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Using Christmas Season to Teach Your Child Values & Life-Skills - Part 2


Using Christmas Season to Teach Your Child Values & Life-Skills - Part 2

Building Confidence and a positive self-image.

A.D.D. kids are often known best amongst extended family for their unruly and disruptive behavior.

Although it's easier to label and pigeon-hole a child like this it's both unfair and destructive.

All children have talents and accomplishments of which to be proud of, and the A.D.D/A.D.H.D child is no exception.

Your responsibility as a parent to make sure that he gets the opportunity to share these talents and accomplishments with grandparents,uncles, cousins and friends.

Things like showing/displaying art projects, showing everyone the Scout Merit Badge that he earned or reciting a poem that he learned are just a few of the ways to do so.

Coach your child in the art of displaying his accomplishments without coming across as a show-off.

In addition, be sure to tell positive stories about your child and encourage him to chime in as well. This helps others to see him in a more positive light as well.

Teaching Sharing, giving and altruism.
Children, especially those with special needs
(like A.D.D.)are used to being on the receiving end. They often receive special accommodations at school, special attention and extra help at home etc.

Christmas is the perfect time to reverse this and to give the child the experience of giving.

Volunteer work provides the perfect opportunity to help those that are less fortunate. Through the experience of doing this the child realizes that there are others with problems far more serious than his own.

In addition it also gives the child the confidence that he can make a difference in the lives of those around him.

Using Christmas Season to tach your child Important Values & Life-skills - Part 1

Helping your A.D.D Child enjoy the holiday season.... and learn valuable social skills at the same time.

The holiday season presents a unique set of challenges for all family members, but more so for those who suffer from A.D.D. or A.D.H.D. The absence of familiar routines throws the child off balance. Add guests, shopping, the hustle and bustle of the season, parents who are stressed out and kids may suddenly become disruptive and uncooperative.

But if approached in a careful and well-planned manner this season can be a wonderful time of bonding for parent and child, as well as a time to pass on the values and belies that you hold dear. And you can help your child to develop those all important social skills.

Teaching Empathy
Impulsive, hyperactive kids are often self-absorbed and self-focused. Use this season to help your child to shift the focus from himself to others.

One family found a fun way to get their 8 year old son,Mark, actively involved in the Christmas planning and shift his focus at the same time.Mark acted as a gift consultant to his mother. His job was to interview each family member about their hobbies etc. and then using that knowledge help his mother pick out appropriate gifts. This kept him involved, gave him a sense of pride and accomplishment -both of which are vital for building a healthy self-esteem. And he was thrilled when family members loved the gifts he helped to choose.

Teaching Teamwork and Co-operation.
A.D.D./A.D.H.D. kids tend to be very disorganized bunch and are notoriously poor planners as well.Getting your child involved in planning a party is a terrific way to build her self-confidence and improve her planning skills. Help the child make a list of the things you need to purchase and how the evening will proceed, for example snacks and drinks followed by dinner and then everyone gathers around the piano to sing Christmas Carols. Work together to make the evening a success.Let your child do as many tasks as she is capable of, and let go of the need to have everything 'perfect'. After all building your child's confidence and improving her planning skills are far more important than having everything 'just so.'

Is It Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Just Boy Behavior?

Have you ever wondered if your son had A.D.H.D or whether he was just behaving as normal boys do? After all boys will be boys.....This article sheds some light on the issue.


Is It Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Just Boy Behavior?

It has been suggested to you that your son may be suffering from attention deficit. This information has come to you via a teacher or a child care worker or family member or maybe it has crept into your own mind without any suggestion from anyone. You struggle with the idea and you wonder, is it really attention deficit or is he just being an active boy. After all, the symptoms of attention deficit and the normal behavior of boys can look remarkably alike. They are distractible, don’t stay focused on one thing for very long, can be impulsive, are forgetful (except for details of video games!) don’t listen for directions and are constantly moving. Sound like your boy?

The diagnosis of ADHD has increased tremendously over the past three decades, if the prescription of medication to treat the disorder is any indication. In the years between 1987 and 1996 there was a 600% increase in the prescription of medication for the treatment of ADHD. (the increase in the prescriptions was for children enrolled in HMOs, during that same period there was only a 17% increase in enrollment in the HMOs). This is a staggering increase in the diagnosis of ADHD, add to this that boys are three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than are girls and the question of if this is boy behavior or ADHD is a significant one.

