more than their spoken words. What are their credentials? Someone with a doctorate is not necessarily the best therapist and someone with only a bachelor's degree can be amazing. Make sure they have the correct credentials to practice in your state. If they require supervision, check on their supervising therapist as well as many times they will be the one to dictate what happens in the sessions. Are they willing to provide references? If they give references take some time to call them. Other families are good measures of a therapist. Parents whose children have similar diagnoses can paint a nice picture of what your therapy sessions may look like with a given therapist.

7. Ask to observe: Some therapists do not allow others to observe their sessions because of confidentiality, but others are more open to allowing parents to see what is going on. Some parents are also happy to share their therapy experiences with others because they want to help others find the "gem" they have in their therapist. Even if the answer is no, it can ease your mind to know that you can either get a glimpse of therapy or that the therapist has standards which they are willing to uphold

8. Learn about their team: Most therapists have a group of professionals that are their "go to" team when they have questions, concerns, problems, or need input in areas where they are uncertain. Knowing about their team helps to not only know that they are open to other ideas, but that they are not the Lone Ranger when it comes to treating your child. It can also come in handy if you need additional services. Finding one great therapist can often lead to more wonderful people in the life of your child.

9. Ask about the toys: Some therapists are minimalists, others are techno-savvy, and still others are willing to use just about anything in a session to get the job done. Think about what kind of therapist will compliment your child's skills and needs. None of these approaches are the right answer, but one of them is right for each child. There are different types of therapists for different types of kids for a reason. Everyone has the perfect therapist out there for them.

10. Price: Most families would put this first, but like most things, you get what you pay for. Many traditional therapists (occupational, physical, and speech therapies) will accept insurance and other third party payment programs. Less traditional therapies (music, ABA, floortime, art) are not always covered by insurance but can make a huge impact in the progress of children with special needs. Look at your budget and talk to your therapist. Many will work with you to help your child get what they need without breaking the bank.

While there is no exact way to find the perfect therapist for a child with special needs, a little leg work can make a big difference. Even if you make a poor choice, you can always find someone else. The right therapist-client relationship is important in meeting your child's goals. If it is not working for you and your child, don't wait. Find what you've been missing!

©R.Wellman 2011

Rebecca Wellman, PhD, MT-BC/DT is a board certified music therapist and developmental specialist. She ha s a private practice in the Chicago suburbs where she works with children with special needs and older adults with memory loss. Dr. Wellman is a regular presenter at state, regional, and national conferences. She can be contacted through http://www.wellmantherapy.com/.

View the original article here

Is Your Child a Visual Learner?

Sending your child to the best school is no guarantee that she will get the best education that you want for her. Several studies attest that there are different learning styles and most schools are yet to adapt a curriculum that will fit a particular child's learning style.

A study on 100 urban school districts published by Dr. Wilma Gillespie in 1982 revealed that achievement scores, teacher recommendations and grades were the three most prevalent criteria employed in selecting students for gifted programs. All three of these criteria, however, can only identify the gifted auditory-sequential learner - a child who can think primarily in words, has auditory strengths and a step-by-step learner.

But not all children are auditory-sequential learners.

Linda Kreger Silverman is a Colorado-based educational psychologist who extensively studied child development. Silverman's research revealed the presence of visual-spatial leaners - the "picture thinkers".

"The visual-spatial learner model is based on the newest discoveries in brain research about the different functions of the hemispheres. The left hemisphere is sequential, analytical, and time-oriented. The right hemisphere perceives the whole, synthesizes, and apprehends movement in space. We only have two hemispheres, and we are doing an excellent job teaching one of them. We need only become more aware of how to reach the other, and we will have happier students, learning more effectively," she said.

Identifying a visual-spatial learner:

So how do you know if your child is a visual-spatial learner?

There are some behavioral signs that will indicate that your child is more of a visual than auditory learner.

Her lecture notes are full of colored highlight markers, charts or diagrams. She can read body language easier than others, then she's a visual learner. Any action that takes place in her mind appears with color, texture and shape, her dreams are colored and she knows the trends.

Any flicker of an eye, slight raising of an eyebrow or faded hint of a smile will be noticed by a visual leaner. She doesn't need words, because any sign from the other person helps her make her move from there. Sign language is her second method of interaction.

When she reads something, a visual learner makes detailed and vivid movie in her mind concerning the information she's reading. She can also remember where the information was located on a page. When she meets someone news, she might forget that person's name, but she will remember what that person looked and wore.

A visual learner observes every detail of a painting, examine how photographs are displayed in a book and pause before a mural.

She will never get lost in a city or anywhere else, because she will easily remember how they got in that place. She can also visit a city or find a given place just by looking at a map.

How to help a visual learner:

If your child is a visual learner, here are some things you can do to enhance her learning process:

*Ask your child's tutor to include PowerPoint presentations - which include illustrations, charts, diagrams, maps, etc. - when helping her to do her homework.

*Teach her to encircle or highlight every important keyword in a book or article.

*When she is studying, it is better to keep her away from windows, as this distracts her.

*A quiet place to study is recommended, with no pictures or posters on the walls. Any TV or music player must be out of sight or turned off.

*Her cell phone should be in silent mode or switched off.

*Encouraging her to make lists helps develop her visual sense.

*Train her to make use of mind-mapping methods.

*Use colored pens to highlight a section in a book. They are best for stimulating her mind and help her think better.

*Place a white board or cork board on a wall so she can post reminders and mini notes.

Prime is a content management strategist for Ahead Interactive (http://www.aheadinteractivetutorial.com/), leading provider of live, video-powered online tutorials. She writes articles on productivity and stress management to help busy working women cope with overwhelm.

View the original article here