Browse Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD and ADHD)

by Dr. Tali Shenfield, Clinical Psychologist

Children with special needs have experienced more frustration and academic failure than most other children. Yet, some of them become successful college students who graduate with a specialty in a chosen field. Sadly, most do not. Only about 57 percent of students with disabilities graduate from high school, and only about 10 to 15 percent of those graduating attend college. What are some reasons students succeed in college? How can parents help their child be among those who accomplish this challenging undertaking? Parental expectations are a key factorr

Parents may suspect that their child is gifted, yet be baffled when their smart child has difficulty learning in certain areas. Some intellectually gifted students also have special learning needs such as a learning disability. Gifted students may also have other special educational needs such as auditory processing problems, dyslexia, ADHD or emotional problems. When a highly intelligent child has a learning disability, it is difficult for parents to make sense of the learning and behavior patterns they observe.

“If you don’t clean up your room right now, you’re grounded!” Ellen yelled at her daughter, Brittany. Brittany rolled her eyes—again—and stalked off toward her room. This running feud was getting to Ellen. She was at her wits end. She began to dread coming home from work because she knew the bickering and yelling would start as soon as she walked through the door. Ellen knew she had lost her way as a parent, and she even began to feel that Brittany didn’t have the same level of respect and love for her that she used to have.

Children who live with failure experience negative feelings such as shame, isolation, and anger. These students need guidance to develop personal skills that support their success. According to research conducted by the Frostig Center in Pasadena, six personal attributes form the core characteristics that contribute to success for special needs students. Successful individuals do not necessarily have all six of these qualities.

Children with special learning needs have experienced more failure and disappointment than other children. Parenting children with special learning needs can be difficult, and calls forth from their parents an extra measure of care in "planting the seeds of greatness." Seeds of "greatness" grow into strong, confident children—skilled learners who make bold choices and expect the best for their lives.

Conce ed parents frequently ask how they can help their children become smarter, more successful learners. The surprising news is that research in the area of human emotions provides a blueprint for the kinds of parenting techniques that increase children’s intelligence! Because of the way the brain is wired, emotional states run our lives, whether we like it or not. Emotional states are constantly in flux, and are easily influenced. Learning occurs when brains grow new cells in response to the environment. Emotions such as pleasure and joy encourage brain cell development.

What Is Educational Therapy? 15 million school age children in the US have learning problems that public and private schools can’t solve. There are 72,000 special education students in LAUSD, alone. Every day these students sit unhappily in class, losing hope of ever realizing their dreams. Students are living in pain and shame. They are not learning to be successful students. Their parents are frustrated in their attempts to find suitable education for their child. They’ve tried working through the public schools. They have hired tutors.

My sons, Eric and Josh, graduated from middle school last week. I had a conversation with them about moving onto high school. I expected to hear "I'm looking forward to high school," "I'm nervous" and "I hope there isn't that much more homework" but, after all of the complaints I heard this past year, I was surprised that what came out of their mouths was "I'm going to miss South Orange Middle School," and "I really like my teachers."r

For many of us trust is not necessarily an easy thing. It can be a big word - loaded with disappointments and few happy memories. We hesitate when we are faced with the desire or need to trust someone and are not comfortable when they trust us. We fear what may happen by making ourselves that vulnerable and then we worry and obsess about it. Many of us feel trust is impossible and in fact we have taken a vow never to trust certain relationships and situations ever again. We can’t imagine allowing that kind of pain to hurt us in the future.

Because of how the ADHD brain functions, people with this condition commonly experience several workplace challenges that can negatively impact their performance. These challenges include: Time/Task Management, Distractibility/Impulsivity; Working Memory; Organization; and Communication/Building Relationships. So the question is: How do these proven brain challenges effect real work accomplishments on the job? In this article we’re gong to talk about: Working Memoryr Working memory enables one to hold facts in mind while manipulating information.

by Dr. Tali Shenfield, Clinical Psychologist

Have you seen the show Hoarders, Buried Alive? Many people are entranced by it. It’s reminds me of when you drive down the road and pass an accident… it’s hard to turn away. I’ve heard people say that they are amazed at how “those people” live. Can’t “they” understand the difference between what’s junk and what’s not? How can “they” save all that stuff? What were “they” thinking as they accumulated all of it? Did “they” really think they would use it? How can “they” live that way? Don’t “they” know when enough’s enough?

