A friend of mine has been going through the very lengthy and detailed process of testing her son for Attention Deficit Disorder. As I listened to her explain the symptoms, many sounded like my daughter. One expert describes this kind of brain as choosing what is most interesting instead of what’s most important. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sent my daughter to turn…
5 ADD Interventions That Apply to All Kids
ADHD Not a Real Disease. Scientist claims everyone fits some of the criteria for ADHD
One of the world’s leading pediatric neuroscientists, Dr. Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D, recently stated publicly that Attention Deficit/Hyper-Activity Disorder (ADHD) is not ‘a real disease,’ and warned of the dangers of giving psycho-stimulant medications to children. Speaking to the Observer, Dr. Perry noted that the disorder known as ADHD should be considered a description of a wide range of symptoms that many children and adults exhibit, most of which are factors that everyone of us displays at some point…
10 Things We Know About Autism That We Didn’t Know A Year Ago
Just two decades ago, autism was a mysterious and somewhat obscure disorder, commonly associated with the movie Rain Man and savantism. It affected an estimated 1 in 5,000 children. How times have changed. Today, thanks to awareness and advocacy efforts, people now have a much better understanding of autism. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now estimates that a staggering 1 in 88 children, including 1 in 54…
5 Strategies To Help Your Child Combat ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, commonly referred to as ADHD, is a neurobiological disorder characterized by developmentally inappropriate impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity. People with ADHD can be very successful in their life. For example, some well-known people have been diagnosed with ADHD such as Albert Einstein (scientist), Dwight D. Eisenhower (US President), Hillary Duff (actress/singer), Whoopi Goldberg (actress), Jason Kidd (basketball player), and Suzanne Somers (actress). However, without appropriate…
In Autistic Kids, “Thinking in Words” Improves Mental Flexibility
When children with autism ‘mentally talk things through,’ they have an easier time unraveling complex everyday tasks, which may lead to more flexible thinking and a more independent life later on. For example, encouraging children to describe their actions out loud has been successful for increasing mental flexibility in typically developing children. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may benefit from verbally learning their daily schedule at school instead…
Back To School – Bullying And The Gifted
Why the gifted may be more likely to be bullied–and what you can do about it. For many gifted students, there is a more severe and serious issue that threatens them the first days and weeks of school. Many of the students I see in my position have described it this way: they don’t really “belong” that they are merely “floating along” as the year progresses, not…
Back To School : Parent Tips For Children With Autism
School districts throughout the country will soon welcome back students for a new academic year. This includes an increasing number of special needs children identified with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The beginning of a new school year is an exciting yet anxious time for both parents and children. It typically brings a change in the daily routine established over the summer months. This transition can…
10 Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew
10 things every child with autism wishes you knew 1)First of all I am a child. I have Autism. I’m not only “Autistic.” My autism is only one aspect of my character. Does not define meas a person. You are a person with thoughts, feelings and talents. Or you’re just fat, skinny, tall, short, short-sighted. Perhaps these are some things I notice when you meet, but this is not necessarily what you are. As an adult, you have some control of how they self-define. If you want to delete a feature,can be expressed differently. As a child I’m still discovering. Neither you or I may know what…
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…