The only way to really tell the difference between the two is a very thorough diagnosis. Unfortunately, between the pressures on teachers and classrooms and the busy health care practitioner there can be a rush to diagnose a child with ADHD simply by looking at the diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual Fourth Edition (DSM IV) and declare a child to be indeed ADHD, particularly if his behavior and academic performance is suffering. One study in Australia showed that three fourths of the children diagnosed with ADHD had been improperly diagnosed (Australia has the highest use of psychostimulants for ADHD in children).

Fortunately, most experts agree that there is a way to accurately diagnose ADHD but they are also quick to point out that there are a number of disorders in children that can present like ADHD. Some of these disorders are depression, anxiety, learning disabilities among others. It is also possible that what looks like ADHD simply is immaturity due to the fact that the maturity rate among boys varies significantly from boy to boy, particularly compared to girls. If you suspect that there may be a problem with ADHD, make sure that you are getting a good assessment, remembering that ADHD is what is called a “rule out” disorder. A rule out disorder is one that is diagnosed partially by ruling out other, more readily identifiable disorders.

The diagnosis of ADHD is done usually by comparing your son’s behavior with boys his own age. Even within this comparison there are tolerances built into the measures to account for variability among individuals. It is also important to note that behavior that is showing up in only one setting (such as at home but not school, or school but not after care, or at school but nowhere else) is not likely to be ADHD, it is most probable that something else is going on. These comparisons are done using questionnaires constructed specifically to evaluate children for a select number of disorders, including ADHD. It is also widely accepted that children less than elementary school age should not be diagnosed with ADHD as the symptoms of ADHD and toddlerhood are too similar.

So the question of whether it is boy behavior or ADHD can really only be answered with a thorough evaluation. If you choose to ask your pediatrician about the issue, make sure he or she is familiar with the guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics for diagnosing ADHD. This will demonstrate that at least they have some awareness of the complexity of diagnosing ADHD and will not be in a hurry to prescribe medication. Recognize that you son is going to active and distractible unless actively enganged in an activity. Don’t expect him to sit quietly and play without movement or noise. This is just not the way boys are. However, if his distractibility or activity seems to be excessive, make sure that you get a good assessment.

Needing more information about ADHD? A more detailed and complete article on this important issue of boys and ADHD can be read at Boys Behavior, a web page dedicated to Boys and Their Unique Behavior http://boysbehavior.thehomeschoolorganizer.com

What's the Difference Between ADD & ADHD?

What's the Difference Between ADD & ADHD?

Have you ever wondered what the difference between A.D.D & A.D.H.D is? Or whether your child had A.D.D /A.D.H.D?
This post at the About.ADD site has some answers.

Tips to help your hyperactive A.D.D. Child Enjoy The Festive Season.

Christmas is a very stressful time of the year for children with A.D.D. A lack of structure combined with a complete change in the daily routine and add in guests and you have a recipie for trouble. Children often act up and behave worse at times like this.

But you can help your child to enjoy the Christmas season if you take the proper steps to prepare him in advance.

Here are some tips to help your child to cope with and truly enjoy this Christmas Season:

  1. Teach your child Coping Skills Ahead Of Time.- What are the areas your child has problems with? Is it sharing toys with other kids? Then sit down together and decide which toys he woukd be willing to share and which ones he wants to put away until the guests are gone. Does he throw tantrums or yell when he's angry? Then teach him to breathe deeply and count to 10 to prevent him from exploding.

2. Rehearse correct behavior ahead of time so that by the holiday rolls around your child is famaliar with it. Does he have a problem with proper dinner-table ettiquette? Then practice having a formal dinner once a week so that by the time Christmas rolls around he is an expert.

3. A.D.D. children are more easily over-stimulated. Too many events one after the other make it exhausting for the child and this leads to poor behavior, tantrums etc. Build in enough down time into both yours and your child's days during this hectic season.