In medical school, there is little or no time spent on vitamins, and thousands of hours of instructions spent on pharmaceuticals (drugs). As a result, most MD’s are “educationally handicapped” about vitamins. In the days of “wooden ships and iron men”, the most ...

Children taking Zoloft for ADHD? Are you spoofing me? In my previous psychotherapy practice practice, we might prescribe Zoloft for adults with pretty serious psychiatric disorders. And now we are prescribing this dangerous stuff to young kids& adolescents. When you are thru with reading this article, you will see why Zoloft may not be the greatest option for managing ADHD. Ok, I'll admit, though it is not a normally approved treatment for ADHD, Zoloft has been known to ai

When a person is bored or uninterested, certain tasks and projects can seem like torture! This feeling usually leads to procrastination, and procrastination often leads to guilt. Here are some practical ways to avoid these situations and overcome procrastination:n n1. Recharge DailynBe sure to get enough sleep and rest each day so that you have the necessary energy you need to accomplish your tasks.n n2. Get a Friend InvolvednIt's harder to procrastinate when another person i

by Dr. Tali Shenfield, Clinical Psychologist Premenstrual syndrome or PMS is widely known, but often misunderstood by the general public. In spite of medical evidence to support the validity of both the physical and psychological changes that occur as a result of PMS, the effects of this syndrome are often dismissed and sometimes even ridiculed.

Just like physical illness, mental illness has many different symptoms. Proper diagnosis requires a qualified professional who will analyze all aspects of the symptoms to determine the most suitable course of treatment. Mental illness requires a thorough investigative process for proper diagnosis. Bipolar and psychotic disorders cannot be self-diagnosed, as many of the symptoms occur in other mental health problems. However, there are some common indicators of psychotic and bipolar Disorder that should prompt a person to seek professional help.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can be very difficult to manage - especially for adults with ADHD. As the name suggests, this cluster of symptoms is the result of experiencing a traumatic event. A person with PTSD may be easily triggered by a smell, sound, sight or other sensation ...

Before menopause, "Sylvia" was plagued by severe PMS (now known as PMDD - Pre Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder). She had migraines each month in tandem with her period and her work suffered because she lost focus regularly. After menopause her brain fog worsened. Little did she know that her undiagnosed ADHD was part of the hormonal snafu.

When an individual suffers from depression, feelings of isolation and a general sense of unworthiness can infiltrate their thoughts, making relationships difficult to manage. Relationships are put to the test and sometimes unravelled when depression takes hold. Depression Wears a Disguise

*********************************************nADHD NEWSLETTER from Patrick J. Hurleyn www.addcorridorcoaching.comnnADHD – Mood Swings and AnxietynJuly 2004 Volume I Issue VIInnStatement: My intent in this newsletter is to express as quickly as possible my own beliefs and opinions on matters. I have no problems with people who disagree with my opinion and have even been swayed to rethink my position from time to time.nnI wanted to let you know that our book many years in the

We think about, we dream about and often we worry about what’s going to happen during the holiday season! Sometimes, this is good, sometimes it’s bad. You have to admit; we tend to get really emotionally charged for any holiday or vacation time of the year. After all, a holiday and time off or time spent with family and friends, is something to look forward to.

Is life with ADHD getting you down? You can't lose weight. You have no time to write, paint, live or whatever you want to do? You're tired? You're no good at it anyway? You would like to change if only you could find the time and energy to start. And if I say to you, "You can lose weight. There ...

As a business and personal coach, I specialize in working with highly skilled and creative, if sometimes overwhelmed, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) adults. Among a variety of coaching skills, I use many organizational tools and techniques to help my clients reach their goals. Over the years I’ve gathered some unusual tools and techniques for both the external task of organizing space and for the internal task of clearing away the unnecessary, prioritizing what remai

One of the keys to coping with adult ADD/ADHD is to develop a set of compensatory strategies that help to neutralize the problems it can cause. I have found that for every challenge ADD/ADHD presents for the clients I work with, we can develop a set of strategies that can help a lot. Here are some of the coping strategies many of my clients find most helpful:nn1. Increase structure.n Examples: organize, establish routines, develop specific goals and step by step plans. Utiliz