Take a walk alone together, lie down for a nap together or give your child some headphones and let him listen to some soothing brainwave entrainment soundtracks. The Calm Kids A.D.D. Brainwave Entrainment Program has 2 different soundtracks. One soundtrack is set to soothing and calming music and the other to ocean waves.

Just 20 minutes listening to these soundtracks helps to calm and soothe a child and reduces hyperactivity dramatically. To get your copy of the Calm Kids Program (Which includes the 2 soundtracks as well as several other information products designed to help you take immediate control of your child's A.D.D. & start reducing symptoms now) go to Calm Kids

4. Take one-on-one time with your child. Play a game together, read him a story or get him to run some errands with you.

5. Encourage your child's strengths.

6.Include your child in tasks.

Let him help you to cook the meal, wrap presents, etc. It may seem to require more effort and the tasks may take a bit longer with your child helping, but it will save you time in the long run because you won't have to take time to deal with misbehavior.

Introducing the FIRST & ONLY Brainwave Entrainment Product for Kids with ADD/ADHD.




Click here to go the Calm Kids Page

The Inner Workings of The ADD Brain.

What should an ADD Child's Diet Consist of?

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) can be battled from many directions. Drugs, behavior modification, nutrition, and exercise are among the various means with which professionals combat ADD in children. Good nutrition is a vital part of children's health, whether they have ADD or not. But in a child with ADD, proper nutrition is critical. In the initial stages of ADD, taking nutritional supplements is an alternative to treatment.

A low blood sugar level (glucose level) is one of the main causes of ADD in children. This condition makes children drowsy in class and restless when they are bored. Children with glucose deficiencies suffer a shorter inattentive phase. You can maintain your child's blood sugar level by making glucose part of his breakfast, the most important meal of the day as far as children are concerned.

For an ADD child, vitamin B is important as it helps to free the energy in glucose. A deficiency of vitamin B in the diet makes a child aggressive and depressed. A child may not get all varieties of vitamin B (there are 12 essential parts to vitamin B) from his normal diet. A good multivitamin capsule can be used to supplement normal food. Cereal is also a good source of vitamin B. Iron is an essential mineral as it helps in transporting oxygen to the cells (primarily, brain cells) through the blood system. Iron deficiency leads to anemia. Folic acid is essential for the formation of red and white blood cells. Without the proper amount of folic acid in the body, a child feels tired, irritable, and forgetful. Folic acid is obtained from vegetables and fruits. Zinc deficiencies also cause ADD symptoms. A lack of a sufficient amount of zinc makes a child feel dizzy and depressed. Cereals and peanuts are good sources of zinc.

Attention Deficit Disorder provides detailed information on Attention Deficit Disorder, Adult Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder Tests and more. Attention Deficit Disorder is affiliated with Children with ADHD.

Attention Deficit Disorder Diet

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is Not Related to I.Q.

It's important to know that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Intelligence, as measured by I.Q., are two different things.

Some parents are convinced that if their child has ADD it means that they are retarded. On the other hand, other parents say, "I've heard that ADD kids are really very, very bright. I think my child must have ADD," as if they wanted to wear a button that said, "My child is smarter than your child because he has ADD." Both of these points of view are unfortunate, and are based on bad information.

Intelligence falls into a Bell Curve, even for those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Some Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder kids are below average I.Q., and some are even retarded. Other ADD ADHD kids are above average I.Q., and some are even quite brilliant. But the awful truth for a parent to hear is that MOST children (about 2 out of 3) are AVERAGE I.Q. That's why they call it "average." And most Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder kids have average I.Q. as well.

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder just have a very tough time in the classroom setting. We tend to see lower academic achievement than we would predict based on the child's I.Q. If they are really smart and they ought to be A students, we are disappointed when they're getting C's instead. If they ought to be B students, they're getting D's instead. Their school performance is disappointing, but it may not be due to a lack of intelligence.

The ADHD Information Library has six web sites with information to help children and teens with Attention Deficit Disorder be more successful in school, at home, and in life. At our site dedicated to helping children and teens succeed in the classroom you will find over 500 classroom interventions for teachers and parents to use. Visit ADDinSchool.com and look around for four or five suggestions to help your child succeed.

Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.

ADD Without Hyperactivity

ADD Without Hyperactivity

This excellent article deals with some crucial differences between ADD and ADHD. A worthwhile read as it clears up some important misconceptions about ADD symptoms.

There is one thing I disagree with, though. At the end of the article, drug therapy is presented as the solution. There are far more effective solutions, such as brainwave entrainment which heals the underlying cause of ADD instead of just treating the symptoms.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) & Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) - Other Contributing Factors.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) &
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) -
Other Contributing Factors to the development or worsening of symptoms -Part 2


Lack of exercise: Exercise increase the blood flow to the brain. Kids who lack the exercise they need are more likely to develop ADHD like symptoms. Our bodies are built to move, not to sit still everyday.

Psychological Factors: This is one factor that is grossly underestimated as a contributing factor to the development and worsening of ADD & ADHD. Physical and emotional abuse, lack of affection, touch, nuturing & stimulation (especially as a child) cause a rush of stress hormones to be released. These act as chemicals that poison the child's brain.

Some Causes of ADD and ADHD

Some Causes of ADD and ADHD

Attention Deficit Disorder is a condition that is shrouded in confusion, old wives tales and misinformation.

1. Genetics - ADD is often inherited from either the parent or grandparent as many other
2. Head injury, especially to the left side of the brain. Keep in mind that this doesn't have to be a serious injury to have an adverse effect.
3. Toxic exposure- Brain infections such as meningitis or encephilitis cause a toxic inflammation of the brain and damage the tissue.

4. Substance abuse during pregnancy - If the mother smoked, drank or abused drugs in pregnancy her child could develop ADD or ADHD.

5. Oxygen deprivation during birth or afterward. A cord being wrapped around the baby's neck or a near drowning or any incident in which the oxygen supply is cut off to the brain can cause damage and lead to ADD or ADHD.

In the next blog post we will look at some other factors that could lead to ADD or ADHD.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) & Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) - The 4 telltale clues that you have to know to prevent misdiagnosing

THE TRUTH ABOUT ADD - The Core Symptoms you need to know about to prevent misdiagnosis -

This is the first in a series of posts that will discuss the core symptoms of all types of ADD/ADHD. If you've ever wondered if you or a loved one has ADD/ADHD this is one series of blog posts you have to read.

There are six different types of ADD according to Daniel G. Amen author of Healing ADD. However there are a few core symptoms that are common to all types of ADD:

1. A short attention span for routine tasks. ADD or ADHD sufferers can pay attention to things that interest them personally, but boring, routine tasks such as schoolwork, homework and chores won't hold their attention for very long.

2. They are Disorganized - Taking a peek at the closet, closet and possessions of a child and you'll get a good clue as to whether the child suffers from ADD or not. Their closets are like a jumble sale and their rooms look like an explosion took place.

3. ADD/ADHD children have a hard time following through and completing the tasks that they have begun.

4. ADD or ADHD children have poor impulse control. A child with ADD will leap now and look later. They live in the moment with no thought for the future.

All of these symptoms exist over a prolonged period of time and often show from an early age, although in some cases the symptoms don't show until the child starts school.

Despite the type of ADD or ADHD your child has these core symptoms will be present. If your child displays any of these core symptoms there is a strong likelihood that your child has ADD or ADHD. If this is the case it is advisable to have your child evaluated by a competent professional.


Another important thing to do is to educate yourself about ADD and the best way to do that is by reading. Amazon has literally hundreds of books on ADD/ADHD. Choose a few that appeal to you and start reading. In later blog posts I will be reviewing some excellent books on ADD.

If your child has the core symptoms of ADD or ADHD and you would like to know exactly what type of ADD or ADHD your child has, go to http://www.maximindpower.com/add/optin.html

and get the pencil and paper diagnostic test that professionals use for FREE.




ADD : Attention Deficit Disorder debunked.

ADD : Attention Deficit Disorder debunked.
My son was diagnosed with ADD a few years ago and my husband also has ADD. When I found out that my son was ADD I began to search the web for information on ADD. Much of the advice I read was conflicting and confusing and the statistics alarming.
And so I began on a quest to learn all I could about ADD - to demistify it and uncover the truth.
So in this blog you will find good, solid advice from one parent to the next.