Because of the ongoing conce over high cholesterol and heart disease, people are consuming low-cholesterol foods, in addition to, taking cholesterol-suppressive drugs that damage the liver, without realizing that this can automatically cause the body to produce more cholesterol, and there are safe and effective clinical nutrition protocols to balance and maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

At first glance, it would seem that positive thinking and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) have nothing to do with one another. But many of us with ADD develop negative thinking patterns because we become frustrated by our challenges and frequent feelings of being overwhelmed. This negative outlook then makes it even harder for us to manage those challenges and move forward. n nPracticing positive thinking allows people with ADD to focus on our strengths and accomplishments,

WHY ARE CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH ADD/ADHD? AND HOW? The number one reason for diagnosing a child as afflicted with ADD/ADHD (and the subsequent drugging of the child) seems to be for the convenience of parents and teachers. Their mental capacity often exceeds that of their elders who are frustrated in their inability to deal with it. These kids in turn feel frustrated because they lack the life experience, the acquired knowledge and education, and the motor skills required fo

Personal qualities that support academic success Students who have the following personal qualities are much more likely to thrive in college. You can read more detailed descriptions of the qualities that insure college success here. * Self-awareness and self-acceptance * Proactivity as opposed to reactivity * Perseverance * Skill in setting short and long-range goals * Use of effective support systems * Strong emotional coping strategies Understanding a student’s rights in college

nJuly 2005 - Volume II - Issue VII nnnADHD - "Military, Police and other Public Safety Careers"nnStatement: My intent in this newsletter is to express as quickly as possible my own beliefs and opinions on matters. I have no problems with people who disagree with my opinion and have even been swayed to rethink my position from time to time. We are still taking book orders for my new book "ADHD and The Criminal Justice System" and you can get my author's discount from the AMAZO

April 2005 - Volume II - Issue IV ADHD - Addictive TendenciesnnStatement: My intent in this newsletter is to express as quickly as possible my own beliefs and opinions on matters. I have no problems with people who disagree with my opinion and have even been swayed to rethink my position from time to time. nnWe are still taking book orders for my new book "ADHD and The Criminal Justice System", and you can get my author's discount from the AMAZON.COM price at this link... boo

ADHD - Perils of People Pleasing TendenciesnnMany persons with ADHD also describe themselves as excessive people pleasers. This is not necessarily all bad, but it can be carried to extremes by some. nnI think the fact that many of us have past history of problems with friendships and personal relationships is partly responsible for this tendency to try and please others. Often times we would blurt out things or respond inappropriately to things costing us dearly. nnAs we get

Dopamine dosers to your rescue! Brain chemicals called neurotransmitters play a key role in focusing. One of these neurotransmitters is dopamine - the major chemical that regulates focus, motor movements and feelings of pleasure. You can use some clever tricks to capitalize on and "control" the dopamine system in your body. Here are three quick ways to get your brain to "dose you with dopamine" and increase your ability to pay attention and concentrate!

Please feel free to reprint this article about the newest ADHD medication to hit pharmacy shelves, keeping author bio and URL intact. Thank you!nn“Strattera, the New ADHD Medication”nn The newest ADHD medication Strattera (atomoxetine) is expected to hit the pharmacy shelves this month to much ado. What separates Strattera (atomoxetine) from the rest of the ADHD medications pack is that Strattera (atomoxetine) is the first non-stimulant medication FDA-approved for Attenti

A mnemonic, (pronounced ni-mon’-ik) is a device used as a memory aid. The F.A.C.T. mnemonic helps students organize and remember important comprehension strategies. The letters in F.A.C.T. stand for effective, research supported strategies that support comprehension: Focus, Ask questions, Connect, and Turn on the visuals. Focus: Comprehension is only as strong as the student's focus while reading. Encourage focus by using your child's imagination and interests.

Individuals with ADHD and ADD often have difficulty with Executive Skills, also called Executive Functions. These are the skills that help us manage and direct our lives.

ADHD NEWSLETTER from Patrick J. Hurleynnwww.addcorridorcoaching.com nnOctober 2004 Volume I Issue X nnADHD –Sleep Difficulties, Procrastination and other threats to Job Stability nnStatement: My intent in this newsletter is to express as quickly as possible my own beliefs and opinions on matters. I have no problems with people who disagree with my opinion and have even been swayed to rethink my position from time to time.nnI wanted to let you know that our book many years i

When it "Clicks," all is well in the world of decoding and easy comprehension.

Forgotten computer passwords, belated birthday cards, mismatched shoes – they can make you wonder if your brain has turned to mush. Or maybe you have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)! Today’s frenzied world is a breeding ground for ADHD-like behavior, but for 95% of us those tendencies evaporate when life settles down. For the other 5% - more than 11 million adults worldwide - life never settles down. Frenzied is normal. And it drives them (and the people around them) crazy.

Max had dreamed of going to college ever since his father told him, “Everyone in our family goes to college.” Max related well to people. They trusted him. He had a head for business. His manner inspired confidence. Max wanted to major in business. But, in order to be admitted to business college, he needed to pass a statistics class. Max began to have problems in math in first grade. His parents sat up with him night after night as he struggled with his homework.

One meaning of the term "bracketing" is "to place within." This concept of "placing within" is a helpful strategy that students and adults can use to identify and appropriately deal with distracting thoughts. In stage one, students decide whether their current thoughts are appropriate for the task at hand. If they are not, students can bracket them in stage two. It is very helpful to teach students (and adults) to classify thoughts into three groups:

December 2007 - Volume IV - Issue XIInnStatement: My intent in this newsletter is to express as quickly as possible my own beliefs and opinions on matters. I have no problems with people who disagree with my opinion and have even been swayed to rethink my position from time to time. We are still taking book orders for my new book "ADHD and The Criminal Justice System" and you can get my author's discount at www.addcorridorcoaching.com/book.asp nnIf you need a good planner, yo

Ritalin is a very dangerous and highly addictive drug. Under Federal law, it is classified as a "schedule II controlled substance," the same rating given to cocaine, opium and morphine.[1] Did you know...nn* 7 million Americans today (mainly children) are diagnosed with ADHD[2]n* Drug Companies spend $259 million dollars each year persuading parents to put their children on Adderall and other amphetamines[3]n* The Revenue from ADHD drugs was over $2.5 Billion in 2004[4]n* USA

Ritalin (methylphenidate) Drug Abuse:n Ritalin (methylphenidate) is the most common drug prescribed for Attention Deficit Disorder. Over the past five years, ADHD prescriptions have increased over 600 percent and so has the incidence of snorting Ritalin, injecting Ritalin and non-medical Ritalin abuse. nn This is not a subject that parents want to believe pertains to their children and hopefully it does not. But, Ritalin drug abuse is a topic that affects us all, as a communi

Dr. Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D., B.C.S.A. is a noted psychotherapist, child/adolescent developmental specialist, and social activist. Dr. Edmunds is the founder of the International Center for Humane Psychiatry, a coalition of mental health professionals, psychiatric survivors and others dedicated to returning compassion and ethics to the field of emotional healing.

If you are feeling discouraged about not being able to get things done, or find yourself losing time on activities that are "fun" in the moment but don't fulfill any of your life's ambitions, you need to know more about the true nature of the quality called "willpower"! We used to think we were born with a certain amount of willpower and the amount of willpower we had couldn't be changed. But now science is challenging that old assumption. It's time for a new look at what "willpower" really is, and a fresh start on beating procrastination! What is willpower?

Explosive Anger Disorder! (EAD). Or, Intermittent Rage Disorder (IRD). Take your pick of labels and/or abbreviations. These are "new" labels in the lexicon of the psychologists and psychiatrists. (You should know that most such labels are made up in order to get paid by insurance companies, ...

It was a hot, sticky afte oon in Mrs. Hall’s 5th grade classroom. The students were sleepy and Mrs. Hall was convinced they weren’t paying attention. Mrs. Hall knew that listening is an active, conscious process that has a huge impact on learning. She realized there were strategies she could use to wake up the students’ brains, interest and ability to listen. She had them listen to classical music. Classical music by composers such as Mozart and Tchaikovsky encourages the brain to enter a relaxed, focused state which is highly conducive to learning.

Automate your "launch sequence"! Have you ever locked yourself out of your car … or your house? I sure have! I think about all the time I wasted sitting outside my house waiting for my husband to come home to unlock the door or, even worse, sitting on the curb or in a fast food joint a block away from my car waiting for him to come and get me where I was stranded - yuck!!